The World Is a Beautiful Place & I Am No Longer Afraid to Die

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The World Is a Beautiful Place & I Am No Longer Afraid to Die
The band performing at (Le) Poisson Rouge in New York in 2015
Background information
Also known as
  • The World Is a Beautiful Place
  • The World Is
  • TWIABP
OriginWillimantic, Connecticut, U.S.
Genres
Years active2009 (2009)–present
Labels
Members
  • Josh Cyr
  • Steven Buttery
  • Chris Teti
  • David Bello
  • Katie Dvorak
Past members
  • Nicole Shanholtzer
  • Thomas Diaz
  • Greg Horbal
  • Dylan Balliett
  • Bryan Casey
  • Devin Spector
  • Tyler Bussey
  • Julia Peters
  • Nick Kwas
  • Chris Zizzamia

The World Is a Beautiful Place & I Am No Longer Afraid to Die is an American emo/indie rock band formed in Willimantic, Connecticut, in 2009.[1] Following the release of several EPs and splits featuring original lead singer Thomas Diaz, they released their debut LP Whenever, If Ever in 2013 to generally positive reviews.[2] Undergoing a series of roster changes, they proceeded to release a 2014 collaboration with spoken word artist Christopher Zizzamia titled Between Bodies,[3] as well as several full-length records, including Harmlessness in 2015, Always Foreign in 2017, and 2021's Illusory Walls.

History[edit]

Early history and initial releases (2009–2012)[edit]

The band was formed in 2009 in Willimantic, Connecticut by Tyler Bussey, Nicole Shanholtzer, Thomas Diaz, and Josh Cyr, who remains the sole founding member. In the next two years, they released one demo, Demo 2010 (2010), two extended plays, Formlessness (2010), and Josh is Dead (2011), a split with Deer Leap, Are Here To Help You (2011), and one single, "Gig Life" (2012). Although going through several lineup changes within these years after their initial formation, in 2012 they settled upon a core revolving around Nicole Shanholtzer, Josh Cyr, Steven Buttery, Chris Teti, David Bello, and Katie Dvorak, some of whom would play on their debut album, Whenever, If Ever, and subsequent follow ups.

Debut album and further EPs (2013–2014)[edit]

On June 18, 2013, through Topshelf Records, the band released their debut full-length LP, Whenever, If Ever, featuring Thomas Diaz's final contributions before departing the band due to medical issues.[4] Upon release, it received generally positive reviews, and was considered a landmark album in the then infant emo revival movement.[5] The album charted at No. 3 on the Billboard Vinyl charts, due to strong word-of-mouth as the band had virtually no press leading up to the release.[5][6] In 2014, the band released two more extended plays, Between Bodies, and The Distance, as well as their first live album, recorded with Audiotree, Audiotree Live January 3, 2014.

Harmlessness (2015)[edit]

In August 2015, the band released "January 10, 2014", a single from their upcoming record, as well as an accompanying music video. One month later, in September, the band would release their sophomore record, Harmlessness, to critical acclaim. It subsequently charted at number 11 on the Heatseekers Albums chart, and at number 46 on the Independent Albums chart.

In November 2016, the band released a single "Body Without Organs", with proceeds going to the ACLU.[7] Founding member Nicole Shanholtzer left the band in 2016.[8]

Always Foreign and Illusory Walls (2017–present)[edit]

On August 1, 2017, the band announced their third album, Always Foreign, releasing a single "Dillon and Her Son" alongside it. David Bello said, concerning the writing and production of the record: "When we started writing we were fresh off Trump being elected, so there's an anger to the album that's different from what we've done in the past. There's a lot more resistance thinking throughout the songs – not in a way that's strictly anti-Trump, but also addressing things like white supremacy and controlling elements of the state."[9] The album was released September 29, 2017, to positive reviews. Dylan Balliett left the band in 2017.[10]

Founding member Tom Diaz (born Thomas M. Diaz on September 2, 1986) died unexpectedly on November 1, 2018, at the age of 32.[11][12] On November 3, 2018, the band confirmed his death on their social media accounts.[13]

On August 3, 2021, the band's next album, Illusory Walls, was announced for release on October 8, 2021.[14]

Musical style[edit]

The World Is a Beautiful Place & I Am No Longer Afraid to Die plays an experimental and atmospheric version of emo. The band is described as one of the most important representatives of the newly emerging wave of emo of the 2010s.[15] Under the Gun's Dan Bogosian argues that the band draws inspiration from '90s post-rock and first-generation emo.[16] Slight influences from post-hardcore can also be found in some songs.[17] The orchestral parts of some songs have drawn comparisons to Sigur Rós.[18] Other influences include the post-rock bands Godspeed You! Black Emperor and Explosions in the Sky.[19] They have also been called an indie rock band,[20] with AllMusic describing them as "atmospheric emo/indie".[21]

Members[edit]

The band performing on August 22, 2015, at Greenwich Village

Current

  • Josh Cyr – bass guitar, keyboards, vocals (2009–present)
  • Steven Buttery – drums, percussion (2011–present)
  • Chris Teti – guitar, trumpet (2011–present)
  • David Bello – lead vocals (2012–present)
  • Katie Dvorak – keyboards, vocals (2012–present)

Former

  • Tyler Bussey – guitar, vocals (2009–2010, 2015–2018)
  • Nicole Shanholtzer – drums (2009–2010), guitar, vocals (2010–2016)
  • Thomas Diaz – keyboards, guitar, vocals (2009–2012; died 2018)
  • Greg Horbal – guitar, keyboards, vocals (2010–2015)
  • Dylan Balliett – guitar, vocals (2015–2017)
  • Devin Spector – guitar (2010)
  • Brian Casey – drums (2010–2011)
  • Nick Kwas – violin, vocals (2015)
  • Julia Peters – cello (2012–2014)
  • Chris Zizzamia – spoken word (2014)

Timeline[edit]

Discography[edit]

Albums

Extended plays

  • Formlessness (2010, Topshelf)
  • Josh Is Dead (2011, Topshelf/Ice Age)
  • Between Bodies (2014, Broken World Media / Black Lake in the UK)
  • The Distance (2014, Broken World Media)
  • Death to New Years (2015, Topshelf)
  • Long Live Happy Birthday (2016, Topshelf)
  • Formlessness 2016 (2016, Topshelf)

Compilations

  • Assorted Works (2019, Triple Crown)

Splits

  • Are Here to Help You (Split LP with Deer Leap) (2011, Topshelf)
  • Tigers Jaw/The World Is a Beautiful Place & I Am No Longer Afraid to Die/Code Orange Kids/Self Defense Family 4-Way Split 7" (2013, Topshelf)
  • Sundae Bloody Sundae (split with Kittyhawk, Rozwell Kid, Two Knights) (2014, Skeletal Lightning)
  • Fourteen Minute Mile (split with Rozwell Kid) (2015, Broken World Media)
  • Sorority Noise/The World Is a Beautiful Place & I Am No Longer Afraid to Die (2016, Triple Crown)

Live albums

  • Audiotree Live January 3, 2014 (2014, Audiotree Live)
  • Live On KEXP (2016, KEXP)

Demos

  • Demo 2010 (2010, Broken World Media)

Singles

  • "Gig Life" (2012, Broken World Media)
  • "January 10th, 2014" (2015, Broken World Media)
  • "Mental Health" (2015, Broken World Media)
  • "Body Without Organs" (2016)
  • "Invading the World of the Guilty as a Spirit of Vengeance" (2021)[22]
  • "Queen Sophie for President" (2021)[23]
  • "Trouble" (2021)[24]

Appearances on compilation albums

  • Mixed Signals Comp (2011, Run for Cover)

Music videos[edit]

Year Song Director
2013 "Picture of a Tree That Doesn't Look Okay" Geoffrey Hoskinson
2013 "Low Light Assembly" Alex Henery
2014 "Shoppers Beef"/"$100 Tip" Geoffrey Hoskinson
2015 "January 10th, 2014" Christopher Good
2017 "Marine Tigers" Ryan Sheehy
2021 "Invading the World of the Guilty" Adam Peditto
2021 "Queen Sophie for President" Adam Peditto

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Topshelf Records – The World Is A Beautiful Place & I Am No Longer Afraid To Die". Topshelf Records. Retrieved October 6, 2013.
  2. ^ Cohen, Ian (August 21, 2013). "The World Is a Beautiful Place & I Am No Longer Afraid to Die: Whenever, If Ever". Pitchfork. Retrieved October 7, 2013.
  3. ^ "twiabp". Tumblr.com. September 25, 2013. Retrieved October 6, 2013.
  4. ^ "Interview – The World Is A Beautiful Place & I Am No Longer Afraid To Die". Captain Maudlin. August 23, 2013. Retrieved August 23, 2013.
  5. ^ a b Cohen, Ian (September 29, 2017). "Q&A: The World Is A Beautiful Place And I Am No Longer Afraid To Die". Stereogum. Retrieved October 28, 2021.
  6. ^ "Vinyl Albums : July 6, 2013". Billboard. Retrieved July 6, 2015.
  7. ^ Ross, Alex Robert (November 30, 2016). "The World Is a Beautiful Place... Release "Body Without Organs" to Benefit ACLU". Vice. Retrieved May 11, 2017.
  8. ^ "The band keeps it all together - Baltimore Sun". digitaledition.baltimoresun.com.
  9. ^ "The World Is A Beautiful Place & I Am No Longer Afraid To Die announce new album, 'Always Foreign'". DIY. August 2, 2017. Retrieved October 28, 2021.
  10. ^ Cooper, Duncan (March 7, 2018). "It's time to get really into Spirit Night". The Fader. Retrieved March 31, 2023.
  11. ^ Kaufman, Gil (November 5, 2018). "Tom Diaz, Singer For The World Is a Beautiful Place, Dies at 32". Billboard. Retrieved November 10, 2018.
  12. ^ Bulletin, Norwich (November 2018). "Thomas M. Diaz Obituary". Legacy.com. Retrieved November 10, 2018.
  13. ^ Sacher, Andrew (November 3, 2018). "Tom Diaz, original TWIABP vocalist, RIP". BrooklynVegan. Retrieved November 4, 2018.
  14. ^ Minsker, Evan (August 3, 2021). "The World Is a Beautiful Place... Announce New Album Illusory Walls, Share New Song: Listen". Pitchfork. Retrieved August 7, 2021.
  15. ^ "12 Bands To Know From The Emo Revival". Stereogum. October 1, 2013. Retrieved February 24, 2024.
  16. ^ Bogosian, Dan (May 23, 2013). "REVIEW: The World Is A Beautiful Place – 'Whenever, If Ever'". Under the Gun Review. Archived from the original on April 2, 2015.
  17. ^ "The World Is A Beautiful Place and I Am No Longer Afraid To Die - Whenever, If Ever". Punknews.org. November 21, 2013. Retrieved February 24, 2024.
  18. ^ Shultz, Brian (September 29, 2014). "The World Is A Beautiful Place & I Am No Longer Afraid To Die - Between Bodies EP". Alternative Press. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016.
  19. ^ Thomas, Fred. "The World Is a Beautiful Place & I Am No Longer Afraid to Die | Biography & History". AllMusic. Retrieved October 25, 2019.
  20. ^ McKenna, Joe (November 13, 2021). "The World Is a Beautiful Place and I Am No Longer Afraid to Die – "Illusory Walls"". Everything Is Noise. Retrieved February 24, 2024.
  21. ^ Thomas, Fred. "Artist Biography by Fred Thomas". AllMusic. Archived from the original on July 20, 2015.
  22. ^ Minsker, Evan (August 3, 2021). "The World Is a Beautiful Place... Announce New Album Illusory Walls, Share New Song". Pitchfork. Retrieved October 15, 2021.
  23. ^ Rettig, James (September 1, 2021). "The World Is A Beautiful Place & I Am No Longer Afraid To Die - "Queen Sophie for President"". Stereogum. Retrieved October 15, 2021.
  24. ^ Breihan, Tom (October 5, 2021). "The World Is A Beautiful Place & I Am No Longer Afraid To Die - "Trouble"". Stereogum. Retrieved October 15, 2021.

External links[edit]

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