Mike Viola
American singer-songwriter
Mike Viola
Viola at a thrift store
Birth name Michael Anthony Viola Born (1966-09-26 ) September 26, 1966 (age 58) Stoughton, Massachusetts , U.S.[ 1] Genres Occupations Songwriter producer musician singer Instruments Years active 1985–present Member of Candy Butchers Formerly of The Shining Website mikeviola .com
Musical artist
Michael Anthony Viola (born September 26, 1966) is an American producer, musician, songwriter, and singer, best known for his work with Panic! at the Disco , Andrew Bird , Ryan Adams , J.S. Ondara , Mandy Moore , and Jenny Lewis .[ 2] [ 3] [ 4] His original music has been featured on soundtracks for movies such as That Thing You Do! , Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story , and Get Him to the Greek .
As a teenager in the early 1980s, Viola played Boston-area clubs with his band, the Bottom Line, and was billed as "Boston's youngest musical talent." His parents, Charlene and Larry Viola, bought his equipment and allowed their basement to be turned into a rehearsal room.[ 5]
Viola got his major professional start in the mid-1990s as the musical architect for New York–based band Candy Butchers, releasing three critically acclaimed albums with RPM/Sony Records before focusing on music production.[ 6]
Soundtrack work
Viola, along with friend Adam Schlesinger of Fountains of Wayne , co-produced the title track for Tom Hanks 's 1996 movie That Thing You Do! The selection received an Oscar nomination for Best Original Song . Viola sang lead on the track, and as the accepted singing voice of Johnathon Schaech 's character, Jimmy, also sang on other tracks in the film, such as "Little Wild One" and "All My Only Dreams."
For the 2007 Jake Kasdan /Judd Apatow film, Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story , Viola wrote or co-wrote "A Life Without You (Is No Life at All)", "Darling", "(I Hate You) Big Daddy", "Dear Mr. President", "Beautiful Ride", "Sir Ringe The Marshmallow Elephant", and "Let Me Hold You Little Man". Viola served as musical director on a promotional tour for the film in December 2007, with John C. Reilly acting out his fictional character of Dewey Cox.
Viola also contributed songwriting for Russell Brand's character Aldous Snow in the 2010 film Get Him to the Greek , including "African Child", "The Clap", "I Am Jesus", "Searching For a Father in America", "Little Bird", "Furry Walls". In 2012, he played the character of Franky in two promotional songs for the video game Club Penguin , "Anchors Aweigh" and "Ghosts Just Wanna Dance".[ 7]
As songwriter, musician or producer
Year
Artist
Label
Song
Album
Role
2022
Panic! at the Disco
Fueled by Ramen
All songs
Viva Las Vengeance
Producer, musician, singer, writer[ 8]
Vulfmon
Vulf Records
Let's Go! Let's Go!
Here We Go Jack
Singer, writer[ 9]
J.S. Ondara
Verve Forecast
All songs
Tax Code 1: Telepathy Of a Mammoth
Producer[ 8]
Andrew Bird
Loma Vista
All songs
Inside Problems
Producer, musician, singer[ 8]
Mandy Moore
Verve Forecast
All songs
In Real Life
Producer, musician, singer, writer[ 8]
Noam Weinstein
All songs
Undivorceable
Producer, musician, singer[ 10]
2021
Andrew Bird , Jimbo Mathus
All songs
These 13
Producer, musician, singer[ 8]
Andrew Bird
"Greenwine"
Hark!
Producer[ 8]
Semisonic
"Basement Tapes"
You're Not Alone
Songwriter[ 8]
Allie Crow Buckley
All songs
Moonlit and Devious
Songwriter, musician, producer[ 8]
2020
Mandy Moore
"I'd Rather Lose", "Save A Little For Yourself", "Fifteen", "Tryin' My Best, Los Angeles", "Easy Target", "When I Wasn't Watching", "Forgiveness", "Stories Reminding Myself of Me", "If That's What It Takes", "Silver Landings"
Silver Landings
Songwriter, musician, producer[ 8]
Watkins Family Hour
"The Cure", "Neighborhood Name", "Just Another Reason", "Snow Tunnel", "Lafayette", "Fake Badge, Real Gun", "Miles of Desert Sand", "Bella and Ivan", "Accidentally Like a Martyr", "Keep It Clean"
Brother Sister
Songwriter, musician, producer[ 8]
2019
Mandy Moore
"When I Wasn't Watching "
When I Wasn't Watching (single)
Songwriter, musician, producer, engineer[ 8]
Andrew Bird
"Archipelago"
My Finest Work Yet
Musician[ 8]
Jonathan Rice
"The Long Game", "Silver Song", "Hollow Jubilee", "Meet the Mother", "Naked in the Lake", "Below the Deck", "Another Cold One", "Change", "Millions of Miles", "Friends"
So Romantic (EP)
Musician, producer[ 8]
Allie Crow Buckley
All songs
So Romantic
Songwriter, musician, producer[ 8]
Allie Crow Buckley
"As I Walk Into the Sea", "Cusco", "Cherry Stems", "Captive", "Fool Around", "Changes"
So Romantic (EP)
Songwriter, musician, producer[ 8]
2018
J.S. Ondara
"American Dream", "Torch Song", "Saying Goodbye", "Days of Insanity", "Television Girl", "Turkish Bandana", "Lebanon", "Good Question", "Master O'Connor", "Give Me A Moment", "God Bless America", "Saying Goodbye – Boulevard Demo", "Torch Song – Echo Park", "Milk and Honey", "Hearts Of Gold", "I'm Afraid Of Americans"
Tales Of America
Musician, producer, engineer[ 8]
Van William
"Before I Found You", "The Country", "You'll Be On My Mind"
Countries
Songwriter[ 8]
Vulfpeck
"For Survival"
Hill Climber
Musician; Songwriter[ 11]
2017
Dan Wilson
All songs
Re-Covered
Producer, musician, singer[ 8]
Shania Twain
"Life's About To Get Good"
Now (Deluxe)
Musician[ 8]
Ryan Adams
"Prisoner", "Do You Still Love Me"
Prisoner
Songwriter; musician[ 12]
WATERS
"Molly is a Babe," "Something More," "Modern Dilemma"
Something More!
Songwriter, musician, producer
2016
Panic! at the Disco
"Victorious "
Death of a Bachelor
Songwriter[ 8]
LOLO
"No Time For Lonely"
In Loving Memory of When I Gave a Shit"
Songwriter[ 8]
MAX
"Hell's Kitchen Angel," "Mug Shot" ft. Sirah
Hell's Kitchen Angel
Songwriter
The Monkees
Good Times!
Musician[ 8]
Teddy Thompson and Kelly Jones
All songs
Little Windows
Producer, musician[ 8]
2015
Matt Nathanson
"Gold in the Summertime", "Show Me Your Fangs"
Show Me Your Fangs
Songwriter
Butch Walker
All songs
Afraid of Ghosts
Musician[ 8]
New Politics
"Pretend We're in a Movie"
Vikings
Songwriter[ 8]
Andrew McMahon
"High Dive," "Black & White Movies," "Driving Through A Dream," "Halls" "Rainy Girl," "Maps for the Getaway," "Lottery Ticket," "Art School Girlfriend," "Cecilia and the Satellite"
Andrew McMahon in the Wilderness
Songwriter, producer, engineer[ 13]
Ryan Adams
"Magic Flag"
Vampires 7"
Songwriter, musician[ 13]
2014
Ryan Adams
"Gimme Something Good", "Kim," "Trouble," "Am I Safe," "My Wrecking Ball," "Stay with Me," "Shadows," "Feels Like Fire," "I Just Might," "Tired of Giving Up," "Let Go"
Ryan Adams
Producer, musician[ 13]
Matt Nathanson
"Earthquake Weather," "Mission Bells," "Kinks Shirt," "Sky High Honey," "Kill The Lights," "Heart Starts"
The Last of the Great Pretenders
Songwriter, producer, musician, engineer[ 8]
Jenny Lewis
The Voyager
Producer, musician[ 8]
Brett Dennen
"Out of My Head"
Smoke and Mirrors
Songwriter[ 13]
Jill Sobule
All songs
Dottie's Charms
Songwriter, producer, musician[ 8]
2013
New Politics
"Harlem "
A Bad Girl in Harlem
Songwriter[ 8]
Fall Out Boy
Pax Am Days
Producer[ 13]
Lori McKenna
"Love Can Put It Back Together"
Songwriter[ 8]
2012
Karise Eden
"You Won't Let Me "
My Journey
Songwriter[citation needed ]
Rachael Yamagata
"Heavyweight"
Heavyweight (EP)
Songwriter, musician[ 8]
Noam Weinstein
Clocked
Producer, musician[ 14]
2011
Will Dailey and the Rivals
"Best Friend"
Will Dailey and the Rivals
Songwriter[ 8]
Rachael Yamagata
"You Won't Let Me," "Dealbreaker," "I Don't Want to Be Your Mother"
Chesapeake
Songwriter, musician[ 8]
"I'm Going to Go Back There Someday"
Muppets: The Green Album
Producer, musician[ 13]
Gin Wigmore
"Dirty Love"
Gravel and Wine
Songwriter[ 13]
2010
Jeremy Fisher
"All We Want is Love"
Flood
Songwriter, musician, producer[ 8]
Infant Sorrow
"Furry Walls", "The Clap", "I Am Jesus", "African Child (Trapped in Me)", "Little Bird", "Searching For a Father"
Get Him to the Greek soundtrack
Songwriter, musician[ 13]
2009
Mandy Moore
"Merrimack River," "Fern Dell," "I Could Break Your Heart Any Day of the Week," "Pocket Philosopher," "Song About Home," "Love To Love Me Back," "Indian Summer," "Nothing Everything," "Bug"
Amanda Leigh
Songwriter, producer, musician[ 13]
John Wesley Harding
"Love Or Nothing," "Sick Organism," "Congratulations (On Your Hallucinations)"
Who Was Changed and Who Was Dead
Songwriter, musician[ 13]
2008
Tim Christensen
"Superior"
Superior
Songwriter[ 13]
2007
Dewey Cox
"A Life Without You (Is No Life at All)", "Beautiful Ride", "Dear Mr. President", "Mulatto Song", "Let Me Hold You Little Man", "I Hate You (Big Daddy)", "Darling", "Hole in My Pants", "Who Wants To Party", "Weeping on the Inside"
Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story soundtrack
Songwriter[ 13]
2006
L.E.O.
"Distracted", "Make Me"
Alpacas Orgling
Songwriter, musician[ 15]
2004
The Figgs
Palais
Musician[ 8]
2003
Rasputina
"Bad Moon Rising", "Wish You Were Here", "Tourniquette", "Fire and Ice", "This Little Piggy", "All Tomorrow's Parties", "Rock N Roll"
The Lost and Found
Musician, producer[ 13]
2002
The Figgs
Slow Charm
Musician[ 8]
1998
Rasputina
"The Olde HeadBoard"
How We Quit The Forest
Musician[ 8]
1996
Mono Puff
Unsupervised
Musician[ 8]
The Wonders
"That Thing You Do "
That Thing You Do! soundtrack
Producer, musician[ 8]
Discography
Year
Artist
Album
Role
1996
Candy Butchers
Live at La Bonboniere (EP)
Songwriter, producer, musician[ 13]
1999
Mike Viola and the Candy Butchers
Let's Get Serious (EP)
Songwriter, musician, producer[ 13]
1999
Mike Viola and the Candy Butchers
Let's Get Christmas (EP)
Songwriter, musician, producer[ 13]
1999
Candy Butchers
Falling into Place
Songwriter, musician, producer[ 13]
2001
Mike Viola
Temple of Static
Songwriter, musician, producer[ 13]
2002
Candy Butchers
Play with Your Head
Songwriter, musician, producer[ 13]
2004
Candy Butchers
Hang On Mike
Songwriter, musician producer[ 13]
2005
Mike Viola
Just Before Dark
Songwriter, musician, producer[ 8]
2006
Candy Butchers
Making up time (Candy Butchers 1994 – 1996)
Songwriter, musician, producer[ 8]
2007
Mike Viola
Lurch
Songwriter, musician, producer[ 8]
2010
Mike Viola & Kelly Jones
Melon
Songwriter, musician, producer[ 8]
2011
Mike Viola
Electro De Perfecto"
Songwriter, musician, producer[ 8]
2011
Mike Viola
2011 Primer (Collection)
Songwriter, musician, producer[ 16]
2012
Mike Viola
Acousto De Perfecto
Songwriter, musician, producer[ 16]
2013
Mike Viola
Ghoul
Songwriter, musician, producer[ 16]
2015
Mike Viola
Stairway to Paradise (EP)
Songwriter, musician
2018
Mike Viola
The American Egypt
Songwriter, musician, producer, engineer
2018
Mike Viola
Here We Go, It's Christmas Time (EP)
Songwriter, musician, producer, engineer
2018
Mike Viola
Bitten and Cursed (EP)
Songwriter, musician, producer, engineer
2020
Mike Viola
Godmuffin
Songwriter, musician, producer, engineer
2023
Mike Viola
Paul McCarthy [ 17]
Songwriter, musician, producer, engineer
2024
Mike Viola
Rock Of Boston [ 18]
Songwriter, musician, producer, engineer
References
^ Donelson, Marcy. "Mike Viola" . Apple Music . Retrieved September 22, 2023 .
^ Armstrong, Chuck (May 4, 2015). "Mike Viola on Working With Ryan Adams: 'It's Paid Off for Both of Us in Artistic Ways' " . Diffuser.fm . Retrieved July 11, 2016 .
^ Gordon, Jeremy; Pelly, Jenn (May 19, 2014). "Jenny Lewis Works With Beck, Ryan Adams on New Album The Voyager, Reveals Release Details" . Pitchfork . Retrieved July 6, 2016 .
^ Helman, Peter (April 27, 2015). "Mike Viola – "Stairway To Paradise" (Stereogum Premiere)" . Stereogum . Retrieved July 6, 2016 .
^ Millman, Joyce (August 3, 1982). "Teen dream" . The Boston Phoenix . Retrieved September 11, 2024 .
^ Bacino, Mark. "Songcraft: Mike Viola Talks Songwriting Triage, Movie Music and Arcade Backlines" . GuitarWorld.com . Retrieved July 6, 2016 .
^ Lewis, Michelle [@mlewey] (September 6, 2017). "I think my favorite one we've written is Anchors Aweigh. My friend Mike Viola's voice sounds amazing on it" (Tweet ) – via Twitter .
^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag ah ai aj ak al am an ao ap aq ar "Mike Viola credits" . AllMusic . Retrieved June 30, 2016 .
^ "Let's Go! Let's Go! - Vulfmon (feat. Mike Viola)" . Retrieved November 15, 2023 – via YouTube.
^ "Noam Weinstein Official Site" . eNoam . Retrieved April 19, 2022 .
^ "Hill Climber – Vulfpeck" . Bandcamp.com . Retrieved December 6, 2018 .
^ "Prisoner – Ryan Adams" . AllMusic. Retrieved April 17, 2017 .
^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t "Mike Viola discography" . discogs. Retrieved June 30, 2016 .
^ "Noam Weinstein Listing" . The New Yorker . Retrieved August 7, 2017 .
^ "L.E.O. (4) – Alpacas Orgling" . Discogs . Retrieved August 25, 2021 .
^ a b c "Mike Viola - Acousto De Perfecto (Lojinx)" . Lojinx.com . July 16, 2012. Retrieved April 18, 2020 .
^ "Mike Viola - Paul McCarthy (Lojinx)" . April 14, 2023.
^ "Mike Viola - Rock Of Boston (Lojinx)" . September 20, 2024.
International National Artists