The Difference Between Typewrong and Typewrite
Who else is a fan of live music?
Howdy! It’s Joey, back with more Fun Fact Friyay. I hope you can hear the clickety clap of my typing while you read this fact.
There’s a Boston-based orchestra consisting entirely of typewriters.
I’ve never had to use a typewriter in any kind of official work setting, though I’ve always been fascinated by the machines. Luckily, I got to encounter a few as a kid, and pecking at the keys with my fingers was such a soothing experience.
Perhaps it’s a good thing that I don’t need to use a typewriter to deliver these facts, because I’ve already made and corrected eight typos up until this point. GET IT TOGETHER, JOEY.
While I might struggle with a typewriter, a group of Boston musicians have turned it into a side career. The Boston Typewriter Orchestra has been delighting fans for over two decades.
It all started on a fateful night in 2004. While out at a bar, an artist named Tim Devin was gifted a child’s typewriter from his girlfriend. As you’d expect most people to do when given some sort of typing instrument after a few drinks, Devin began pounding away at the keys.
The bar’s waitress let him have his fun for a bit before requesting that he stop tapping the keys in time with the music because it was highly annoying.
Devin’s response? “No, no, that’s OK. I’m the conductor of the Boston Typewriter Orchestra.”
All of a sudden, the group was born. October 20, 2004 marked the first performance for BTO (not to be confused with Bachman Turner Overdrive, who you’ll find taking care of business via more conventional instruments).
BTO members put on white dress shirts and ties, adopting an office setting during their live performances. They’ve also released five studio albums and seven music videos, most recently “This Could Have Been an Email” from earlier this year. Let’s watch!
Now, as you’ll notice, the Boston Typewriter Orchestra does implement vocals into its tunes. That helps keep a bit of melody to the theatrics. Either way, it’s impressive stuff.
The group welcomes a variety of typewriters into the mix, as well. Enthusiasts can spot products from Underwood, Remington, Smith Corona, Royal, Hermes, and more. It’s good to see equal opportunities for typewriters.
Devin is no longer with the group, but they’re still going strong. One of their notable current members is Brendan Emmett Quigley, a “crossword wunderkind” who’s constructed puzzles for The New York Times, The Boston Globe, The Washington Post, and a host of others.
Hopefully, BTO inspires you to be a little more musical in your work. Next time you’re facing some writer’s block or have to craft an email you’re not looking forward to, give your keys a little musical jingle and see how that feels.