World's Fair

As previously shared, Billy McCarthy from Pela suffered a serious injury while on tour in March, which resulted in the unfortunate cancellation of the remainder of the dates. We want to share this note from the band, and information on how you can help out via donation…

Hey all. So we’ve got an update of sorts. Billy’s on the path to recovery. He’s got physical therapy over the course of the next 6 weeks. Now that the dust has settled it brings to light the reality of medical and life expenses. It also outlines the healthcare system and how it’s unforgiving.

Billy’s had help from a great organization called MusiCares. While they are helping out there’s a great amount of bills that they can not help with. And the fact that only one arm is fully functioning means that Billy has no way to go to work and pay any of these bills that are adding up to thousands and thousands of dollars.

So we’ve decided to set up a PayPal account for donations. You can go to our website or directly to Paypal to make that happen.
Sincerely, Pela

good news is the tour has been rescheduled!

May 19 Washington DC @ Rock and Roll Hotel
May 20 Cleveland, OH @ Beachland
May 21 Chicago, IL @ Schubas
May 26 George, WA @ Sasquatch Music Fest
May 27 Portland, OR @ Doug Fir
May 28 San Francisco, CA @ Bottom of The Hill
May 29 Los Angeles, CA @ Spaceland
May 29 Los Angeles, CA @ Spaceland
May 31 Denver, CO @ Larimer Lounge
June 02 St. Louis, MO @ The Bluebird
June 07 Cambridge, MA @ Middle East

more dates TBA!!

CONNECT: Website | World’s Fair News | Myspace

As you may recall, Pela is recovering from a recent near-tragedy. We’re so happy to announce the cancelled dates have been re-scheduled (see below!) with more TBA!

May 19 Washington DC @ Rock and Roll Hotel
May 20 Cleveland, OH @ Beachland
May 21 Chicago, IL @ Schubas
May 26 George, WA @ Sasquatch Music Fest
May 27 Portland, OR @ Doug Fir
May 28 San Francisco, CA @ Bottom of The Hill
May 29 Los Angeles, CA @ Spaceland

More dates TBA!!!

Pela’s recent addition to the core foursome, Chris Herb, celebrates with a video collage:

CONNECT: Website | World’s Fair News | Myspace

Very sad news from the Pela camp on the road…

Sliced Tendons and a Canceled Tour

We are writing to you as our van heads back to New York. Billy has already returned to New York via plane, and is preparing for surgery.

During last night’s show at Schuba’s in Chicago Billy fell off the stage, landing on a broken pint glass. This happened during the triumphant finale of the set; the stage was crowded with people dancing and singing to ‘Cavalry’, while a strobe light turned their vision into a cut screen movie. His left hand has a gash on the palm, and a deep slice in his pinky finger which also cut tendons.

We regrettably must announce that Schuba’s was the last night of the tour.

We promise to make up each and every show as soon as possible and apologize to everyone who purchased tickets. Arrangements are being made with all of the clubs on how best to handle the situation. We will have more information soon.

You can send your best wishes to billy@pelamusic.com

CONNECT: Website | World’s Fair News | Myspace

Today marks the start of Pela’s “There’s No Off Switch On This Thing” tour, with a new member, Chris Herb, warming up the crowds to material from the soon-to-be-forthcoming follow-up to “Anytown Graffiti”

Ceaseless self-promoters that they are, the lads have unveiled a 4-part mini-video-series “inspired” by Francis Ford Copolla et al… The 1st installment is here below (warning - half naked Pela drummer ahead!), and check out the rest @ Pelamusic.com

Keep up with these restless road warriors on their Tour Blog throughout the trek!

Feb 26 Cambridge MA @ TT The Bears
Feb 27 Brooklyn NY @ Music Hall of Williamsburg (Apollo Sunshine supports)
Feb 29 Chicago IL @ Schubas
March 1 Minneapolis MN @ 400 Bar
March 4 Seattle WA @ High Dive
March 5 Portland OR @ Doug Fir
March 7 San Francisco CA @ Bottom of the Hill
March 8 Los Angeles @ Spaceland
March 10 Denver CO @ Hi Dive
March 11 Lawrence KS @ Jackpot Saloon
March 13 Cleveland OH @ Beachland Ballroom
March 14 Washington DC @ Rock & Roll Hotel
March 15 Philadelphia PA @ Johnny Brenda’s

May 26 George, WA @ Sasquatch Music Festival

CONNECT: Website | Studio VLog | World’s Fair | Myspace

Feb 26 Cambridge MA @ TT The Bears *NEW*
Feb 27 Brooklyn NY @ Music Hall of Williamsburg (Apollo Sunshine supports)
Feb 29 Chicago IL @ Schubas
March 1 Minneapolis MN @ 400 Bar
March 4 Seattle WA @ High Dive
March 5 Portland OR @ Doug Fir
March 7 San Francisco CA @ Bottom of the Hill
March 8 Los Angeles @ Spaceland
March 10 Denver CO @ Hi Dive
March 11 Lawrence KS @ Jackpot Saloon *NEW*
March 13 Cleveland OH @ Beachland Ballroom
March 14 Washington DC @ Rock & Roll Hotel
March 15 Philadelphia PA @ Johnny Brenda’s *NEW*

Artist: Pela
Album: Anytown Graffiti [STREAM WHOLE ALBUM]
Label: Great Society / World’s Fair
Street Date: April 24th, 2007
Format: CD, digital
Shop: Insound | Amazon | iTunes | eMusic

CONNECT: Website | Studio VLog | World’s Fair | Myspace

Gorgeous, just gorgeous piece of animation gets kudos @ YouTube!

Pela hits the road again next month!
Tue - Feb 26 Pela @ TT The Beats, Cambridge, MA
Wed - Feb 27 Pela w/ Apollo Sunshine @ Music Hall of Williamsburg, Brooklyn, NY
Fri - Feb 29 Pela @ Schubas, Chicago, IL
Sat - Mar 01 Pela @ 400 Bar, Minneapolis, MN
Tue - Mar 04 Pela @ Hi Dive, Seattle, WA
Wed - Mar 05 Pela @ Doug Fir, Portland, OR
Fri - Mar 07 Pela @ Bottom Of The Hill, San Francisco, CA
Sat - Mar 08 Pela @ Spaceland, Los Angeles, CA
Mon - Mar 10 Pela @ Hi Dive, Denver, CO

CONNECT: Website | Studio Blog | Studio VLog | World’s Fair | Myspace

The Deli Magazine: Over the years, what would you consider your worst day job?

Billy McCarthy of Pela: I worked at a porn joint when I was 19 — the kind with the video booths. It’s very dark selling butt plugs to Joe Public. The loneliness was staggering. [READ MORE]

In case you missed, from over the holiday season…
My Old Kentucky Blog: Hey what are working on or have you been working on? What can we expect in 2008?

Nate Martinez of Pela: We’ve been working for the past couple of months on a new album entitled Rise Ye Sunken Ships. Zigzagging back and forth between studios in L.A., Brooklyn neighborhoods and N.Y.C. to finish this album…and will be releasing it in mid-2008. [READ MORE]

Finally, not to be outdone, Pela did rack up quite a few honors in folks’ faves from 2007 for their heart-winning debut “Anytown Graffiti”…

Associated Press - Most Overlooked
Yahoo Playlist - #45
KEXP Listener’s Poll - #16
WOXY Airplay - #44
WOXY Staff Picks - #8
Check out the full list of kudos @ Pelamusic

In the end, its all about the hardcore Pela fans though, like the one that contributed this gorgeous animated music video for the brief instrumental interlude “7th and 17th” from “Anytown Graffiti”…

…and Pela fans may rejoice with the tour dates coming up! Get yr tickets now!

Artist: Pela
Album: Anytown Graffiti [STREAM WHOLE ALBUM]
Label: Great Society / World’s Fair
Street Date: April 24th, 2007
Format: CD, digital
Shop: Insound | Amazon | iTunes | eMusic

CONNECT: Website | Studio Blog | Studio VLog | World’s Fair | Myspace

Pela announce new headline tour! with Liam Finn opening on all dates plus Apollo Sunshine added in NYC!

2/27: Music Hall of Williamsburg, Brooklyn w/ Apollo Sunshine
2/29: Schubas, Chicago
3/01: 400 Bar, Minneapolis
3/04: Hi Dive, Seattle
3/05: Doug Fir, Portland
3/07: Bottom of the Hill, San Francisco
3/08: Spaceland, Los Angeles
3/10: Hi Dive, Denver

“Holy hell they were brilliant…” - Information Leaf Blower
Photo by Kyle Gustafson

Artist: Pela
Album: Anytown Graffiti [STREAM WHOLE ALBUM]
Label: Great Society / World’s Fair
Street Date: April 24th, 2007
Format: CD, digital
Shop: Insound | Amazon | iTunes | eMusic

Pela - “Lost to the Lonesome” [DOWNLOAD]

CONNECT: Website | Studio Blog | Studio VLog | World’s Fair | Myspace

“One of the saddest realizations we’ve had to face is that Tecate cost much more money in NYC than it does in LA. If anyone from Tecate would like to sponsor us please feel free to reach out. Jokes aside we’ll try and do a better job at keeping this thing up to date…” - Pela [READ MORE]

Back in NYC, more photos from the recording studio here.

Oh yea… they’ve decided to call it “Rise Ye Sunken Ships”!

CONNECT: Website | Studio Blog | Studio VLog | World’s Fair | Myspace

Good God, the entire blazing set from Pela’s Bowery Ballroom gig this CMJ @ Baeblemusic [WATCH]

Pela - CMJ Live In-Studio Performance for KEXP [DOWNLOAD]

From the archives…
Pela - Live In-Studio Performance for WOXY [DOWNLOAD]
(thnx for the tip Music Slut!)

… and in case you missed, the brilliant video for “Lost to the Lonesome”, which premiered recently at Stereogum to gushing praise at how well the video mimics Pela’s anthemic live intensity!

Pela is working on their follow-up to the critically acclaimed full-length debut earlier this year, “Anytown Graffiti“, and you can catch up with all the action at their Studio Blog.

CONNECT: Website | Studio Blog | Studio VLog | World’s Fair | Myspace