No More Birthdays
Despite their stellar new 12-inch single, “Empty Rooms” b/w “Bedroom Walls,” Sound Team announced last week that the band is going on an indefinite hiatus, a decision set in motion months ago by the departure of guitarist Sam Sanford and keyboardist Michael Baird and the end of the group’s relationship with Capitol Records. “In the end, the strain we’re under financially from all of that was so great, and it was all placed on my shoulders,” says singer Matt Oliver. “I have to stay in a creative place somehow. I did what I could, but it wasn’t enough, I guess.” The Team’s last performance takes place next weekend at the ACL Music Festival, but Oliver remains optimistic about the future. “If you know anybody or if you hear of anybody that’s interested in working with me, let ’em know, because I’m always open to new ideas,” he confides. “I have some great songs in the pipeline. I need to get them recorded, and that’s it.” Bassist Bill Baird continues to pursue his adventurous avant-garde pop musings as Sunset Saturday at the Bolm Gallery (5305 Bolm #12), a performance that will include four looping stations and amps, while keyboardist Will Patterson is readying a limited-edition LP, Jungle Box, under the moniker Sleep Good on the Team’s Big Orange label.
This article appears in September 7 • 2007.