ponieheart

Ponieheart (Paul Fugazzotto II) started as the private sketchbook recordings on a two-track bought with the money from a cashed-in life insurance policy. The value of the equipment indicates how little there was to lose. Immediately he began to explore the typical artist-thinker material: depression, drugs, God, death... In the process, Paul found an alter ego, another self - the self that can kind of sing and sort of play guitar. The self that likes to express feelings to others but doesn't really care if they agree.

The sound has evolved to include a further exploration to these themes from a more mature perspective. Sonically, the instrumentation is tight and the vocals sometimes loose. Contrast is a very important component and is used as a tool to exploit dissonance; organic guitars and vocals against the stark mechanics of programmed beats. Some songs rely solely on the live instrumentation and have no rhythmic backdrop other than space.

Paul has performed nationally since 2002. As a member of Rainywood, now Brightblack Morning Light (Matador Records), he played on their earliest tours with Bonnie 'Prince' Billy in support of their first release "the Collection EP". Crane Orchard, Paul's full band, has been playing live in the Southeastern U.S. since 2003. They have released and E.P. and are finishing up a full-length recording. Ponieheart toured the east coast in spring 2005 with Jodie Jean Marston. Once they joined up with Superwolf (Bonnie 'Prince' Billy and Matt Sweeney), Paul became the sole backing musician and vocalist for her dates on the tour. A fall 2006 tour is in the works to support the release of the first Ponieheart full-length, Touch to Love. Recorded and produced by Jamie Stewart of Xiu Xiu, Touch to Love is the fourth release on Paul's label, Now Here Records.