Volcano, I'm Still Excited!!

Volcano, I'm Still Excited!!
John Robinette performing at Mojo's in Columbia, Missouri, 2004
John Robinette performing at Mojo's in Columbia, Missouri, 2004
Background information
OriginAustin, Texas and Brooklyn, New York
GenresIndie rock, alternative rock
Years active2002–present
LabelsPolyvinyl
Members
Past members
  • Byron Westbrook
Websitewww.polyvinylrecords.com/artist/volcano_im_still_excited

Volcano, I'm Still Excited!![1] was an American indie rock band from Brooklyn, New York (originally from Austin, Texas). The band's name (which has been described as "ludicrous")[2] was reportedly inspired by the Tom Hanks film Joe Versus the Volcano,[3] though the band has never revealed the inspiration for the name.[4]

History

The band's beginnings can be traced back to 1998. At the time, Mark Duplass was touring the country in support of his solo debut, Small Hands. This earned him a record deal with Mercury Records.[5] After another solo release, Duplass moved from Austin to New York City to pursue his music career. Shortly after arriving in New York, Duplass was diagnosed with tendinitis in both of his arms,[6] and was told that playing the guitar would further aggravate his injury.[7] Wanting to remain in music, Duplass enrolled in City College of New York to study composition.[8] He turned to playing the organ as it was the only instrument which he was able to play pain-free.[9]

Duplass returned to Texas in late 2002 to record songs he had written. This resulted in Volcano, I'm Still Excited!!'s debut EP, Carbon Copy. The Austin Chronicle favorably compared "The New Brad" from Carbon Copy to Rufus Wainwright.[10] While touring to support this release, the band was noticed by Polyvinyl, who released the group's full-length eponymous debut.[11]

The band drew inspiration from acts such as Elvis Costello, Guided By Voices, Death Cab For Cutie, Beulah and Wilco, according to Duplass. Rumors of a reunion have circulated throughout Brooklyn in 2010.

Other pursuits

In addition to their activities with Volcano, I'm Still Excited!!, the individual band members have collaborated with other artists. Craig Montoro contributed to Mates of State's 2003 release Team Boo as well as Sufjan Stevens's Illinois in 2005.[12] Duplass has written, produced, and starred in many films such as Humpday and Cyrus and starred in the FX sitcom The League and Apple TV drama series, The Morning Show.

References

  1. ^ Borolla, Caroline, Volcano, I'm Still Excited!!, CMJ, retrieved September 15, 2007[permanent dead link‍]
  2. ^ Hancox, Dan (August 1, 2005), The Download, New Statesmen, retrieved November 13, 2007
  3. ^ Goldstein, Hartley (February 24, 2004), Volcano, I'm Still Excited!! Album Review, Pitchfork Media, archived from the original on May 25, 2007, retrieved September 15, 2007
  4. ^ Shvartsman, Dan (March 8, 2004), "Volcano, I'm Still Excited!! Interview", 30music, retrieved September 15, 2007[dead link‍]
  5. ^ Sendra, Tim, Allmusic/MSN Music Biography, Allmusic/MSN, archived from the original on July 10, 2012, retrieved September 15, 2007
  6. ^ Rafferty, Ryan (March 4, 2004), Quirky band holds its own, The Observer, archived from the original on August 13, 2009, retrieved November 13, 2007
  7. ^ Polyvinyl Biography, Polyvinyl Records, archived from the original on August 13, 2007, retrieved September 15, 2007
  8. ^ Wallen, Doug (February 11, 2004), Three For Fighting, Philadelphia Weekly, archived from the original on March 17, 2006, retrieved September 15, 2007
  9. ^ Lindsay, Cam (June–August 2004), In Music We Trust Review, In Music We Trust, retrieved September 15, 2007
  10. ^ Gray, Christopher (March 14, 2003), TCB, The Austin Chronicle, retrieved November 13, 2007
  11. ^ Ewing, Drew. "Volcano rebels against mainstream sound". The University News. Retrieved November 29, 2024.
  12. ^ Ford, Jon, BBC Album of the Day, BBC, archived from the original on January 26, 2008, retrieved September 15, 2007