Hop On Pop is Todd Leiter-Weintraub, a songwriter who is too restless to keep himself chained to a single genre. The project's first album, As Drawn By Ethan, Age 2, was recorded as a genuine full-band affair and was released in April, 2004 on Spade Kitty Records to positive reviews, but relatively modest sales. The band splintered in August, 2007, leaving leader/songwriter Leiter-Weintraub alone, to pursue a more fluid format for the next Hop On Pop album. Todd convinced HoP drummer/percussionist/multi-instrumentalist David Kling to help him out in this new venture. With Kling on-board, he picked up friends, musicians and acquaintances, nerds, and various insects wherever he found them to record a new set of songs for the anxiously awaited follow-up. Being that the lineup changed from song to song (and that Todd's listening habits range from apples to submarines) the songlist for this new venture is even more stylistically diverse than the debut. It delves more-deeply into Todd's love of traditional American music, as well as into punk, klezmer, and electronic pop. The new album, Chicken on a Bicycle was completed in late, 2009 and released February 16, 2010 on Spade Kitty Records. Chicken On a Bicycle at iTunes. In April, 2012, the first solo album from HoP leader Todd Leiter-Weintraub —and EP titled Well-Enough Alone— was presented to the world. A collection of warts-and-all solo/acoustic recordings, it's the first of a planned pair of releases, featuring different takes on the same songs; the same recordings.
The Key Acoustic pop with, hopefully, a timeless feel. From the Todd Leiter-Weintraub solo/acoustic EP Well-Enough Alone.
Past Tense Unlike anything I've done before or since. Clawhammer-style jazz guitar, with sing/spoken vocals. From the Well-Enough Alone EP.
We Made It to the Middle Todd's channeling of Stephen Merritt or something like that. Or not.
Here Fuzz bass clashes with sequencers and sing-song melodies, while a drum machine keeps the (slam) danceable beat. Don't expect the rest of the record to sound anything like this, because it doesn't. Chicken On a Bicycle now available at iTunes!!!
Sheila of the Worms Jonathan Richman meets Robyn Hitchcock at a Gram Parsons show. Chicken On a Bicycle now available at iTunes!!!
Tortured Artist A through-composed pop song that was written around that guitar lick in the central section. Chicken On a Bicycle now available at iTunes!!!
Come On, Let's Go A courtship in 3 parts with acoustic guitar, piano, viola, and pedal steel. Don't expect anything else on the record to sound anything like this one, either. Featuring Brad and Auset Sarno of the Auset Music Project! Chicken On a Bicycle now available at iTunes!!!
I'm Pathetic Pure pop? For what people?
Say You Will (A Reluctant Soldier's Plea) Recorded as a demo, to be rerecorded for Chicken On a Bicycle, but I thought that the intimacy of the demo sound suited the song well, so I kept this version for the album.
Come Around Again Whiney-ass lyrics about loosing a band. Set to a very upbeat 3-chord progression. With an (I think) insideous hook. You tell me.
If It's Important To You Wait for it...
Ashes On the Water Layers of guitars, feedback, Moog, etc. With a bouncy beat!!!
For My Friends Jangly guitar and atmospheric synth.
Miles From Monday With an extended Middle-8.
Cary's Here Piano-driven English dancehall-style number about the overwhelming feelings associated with being a dad. Features trumpet from Ivo Braun of the Maxwell Street Klezmer Band and backing "ooh's" and "aah's" from Pamela Richardson of The Pralines.
And To Think... Sometimes you happen upon a chord progression that feels right.
Bound To Fail Jagged little guitar chords slash apart the groove, but are mended and healed by lovely little piano fluorishes.
Don't Speak Short, sharp, and harpsichord-y
Suckers Fast, loud, and melodic... but NOT punk.
I Do My Everly Brothers-cum-Nick Lowe retro ballad, complete with honking sax solo.
I Got It Back Our drummer, Dave got his MA from University Of Chicago. He loves the lyrics. Our bassist loves Naked Raygun. He loves the "woah-woahs".
The Yummy Song It's amazing what you can get away with when you know the recording is gonna sound like crap anyway.
Suckers (lo-fi) The demo version of a song that was re-recorded for As Drawn By Ethan....
I Do (demo) Acoustic. Recorded in the basement, actually.
Ashes On the Water (live/acoustic) A live recording of me alone with my acoustic, playing what is probably (and surprisingly) my most-popular song.
New Year's Eve (live) I held back a bit on my vocals... it's a coffee house dontchya know. But I normally belt it out a bit more. We're gonna record this for the album as a bluegrass number banjo, mandolin, upright bass, fiddle, and dobro (if I can rustle up all them folks).
Happy Days (live) Just a 3-chord ditty about finally finding my place, and the person with whom to share it.
Todd in Conversation with Raymond Porter Todd Rambles to a patient Scot.
5/9/2011 10:23:11 AM Yeah!!! Congrats Todd on being featured as "Artist Of The Week" on IAC. Well deserved my brother!!! Slim
3/5/2011 9:29:24 AM Hey, how are you? It's been a lil while.
12/28/2010 12:46:54 PM Here is proper sing a long stuff...I think you knew it would be right up my street! Keep it coming! Thanks Todd :)
12/9/2010 5:30:02 AM Your song Here is so stuck in my brain ha ha!!!! Love it!
10/27/2010 8:46:13 AM Hey Todd! Thanks for the love man... but I wouldn't say I'm back. Just passing through... :)
10/2/2010 10:20:53 AM Just been enjoying some of your other tracks - Sheila of The Worms - great - now I understand why you like Shadow Puppets!
9/24/2010 4:41:46 AM I've added your song Tortured Artist to Over The Moon as I think it's a great track and I can relate to it! I enjoyed listening to the others as well. x
8/23/2010 12:52:23 PM Hey Todd, I'm really loving you record "Chicken on a Bicycle." You really are a talented songwriter. I have several favorites, but for my money, "I'm Pathetic" is just stellar, and worth the price of the CD!
6/27/2010 7:30:11 PM Just popping in to say hi how you doing...
6/2/2010 8:25:32 PM In the end-it had to be-C'Mon Let's Go Ewe Know why I think?? this is classic!! Rob
5/18/2010 1:33:30 PM YUMMY YUMMY MUsic!
2/3/2010 10:08:08 PM HERE is sooooooooooooooooooo FUN!!!!!!! Added to The Sound Cafe! : )
1/31/2010 1:02:21 PM Todd, Love the new tunes from Chicken on a Bicycle!!! I'm Pathetic is my favorite- it's an instant classic!!! Should be on the radio and seems like it would be a good pitch for a movie soundtrack (I mean that- you should serously shop it around). JP Sharpe
1/12/2010 4:12:17 PM I see you kept my seat warm for me.........I too have kept something warm for you!!!
1/11/2010 9:46:29 PM Todd, "Come On, Let's Go" is an EXCELLENT piece of work!!! You and Auset Music Project should be proud!!!
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