Behind Baby Calendar’s irresistibly earnest vocals, sugary-sweet melodies and animated backbeat – characteristics that are synonymous with the adorable territory otherwise known as indie pop – is a band that writes daringly ambitious, unique arrangements spiked with a honed punk edge, all tightly wrapped in their unwavering DIY ethic. On some level, their sound is a shining reflection of Miami, the city in which all three members grew up, and its eclectic, multicultural background…not to mention three self-sufficient years making their own records and playing countless shows across the United States.
To say that Gingerbread Dog has a monopoly on catchy melodies is an understatement. “Unshakable Baby Calendar virus lodged deep in your skull” is more like it. Leave it to these guys to make a brain disease sound like something you’d actually want to contract. Nevertheless, what really makes Baby Calendar so communicable is the depth of the arrangements and the ability to find a harmony between weighty subject matter and optimistic fun without an ounce of pretension to muck things up.
Of course, the poignancy of the songs rests squarely on the back-and-forth between Tom Gorrio and Jackie Biver: vocals swooping, intertwining, and ricocheting off one another with an understated resolution. Separately, each plays a significant role – Gorrio with his confident tenor and Biver with an unaffected, childlike voice – but they are equals, keeping the listener grounded amongst the charming twists and turns throughout the record. Toss drummer Arik Dayan into the mix for a percussive bite and you’ve got songs that are simultaneously intriguing, whimsical, unconventional…yet completely rockin’ and danceable. The fact that it’s all bundled up into eleven cohesive, infectious pop songs can be our little secret.
When words like “cute” and “happy” are mentioned in the same sentence as Baby Calendar, maybe that’s because regardless of how artful and creatively the songs on Gingerbread Dog are put together, you can’t help but feel that Tom, Jackie and Arik are best friends…and yes, they’re having a great time doing what they love. It shines through in live performances as well. Baby Calendar will get you moving, they’ll keep you on your toes and they’ll sure as hell make you hum along. Most importantly though, they’ll do it on their own terms and in a way that’s wholly unique to Baby Calendar. Yup…that’s pretty friggin’ cute.
Tom Gorrio (vocals, guitar, keys), Jackie Biver (vocals, bass, keys) and Arik Dayan (drums, xylophone, tambourine) are Baby Calendar. Gingerbread Dog was recorded and mixed by Daniel Escauriza at Panda Bite Studios and Soundjitsu, with the exception of tracks 6 and 10, which were recorded by Tom on his 4-track at home. You can find other Baby Calendar releases on their website (www.babycalendarmusic.com) or maybe from the band on tour. They tour a lot. Go see them.
“Baby Calendar radiates a very personal and distinct beauty, and are simply bright rays of sunshine breaking through the clouds when you need it most.” – Two Way Monologues
“Baby Calendar have created their own little slice of a genre here. It’s 1/3 twee , 1/3 emo and 1/3 geek rock all rolled up into one. Fans of all of the genres listed above should find something to like on Gingerbread Dog. These guys and gal are damn good at what they do and it’s hard to not have respect for that.” – Sound As Language
“Each element comes together, making each song an indie pop wallop: warm, fuzzy, and oozing with sugary goodness. There's enough here for a sugar-induced coma.” - Aversion