Tag Archives: Steve Poponi

Into It. Over It. – Year-Long Recording Project Completed

Over the course of the past year, INTO IT. OVER IT., the alias and mouthpiece for Philadelphia native Evan Weiss (The Progress / Up Up Down Down), has written and recorded exactly one new song every week for the past 52 weeks.

Today, the project – or at least the current phase of it – comes to an end as the final song has been posted. Check it out here.

Over It. Into It. was conceived by Evan Weiss as a means to break free from a musical rut, as well as an autobiographical outlet to document that quickly passing thing we call “life.” The first song was posted on his 23rd birthday (09/27/07) and for each of the following 51 weeks Weiss tackled the ambitious task of writing and recording one new song for the span of a year.

52 weeks = 52 songs: a stat even more impressive considering that nothing was composed in advance, as well as the time constraints involved in such an undertaking. Of course, none of that would matter if the music didn’t hold up. No worries there as there are some really amazing indie rock songs on full display, ranging from tender to tough, sweet to stinging.

Most of the instruments were played by Weiss and the majority of songs were recorded at Gradwell House by Steve Poponi. The last few weeks of music was recorded on the road, however, as Weiss has become the full-time touring bassist for Equal Vision band, Damiera

While this year-long Into It. Over It. project has come to an end, Weiss has no plans on retiring the band. He’ll continue to tour with Damiera and soon he’ll begin a new Into It. Over It. adventure. He’s still not sure what exactly, but check the website in another week; he’ll be posting a wrap up – thoughts and reflections – on the experience, as well as speculation on the future of the band.

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Up Up Down Down Left Right Left Right B A Start – Last Show Ever!

Long-running, long-named indie outfit Up Up Down Down Left Right Left Right B A Start will be playing their last show ever tomorrow night at The Auction House in Audubon, NJ.

For all you wimps and sensitive types – or for that matter, anyone who can’t make it to Saturday’s festivities – the band will also be playing an acoustic pre-last-show show tonight at Tunes in Marlton, NJ.

Joining Up Up Down Down for both performances will be Lincoln, Nebraska’s Tie These Hands.

While Up Up Down Down’s touring schedule has been admittedly light over the past couple years, the early part of their career found them traveling the country at a time when indie meant independent and emo had nothing to do with jabbing yourself in the arm with your dad’s rusty screwdriver. That is what kids are doing these days, right?

According to front man Steve Poponi, “We have been doing this band with various line-ups for about 10 years, and after making Worst Band Name Ever, I am happy to go out on a good note and pursue other fun stuff (fatherhood, golf, taste testing).”

It’s unclear what the future holds for Poponi, Up Up Down Down’s one constant over the years. He’ll certainly be involved with indie rock in some capacity as he continues to record music for bands at his Gradwell House studios. It’s a good thing for me, since a big chunk of the Beartrap roster (Jena Berlin, Scream Hello, Braindead, Into It. Over It., Makeout Party, Brass) have recorded albums there. Either way, if you’re anywhere near the Philly area, it will be well-worth your time to attend these shows. After all, it’s the end of an era. A really great era.

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