BAND INFO
„A crooner for our times...“ – Wallpaper
„Literate and limber ... a twilit bridge between sincerity and tongue-in-cheek.“ – XLR8R
„A retro romo romp through a New York ghost world that is neither the drainpipe-and-denim sweat pile of CBGBs nor the mirrorball glitz of Studio 54 but somewhere in between.“ – Uncut
„Critics Pass Away is the first disc in a long time I can listen to front to back with no complaints and no fast-forwarding. No really, this is the kind of record I wanna plagiarize. I have yet to find someone who doesn’t love it.“ – Aesop Rock
Baby Dayliner (AKA Ethan Marunas), 30, was born and raised in New York City, and went to LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts, also known as the „FAME“ high school. His undergraduate study was done at St. John's College in Annapolis, MD. After varying roles in various bands, Marunas decided to take the stage as a solo act. He became deft at synths, samplers, and recording, and began crafting songs that would come to life as the Baby Dayliner stage show. Baby Dayliner’s style has been compared to: Serge Gainsbourg, Frank Sinatra, New Order, James Brown, David Bowie, Daft Punk, The Smiths/Morrissey, Stephin Merritt, Adam Green.
Baby Dayliner recorded CRITICS PASS AWAY in his home studio, which was dubbed „The Manor“ by hip-hop producer Blockhead after they co-produced Blockhead’s first album MUSIC BY CAVELIGHT (Ninja Tune, 2004) there. Virtually the entire record, from violins to basses to guitars to drums to synthesizers, are the workings of Baby Dayliner himself, with frequent guest cameos by The Giraffes' guitarist Damien Paris. The album’s first US-single, „Silent Places“, features actor/musician Adrian Grenier (Entourage/Honey Brothers) on drums.
The title track „Critics Pass Away“ is a song about overcoming adversity and making the best of a bad situation, about being immersed in the moment. It draws on Marunas’ personal philosophy that we can find meaning inside our heads and through our creations, even if our physical circumstances are less than ideal. This notion provides a backdrop for all the songs on CRITICS PASS AWAY. Other stand-out tracks range from raw, progressive dance anthems „At Least“ and „Whodunit?“, to romantic odes like „The Way You Look Tonight“. Listen also to the driving yet expansive „Go On Baby“, the playa’s swagger of „Nature’s Clause“, and the finely wrought, Postal Service-esque „Drop Dead Gorgeous“.
Live, Baby Dayliner is a phenomenon. He performs karaoke-style to his pre-recorded tracks and is incredibly engaging. Imagine a completely earnest version of Har Mar Superstar or Peaches, or better yet a Frank Sinatra or Tom Jones designed for downtown bohemians. His presence embodies both mystery and familiarity, while the music is both joyous and sincere.
„A crooner for our times...“ – Wallpaper
„Literate and limber ... a twilit bridge between sincerity and tongue-in-cheek.“ – XLR8R
„A retro romo romp through a New York ghost world that is neither the drainpipe-and-denim sweat pile of CBGBs nor the mirrorball glitz of Studio 54 but somewhere in between.“ – Uncut
„Critics Pass Away is the first disc in a long time I can listen to front to back with no complaints and no fast-forwarding. No really, this is the kind of record I wanna plagiarize. I have yet to find someone who doesn’t love it.“ – Aesop Rock
Baby Dayliner (AKA Ethan Marunas), 30, was born and raised in New York City, and went to LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts, also known as the „FAME“ high school. His undergraduate study was done at St. John's College in Annapolis, MD. After varying roles in various bands, Marunas decided to take the stage as a solo act. He became deft at synths, samplers, and recording, and began crafting songs that would come to life as the Baby Dayliner stage show. Baby Dayliner’s style has been compared to: Serge Gainsbourg, Frank Sinatra, New Order, James Brown, David Bowie, Daft Punk, The Smiths/Morrissey, Stephin Merritt, Adam Green.
Baby Dayliner recorded CRITICS PASS AWAY in his home studio, which was dubbed „The Manor“ by hip-hop producer Blockhead after they co-produced Blockhead’s first album MUSIC BY CAVELIGHT (Ninja Tune, 2004) there. Virtually the entire record, from violins to basses to guitars to drums to synthesizers, are the workings of Baby Dayliner himself, with frequent guest cameos by The Giraffes' guitarist Damien Paris. The album’s first US-single, „Silent Places“, features actor/musician Adrian Grenier (Entourage/Honey Brothers) on drums.
The title track „Critics Pass Away“ is a song about overcoming adversity and making the best of a bad situation, about being immersed in the moment. It draws on Marunas’ personal philosophy that we can find meaning inside our heads and through our creations, even if our physical circumstances are less than ideal. This notion provides a backdrop for all the songs on CRITICS PASS AWAY. Other stand-out tracks range from raw, progressive dance anthems „At Least“ and „Whodunit?“, to romantic odes like „The Way You Look Tonight“. Listen also to the driving yet expansive „Go On Baby“, the playa’s swagger of „Nature’s Clause“, and the finely wrought, Postal Service-esque „Drop Dead Gorgeous“.
Live, Baby Dayliner is a phenomenon. He performs karaoke-style to his pre-recorded tracks and is incredibly engaging. Imagine a completely earnest version of Har Mar Superstar or Peaches, or better yet a Frank Sinatra or Tom Jones designed for downtown bohemians. His presence embodies both mystery and familiarity, while the music is both joyous and sincere.
GALLERY (PRESS)
DISCOGRAPHY
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DISCOGRAPHY
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Baby Dayliner "Critics Pass Away" CD 2006 STAG002CD |
PRESS AREA
You will find high resolution covershots and pictures, bios etc. of our artists. Use of these materials is for editorial purposes only! Press copies are very much appreciated. Feel free to send them to: stagnation records, Traubenstr. 45, 70176 Stuttgart. Or: presse@stagnation.tv
DOWNLOADS
> Baby D_Critics_Bio (doc)
VIDEOS
You will find high resolution covershots and pictures, bios etc. of our artists. Use of these materials is for editorial purposes only! Press copies are very much appreciated. Feel free to send them to: stagnation records, Traubenstr. 45, 70176 Stuttgart. Or: presse@stagnation.tv
DOWNLOADS
> Baby D_Critics_Bio (doc)
VIDEOS
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Baby Dayliner "Silent Places" |
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Baby Dayliner "The Way You Look Tonight" |