Groove Lingo, July/August 1999: Marvy Darling

“What's the matter with you? You've been in bed for days, And days and days...” (Marvy Darling, Miles Away)

Marvy Darling cd cover Not your ordinary rock-stars, Marvy Darling is a band made up of Andrew Wilkinson (guitar, lead vocals), R. Underwood (alto/tenor sax), Matt Roman (bass), J. D'Agostino (bass, supporting vocals). Reminiscent of such 80s gems as the Smiths, Marvy Darling's typical shows include plenty of slow and moody songs mixed into the set. Though some people might lump them into the "mod-retro" pop band scene that is happening now in Philly, I don't really think that is what they're going for. Lyrics have a little more depth - and a lot more pessimism - than the typical happy/mindless pop song, and the musicians are a little more experienced and well-seasoned.
Yet not all of their songs are sad or depressing... Perhaps the opposite of Ben Folds Five - who put sad and whiny lyrics to happy jazzy/pop songs, it sure seems to me that Marvy Darling is disguising sarcasm and silliness in their seemingly deep and contemplative music and straight-faced (voiced?) delivery. With songs about laundry (Odd Socks) and u.f.o.'s (“They weren't here to save me, Just show me their lights, No one will believe me, I know I'm right.”) to wasting time (Busy Doing Nothing) - they've got most of the bases covered. And every subject they sing about is of equal importance to them, it appears, from listening to their songs. But not all of the songs have that tongue-in-cheek quality ... others like Black Day, Just Another Song, and Angel have a sweet (though maybe dark) sincerity combined with stunningly beautiful orchestration, no matter how rich or simple it might be. It might just knock you on your ass if you aren't paying attention (to the performance or the cd in your player).
Formed around the Fall of '97, the band includes a former member of the first-generation Asteroid #4 (Andrew Wilkinson, back when they were known as "Lounge") and a kicker for a semi-professional football team (Matt Roman, the Scorpions). All 4 members of the band have shared living quarters with one another in Bucks County, away from the craziness of the Philadelphia scene. Andrew Wilkinson says, "I'm so lame and out of touch in the suburbs that I have no idea what's going on." But the distance also keeps them from getting distracted from what they really want to be doing. Besides, it's only about a half hour drive for them, and you can catch them around town about 1 to 3 times a month at various shows.
“I lie awake. I want you here, But I see both sides. Another black day, Head in my hands, I cry and wait.” (Marvy Darling, Black Day)
In March of 1998, they started recording tracks for their demo, some tracks of which were released on Lounge Records. In Spring of 1999, they completed their full-length cd release, titled Marvy Darling. The cd contains 9 tracks, slow and fast songs, a nice soundtrack to calm down a hectic life, to escape from your problems, to have dinner to, for romance. Most of the songs won't make you want to dance, but are nice for daydreaming along to. With Andrew Wilkinson's deep and breathy but mellow voice whispering/singing, the sultry sounds of the saxophone, songs that start out soft and small but become large and full... this might be a disc to keep in your cd player awhile. Like a fine wine or ale - or a good read, you might not love it at first - but the aftertaste will keep you dreaming of more.
Marvy Darling's resume has included playing with Bedhead (from Texas, Trance Syndicate), The Wonderstuff, Miles Hunt & Malcolm Treece Acoustic, Adam Cohen & Drugstore, Belle & Sebastian & Cinerama after show party (Belle & Sebastian cancelled last minute after selling out the Trocadero), Paul Newman & Bigger Lovers (Trance Syndicate), Better Than Ezra after show party.
I had a chance to meet the band and chat with Andrew Wilkinson on several occasions. He was very happy to answer some questions for Groove Lingo.
“I hear you're an angel, are you? I'm told you're sent from heaven, And if you're this angel save me...” (Marvy Darling, Angel)

Andrew Wilkinson Groove Lingo: how did Marvy Darling get its name?:
Andrew: I was in bar in New York called the 'Beauty Bar' with my sister. Her friends were there and I was bored and drank far too much Guinness. I was spinning around in a barber's chair in the back room and the name 'Marvy Darling' came to me. That was going to be the name of my next band.

Groove Lingo: how would you describe the kind of music you play? and where do you draw inspiration from?:
Andrew: I find it difficult to describe the music, I remember being heavy into T-Rex - I liked how absurd the lyrics were - and it proved to me that lyrics can be this way. Then, the guitar playing style of G-Love really hooked me, it was all this crumbly jazz - that must have embedded itself into my writing. I was taken by Morphine for a while and soaked myself with the idea of implied hearing. There was such an ocean of sound - I loved the way it made you think parts were there. These two bands though, never outlasted my love of Galaxie 500 and Spacemen3 and Slowdive.

Groove Lingo: what are your goals for the next six months, and for the next few years? (ideal and/or realistic):
Andrew: To get rid of the cd [sell them all out], and make another one - maybe expand our playing area, like to Baltimore.

Groove Lingo: What? Baltimore?
Andrew: Baltimore - yes I get a sick pleasure from playing dirty small nowhere clubs, we've been there for so long, anything else would be unsettling.
Groove Lingo: outside of the type of music you're playing, are there other "genres" that excite you, or ones that you might like to learn to play/learn more about?:
Andrew: I've been listening to a lot of Miles Davis and Stan Getz lately. I took jazz guitar lessons for about a year and a half - it felt good at the time - then it did my head in and I had to stop. But I'd like to pick up lessons again when I'm more ready.

Groove Lingo: how do you like the Philadelphia area?:
Andrew: It's taken me years to like Philadelphia, and I do now. I remember when John and I played Revival in 1989. We had to fight so hard to get any show - now the club owners call us, I like that. It feels like the only fight is get people out to see us. Philly bands seem very clicky and competitive - we've had many an attitude war on this nowhere level.
Groove Lingo: why slow as opposed to fast (i mean a lot of the songs are slower, any reason/did it just happen):
Andrew: We have so many songs already recorded and so many unrecorded that Roman and I agreed that our favorite albums are thematic - all samey and blends together. I'd glad we did that, but I wouldn't do it again. I have a better idea now how to construct a stronger record. Before the recording session we all chose three songs we wanted to do. There's still a bucket load of songs unmixed at that studio.
Groove Lingo: if you could be any cartoon character, who would it be, and why?
Andrew: spider man, because he could stay in bed all day.
Groove Lingo: what was your best or worst musical experience you'd like to share?
Andrew: Worst musical experience:
Mmmm... so many to draw from. I think electrocuting myself at John and Pete's in New Hope was a good one. I wired up my own quad box (4 input extension) plugged it in, got a massive shock - blew all the lights and set the alarm off - when everybody was out of the room. Getting thrown out of the Middle East in Phila was annoying, the owner decided not to pay the band and I got all wound up and started a fight. Kicked a mic stand off the stage into the crowd in Hoboken, once - I don't remember why.
Best musical experience:
Opening for Bedhead was a real thrill for me. They were the first national band we ever played with. Some of the best musical experiences I have are in our rehearsal room - we really have a great time playing, we muck around so much I'm surprised we get anything done.
“The way things are for me aren't the way I want them to be. But nothing is clearer in my heart.” (Marvy Darling, Just Another Song)

tricia gdowik, 7/28/99

You can check out their website at www.marvydarling.com Or you can e-mail them at marvydarling@hotmail.com.