Friday, December 08, 2006

2006 Year End Survey | Andy Brooks of the Mittens

Now that our Survey has us in Beantown, let's check in with Andy Brooks, the voice and guitarman for the three-piece Boston outfit Mittens. I gave them a heavy dose of love last winter, which can be absorbed here. I've found Mittens to be one of the hottest three piece rock 'n roll groups playing straight forward jangle pop ditties (not unlike The Shins).

The Vermont connection comes two-fold. The brother-in-law of Mittens drummer, Nick Buni, helped develop the Morse Farm Ski Touring Center in East Montpelier (if this snow keeps up maybe I'll be out there this weekend!). Secondly, their recent release, Fools On Holiday, was fully recorded and mixed at Pete Weiss' Verdant Studio outside of Bellows Falls, VT.

1) What was your favorite song of 2006?

My favorite song of 2006 is not of 2006, but it was most on my brain, week in and week out: 'Till There was You,' as done by The Beatles. It really highlights the best in Paul's voice. And it's such a moving message and pretty melody.

2) What was your favorite album of 2006?

Also not of the year. Arcade Fire's "Funeral." When I hear it, I picture the band in black and white playing the songs live, totally going for it - sweating on some huge stage while playing for one on. Totally dramatic stuff.

3) What was your favorite concert of 2006?

Cirque Du Soleil's performance of "Love" in Vegas had me in tears. Not a concert in the traditional sense but I don't care. Also, The Subjects. Great band from Brooklyn. Caught them randomly at P.A.'s Lounge in Somerville. They mixed up weird and coy and bombastic.

4) What was your favorite thing about 2006?

It's boring, but I'd be remiss to not mention the installation of a new, high-end gas furnace in my home as one of the top developments of the year. The prospects of me and my pipes no longer freezing truly gives me a burst of happiness not unlike finding money. Secondly, the successful return of Amare Stoudemire to the Phoenix Suns lineup. And when sanity returned to America's voting technique.

5) What are your best wishes for 2007?

That people stay healthy.

Mittens website
Mittens myspace site
Buy Mittens albums

The Beatles | Till There Was You | Buy
Mittens | Leeway | Buy

3 comments:

Flatlander said...

Here's something sad and weird...I actually had to make a folder in My Music for The Beatles to add this song.

6,350 songs and no Beatles.27 songs by Supper XX Man and noe by the Beatles. I admit...that's horrible.

Unknown said...

You had to make that folder because all your Beatles stuff is on vinyl, right? wink, wink. Two or three years ago, that was my deal. I've been gradually filling out the collection on cd. I need to carry a list of what I've got and what I don't. The different US and UK versions and offerings makes it easy to get a bit confused.

Anonymous said...

I saw the Subjects at PA's in the summer and they kicked it hard. Their sound was really unique. After the show one of the guys gave me a card telling me to "Tame the Cobra" with his phone number on it.