Wonderlick Embark
(On A Cross-Country House Tour)
Wonderlick the electro-pop side project from two of Too Much Joy’s founding buddies Jay Blumenfield and Tim Quirk hasn't yet toured as extensively as their original band: “We don't think of ourselves as an exclusively studio creation” Blumenfield says “but I don't think we've played live for an audience more than a dozen times since we started releasing music in 2001.”
So they're not quite sure what to expect when they embark upon the most extensive run of live dates they've ever attempted this June to promote their latest album Undisciplined – especially since most of the shows will happen in the living rooms or backyards of fans from Arkansas to Massachusetts then west through Ohio and Kentucky on their way back home to California.
“It's a little terrifying” Quirk admits “not having drums or amplifiers to hide behind and/or leap off of. But we figure it's healthy to be scared – Wonderlick always seems to work best when we stray as far as we dare from our comfort zone.”
Though the music they make might be different the deep connection they've forged with their audience is very similar to TMJ’s dynamic with its fans. That bond has enabled them to book a string of dates that will get them from LA to Boston then back to Oakland without relying on any middlemen. “We just posted a question on our Facebook page asking if anyone might be interested in having us play at their house and we got so many takers we had to turn a bunch of them down.” Each host pays the band a small guarantee and assembles whatever crowd they’re comfortable with: “We sell tickets when hosts ask us to and split any proceeds above the guarantee” Blumenfield explains. But most of the hosts asked to keep their shows private for friends and family only.
“It's all the same to us” Quirk laughs. “We'll happily play to one dude and his dog if that's what a host wants. Some of these shows look like they'll be ragers while others promise to be more intimate affairs. The nice thing about Wonderlick songs is they're adaptable to either extreme or anything in between.”
Somewhat miraculously for a small indie band in this day and age Blumenfield and Quirk already know they'll make it home with at least a little money in their pockets. The last run of shows Too Much Joy did as fun as Quirk says it was also proved a bit stressful “because we had no idea if we'd break even or take a total bath – everything depended entirely on how much merch we sold each night and crossing our fingers that the promoters paid us what they'd promised. Trying to tour clubs affordably with a five piece band plus crew is not for the faint of heart.”
But this house tour is notably different. “Sure costs are lower” Blumenfield says. “But we also trust our fans. We know they're not gonna screw us.”
“Well yeah” Quirk says. “Cuz they've already Venmoed us our fees. It's just really nice when all you have to think about is the music.”
“And not getting lost” Jay suggests.
“I trust Google Maps too” Quirk says.
TICKETS: https://bit.ly/3UMtaUE
- Band bio: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1vf35R-vh9vlgqDjXEp4RaHHpxRyVCzKHDd1ijOSdTVM/edit?usp=sharing
- Band photo: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Sh6NKZKoxVFV9RITZl7fHlSVSYzDCha7/view?usp=sharing
- Album cover: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1QvgbIzo_ReMBPkfZ7tpVRhZxOvXlq-Zy/view?usp=sharing
- Ticket link: https://bit.ly/3UMtaUE
- Music video:
- Recent press:
https://rockandrollglobe.com/rock/watch-wonderlick-shares-new-single-let-id-out/?fbclid=IwAR3cCtFnNVkPbvxR5WSM0KUGYG4mp7drfK_VKeBhrcX6kCHz2fyAdpu92vo_aem_AWpzFlRlHfiuW5PRRq1OLQPtObgVhw0yoecEwGGIlmS9IVppWlNrXMiSi_s_Frkyy4lxbdga6450PHQHwkHiTl5m
Event Venue
https://bit.ly/3UMtaUE, Location given after tickets bought... 44511, Youngstown, United States
USD 15.00
