New York-based singer-songwriter Marykate O’Neil is releasing her fourth solo effort, Underground (Nettwerk/71 Recordings), on February 3rd, 2009. Following 2002’s self-titled album, 2006’s 1-800-Bankrupt, and most recently, 2008’s mkULTRA EP, Underground presents a collection of exquisitely crafted, impeccably literate pop songs. With her work previously hailed by critics as “deeply authentic and original” (Rolling Stone) and “pure magic” (Filter), Underground reaffirms O’Neil’s exceptional talent for heartfelt, bittersweet songwriting.
While studying at Boston University, O’Neil formed the band piewackit, who came to be known around the Northeast for their retro-pop hook-laden confections and O’Neil’s angelic vocals. After gigs with acts such as Mary Lou Lord, Juliana Hatfield, and Elliott Smith, piewackit put out sockmonkee in 1997. Marykate has since released two solo full-length records, one EP, and is now preparing for the release of her third full-length, Underground.
“I feel lucky to have all of my friends play on the record because music for me has always been about community,” she says, “.and in that spirit I always try to drag about everyone I know into my projects.” Fortunately, O’Neil seems to know no one but talented musicians. She shares producing credit with Jill Sobule, Jacob Lawson, and Roger Moutenot (Yo La Tengo, Elvis Costello, Sleater-Kinney), and contributors include Mickey Grimm (Butterfly Boucher, Over the Rhine) and Ken Maiuri (Pedro the Lion, Soft Drugs, Mark Mulcahy). The record was mixed by Brad Jones (Josh Rouse, Matthew Sweet, David Meade).
“The idea for the title came from a book I was reading on the underground press syndicate which started up to fill the gap between ‘the staid old left Greenwich Village and the edgy, radical East Village’,” O’Neil explains. “. and then I found a copy of an East Village Other circa 1971.” This copy of the Other contained an article entitled ‘A Conversation With Yoko Ono and John Lennon’, where they were quoted as saying that “it just shows how dumb it is to think that it’s all over just because somebody told us”.
“I just don’t think the underground is ever over,” O’Neil adds. “Be it music, art, writing, ideas. I just think sometimes it is harder to find. and I think we are living in one of those more elusive times, where things are all getting done in a more underground/DIY kind of way -- even if you aren't the MC5.”.” Be that as it may, O’Neil has managed to capture the DIY, community spirit on these eleven tracks, in everything from the production to the album artwork. Recording was accomplished everywhere from friends’ studios, including Fountains of Wayne’s Stratosphere Sound, to her kitchen table in Bed-Stuy. For the record cover, O’Neil collaborated with Craig Eastland to create a look based on the East Village Other, including a protest poster from May 68 and a Polaroid of Marykate, age 4, flashing a peace sign. Accompanying the record release will be a downloadable booklet, in the style of an underground newspaper, with contributions from Marykate’s collective.
Marykate will be touring "underground" with her band the Delta Salinity Report. "In an effort to bring the spirit of the record to our live shows, I have been playing all shows with old friends." So far tour dates have included shows with: Jill Sobule, Nada Surf, The Sawtelles, Jim Boggia, Senator, Audrey Ryan, The National Convention, The Gramercy Arms, Mark Schwaber, Hilken Mancini and Lianne Smith ---- please go and check out all of their music -- you won't be sorry!!
