Music
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The debut full-length release from Butterthief, Manish Tandon's cutting-edge NYC quartet, is like a soft explosion. With an alternative indie sound that crosses the bridge from dreamy, melodic themes to surf/spy music, Butterthief plays like a band that has been together for years. Tandon, a Columbia Business School graduate, had a six-figure salary as a marketing director with Viacom (which owns MTV and VH1), but he decided his real role in this world is as a musician. He enlisted lead guitarist Aram Bakajian, who had majored in music at Columbia University, and Butterthief was born. The entire album can be heard for free on the band's Website. This music is edgy, artistic, and inspired. Plus, with names like Manish Tandon and Aram Bakajian, who could forget them? -Dug - SKRATCH MAGAZINE
Volunteerism, meditation and sobriety aren’t the kinds of words you would normally associate with a modern rock act, unless you’re talking about NYC’s Butterthief. The band will be playing at Rothko for an EP Release Party on May 6th.
Butterthief were started by Manish Tandon, who ditched his six-figure marketing director job in Manhattan to pursue his true passion: music. Calling upon the help of former college friend Aram Bajakian and fellow meditation enthusiast Joey Repice, Tandon was able to forma a tight group to deliver his songs live.
Butterthief play melodic tunes that range from soft ballad-like numbers to more aggressive rock and roll. What makes Butterthief really stick out in a busy sea of rock groups striving for attention in the New York area is their cleanliness. Each member of the group practices deep breathing meditation and tries to volunteer whenever they can. The band recently played at the Art of Living Silver Jubilee Celebration in India, which was a huge peace event that brought over two million in attendance. In an effor to avoid sounding too preachy, Butterthief try to convey their positive message through lyrics and energy, rathern than constantly jabbering.
Rothko is located at 116 Suffolk St. on the Lower East Side. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Tickets cost $10. This is a 21+ show, so make sure to bring some ID. Lucky, The Attorneys, BonBomb, and On My Signal will also be playing. Check out rothkonyc.com or butterthief.com for more information
- THE AQUARIAN WEEKLY
Manish Tandon is the mastermind behind Butterthief. Tandon formed Butterthief when he found his music industry job not satisfying enough for him. His longing to make his own music kept his mind from enjoying his present state. So with that in mind he got a group of boys together with similar interests to make some highly melodic pop tunes. The result is "Riding The Radiowaves", a 10 song LP that brings strong comparisons to Snowpatrol, Coldplay, and Embrace. (release date 2006) - CRASHIN'IN
...Butterthief represents the category who do not want to define their music by just including tablas or sitar. The band boasts of a truly global concotion which includes: Italian, Middle Eastern, Armenian and of course, Indian. "We want to make a positive impact on the world, especially the youth. We believe in nonviolence and service, and all of us volunteer for a lot of not-for-profit organizations," says Manish Tandon, lead vocalist of the band. Drummer Joey Repice adds: "We're all really influenced by all different cultures, not just one."
This band surely practices what it preaches. Butterthief performed at the Art of Living silver jubilee celebration in Bangalore, India in February. More than 2.5 million people from across the world attended this one of the largest global peace event.... - The Indian Express
Discography
"Butterthief" (EP, 2008)
-Single "Arcade Racer"
"Riding The Radio Waves" (LP, 2005)
-Single "Central Park"
-Single "Ride"
Photos
Bio
Butterthief is easily enjoyed, but not easily classified. Taking cues from classic rock, 80's supergroups, Britpop, and the cutting-edge music still played in small, off-the-beaten-path venues, Butterthief takes disparate elements and fuses them into a cohesive and supremely satisfying whole.
The story begins with Manish Tandon, a California native with a vision to write music to harness energy rather than express aggression. To this end, he recorded "Riding The Radio Waves" (2005) an album featuring styles from the jangly "Breathe" to the hypnotic, Beatles-esque lullaby "Central Park". He also recruited Joey Repice, a percussionist and life-long New Yorker, who shared Manish’s idea of creating music that rocked while infused with positive vibes. The live band eventually attracted the attention of Tom Broucksou, a veteran of the DIY punk scene out of Buffalo, and Mike Pumphrey, a Philly native and singer-songwriter. On guitar and bass, respectively, the Butterthief sound coalesced. Jettisoning the more pop-punk influences and replacing them with more emphasis on melodies, harmonies, and slightly more avant tendencies, the excitement was immediate and palpable. Tom's guitar work, patterned and expressive, seems to play both rhythms and leads simultaneously. Mike's bass often takes the lead, played like a guitar, locking in with Joey's furious attacks on the drums. Finally, there is Manish's voice, with a delivery somewhere in between the theatrics of Bono with the plaintive vocals of Death Cab For Cutie's Ben Gibbard.
Working with producer/engineer Tim O'Heir (Dinosaur Jr., All American Rejects, Say Anything), Butterthief went in to the studio to record new material (recently released as an EP), which showcases their new-found confidence and musical call-to-arms. Listen to "Arcade Racer", a high energy battle cry that sounds like The Police playing for their lives. Also check out "Surface Tension", with its soaring vocals and massive guitar crescendos.
Both live and in the studio, Butterthief thinks big, acts big, and might just be the next big thing. Don't miss them.
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