Mike Viola is best known as singer, songwriter and musical architect of the Candy Butchers, a highly regarded pop-rock band from New York that recorded three critically-acclaimed albums for Sony, including 2003’s fan-favorite Hang On Mike.
The success of the Candy Butchers led to multiple appearances on Late Night With Conan O’Brien and Last Call With Carson Daly. It also found the group touring alongside the likes of They Might Be Giants, Robyn Hitchcock, Sparklehorse, and Ivy.
Viola simultaneously began a career in film-work a decade ago as the co-producer and lead singer of the Oscar®-nominated title track from “That Thing You Do!”
Walk Hard, the recent Jake Kasdan/Judd Apatow film starring John C. Reilly, featured nearly a dozen songs written by Viola. A spoof on the Hollywood music biopic, Walk Hard proved to be the perfect playground for Viola’s subversive, witty lyrics and catchy-pop expertise.
Viola joined the indie ranks in 2005 when he released an album of new songs on his own label, Good Morning Monkey Records. Recorded live at Largo in L.A., Just Before Dark showcases Mike's sharp abilities as a live performer. Once available on his website, mikeviola.com, the vinyl-only album sold out in three months.
His latest album, Lurch, is alive with the classic-pop euphoria and vivid storybook imagery that Viola’s fans have come to treasure. Lurch has captured audiences internationally, thanks to tracks like album-opener “Maybe, Maybe Not” and first single “So Much Better.”
Viola’s songwriting and production can also be heard on Amanda Leigh, the forthcoming release by Mandy Moore, for whom he is the musical director.
