Thursday, February 09, 2012
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One Happy Island

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Summary by Carrie Dagenhard

One Happy Island produces feel-good, handclap indie by the bucketful. The group has all of the basic elements of indie pop with a few atypical instruments thrown in for good measure. A ukulele, a kazoo, and a harmonica have all been known to make an appearance and give the songs a second grade music class type of quality. Quaint, cute, and deliciously poppy, One Happy Island is one performance you absolutely don’t want to miss.

Although this is the band’s first Athens Popfest, the group has snatched spots on both the NYC Popfest and New England Popfest lineups. Band member Brad is a Georgia native himself, but this tour marks his first performances in his home state.

Five Questions with One Happy Island

1. What are your five desert island records?

Rebecca: If I can't respond with "the one that tells you how to get off a desert island," then I'll go with "I Know About You" by Ida.
Clint: “Bat Out of Hell” by Meatloaf, or “Nebraska” by Bruce Springsteen. Or maybe a mix of the early Belle & Sebastian records? But probably “Nebraska.”
Shannon: I’d narrow it down to, arbitrarily, “American Water” by the Silver Jews or “Friends” by the Beach Boys…or maybe “Rain Dogs” by Tom Waits.
Brad: Either “Why That Doesn’t Surprise Me” by the Lucksmiths, or “Headquarters” by the Monkees…or one of the first four Sparks albums, and perhaps “Remain in Light” by the Talking Heads.

2. Could you classify your sound for people who haven't heard it before?

Quirky indiepop with lots of fun instrumentation. Musically playful, sloppy, minimalist, lyrically bittersweet, jangley...or music for wussies.

3. What is your favorite place to play, and why?

In Boston, Razzy's (good hot dogs and Sloe gin!), Toad (or maybe we were just drunk that night), or the Lizard Lounge (homey, intimately-sized room with good sound that makes us feel classy). In New York, Union Pool (Brooklyn) and the Cake Shop (Manhattan).

4. What is the weirdest thing you take on tour?

Rebecca carries a beanie baby in her back pocket named "Jean Claude von Crab." Clint will bring his Super 8 camera. Brad always has too many extra strings and strange herbal cough drops. Shannon plans on trotting out his collection of little hotel shampoo bottles.

5. What should people expect from your Athens PopFest performance?

Awkward stage banter, a few mistakes, and lots of balls.

Download Music by One Happy Island

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