Ten years ago, it was almost impossible for a band to become famous without help from a major record label. But these days, in the wake of MP3 downloads, MySpace Music and emerging artist Web sites like PureVolume, it’s the fans who decide who makes it big. The labels come in for support after the fact.
Such is the case with Boys Like Girls, a young four-piece rock band from Andover whose self-titled debut album was certified gold (500,000 sales) in 2008. It was the high point in an upward spiral that began almost immediately after the band was formed by lead singer Martin Johnson in late 2005.
“We had just thrown some songs online on PureVolume and MySpace,” recalls lead guitarist Paul DiGiovanni, who joined the band shortly after meeting drummer John Keefe and bassist Bryan Donohue during the recording of a mutual friend’s demo. “All of a sudden we had a ton of plays on PureVolume. We got to the top of the unsigned artist chart, and then we got a call from [Matt] Squire, and it was kind of crazy.”
Booking agent Matt Galle and producer Squire, who have worked with platinum-selling artists like My Chemical Romance and Panic! At the Disco, were impressed with the demos they heard online and contacted the band in early 2006. So began a partnership that took the four rock kids from playing VFW halls in the Merrimack Valley to filling arenas during their “Soundtrack of Your Summer” tour with Good Charlotte in 2008.
Frontman Martin Johnson credits the Internet for helping Boys Like Girls reach their audience, but he’s also quick to acknowledge the sweat and hard work he and his three bandmates put into their music. “There’s more to breaking your band on the Internet than having a promo picture and a few demos,” he says. “The music still has to be strong enough that fans want to spread the word. It’s still about racking up the hours in the garage, basement or practice space.”
Photo courtesy Boys Like Girls
Producer Squire recorded the band’s debut album, which was released by Columbia Records in August 2006 and immediately became a hit thanks to Internet buzz, the band’s relentless touring, and their multiple appearances on MTV.
Two years later, Boys Like Girls are at the top of their game. In November 2008, they released Read Between the Lines, a DVD that documents their lives on the road, including 10 live songs from a sold-out show on their home turf – the Tsongas Arena in Lowell. In addition to touring the UK this month, they are finishing songs for a new album, and continue to reach their thousands of fans through their Web site, www.boyslikegirls.com. The heavily interactive site is a perfect illustration of the band’s digital-age success as well as their close relationship with fans.
“It’s an amazing feeling to have someone come up to you and tell you that your music has changed their life,” says Johnson. “It’s an inspiration to keep doing what we do.”
Musician Profile – Boys Like Girls – Jan/Feb 2009
Photo courtesy Boys Like Girls
Ten years ago, it was almost impossible for a band to become famous without help from a major record label. But these days, in the wake of MP3 downloads, MySpace Music and emerging artist Web sites like PureVolume, it’s the fans who decide who makes it big. The labels come in for support after the fact.
Such is the case with Boys Like Girls, a young four-piece rock band from Andover whose self-titled debut album was certified gold (500,000 sales) in 2008. It was the high point in an upward spiral that began almost immediately after the band was formed by lead singer Martin Johnson in late 2005.
“We had just thrown some songs online on PureVolume and MySpace,” recalls lead guitarist Paul DiGiovanni, who joined the band shortly after meeting drummer John Keefe and bassist Bryan Donohue during the recording of a mutual friend’s demo. “All of a sudden we had a ton of plays on PureVolume. We got to the top of the unsigned artist chart, and then we got a call from [Matt] Squire, and it was kind of crazy.”
Booking agent Matt Galle and producer Squire, who have worked with platinum-selling artists like My Chemical Romance and Panic! At the Disco, were impressed with the demos they heard online and contacted the band in early 2006. So began a partnership that took the four rock kids from playing VFW halls in the Merrimack Valley to filling arenas during their “Soundtrack of Your Summer” tour with Good Charlotte in 2008.
Frontman Martin Johnson credits the Internet for helping Boys Like Girls reach their audience, but he’s also quick to acknowledge the sweat and hard work he and his three bandmates put into their music. “There’s more to breaking your band on the Internet than having a promo picture and a few demos,” he says. “The music still has to be strong enough that fans want to spread the word. It’s still about racking up the hours in the garage, basement or practice space.”
Photo courtesy Boys Like Girls
Producer Squire recorded the band’s debut album, which was released by Columbia Records in August 2006 and immediately became a hit thanks to Internet buzz, the band’s relentless touring, and their multiple appearances on MTV.
Two years later, Boys Like Girls are at the top of their game. In November 2008, they released Read Between the Lines, a DVD that documents their lives on the road, including 10 live songs from a sold-out show on their home turf – the Tsongas Arena in Lowell. In addition to touring the UK this month, they are finishing songs for a new album, and continue to reach their thousands of fans through their Web site, www.boyslikegirls.com. The heavily interactive site is a perfect illustration of the band’s digital-age success as well as their close relationship with fans.
“It’s an amazing feeling to have someone come up to you and tell you that your music has changed their life,” says Johnson. “It’s an inspiration to keep doing what we do.”