Description
With nothing more than just 3 minutes, and a “verse-chorus-versechorus- end!” motto, Afternoon Naps are a vibrant indiepop band from Cleveland, Ohio. Like Brian Wilson if re-imagined by Felt or the Primitives, these teenage symphonies are relics from the past; brought back to save the 21st century from complete and utter pop boredom. Influenced by the C86 scene, 60’s bubblegum, and sunshine pop act Yellow Balloon, songwriter/guitarist Tom Dechristofaro and keyboardist/arranger Leia Hohenfeld have been happily playing together since 2006. Having no expectations and “Walk away Renee” constantly spinning on the stereo, the duo recruited some close friends to help bring the band to life. A consistently enthusiastic live show that’s the equivalent of a 20 minute sugar rush, has helped establish them as one of indiepop’s brightest young acts. Their 2007 debut “Sunbeamed”, a loving homage to sand and summer, was self-released and modestly well received. The 8 songs clocking in at just a hair under 22 minutes doesn’t mean they’re short on ideas, just really good at editing! Many swell things have been said about “Sunbeamed”. “It may very well be my favorite album of 2007″(fab UK blog Indie-Mp3) and “the best American group that doesn’t use distortion” (some random guy in Sweden…ha!). A quick selling Cloudberry Records single was to follow, along with some nicely played shows at notable festivals like Athens Popfest, NYC Popfest, and the first ever of the popular UK night “Twee as Fuck” to be held in the united states. Now singing their hearts out to wider audiences, Afternoon Naps signed onto Happy Happy Birthday to Me Records, the cozy Athens, GA label, to release their next batch of fun. “Parade”, a new record that’s full of ever present now-ness, day-glo reverb, and energetic hooks for kids, and also adult kids, is due just in time for the summer of 2009. Highlights include the “all-things-Cleveland-by-way-of- Morrissey” bombast of “Plum City Fight Song”, the Orange Juice future-disco of “Mitten Fingers”, and “The Day We Started” featuring Leia’s mix of Motown’s heartbroken soul and a flirtatious Amelia Fletcher. Do you wanna smile? Sulk over lost love? Cringe at pictures of yourself from school years past when you wore that ONE sweater and the boy in front of you never spoke a word? Well they can’t help you there, but one listen to these sparkling tunes and you just might cheer up and be ready to take on the impending dullness that is the near future! Afternoon Naps are a band to listen to if you are doing some or all of the following things: petting animals, hammocking, beach combing, dancing, looking out a window.
