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Born and raised in Birmingham, Alabama, Bondy’s earliest musical excursion came forming the grunge-infused rock band, Verbena, during high school. Alongside drummer Les Nuby and bassist Daniel Johnston, as well as the subsequent addition of guitarist Anne Marie Griffin, the band release their debut EP “Pilot Park” in 1996. Verbena would go on to release three full-length albums “Souls for Sale” in 1997, “Into The Pink” in 1999, and “La Musica Negra” in 2003, on top of a string of successful singles, before breaking up in late 2003.
The same year Bondy recorded his debut album, “American Hearts”, at his home in upstate New York, however the album wasn’t released until 2007. Issued by Fat Possum Records, the album earned positive reviews from the critical press, and marked a change in musical direction for the Alabama native, with a greater focus on minimalist folk. Two years later, once again on Fat Possum, Bondy’s sophomore album “When the Devil’s Loose” was released to rave reviews. Peaking at No. 21 on the U.S. Billboard Top Heatseekers Chart, the record was led by the single of the same name, which later featured on the TV series “Bones”. In 2011 Bondy released his third full-length album “Believers”, featuring production from Rob Schnapf. Dubbed his finest album to date, the record earned a string of warm reviews, marked by its intimate, emotionally-driven hushed aesthetic.
I had the pleasure of seeing A. A. Bondy as part of the three day Pickathon 2012 at the Pendarvis Farm in Happy Valley, Oregon. Bondy's folky-pop minimalist sound is perfect for relaxing at an outdoor festival. His music is very lyric focused, with just a guitar, percussion, sometimes a harmonica, but overall the music is very gentle with an upbeat sound (though the lyrics are grounded more in the reality, trials and melancholy of day to day life, far from utopian).
It was overwhelmingly refreshing to hear music in it's pure form, as I call it, without being processed through computers and sound design and all the technology used in modern music production. Bondy plays with an intensity that is riveting and makes it clear that he is deeply emotionally tied with the music. Watching his face, eyes and movement as he plays, you believe he has actually lived each song and written it straight from his own life, which could well be true.
This allowed him to draw the crowd in as if he were telling a fascinating story and left everyone mesmerized as he continued with his set. Time slipped away as I sat, attentive and immersed in the extremely intense energy so thick I could almost see it, but at the same time peaceful. Just holding me there for the time of the story, and when the storyteller was finished, it left me wanting more. I would love to see Bondy perform again sometime. It was a truly unique and worthwhile experience.