Pela

Infobox musical artist
Name = Pela


Img_capt = Pela at New York's Bowery Ballroom
Img_size = 400 × 267
Landscape =
Background = group_or_band
Birth_name =
Alias =
Born =
Died =
Origin = Brooklyn, New York
Instrument =
Voice_type =
Genre = Indie rock
Occupation =
Years_active = 2004-present
Label = Unsigned
Associated_acts =
URL = [http://www.pelamusic.com pelamusic.com]
Current_members = Billy McCarthy
Nate Martinez
Eric Sanderson
Tomislav Zovich
Christopher Herb
Past_members = Josh Kaufman
Brian Shevlin
Andrew Squire
Notable_instruments =

Pela is an American indie rock band from Brooklyn.

History

Pela's history goes back to the early ’90s when lead vocalist and guitarist Billy McCarthy met Christopher Herb. As best friends they worked at a mall together after dropping out of highschool, and then traveled around the world together playing music in various cities. Herb and McCarthy began a folk project called Igloo Gazelle in New York City in 2001. In Early 2002, Herb had a chance meeting with Eric Sanderson on a subway platform at 7th ave in Brooklyn where Herb was busking. [http://www.rollingstone.com/news/story/14197430/artist_to_watch_pela Artist to Watch:Pela] . "Rolling Stone".] Sanderson was invited to a practice session and joined the band shortly thereafter. In late 2002, Herb abrubtly moved to Australia for four years. Sanderson & McCarthy soon broke up Igloo Gazelle and teamed with guitarist Nate Martinez, who studied music, and went to school with Sanderson, to start Pela. After a succession of drummers, they found Tomislav Zovich who remains in the band today.

They released a physical EP in 2005 on Brassland label, owned by Brooklyn/Cincinnati band The National, and a download-only EP Exit Columbia Street, in 2006. [ [http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=11:fpfwxqesld0e~T1 Pela] at Allmusic] In 2007 the group signed with independent label Great Society, who released their debut full-length, Anytown Graffiti, in April 2007. [ [http://www.popmatters.com/pm/music/reviews/32345/pela-anytown-graffiti/ Review of "Anytown Graffiti"] . Pop Matters] . The group appeared at SXSW in 2007, and has played with The Flaming Lips,The Decemberists, Norah Jones, Sleater-Kinney, The National, Mission of Burma, Rainer Maria, Gomez, Devendra Barnhart, [ [http://2007.sxsw.com/music/showcases/band/47267.html Pela] at SXSW. Accessed January 17, 2008.] British Sea Power, and Feist. Pela have recently severed ties with Great Society and are unsigned at the moment.

In 2007, Pela traveled to Los Angeles to record in a studio and work on a follow-up album. As fate would have it, Christopher Herb had recently returned from Down Under and was living in L.A. After joining in on the recording sessions, the band asked him to join. Herb packed up his belongings and relocated to New York and is now a permanent member.

On February 29th at Schubas Tavern in Chicago McCarthy sustained a serious hand injury after falling onto a broken pint glass on stage, leaving a deep gash in his left palm, and slicing a tendon in his left pinky finger. The tour was subsequently canceled as a result. McCarthy has since undergone a successful surgery and following physical therapy, has fully recovered. The band has recently completed a successful national tour is currently mixing their second full-length album, “Rise ye Sunken Ships” which will be released in early 2009.

Discography

*"All in Time" EP (Brassland, 2005)
*"Exit Columbia Street" EP (download-only, 2006)
*"Anytown Graffiti" (Great Society, 2007)

Members

*Billy McCarthy - guitar, vocals
*Nate Martinez - guitar, keyboards
*Eric Sanderson - bass, keyboards
*Tomislav Zovich - drums
*Christopher Herb - keyboards, vocals

References

External links

* [http://www.pelamusic.com Official website]
* [http://www.myspace.com/pela Official Myspace]
* [http://www.pelamusic.com/tourblog Tour Blog] (active when band is on tour)
* [http://www.pelamusic.com/studioblog Studio Blog] (active when band is in the studio)