The local pop-rock group “My Radio” recently scored a major coup — their song “Yeah Yeah Yeah” was chosen for the soundtrack of a major motion picture, “The Joneses,” which stars Demi Moore and David Duchovny. “Yeah Yeah Yeah” is heard about 15 minutes into the film, which played locally at The Grandin Theatre.
During a recent event held there for My Radio, the video (filmed in Roanoke by Bret Lemon, also a band member and guitarist) and the movie were shown; a near capacity crowd erupted in cheers when their tune was played during one scene. “The Joneses” was about a made-up family assembled to push the latest products with neighbors and schoolmates, a cynical take on a materialistic world.
Lead singer/guitarist/keyboard player J.P. Powell, who is also working to open a restaurant this summer (“Lucky”) on Kirk Avenue with drummer Hunter Thompson, said “My Radio made a business plan several years ago that involved dealing with a placement company, Ocean Park.” “They have contacts in film, TV, advertising [etc.],” said Powell. Those contacts paid off when “Yeah Yeah Yeah” was deemed a good fit for “The Joneses” – as in keeping up with the Joneses. Jeff Hofmann (bass player) is the fourth member of My Radio.
The song is also used in the movie trailer; a variety of royalties and licensing fees means the group will keep making money, as will an upcoming soundtrack album. “I’m learning a lot about paperwork and licensing,” Powell remarked during the recent Down By Downtown music festival. He calls himself a “huge” movie buff, so being chosen for “The Joneses” was “a thrill.” “Seeing it on film, as characters bopped to the beat of ‘Yeah Yeah Yeah’ was pretty darn cool.”
My Radio group members were even invited to several premieres for the movie. The director told them he had sampled about 500 songs. “I think we write great music, but it’s also a bit of luck,” said Powell, who grew up listening to The Beatles, Motown and other stalwarts of pop music. “I love simple, melodic songs,” Powell notes.
As for the video, they filmed it at odd hours and on sundays downtown, without any official permission or permits. “That’s the great thing about Roanoke,” said Powell with a wry smile, “if this was New York we would have been arrested.” They did have tacit okays from a few of the police officers they knew.
Downtown Roanoke’s “skinny back alleys,” made for unique camera shots; the ever-present MyScoper girls Beth Deel and Wendy Schuyler are prominently featured on tricycles and Big Wheels in the video, donning furry purple-pink hats.
The Internet has helped My Radio sell their catchy, pop-flavored records around the world – they’ve even gotten airtime on a radio station in Budapest. “That’s the great thing about the Internet,” said Powell, a Salem native who returned here after living in Boston for ten years.
“We’re not going to rest on this,” said Powell, who is trying to get “Yeah Yeah Yeah” and other songs licensed by ESPN for its sports highlights programming. Another record is expected this fall and a mini-tour will start soon.
A member of three bands with recording contracts in Boston, Powell thought his music career might be over when he moved back to the valley. The success of My Radio has erased any notion of that. “I’m extremely excited,” said Powell, about the prospect of where the band could go in the future. He’s also encouraged by the growing level of support for local acts in Roanoke. “I found music in a better way than I ever had before.”
By Gene Marrano [email protected]