‘Maximalist’ band brings max sound to Columbus
By: Cari Zahn – Staff Writer
Editor’s note: Any pronouns in the online version of this story have been edited to reflect the gender pronoun preference of the band member interviewed.
Music-lovers hoping to venture to a concert soon will be interested in an album preview show by the Connecticut-based indie rock band, The World is a Beautiful Place & I am No Longer Afraid to Die. The band will perform in support of its new album, “Harmlessness,” at The Basement in Columbus on November 5.
The band has been described as “maximalists,” as they believe in incorporating many people and instruments into their sound. They cover many genres with their different albums and songs, landing the label of “emo revival” and “indie rock” most often. They pull inspirations from bands such as Joan of Arc and Badhead. Flyer News asked guitarist and vocalist Derrick Shanholtzer-Dvorak what people will experience when coming to a show.
“People should expect a large number of people standing and playing instruments,” they laughed. “I don’t know; we’re loud.”
Not to be put off by their long-winded band name, potential fans should expect a show full of atmospheric sounds, dynamic shifts and live improvisation. TWIABP is excited about returning to Columbus to preview its newest album.
“It was a joke about post-rock bands having really stupid, long, dramatic song titles, and I made a joke about calling the band that. Then we forgot to change it,” Shanholtzer-Dvorak said of the band’s name.
Guitarist and singer Tyler Bussey, bassist Josh Cyr, guitarists Greg Horbal and Chris Teti, keyboardist Katie Shanholtzer-Dvorak, vocalist David Bello, and periodic collaborators including spoken-word artist Chris Zizzamia join Derrick Shanholtzer-Dvorak as band members. The first three came together to form the band after working on their own solo projects, and others were added later, keeping in line with their maximalist philosophy.
With a full stage, TWIABP will perform songs from what has been described as its breakthrough album, inspired by dealing with mental illness and aging, Derrick Shanholtzer-Dvorak said. Relying heavily on indie-rock influences, “Harmlessness” will tell the story of life after healing. It is the band’s second full-length album.
While playing in Columbus again is definitely on TWIABP’s list of things they are looking forward to, they recall one of their favorite memories is having a hotdog named after the band when they played in Rochester, New York.
The World is a Beautiful Place & I am No Longer Afraid to Die will perform at The Basement, 391 Neil Ave. in Columbus Nov. 5 at 7 p.m. Album artwork of “Harmlessness” featured above.