The Oxygen Ponies | nl

THE OXYGEN PONIES

The Oxygen Ponies is the vehicle of Rhode Island transplant Paul Megna, who taught himself guitar after being shot from a 52nd street window on the way to rehearse for an Off-Broadway play. The bullet still resides in his neck, centimeters from the jugular - a constant reminder of how unexpectedly life can change. This world weary view manifests itself in much of the bands material, but the overall sense of impending doom is often rife with wistful melodies, melancholy lyrics and carefully woven, inexplicably uplifting aspects. Band membership changes from album to album, with Megna – who writes, arranges and sings all of the bands material, being the only constant member. They Oxygen Ponies have performed on both sides of the Atlantic with such artists as the Jayhawks, Mercury Rev, Here We Go Magic, White Rabbits, Danny and the Champs, Goldrush, Electric Soft Parade et al.


THE OXYGEN PONIES
In the fall of 2006, The Oxygen Ponies critically acclaimed eponymous debut came out of nowhere to garner favorable reviews in Magnet “minor-chord folk pop for the end credits”, Tape-Op and Salon.com while landing on three bloggers (on two continents) best albums of 2006 lists with such luminaries as Bob Dylan, Band of Horses, Decemberists and Cat Power. All without a publicist and mostly before they even played a live show for the public. In the summer of 2007, they were invited to play the Truck Festival in Oxford, UK.


HARMONY HANDGRENADE
Harmony Handgrenade, released in the spring of 2009, sees Megna treading into new territory, giving up the lo-fi autobiographical melancholy of his debut for a multi- textured soundscape. Strings, horns and backing vocals abound as Megna pulls out all the stops and sardonically attacks corporate America on this politically charged and ironic follow-up. It's post-apocalyptic without being melodramatic or self-indulgent. Matter of fact, chastened, jaded but hopeful. Just like Megna himself. It was championed by BBC Radio DJ Bob Harris (Grey Whistle Test) and a personal invitation to play on Harris’ curated stage at the Truck Festival with members of the Jayhawks, Incredible String Band, Danny and the Champions of the World and Pete Molinari among others.
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