The Shivers (New York City)
| The Shivers | |
|---|---|
in NYC
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| Background information | |
| Origin | Queens, New York City |
| Genres | Rock/Folk/Soul |
| Years active | 2001–present |
| Labels | Independent |
| Website | www |
| Members | Keith Zarriello |
| Past members | Joanne Schornikow |
The Shivers is a musical group formed in 2001 in New York City, led by singer, primary songwriter and only consistent member Keith Zarriello. To date, the only other regular member of the band was Joanne Schornikow, who played keyboards and sang in the band at most performances between 2009 and 2012.
The Shivers first record, The Shakes, was recorded at Context Studios in Brooklyn. It was released independently and sold at shows and is now out of print. Shortly thereafter, Erdos left the band and Zarriello was left to continue on alone playing New York City clubs for the next few years both solo and with a revolving cast of musicians.
In 2004, Zarriello was spotted by touring musician Red Hunter who offered to take him on the road and release an album on his label/collective, Whiskey and Apples. The album, CHARADES, released in October 2004, received little critical attention but began to develop The Shivers a following. The track "Beauty" has gone on, in subsequent years, to receive good reviews on sites such as Pitchfork, who said Zarriello's voice carried a "mesmerizing eroticism", and was a subject of a column in The Guardian and Spin.
While Zarriello was living in Montreal, Canada, he was contacted by a former high school classmate, Sheldon Roberts, who had discovered The Shivers' music through a friend and proposed releasing their next album on a label he and friends were forming, Outerborough Records. Zarriello agreed and took measures to return to the United States.
Back in New York City, Zarriello started performing again and sending CHARADES to college radio stations around the country. At one station Fordham University's WFUV, the album was discovered in the garbage can by young intern/DJ, Benham Jones, who reached out to Zarriello at a Tuesday night show at Arlene's Grocery. He offered Zarriello a gig at Fordham and the two became friends. Zarriello, now having his deal with Outerborough, gathered musicians and reached out to Jones to play bass. Jones agreed and helped the band record the album secretly overnight in the studios of WFUV. The album featured William Martina on cello, Matthew Jahn on guitar, Benham Jones on bass, and Alex Saltz and Danny Fischer on drums. Also featured on one track was visiting Australian pianist, Joanne Schornikow.
The album, Phone Calls, released in early 2006. The Shivers continued as a five-piece, including Schornikow on piano and new drummer, Evan Pazner on drums. Schornikow having an expiring visa was forced to return to Australia. She was however, sold on The Shivers and begun plans to return to the US on an artist's visa with the primary goal of joining The Shivers. Zarriello and Schornikow kept in touch via the mail sending each other packages and tapes. The five-piece band played the SXSW music festival in 2007.
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Wikipedia