Music
Press
"Newspaper Taxi’s latest bid for my attention was unveiled to me during a conversation with Paul prior to their Crowbar gig on August 19th. The premise of the song is saucy as hell, although the title suggests an episode of Sesame Street, the content is hardly something you’d go over with Grover. Maybe Bert and Ernie… but I digress.
"The gig was a hoot, and although the crowd was small, everyone was into it and having a great time. The guys always deliver an energetic performance, no matter who shows up. Their new one, Number Three, while a little dispassionate on the recording, was extremely meaty live. With a kick ass melody, nice driving bass line, some pretty neat harmonies between the guys, and a haunting guitar line, they’ve covered all their bases to guarantee a hit. Consider it “I want to hold your hand” only… on LSD.
"Number Three describes with simple and honest aplomb a social phenomena in the media everywhere, kinky sex. Dan’s debut on lead vocals is refreshing. Lyrically it’s plainly simple, with saccharine little rhymes like “two for tea” you’d almost think you were dropped into a bad scene in a Disney movie, but their simplicity is part of the Taxi’s charm. I’ve been listening to the guys stuff for some time, and they remind me a lot of an undiscovered Beatles right now. Come to think of it, they look a little like an undiscovered Beatles…except with a blonde John Lovitz on guitar.
"Welcome to the next Beatle-mania ladies and gentlemen."
-Tamara Morahan
PHYTE, Sept. 28/2006
( Full article at http://www.phyte.ca/pages/pleasure-music-gigs ) - PHYTE
I've been listening to the "Newspaper Taxi" CD all morning so far. The best way I can describe it is: it sounds like the guys from They Might Be Giants are singing, the Barenaked Ladies are handling the instrumentation, and the music was written by Paul McCartney.
I approve!
- Jonathan L. Wilson - LiveJournal
So last night at The Silver Dollar Room (on Spadina Av. in Toronto) the boys of Newspaper Taxi played a spectacular show. Ari (lead vocals, rhythm guitar) and the boys (Dan - bass, tambourine and vox, Paul - lead guitar and vox, and Jeremy - drums), played what looked to me like an effortless show -- which to me says "F*ck, they are really on their way!"
Of course, talking to Jer last night, he complained... I had to tell him that they sounded quite good! He said that they hadn't played together since November... what can you say? The next album should be killer, as far as I think.
The guys were really sweet, Karen (Paul's wife) and I were pre-emptively celebrating our birthdays last night, we got shout-outs... and stuff (see heading). It rocked!!!
- Andrew Abdul - LiveJournal
Newspaper Taxi is a honest as modern rock gets, no over-production here, people. Four real guys playing real music for real people. When they sing "All this is real," they mean it.
- M. Russ - ...
Discography
Untitled ep-length CD (dubbed the “Numbers ep”)
Self-produced with Saam Hashemi, 2006
Track Listing:
• #3
• 7 Days
• 1000 Reasons
[In advance of an up-coming, as-yet-untitled full-length CD to be released in 2007]
“Shut Up & Listen” full-length CD
(Titled “Things I’ve Been Wanting To Say” prior to production release)
Self-produced, 2005
Track Listing:
• Thanks For Asking
• Bad Attitude
• Zoara
• Sweet Ambrosia
• All This Is Real
• Outta My Mind
• Shut Up and Listen
• Fallen
• You're So Pretty
• Last Night in Town
• Next Time
• Not Talkin' Forever
“Meeting With Myself” ep-length CD
Self-produced with Michael Hanson, 2004
Track Listing:
• Sweet Ambrosia (different recording than on “Shut Up & Listen”)
• Fallen (same recording as on “Shut Up & Listen”)
• The Weather
• Stops & Sputters
[In advance of “Shut Up & Listen”]
Photos
Bio
There is something undeniably sexual about music, and Newspaper Taxi revels in the similarities. As much passion as there is in a sweaty-palmed first date, it's also in a sweaty-shirted night out dancing to tunes. So why wouldn't you want to write about the things that get up and move you in order to… well, get up and MOVE you?
"Yeah, threesomes, polygamy, the initial adrenaline rush of a dirty kiss stolen in a sweaty club, it's all there in our songs," says vocalist/rhythm guitarist Ari Simon. "But it's the basis for how energetic our music is. If all those things get your heart beating a bit faster, then it's the perfect compliment to high-energy rock and roll."
Which is exactly how to describe Newspaper Taxi. Unapologetically energetic and passionate, all they seem to really want to do is move you. Not emotionally, PHYSICALLY. However, how Newspaper Taxi excels is in evoking these themes without resorting to songs full of the standard rock clichés and repeated screaming of the word "GIRLS!"
"I like to be a bit more subtle than that," says bassist/vocalist Dan Desveaux, "after all, what's the point of being able to write songs about stuff if you can't have a little fun with words?"
Clearly, fun is an important part of music in the opinion of Newspaper Taxi. Even in the songs with quiet or slower parts, you seem to be confronted with a slithery bass line or clever guitar lick that still makes you tap your feet. Melodies and harmonies battle for attention until you're not sure who's singing lead. Choruses are repeated not out of mindless repetition, but because sometimes, it just feels better to sing something twice. Loudly.
Comprised of Simon, Desveaux, lead guitarist Paul Irving, and drummer Krist Ladva, Newspaper Taxi have been honing their songs and showmanship to sweaty, happy audiences, all in preparation for their next step. Having just recorded three songs for a mini-EP with Saam Hashemi (The Miniatures, The Marble Index), Newspaper Taxi are currently and frantically preparing for a full-length album brimming with impassioned songs, designed to move you.
In your underwear, around your bedroom.
[Any requests please contact Dan at 647.295.3454]
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