Mink Lungs
Encyclopedia
The Mink Lungs were a Brooklyn
-area band began in 1993 as Jennifer Hoopes and Gian Carlo Feleppa were working at a diner in the Hamptons. Both adoring music and influenced by Michael Siegel and Gert Wilden
, the pair began composing and writing music with Gian's half-brother Tim Feleppa. Gian had also studied guitar
and composition at the Berklee College of Music
. Drummer
Tom Galbraith relocated from San Francisco to New York
and the band started recording on a four-track recorder, each contributing to the songwriting process. In April 1999, the Mink Lungs performed its first show in New York
but were soon performing in famous venues such as Brownies and the Mercury Lounge
. Opening slots for Luna
and Delta 72 soon followed. Before being seen, Mink Lungs were signed to the Arena Rock Recording Co.
. In 2002, the band released its debut album The Better Button. Often switching vocals and instruments
, the group has performed across the United States
, including the South By Southwest
Festival. Tim Feleppa contributed music to the independent film
Sore Losers. Gian Feleppa and Jennifer Hoopes went on to form Emergency Party.
Brooklyn
Brooklyn is the most populous of New York City's five boroughs, with nearly 2.6 million residents, and the second-largest in area. Since 1896, Brooklyn has had the same boundaries as Kings County, which is now the most populous county in New York State and the second-most densely populated...
-area band began in 1993 as Jennifer Hoopes and Gian Carlo Feleppa were working at a diner in the Hamptons. Both adoring music and influenced by Michael Siegel and Gert Wilden
Gert Wilden
Gert Wilden is a German film composer. From 1956 through his retirement, he scored music for more than 50 feature films in numerous genres...
, the pair began composing and writing music with Gian's half-brother Tim Feleppa. Gian had also studied guitar
Guitar
The guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
and composition at the Berklee College of Music
Berklee College of Music
Berklee College of Music, located in Boston, Massachusetts, is the largest independent college of contemporary music in the world. Known primarily as a school for jazz, rock and popular music, it also offers college-level courses in a wide range of contemporary and historic styles, including hip...
. Drummer
Drummer
A drummer is a musician who is capable of playing drums, which includes but is not limited to a drum kit and accessory based hardware which includes an assortment of pedals and standing support mechanisms, marching percussion and/or any musical instrument that is struck within the context of a...
Tom Galbraith relocated from San Francisco to New York
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
and the band started recording on a four-track recorder, each contributing to the songwriting process. In April 1999, the Mink Lungs performed its first show in New York
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
but were soon performing in famous venues such as Brownies and the Mercury Lounge
Mercury Lounge
The Mercury Lounge is a club/music venue, in the Lower East Side section, of New York City. The structure, at 217 East Houston Street, housed the servants to the Astor Mansion, connected to it by an underground labyrinth of tunnels...
. Opening slots for Luna
Luna (band)
Luna was a dream pop/indie pop band formed in 1991 by Dean Wareham after the breakup of Galaxie 500, with Stanley Demeski and Justin Harwood...
and Delta 72 soon followed. Before being seen, Mink Lungs were signed to the Arena Rock Recording Co.
Arena Rock Recording Co.
The Arena Rock Recording Company is an independent record label based in Portland, Oregon, United States. Albums are distributed by Redeye in the United States and Koch in Canada.-History:...
. In 2002, the band released its debut album The Better Button. Often switching vocals and instruments
Musical instrument
A musical instrument is a device created or adapted for the purpose of making musical sounds. In principle, any object that produces sound can serve as a musical instrument—it is through purpose that the object becomes a musical instrument. The history of musical instruments dates back to the...
, the group has performed across the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, including the South By Southwest
South by Southwest
South by Southwest is an Austin, Texas based company dedicated to planning conferences, trade shows, festivals and other events. Their current roster of annual events include: SXSW Music, SXSW Film, SXSW Interactive, SXSWedu, and SXSWeco and take place every spring in Austin, Texas, United States...
Festival. Tim Feleppa contributed music to the independent film
Independent film
An independent film, or indie film, is a professional film production resulting in a feature film that is produced mostly or completely outside of the major film studio system. In addition to being produced and distributed by independent entertainment companies, independent films are also produced...
Sore Losers. Gian Feleppa and Jennifer Hoopes went on to form Emergency Party.