Indie group Via Audio has upbeat sound

By Erica Zucco
April 11, 2008

Courtesy of Via Audio

Beaches are no places for sweaters and jackets, but some sandals are in order here.

(Click graphic to enlarge)

The whistling and happy-go-lucky singsong voices that begin Via Audio’s two-minute track “My Boo” make the song sound like a soundtrack for an M&M’s commercial: sweet, catchy and almost ethereal.

This track, like others from the Boston-born indie-pop foursome including “We Can Be Good” and “Developing Active People,” is unique and experimental — but retains a Spoon-like quality, reminiscent of Rilo Kiley, that makes its sound comfortably familiar to first-time listeners.

The group’s blend of catchy beats, relatable lyrics and upbeat tunes has already attracted Death Cab for Cutie’s Chris Walla as an emphatically vocal fan.

“Chris Walla said he was just clicking around MySpace, found our page and really liked the sound,” Lizmi said. “He became a really strong advocate of both us and Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin.”

Singer/guitarist Jessica Martins, bassist David Lizmi, guitarist Tom Deis and drummer Dan Moland met at Berklee College of Music in Boston and began making music soon after they met.

When Moland left to pursue other opportunities, fellow Berklee grad Adam Sturtevant filled the open space.

When singer/guitarist Jessica Martins handed the band’s demo to Spoon drummer Jim Eno at a concert in 2005, the group wasn’t expecting an invitation to record, but that’s what they ended up receiving.

With Eno co-producing their record and Walla insisting they were worth listening to, it was no surprise that Via Audio was selected to play at South by Southwest in 2007 and was signed soon after by indie label SideCho.

The four Berklee grads are currently touring with fellow Walla-favorite and upbeat pop band Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin throughout April, a development that Lizmi said he was excited for.

“I was a big fan of Someone Still Love You Boris Yeltsin for a long time and sent them a message about how Walla was pushing for both of us and how it would be cool to tour together,” Lizmi said. “They happened to be really nice guys and are really open to new ideas.”

After touring, Via Audio plans to take a two- to four-week break to work on new and old pieces before playing in the Czech Republic for a couple of weeks and then producing and recording more material.

With a busy few months ahead, the group has a lot to look forward to, but still faces challenges many indie bands must accept when they decide to make a living on their music.

“When it comes to indie music, there are a lot of financial challenges,” Lizmi said. “You rehearse for endless hours and play shows night after night, and at the end of it all the money you make basically goes straight to gas.”

Lizmi attributes part of the financial struggle to the fact that fans don’t actually buy much of their music anymore.

Even so, Lizmi says the group makes up for it by playing plenty of shows and entertaining audiences willing to pay to hear the band in person.

“The financial thing may be tough, but that’s not everything,” Lizmi said. “We love making music and wouldn’t want it any other way.”

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Indie group Via Audio has upbeat sound

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