Album Notes

THEY ARE... Billy Swanson-Guitar, Vox * Nate Martinez-Guitar * Eric Sanderson-Bass * Tomislav Zovich-Drums


THE BASICS: Currently, all four members of Pela live in the not-so-fashionable waterfront neighborhood of Red Hook -- the setting of Hubert Selby Jr.'s Last Exit to Brooklyn, and home to many artists, dock workers, cranes, and shipping containers. They make desperate songs about addiction, isolation, hope, murder, sex, and Mexico. In spite of the dark subject matter Pela's music is quite catchy and has led one writer to opine that their music "recalls what might happen if Modest Mouse hitched a ride on U2's wide-horizon rock'n'roll tour bus."


BIOGRAPHY: Pela's frontman Billy Swanson was born and raised in Santa Cruz, California and dropped out of high school at age 16, after which he played in failed bands up and down the west coast, later moving overseas to Europe to make a living as a subway busker. He worked in 10 countries, most of which would have him only long enough to pay for one-way tickets to the next city. (During this tour of duty he attempted to play a restaurant in Italy dressed as a pirate; had his front teeth knocked out in a fist fight; and lost the tip of his index finger somewhere along of the way.)

Eric Sanderson (bass) and Nate Martinez (guitars) are from New York. They went to the same school upstate, and have been playing music together for almost 10 years. Eric first encountered Billy while the latter man was busking at a Brooklyn subway stop. Eric was impressed by what he heard. The last member of this merry band, drummer Tomislav Zovich, joined up in 2003. Tom's from New Jersey via Croatia and received his musical education playing weddings with his dad. (You wouldn't know it but he plays a mean polka.)


OTHER HYPE: During their short history, Pela have attracted some fine associates. They are managed by World's Fair, which puts them in the very exclusive company of artists like Flaming Lips, Tortoise, Devendra Banhart, and El-P. Their debut release comes via New York's fast rising Brassland, a label responsible for introducing The National to the world. They have played venues like the Mercury Lounge, North 6, and Southpaw with such esteemed acts as Sleater-Kinney, The Decemberists, The National, Rainer Maria, and Earlimart. They plan to tour extensively in 2005.