My Favorite

My Favorite was an indie pop band formed in Long Island, New York in the early 1990s, who eventually migrated to the boroughs of Brooklyn and Queens in New York City. They released two full-length CDs: Love at Absolute Zero and The Happiest Days of Our Lives: The Complete Joan of Arc Tapes and several EPs and limited-edition, vinyl-only singles. My Favorite broke up on September 14, 2005, when singer Andrea Vaughn left the band.^[1]

Reception

My Favorite were frequently discussed in the indie music press of the time in the context of new wave retroism,^[2] but are perhaps more accurately thought of in the tradition of romantic, lyric-driven post-rock and roll melancholia, strands of which originated with artists like the Velvet Underground and certain glam rock artists before reaching their apex in the post-punk period.^[3]

Influences

My Favorite's principal influences included The Smiths, David Bowie, New Order, and various singles from influential labels like Factory, Rough Trade, Cherry Red and Sarah. In negotiating these influences and impulses, they were contemporaries of Magnetic Fields and Belle and Sebastian, two bands they performed alongside in New York.^[4] Michael Grace was also part of a centered skinhead subculture during his early 20s, and the influence of certain artists like The Specials and Lee "Scratch" Perry can be heard in certain early recordings.

Audience

Late in their career, My Favorite found popularity in Sweden, where they were the focus of a feature on that country's national Sveriges Radio. They performed at three influential festivals and had many smaller, but enthusiastically received performances in cities like Gothenburg and Stockholm. The songs of principal songwriter Michael Grace Jr found a small cult of fans who both related to and discussed the words and themes of his songs, which included alienation, nostalgia, loss, and love, and were often explored using a series of pulp novel-esque teenage characters and tragedies. My Favorite made two music videos during their career, in addition to the two studio albums. They were featured in the Village Voice, New York Post, Daily News and Alternative Press, were interviewed on indie programs such as New York Noise.^[5]

After the band

In 2006, the remaining five members of My Favorite joined forces with vocalists Lisa Ronson (daughter of David Bowie guitarist and Morrissey producer Mick Ronson) and Erin Dermody to form a new band called The Secret History. Drummer Todd Karasik also played for New York post-punk band Bell Hollow from 2006 until their 2008 split, and appeared on their 2007 album Foxgloves (which also featured My Favorite singer Vaughn on backing vocals).

Discography

Albums

• Love at Absolute Zero CD (1999, Double Agent)
• The Happiest Days of Our Lives: The Complete Joan of Arc Tapes 2CD (2003, Double Agent)
• My Favorite promo CD (2004, Media, Media Creature Music)

Singles and EPs

• The Last New Wave Record 7" EP (1994, Swing Set Records)
• "Working Class Jacket" split 7" single with Mad Planets (1995, Harriet Records)
• The Informers & Us 7" EP (1995, Harriet)
• "Modulate" split 7" single with Boyracer (1996, A Turntable Friend)
• Joan of Arc Awaiting Trial CD EP (2000, Double Agent)
• A Cult of One CD EP (2001, Double Agent)
• The Kids Are All Wrong CD EP (2002, Double Agent)
• "The Happiest Days of My Life" CD single (2005, Hungry Audio)

References

External links

• Band Homepage
• Double Agent Records
• An Interview with My Favorite's Michael Grace, Jr. (2004)