De Novo Dahl

If you've listened to De Novo Dahl's infectious indie pop confectionary, you probably won't be too surprised to learn that the Murfreesboro, Tennessee, sextet named themselves after whimsical children's author Roald Dahl ("De Novo" is Latin for "anew"). And once you've learned that, you probably won't be too surprised to learn that, after high school buddies Mark Bond (vocals, keys) and Joel McAnulty (vocals, guitar) gave up their duo and solo projects to form De Novo Dahl in 2001, they made a name for themselves playing themed, costumed shows (including an ice cream social and a "spaghetti western" night where the band, dressed as cowboys, served pasta to their fans). With the rest of the group (singer/omnichord player Serai Zaffiro, bassist Jon Schneck, drummer Joey Andrews and lead guitarist Sandy Sandidge), Bond and McAnulty released an EP in 2003, followed by their debut Cats and Kittens in 2005 and sophomore release Move Every Muscle, Make Every Sound in 2007.