The popular New York band that’s toured the globe reworking music by acts ranging from Michael Jackson to Green Day plays GLC Live at 20 Monroe and Bay View this week. The Local Spins interview.
Today’s Hits Yesterday: Sunny Holiday and Scott Bradlee’s Postmodern Jukebox. (Courtesy Photo)
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For those who enjoy “Now That’s What I Call Music!” or, for those of a certain age, the K-Tel compilations from decades gone by, this may be just the show for you.
Where else are you going to hear hits by Michael Jackson, Lady Gaga, Kiss, George Michael, Green Day, The White Stripes, Journey, The Association and more, performed like the original artists?
Wait, that last part isn’t true. At all.
The secret to the success of Postmodern Jukebox has been its rearrangements of all those songs and more, in styles harkening back to the ’60s, ’50s, ’40s or before — hence, the band slogan “Today’s Hits Yesterday.”
Pianist Scott Bradlee created the concept on a whim while struggling to find footing as a jazz pianist in New York City. He enlisted friends to transform hits of the 21st century into swing, blues or jazz age versions, with accompanying videos capturing the musicians performing in wardrobes of that era.
‘Life in the Past Lane’: The tour has two Michigan stops. (Courtesy Photo)
Eventually viewers caught on, and the band has since released several recordings while garnering millions of views online. Audiences across West Michigan will have two chances to see Postmodern Jukebox this summer: The “Life in the Past Lane” tour plays GLC Live at 20 Monroe in Grand Rapids on Friday (June 30) and Hall Auditorium at Bay View north of Petoskey on Saturday (July 1).
Tickets for the 8 p.m. GLC Live show, $55-$99.50, are available online here, with tickets for the Bay View concert, $25-$65, available here.
The musicians may be young, but their sound is authentic, recreating the magic of days, even decades, gone by. “We’re all kindred old souls,” says Sunny Holiday. “I grew up with the MTV generation, but was obsessed with Cole Porter.”
Holiday has been part of New York’s PMJ for the past five years, though for the most part she has not been in the forefront. That’s by design, as she finds her calling behind the scenes, directing videos, working with wardrobe and makeup, coaching the performers and choreographing the numbers.
“I’ve been creating visuals and movement, choregraphing, set design, wardrobe, enhancing Scott’s vision,” she says. “I want to execute the visuals on the other side of the camera.”
She says Bradlee is similarly inclined, but as the mastermind he’s called to be everywhere, including playing in virtually every song. “Scott is the same, but he’s in the videos. He’s in every moving part.”
PLAYING 300 DATES A YEAR ALL ACROSS THE WORLD
That’s not to say Holiday is shy about getting in front of the camera and the band. She’s featured in several songs, including “I Only Have Eyes For You,” and “Only You.”
“I have the opportunity to be on stage more, but I want to just do one job really well,” she says. When she does sing, she tries to concentrate on her performance and not worry about all the other aspects. “I have to get out of my head and just try to have fun,” she says.
Among her turns is a version of “Never My Love” that she and Bradlee recorded shortly after his father’s death. “It was our first recording together,” she says of the straightforward and heartfelt rendition of the Association classic.
Sunny Holiday (Courtesy Photo)
While they rotate in and out their cast of performers, PMJ isn’t above bringing in a ringer or two. Pianist and vocalist Tony DeSare, The Rembrandts, and a host of “American Idol” performers have taken part in the proceedings. Saxophonist Dave Koz has guested on a couple of the band’s videos, including popping in and out of a vintage ’30s version of George Michael’s “Careless Whisper.”
Holiday says you never know who might be in one of their videos or even guest in a live performance. “People jump in. A lot of exciting names come in with our amazing group of musicians.”
That said, Holiday notes that the basic team is not large.
“We’re a pretty small bunch, mom and pop (operation): Scott, me, graphics, tour manager, roadie team.” Then there’s the numerous musicians they hire to sing, play and dance to bring the songs to life. Some of them become part of the touring ensemble.
“They get to deliver the (songs). We do 300 dates a year. The two now complement each other.”
The videos are invariably done in one take, and that sometimes leads to surprises. “When we record it’s all live. There’s no monitors, it’s just a live room,” Holiday says.
One recent project saw the lead vocalist singing, then dancing, then singing again. The only problem was they couldn’t hear her over the horns. “The band was overpowering her.” Then they played back the mix, and it turned out the vocalist had done a phenomenal job. “Our minds were blown.”
And whether it’s live, streaming or on CD, or freshly added to the Postmodern Jukebox Youtube channel, it’s all due to Bradlee. “The whole program is Scott’s voice and fingerprints.”
Where does Postmodern Jukebox go from here? Literally speaking, all over the world, with the band touring New Zealand and Australia in August, followed by Europe in September.
Figuratively, Holiday says they all realize how fortunate they are to do what they do, and things continue to look up. “We’re really grateful. If we’re not enjoying it, we shouldn’t be doing it.”
Audiences certainly enjoy the experience. “I saw people dance. They have a reason to dress up. It’s an invitation to be part of it,” Holiday says. “I encourage everyone to come and check it out.”
VIDEO: “Beyond the Sea,” Postmodern Jukebox featuring Sunny Holiday
VIDEO: Green Day’s “Basket Case,” Postmodern Jukebox featuring Tatum Langley
VIDEO: White Stripes’ “Seven Nation Army,” Postmodern Jukebox featuring Haley Reinhart
VIDEO: Wham’s “Careless Whisper,” Postmodern Jukebox
Featuring Robyn Adle Anderson and Dave Koz
Copyright 2023, Spins on Music LLC
