Phone Home Create a Sound Out of this World

Jan 19, 2012 by Kylie Jane Wakefield

If you’ve never heard a band refer to their music as “instrumental space punk,” it’s not surprising. It’s not actually a genre. But that hasn’t stopped brothers / bandmates Michael and John Vallarelli, who don’t play by the rules anyway.

The Vallarellis started their group Phone Home (a cute nod to “E.T.,”) back in early 2010. Michael plays the keyboards, and John is on the drums. That’s it. No vocals, and no guest guitarists or bassists. “I don’t know any other bands that are strictly keyboard and drums,” said Michael. “It’s kind of a rare thing.”

Raised in Eastchester, the brothers play all over the city and North Brooklyn, from Brooklyn Bowl and Bruar Falls to Trash Bar and Public Assembly. On Sunday, January 22nd, they’ll hold the release party for their second EP, “Songs for Real Life Games,” at Glasslands Gallery. In March, they’ll be touring up and down the East Coast, gigging in every state except for Florida and Maine.

Michael and John grew up listening to punk rock and ska, gaining inspiration from groups like The Clash, Def Leppard, and Green Day. “I remembered when I was seven I was obsessed with [these bands],” said Michael. “I was constantly discovering these new sounds and thinking that I want to be part of something that big and influential. It just seems vital to have music so people have something to relate to. I’ve always thought of music as a companion of sorts, and I’d like to provide that for anyone willing to listen. It’s a special exchange that’s becoming more and more a part of who I am. It’s vital for me.”

Although the brothers have faced pressure from friends and concertgoers to add vocals or other instruments, they don’t want to cave in and sound like everybody else, especially since competition is fierce in New York City. “There is such an abundance of talent in this city and sometimes it feels so competitive,” said Michael. “You’re just trying to sound original and different and not repeat what you’ve seen done. …We play very unconventional music. If you like it, you like it. And if you don’t, you never will.”

While Michael and John haven’t reached the point where they are making a living from music, their main goal is to stay true to themselves and their sound. “I don’t want to work in a stuffy office ever again in my life,” said Michael. “I am doing my best not to do that.”

For John, who has been in and out of bands since he was twelve, Phone Home is his biggest musical endeavor to date. “This is the most serious I’ve ever taken anything I’ve done musically. Honestly, I just like being out there and enjoying the ride.”

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