The Nurse Novels

Art By Hélène

Thanks to Hélène Castro for this great Nurse Novel-inspired art.

You can check out more of her work on her site. 

frozen muzak review on pocket jury

Tommy Dski reviews “Frozen Muzak” on Pocket Jury:

The Nurse Novels’ sound is somewhere between sixties power pop and nineties indie rock, with the occasional country and new wave influence thrown in for good measures. Interwoven male and female harmonies are broadly reminiscent of Athens, GA circa 1981 – in particular Pylon and the B52s. The recording has the clarity and detail which we’ve come to expect from the increasingly impressive Greg Norman (who along with Al Scalpone of The Bitter Tears serves as an informal horn section) in his home studio. The result is an album of droll but instantly memorable guitar pop, brimming with striking harmonies and amusing lyrical twists.

Mendoza returns to his days living on a cruise ship as part of a touring comedy troupe on the brilliant ‘Sea Day’, an Americana tinged rocker which sees the drummer caught between his cabin fever and a bar where “all they play is reggaeton”. The combination of predominantly upbeat music with  darker lyrical imagery is something of a variation of the old comic mantra of always playing it straight during a comedy scene. Indeed, a frequently reoccurring theme is transitioning into adulthood whilst longing for the playful naivety of youth, in particular on Mendoza’s wistful ‘Little Boy’ and Lux’s brooding ‘Mirror’. Handily, the liner notes contain a list of all of the relevant subject matters which inspired the eleven songs, ranging from ‘Love’ and ‘Regret’ to ‘Childhood Fears of Death’ and ‘Auditioning For Commercials’. The beatific opener ‘War’ makes wonderful use Lux and Vitale’s sublime harmonies, whilst Vale’s snotty rocker ‘Make Me Cry’ has some terrific organ and horn accompaniment. Overall it’s a fine debut positively teeming with melody and wit – let’s hope it’s not a swansong already.

Read the full review HERE.

Frozen Muzak on iTunes

In the middle of the night, without fanfare, The Nurse Novels quietly but happily released their debut album. You can give it a virtual spin ‘n buy here.

This is what music looks like in the present future.

Due to the nature of the internet, the band cannot be located for live shows. A listening party EXTRAVAGANZA will be scheduled when the crocuses come out of their shells.

But I want to see a live band. Also, I want the album for free. I feel strongly about updating the content on my vlog!

If this economy is getting you down and free music is your jimmy-johns-jam, support our sister band, Unicycle Loves You on their Failure Tour.

For the mere price of travel, lodging, and ticket price, you can buy their new critically-acclaimed album, Failure.  With your purchase and those memories, you’ll also receive: A limited edition Frozen Muzak CD-R.

But I want to see members of The Nurse Novels in Unicycle Loves You!

Tony Mendoza will be drumming for Unicycle Loves You on their Failure Tour.

But what about Nicole Vitale?

She’s the talented bassist of Unicycle Loves You. Get off your phone.

Thanks for your support. We hope you enjoy Frozen Muzak.

Unicycle Loves You • Failure Tour (some dates subject to change)

• Mar 7 – Madison, WI • Project Lodge
• Mar 8 – Milwaukee, WI • Club Garibaldi
• Mar 9 – Des Moines, IA • Vaudeville Mews
• Mar 10 – Chicago, IL • The Hideout
• Mar 16 – Austin, TX • SXSW Ghost House Showcase
• Mar 18 – Austin, TX • SXSW Proxart Showcase
• Mar 21 – Los Angeles, CA • Silverlake Lounge
• Mar 22 – San Francisco, CA • Hotel Utah Saloon
• Mar 24 – Santa Cruz, CA • Crepe Place
• Mar 27 – Seattle, WA • Sunset Tavern
• Mar 28 – Portland, OR • Backspace
• Mar 30 – Missoula, MT • The Badlander
• Apr 3 – Iowa City, IA • The Mill
• Apr 4 – Lincoln, NE • TBA
• Apr 5 – Columbia, MO • TBA
• Apr 6 – Kansas City, MO • Middle of the Map Fest
• Apr 7 – St. Louis, MO • Heavy Anchor
• Apr 10 – Detroit, MI • Garden Bowl
• Apr 11 – Cincinatti, OH • MOTR
• Apr 12 – Cleveland, OH • Wilberts
• Apr 13 – Barnesville, OH • Albert S. George Youth Center
• Apr 14 – New York, NY • Pianos
• Apr 15 – Brooklyn, NY • Big Snow Buffalo Lodge
• Apr 17 – Boston, MA • The Middle East
• Apr 19 – Rochester, NY • Bug Jar
• Apr 20 – Philadelphia, PA • M Room
• Apr 21 – Pittsburgh, PA • Garfield Artworks

Sea Day Video

This is a song about living on a cruise ship. Art by Tony Mendoza.

Greg Norman in Tape Op

Hey, we know this guy! His name is Greg Norman. He’s recorded just about anything we’ve written, in three different incarnations of bands.

READ THE TAPE OP MAGAZINE ARTICLE ABOUT THIS MAN, HIS CAREER, AND HIS BEARD

Chic-A-Go-Go Video

The cycle is complete and we now have video to go with the practice and the still photo.

Chic-A-Go-Go Photo

The augmented Chic-A-Go-Go version of The Nurse Novels: Thea Lux, Nicole Vitale, Tony Mendoza, Reid Coker, Alan Scalpone, Holli McGinley, Mike McGinley, Annie Armstrong, and those fabulous dancers: John Albert, Julia Corey Barlow, Carlin Reed, Christopher Michael Meister, John Barlow, Eliza, and many more!

Thanks everyone for showing your support, cutting a rug, busting several moves, bipping and a bopping yesterday. We had a great time!

Chic-A-Go-Go Practice

We’re going to record a song on our favorite cable access kid’s rock music and dance show,Chic-A-Go-Go, this Sunday. Come on down to the studios at 322 S. Green St. if you’d like to dance with us! Since Tom is out of town, Tony scrambled to find a replacement. Here he is at the audition.

Cover Art for Frozen Muzak

We’re going to say a solid February(ish) for the release of this album on iTunes or thereabouts.

Thanks to Scott Williams for making beautiful art in our favor.

A Mouthful of Sores Ain’t No Fun

For Willips Brighton Fans Only!