Appomattox

By Candice McDuffie; photo by Appomattox

For most bands that move to New York City, the road to fame is one navigated by starry-eyed hopefuls clinging to an all too common aspiration. But if you ask the guys in Appomattox why they left Boston to take a bite out of The Big Apple, they’re a little more down to earth in their response. “NYC just seems to have a lot more places to play and people to get to know when it comes to music,” drummer James Mello

says. “You don’t really have a limit. There are so many clubs and DIY shows there. We definitely love and dig Boston very much, though.” And who can blame them — the Boston natives spent years on the indie circuit here before deciding to make the monumental trek. “I really liked living in Boston; it just seemed like club after club kept closing and bands I liked kept breaking up because they didn’t feel like they were going anywhere,” explains vocalist Nick Gaynier. And the move paid off — the trio

managed to get themselves on Brooklyn-based label Triple-Down Records to release the album A O earlier this year. The band has come a long way from their 2005 EP — the boys have a much more cohesive and evolved sound that shows palpable musical

growth as well as their everlasting ability to make their songs as addictive as humanly possible. Luckily for them, the process is something that occurred almost organically.

“We just went in [the studio] with our songs and the way we play. We really wanted the

record to breathe and be dynamic, that goes for the recording and the songs themselves,” Mello elaborates. Appomattox also doesn’t seem too concerned with being pigeonholed with similar bands that are often classified in the same genre. As Gaynier eloquently states: “As far as outside influences go, I kind of prefer to let other folks hear what they want to with that. It feels like we’re ready to move past our formative influences and rules or whatever and get into the future sound.”

That future sound is one that could catapult the threesome into the forefront of the NYC music scene (though Mello regards the term scene as “superficial and fabricated”), as long as they can keep their eyes on the prize. “If we could make it so that we could all sustain life by just doing Appomattox, and not have to wait tables to pay the bills, that would be ideal,” bassist Dave Nurmi preciously asserts. That wish can become a reality with their strong work ethic and DIY way of life, as well as their perpetuation of great music and support from fans.

According to Nurmi, the biggest misconception about indie bands is that it’s virtually effortless to be one. “If people don’t come out to shows, don’t buy the music, don’t buy the t-shirts, eventually the bands will disappear. If you like the music, show your love and support for it in any way you can.” Gaynier was a bit more direct in his response to the question. “The biggest misconception out there is that Appomattox is not available

for soundtracks, television commercials, fashion shows, art openings, children’s birthday parties, corporate events. Because we are very available.”

www.myspace.com/appomattoxrules