the Vinyl Skyway

THE VINYL SKYWAY was born into the local Boston music scene in 2003, shortly after the untimely breakup of its roots-pop predecessor Lemonpeeler. Led by the critically acclaimed collaborative team Michael Hayes (singer-songwriter) and Andy Santospago (multi-instrumentalist/songwriter), the band’s self-titled debut was released in 2004 and spun on Nic Harcourt’s Morning Becomes Eclectic, profiled by NPR’s All Songs Considered and called one of Boston’s best local albums by rock critic Jonathan Perry (Boston Phoenix).
This year, the Vinyl Skyway have done it again, releasing a brilliant sophomore CD entitled “From Telegraph Hill”, described by Perry as "lush, summery music in the vein of the Thrills, the Pernice Brothers, or Lindsey Buckingham-era Fleetwood Mac.” The grassroots effort has been played on over 200 college radio stations across the country and praised by critics including the Boston Globe: "a breakthrough record of exquisitely crafted pop." At its core, "From Telegraph Hill" offers gorgeous original songs with dense harmonies, gleaming guitar licks, and all the touches befitting a classic. International Pop Overthrow promoter David Bash includes the album on his top 100 for 2007, currently listed at 33.
The Vinyl Skyway features five members who reside in both Boston and San Francisco including Hayes, Santospago, drummer Booth Hardy (also of High Diving Horses), bassist Rob Pevitts and keyboardist Dave Lieb (also of the Rudds). In hopes of attaining the ultimate band chemistry, Hayes recruited his old bandmates from Lemonpeeler (Hardy and Pevitts) to join the Skyway in 2005. During an ‘06 recording session at Kissy Pig Recording Studio, the band kidnapped pianist Dave Lieb, ordering him to play on the record and yanking him into a convertible for a band photo. It was an offer he couldn’t refuse.
Produced under Hayes' leadership, From Telegraph Hill was recorded at six different studios in nine months in Boston, New York and San Francisco. The album was recorded and mixed by an impressive behind-the-scenes cast of engineers that included Kerm Mogenson and Bil Bowen (Violent Femmes/Upper Crust), Paul Kolderie/Adam Taylor (Radiohead/Hole/the Pixies), David Minehan (Paul Westerberg/Peter Wolf) and Rachel Allgood (Shins/Vanessa Carlton). Others who joined the group in studio to add Brian Wilsonesque soundscapes included singers Dave Smits, Beth Daly, Angela Valley, Kelly McCann and guitarists Jim Eddy and David Minehan.
The Vinyl Skyway are hopeful that the integrity of their music and most recent successes will lead to an opportunity to tour. For now, they’re busy working on new material and praying for rain.