AQUALUNG has nothing to do with Jethro Tull. It’s all about London’s Matt Hales, whose favorite toy as a kid was the piano.
At just 17, Hales had his first symphony performed by a 60-piece orchestra – which he conducted. Hales then formed a Police cover-band, and another rock band, Ruth, while continuing to compose classical-esque pieces.
In 2000, at 30, he had a hit single, “Strange and Beautiful,” thanks to its use in a Volkswagen Beetle TV ad.
“Strange and Beautiful,” Aqualung’s debut disc, is just being released here and with pianos and a captivating croon, Coldplay comparisons are inevitable.
Filled with dreamy Brit pop tunes, many about love’s illusions, some shimmering a la The Beatles and others in a more expansive orchestral pop mood, the disc borders on adult indie pop – lite FM for hipsters.
As for the band name, the music made Hales feel like he was out in space or deep underwater – a place one would need help breathing. Aqualung performs at the Bowery Ballroom (6 Delancey St.; [212] 533-2111).
FRIDAY TO SUNDAY: If the art of noise is your escape valve, then the three-day No Fun Fest in Brooklyn is for you. The underground noise scene shakes the Hook (18 Commerce St., Red Hook; [718] 797-3007) with more than 50 bands, from Hair Police and Dead Machines on Friday to Nihilistic Assault Group. Don’t ask. Check nofunfest.com.
TONIGHT: Jimmy Webb, who wrote songs like “By the Time I Get to Phoenix,” for Glen Campbell and “Up Up and Away,” for the Fifth Dimension, sings and tells tales at the piano at the B.B. King Blues Club (237 W. 42nd St.; [212] 997-4144). Webb now says he never would have written one of his most famous lines, “I want you more than need you and I need you for all time, and the Wichita lineman is still on the line,” because it’s not a perfect rhyme. Here’s to blissful ignorance.
What a long strange trip it’s been for Steve Earle since he broke out with “Guitar Town,” in 1986. The Nashville country rocker, who survived jail, drugs, alcohol and the controversy of “John Walker Blues” about “American Taliban” John Walker Lindh, takes on the Bowery Ballroom, playing fiery roots rock ‘n’ roll with the Dukes. Allison Moorer, Shelby Lynn’s younger sis, opens.
Or how about the art of mash-ups. The Techno vs. Rock ‘n’ Roll Death Match at Rothko (116 Suffolk St.; no phone) pits techno-whiz Gregory Schiff against I Love You, an indie rock trio with a cute Web address
(iloveyouxxox.com).
SUNDAY: The raucous Hungry Marching Band adds to other-worldly feel of Coney Island when it performs for the opening of Astroland Park (1000 Surf Ave., at W. 10th St., Coney Island; [212] 265-2100).
MONDAY: On its shiny new EP, “City vs. Country,” the Mobius Band, smash frenzied synthetic grooves with warm guitar hooks and revealing vocals. The Massachusetts-formed trio opens for Go! Team at the Mercury Lounge (217 E. Houston; [212] 260-4700).
The Hives, Sahara Hotnights and TSOOL (see Thursday) have all emerged from “Export Music Sweden,” which skates into CBGB (315 Bowery; [212] 982-4052) on Monday.
This year features the Ark, a Bowie-esque, Queen-spirited rock act; Deportees, a soul-country mix of high-pitched Prince-ly vocals with banjo and guitars; and Moneybrother. All huge in Sweden and nothing here – yet.
THURSDAY: Sweden’s TSOOL – the Soundtrack of Our Lives – brings its rock poses to the smaller Knitting Factory (74 Leonard St.; [212] 219-3006). The psychedelic throwbacks don’t make audiences crouch anymore, but their their superstar rock moves are still intact.