Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
Arts & Entertainment
Jason Poranski and Paul Collins, Musicians
By
John Del Signore
Published Sep 26, 2007
Modified Mar 7, 2008
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
John Del Signore
Published Sep 26, 2007
Modified Mar 7, 2008
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
In 2006, at age 19, musician Zach Condon and his band Beirut exploded onto the indie-rock scene with a dramatic collection of Balkan-inspired arrangements for horn, ukulele, keyboards and strings. The bloggers raved, the venues got bigger, the haters left comments. But less than a year later, the teen’s too-sudden indie-rock apotheosis landed him in the hospital for “extreme exhaustion” and forced the cancellation of a tour that included sold-out dates at Bowery Ballroom. Condon has since rallied back and, in addition to a new album coming out next month, has picked up his touring pace again.
We were offered an opportunity to interview Condon in advance of a series of New York concerts, but were warned that he would need a week to respond to an email interview. Not wanting to tire the poor lad out, we kept our questions short and sweet. Nine days after sending them off, a two-man team of Jason Poranski and Paul Collins sent back some cryptic, Dylan-esque answers. Had we known we were actually interviewing Condon’s band and not Condon, we would have also asked them if their front man could use an amanuensis. Or maybe a Red Bull?
You have a sound that's unique in the music scene right now - bringing a Balkan Eastern European sound to a modern day audience. How did that sound first attract you? Through the back. Jeremy Barnes of A Hawk and a Hacksaw, and Kusturica's films.
We've heard you reference Fellini as an influence, can you explain that a bit more? Sweeney is great, but so is Leighton Pierce. Or the Maysles Bros.
What's your songwriting process? Exquisite corpse.
Beirut has been one of the bands that got recognized first through blogs. Do you have any thoughts about the blog vs the mainstream media world right now? Blogs are the best thing to ever happen to music media.
Are there any instruments you haven't used live or in the studio that you'd like to? Electric guitar.
What are your favorite instruments? Prepared piano.
Who were you listening to five years ago, and who are you listening to now? Then, Danny Hergot. Now, Leo Sayer's Silverbird
Please share your strangest "only in New York" story. We don't like this question.
Which New Yorker do you most admire? Taylor Mead.
Given the opportunity, how would you change New York? Pay toilets.
Under what circumstance have you thought about leaving New York? Being broke.
What's your current soundtrack to the city? Dirty Projectors – Police Story
What's the best subway line? G train.
Best cheap eat in the city. Mike's Diner (across from Pratt) and Sunset Park Diner and Donuts.
Best venue to see/play music. Great American Music Hall in San Francisco
Photo by THEfunkyman.
Tagged
A Hawk
American Music
Beirut
bloggers
blogs
bowery ballroom
comments
dirty projectors
Eastern European
Great American
Great American Music Hall
hospital
interview
media
Music
Music Hall
new york
new yorker
photos
police
red bull
san francisco
subway
sunset
sunset park
taylor mead
the city
train
Which New Yorker
Zach Condon
John Del Signore
Originally from the Albany area, John Del Signore has called NYC home since 1995. In addition to his thousands of meticulously-crafted bespoke blog posts for Gothamist, his writing has also been published in The Awl, Deadspin, The Nervous Breakdown, and performed at The Brick Theater in Brooklyn.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE arts-entertainment
Inside the hidden chamber that controls Lincoln Center's magnificent fountain
Gothamist went behind the scenes to learn how the NYC landmark keeps its majestic waters flowing.
By
Sonia Rao
Published Oct 23, 2026
In the algorithm age, NYC college radio DJs are still broadcasting the funky stuff
We dropped by WNYU to see what the next generation of radio DJs is up to. The answer is "Br00tal Beats To Study/Relax To."
By
James Ramsay
Arts & Entertainment
In the algorithm age, NYC college radio DJs are still broadcasting the funky stuff
We dropped by WNYU to see what the next generation of radio DJs is up to. The answer is "Br00tal Beats To Study/Relax To."
By
James Ramsay
A Queens prop shop shutters, bunnies find a home uptown, and more openings and closings
By
Hannah Frishberg
A new film invites you to eavesdrop on one of the greatest conversations in NYC history
By
Sonia Rao
The Knicks are NBA champions. Now they have to start dressing the part.
By
Sonia Rao
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .