The Nod
Encyclopedia
The Nod is an American Indie-Rock band from Madison, Wisconsin, formed in 2008 at the University of Wisconsin. Their debut EP, Shoddy Heart, earned the band live TV appearances on Urban Theater and WBUW TV, as well as opening appearances for national touring acts OK GO
, Cage the Elephant and Third Eye Blind
. To this date the band has released three studio albums: Shoddy Heart (2009), Easy, Maverick (2010) and Tomorrow Compadre (2011). Their music is distributed by independent record label Yes Please Records.
After playing countless shows in support of Shoddy Heart, drummer Alex Murrell and lead guitarist Marc Zazzaro left the band to pursue professional work opportunities in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Leaving the group in between drummers, Singer/songwriter Brett Newski and bassist Eric Maloney recorded The Nod’s first full-length album “Easy, Maverick” by renting out a basement under a late night liquor store. The duo collaborated on the recording process, challenging each other to “guitar and harmonica duels” to see who could write the better lead riff which would ultimately make the album. “Easy Maverick” earned the band positive press, including reviews in the Wisconsin State Journal
and New York City’s Zeitgeist Report noting the album as “contagiously melodic and intellectual.” Newski played drums on the album before a permanent replacement was found.
After the “Easy, Maverick” era, the band stripped down to a three-piece, playing harder-driving indie rock that had been compared to early Weezer
, Cake, or a “grittier version of Phoenix
”.
In June of 2011, Isthmus news announced that The Nod would be parting ways after playing out a string of US dates. The band’s final LP “Tomorrow Compadre” was released the day of the band’s “farewell show” at the Memorial Union Terrace in Madison, WI. Over 2,000 were in attendance. On August 17, 2009, the band announced that their entire discography would be released as “pay what you want” on bandcamp.com. After the breakup, Maloney would go on to pursue law at the University of Minnesota while Newski would continue his path as a writer/musician. He is set to release a folk/rock solo album titled “In Between Exits”.
Origin: Madison, WI
Genres: Indie Rock/Alternative/Quirk
Years Active: 2008-2011
Labels: Yes Please Records
Associated Acts: Brett Newski, The Big Strong Men
Web site: www.thenodmusic.com, www.thenodmusic.bandcamp.com
Current Members: Brett Newski (Songwriter, Guitarist), Eric Maloney (Bassist), Charlie Lynch (Drums and Mandolin)
Past Members: Alex Murrell, Marc Zazzaro, Cousin Martin, Paul Dietrich, Nate Devroy
References:
The Nod on New York City’s Zeitgeisty Report
The Nod live on Urban Theatre
“Easy Maverick” album review: The Daily Page
Onion AV Club: The Nod Announce Farewell Show
Isthmus announces “The end of The Nod”
External Links:
Official site: www.thenodmusic.com
Twitter: @thenodmusic
Myspace: www.myspace.com/thenodwi
Bandcamp: www.thenodmusic.bandcamp.com
OK Go
OK Go is a rock band originally from Chicago, Illinois, USA, now residing in Los Angeles, California, USA. The band is composed of Damian Kulash , Tim Nordwind , Dan Konopka and Andy Ross , who joined them in 2005, replacing Andy Duncan...
, Cage the Elephant and Third Eye Blind
Third Eye Blind
Third Eye Blind is an American alternative rock band formed in the early 1990s in San Francisco. The songwriting duo of Kevin Cadogan and Stephan Jenkins signed the band's first major label recording contract with Elektra records in 1996 resulting in two multi platinum albums. The band's lineup...
. To this date the band has released three studio albums: Shoddy Heart (2009), Easy, Maverick (2010) and Tomorrow Compadre (2011). Their music is distributed by independent record label Yes Please Records.
After playing countless shows in support of Shoddy Heart, drummer Alex Murrell and lead guitarist Marc Zazzaro left the band to pursue professional work opportunities in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Leaving the group in between drummers, Singer/songwriter Brett Newski and bassist Eric Maloney recorded The Nod’s first full-length album “Easy, Maverick” by renting out a basement under a late night liquor store. The duo collaborated on the recording process, challenging each other to “guitar and harmonica duels” to see who could write the better lead riff which would ultimately make the album. “Easy Maverick” earned the band positive press, including reviews in the Wisconsin State Journal
Wisconsin State Journal
The Wisconsin State Journal is a daily newspaper published in Madison, Wisconsin by Lee Enterprises. The newspaper, the second largest in Wisconsin, is primarily distributed in a 19 county region in south-central Wisconsin...
and New York City’s Zeitgeist Report noting the album as “contagiously melodic and intellectual.” Newski played drums on the album before a permanent replacement was found.
After the “Easy, Maverick” era, the band stripped down to a three-piece, playing harder-driving indie rock that had been compared to early Weezer
Weezer
Weezer is an American alternative rock band. The band currently consists of Rivers Cuomo , Patrick Wilson , Brian Bell , and Scott Shriner . The band has changed lineups three times since its formation in 1992...
, Cake, or a “grittier version of Phoenix
Phoenix (band)
Phoenix is a Grammy Award winning French indie rock band from Versailles, founded by Thomas Mars, Deck d'Arcy, Christian Mazzalai and Laurent Brancowitz.-Formation and early years:...
”.
In June of 2011, Isthmus news announced that The Nod would be parting ways after playing out a string of US dates. The band’s final LP “Tomorrow Compadre” was released the day of the band’s “farewell show” at the Memorial Union Terrace in Madison, WI. Over 2,000 were in attendance. On August 17, 2009, the band announced that their entire discography would be released as “pay what you want” on bandcamp.com. After the breakup, Maloney would go on to pursue law at the University of Minnesota while Newski would continue his path as a writer/musician. He is set to release a folk/rock solo album titled “In Between Exits”.
Origin: Madison, WI
Genres: Indie Rock/Alternative/Quirk
Years Active: 2008-2011
Labels: Yes Please Records
Associated Acts: Brett Newski, The Big Strong Men
Web site: www.thenodmusic.com, www.thenodmusic.bandcamp.com
Current Members: Brett Newski (Songwriter, Guitarist), Eric Maloney (Bassist), Charlie Lynch (Drums and Mandolin)
Past Members: Alex Murrell, Marc Zazzaro, Cousin Martin, Paul Dietrich, Nate Devroy
References:
The Nod on New York City’s Zeitgeisty Report
The Nod live on Urban Theatre
“Easy Maverick” album review: The Daily Page
Onion AV Club: The Nod Announce Farewell Show
Isthmus announces “The end of The Nod”
External Links:
Official site: www.thenodmusic.com
Twitter: @thenodmusic
Myspace: www.myspace.com/thenodwi
Bandcamp: www.thenodmusic.bandcamp.com