What once was lost, has now been found -- it’s just a matter of knowing where to look. If you’re searching around Long Island for a new artist to strike your interest, then look no further. Because just a couple of miles outside of Manhattan, local acts are springing up and making noise. Among these artists to keep an eye out for is recently formed Long Island acoustic act Lost Boy.
Lost Boy, known offstage as David Pfaeffle, is a one-man show who is no stranger to the Long Island music scene. Hailing from Plainview, New York, Pfaeffle made his debut nearly eight years ago as the singer for disbanded local act Nightjar (which broke up in November, but occasionally regroups for live performances). Pfaeffle did not let the demise of his band discourage his musical prowess though; instead he immediately jumped back behind the microphone. He has been playing around the area as solo artist Lost Boy since the split of his band, although it is not unusual for him to be accompanied by assorted local artists both on and offstage.
With a little help from his friends, plus the influence of early famed artists such as The Beatles, Neil Young, Miles Davis, Syd Barrett and Frank Sinatra, and the likes of more contemporary acts like Sonic Youth, Iron & Wine, Yo La Tengo and The Walkmen, Lost Boy has developed a lighter-than-air sound. Besides the acoustic guitar, his affinity to the air organ may explain this characteristic of his music. Lost Boy’s choice of instruments and non-threatening demeanor give his songs a delicate and tranquil quality, and his sound is soft on the ears and not overbearing or overpowering. It seems appropriate for Lost Boy to be the background for times of relaxation, romance or reflection.
What makes Lost Boy catchy is that his songs are simple, yet engaging. He is the kind of artist that proves that one man and one guitar can still create a sound that is captivating and interesting. Plus, he’s modest about what he produces. While some artists are set in their way, Lost Boy has a desire to incorporate the contributions and styles of other artists into his own, giving each song a unique angle or twist. So while his music may be serene, it is never boring.
But writing and playing music are not where Lost Boy’s talents end. Unsigned to any label, Lost Boy is self-recorded, produced and distributed. All of his albums are made using minimal recording equipment, such as a digital 4 or 8-track and a tape 4 track, in various low-key locations. Under his own operation and determination, he has released two full albums and one compilation. In late 2004, he completed Little Hand Kittens, a 2-disc set, which was shortly followed by Lofi High, a single disc record. Demos is a compilation that was released in February, and is what Lost Boy described as, “a little bit more appealing to radio ears.”
Recently I got a chance to meet with Lost Boy at one of his live performances to discuss his music, style, and what fuels his creativity, which we followed up with an online interview.
The Media Fix: Who is Lost Boy & why can't he find his way?
Lost Boy: Lost Boy is a reference to the lost boys of Peter Pan, or one of the boys who maybe lost their way from the group. He can’t find his way for many reasons but I cannot say.
TMF: After the fall of Nightjar, why did you decide to venture off as a solo artist? Why not just try to form a new band?
LB: One main reason is because I had so many songs that were never recorded, and I started to feel really inspired to write music because of all the things happening in my life. I felt I needed time away from a band to do what I really wanted to do as a solo artist. I still wanted to work with other people, but more so the lines of writing one or two songs with them.
Eventually I did team up with Brian Funk and Dave Farrara of [broken up Long Island bands] WCF, Ace Green, and [currently standing] Project Nairb, to form a short side project called Lost Nairb Project Boy. We played some shows and recorded some demos and basically had a good time together. We probably will still do so in the future but nothing serious.
TMF: Could you describe your sound to someone who's never heard you? Do you have any major inspirations, and what do you contribute to your music that is derived from them?
LB: Picture a guitar and a voice at two in the morning trying to be as silent as possible recording with the worst possible equipment, the words are drunk, scribbled, and impossible to make out. You can hear every creak of the walls, floors, and strings.
Major inspirations are everything, and how much it brings me pain or happiness. I try to capture the complete sound of how I am feeling with the instruments I have with me.
TMF: For the most part, your songs as a solo artist are very mellow. Would you say this is your established sound? Do you see yourself having the urge to create something completely the opposite?
LB: Lost Boy was strictly created to do what ever I feel at the time. I will be putting out an electronic album, and an alternative rock album eventually. I have so many songs recorded that I don’t know what to do with them yet. Collectively I have 90-100 songs recorded and most were finished within a seven-month period.
TMF: If Lost Boy could be any flavor of ice cream, what would it be and why?
LB: If Lost Boy could be any flavor of ice cream it would probably be black cherry, because the darker the berry the sweeter the juice!
TMF: Who are some artists (local or major) that have made an impression on you that you'd like to work with? Any plans to do so?
LB: There are so many that it’s almost impossible to say which ones. I have worked with a few local artists. I would like to work with any one who has their soul in music, and I can understand them on the same level, and I plan to do that forever.
TMF: What kind of a future do you see for Lost Boy? Do you have anything in the works?
LB: I am hoping that people will just be influenced by my music, I don’t want fame, I just want to live and create. I will always be in the works, till the day I die.
Check out Lost Boy online for tour news, music streams and downloads, or to purchase albums at:
nightjar.homestead.com
lostboy's myspace profile
lostboy on purevolume
LOST BOY