Biography
Donald Cumming first surfaced in music as the creator and lead singer of the New York City post-punk revival group the Virgins toward the close of the 2000s. A vocalist, songwriter, guitarist, and wide-ranging performer shaped entirely by his surroundings, he entered the world in Manhattan and spent his childhood in Tribeca.
Adolescence brought frequent nights out, above all at Don Hill's and its celebrated '80s Night. He also modeled for photographer Ryan McGinley, whose vivid portraits captured the city's younger generation. When McGinley mounted his first exhibition at the Whitney Museum of American Art, Cumming's images appeared in the show, and one served as the cover of McGinley's debut monograph in 2002. Parallel to these pursuits, Cumming stepped into independent film, appearing in the 2006 Sundance Film Festival award-winning short Bugcrush and serving as cinematographer on the 2007 documentary Billy the Kid.
During a photo session in Mexico around the same period, he met Wade Oates, later the Virgins' guitarist. Joined by bassist Nick Zarin-Ackerman and drummer Erik Ratensperger, the four formed the band and issued a warmly received self-titled EP in 2007 before ever taking the stage. After only two loft-party performances, their third show placed them on a Paris Fashion Week bill with Patti Smith and Sonic Youth. From there they began touring, playing clubs and supporting Mark Ronson, Tokyo Police Club, and Tapes 'n Tapes; producers of the Gossip Girl series soon placed the Virgins' music in an episode, finding the group's artful yet unpretentious style well matched to the program. Atlantic Records signed them, and work on the debut album began with producers S*A*M & Sluggo.
Marked by late-'70s new wave textures and rock & roll swagger, the Virgins' self-titled LP appeared in June 2008. The release led to U.S. television performances on Late Night with Conan O'Brien, Late Show with David Letterman, and, later, Late Night with Jimmy Fallon. Years of international festival dates and headline tours followed, along with personnel shifts that left Cumming the sole remaining original member; a second album, Strike Gently, surfaced on Cult Records in 2013. Further road work included support slots for the Killers, highlighted by a performance at Madison Square Garden in New York City. Late in 2013 Cumming announced the band's breakup and his intention to proceed as a solo artist.
After making his first solo appearance at the 2014 Bonnaroo festival, he recorded his debut album, Out Calls Only, at East Village Recording Center and Manhattan's Sullivan Street Studios; the record was released by Washington Square, an imprint of Razor & Tie, in June 2015.
Adolescence brought frequent nights out, above all at Don Hill's and its celebrated '80s Night. He also modeled for photographer Ryan McGinley, whose vivid portraits captured the city's younger generation. When McGinley mounted his first exhibition at the Whitney Museum of American Art, Cumming's images appeared in the show, and one served as the cover of McGinley's debut monograph in 2002. Parallel to these pursuits, Cumming stepped into independent film, appearing in the 2006 Sundance Film Festival award-winning short Bugcrush and serving as cinematographer on the 2007 documentary Billy the Kid.
During a photo session in Mexico around the same period, he met Wade Oates, later the Virgins' guitarist. Joined by bassist Nick Zarin-Ackerman and drummer Erik Ratensperger, the four formed the band and issued a warmly received self-titled EP in 2007 before ever taking the stage. After only two loft-party performances, their third show placed them on a Paris Fashion Week bill with Patti Smith and Sonic Youth. From there they began touring, playing clubs and supporting Mark Ronson, Tokyo Police Club, and Tapes 'n Tapes; producers of the Gossip Girl series soon placed the Virgins' music in an episode, finding the group's artful yet unpretentious style well matched to the program. Atlantic Records signed them, and work on the debut album began with producers S*A*M & Sluggo.
Marked by late-'70s new wave textures and rock & roll swagger, the Virgins' self-titled LP appeared in June 2008. The release led to U.S. television performances on Late Night with Conan O'Brien, Late Show with David Letterman, and, later, Late Night with Jimmy Fallon. Years of international festival dates and headline tours followed, along with personnel shifts that left Cumming the sole remaining original member; a second album, Strike Gently, surfaced on Cult Records in 2013. Further road work included support slots for the Killers, highlighted by a performance at Madison Square Garden in New York City. Late in 2013 Cumming announced the band's breakup and his intention to proceed as a solo artist.
After making his first solo appearance at the 2014 Bonnaroo festival, he recorded his debut album, Out Calls Only, at East Village Recording Center and Manhattan's Sullivan Street Studios; the record was released by Washington Square, an imprint of Razor & Tie, in June 2015.
Albums
