Donald Cumming

Donald Cumming (born 1981)[1] is an American actor, musician, singer and songwriter. He is best known as the lead singer of the New York City band The Virgins. After two albums, the band announced their split in 2013.[2]

Donald Cumming
Background information
Born1981
OriginNew York City, United States
GenresRock, post-punk, new wave
Years active2007–Present
LabelsWashington Square Music

Cumming's first solo album Out Calls Only was released on June 16, 2015.[3] His solo career has been acclaimed by Rolling Stone,[4] The Wall Street Journal, NME,[5] The Guardian,[6] Rolling Stone Germany,[7] Paste[8] and Entertainment Weekly.[9]

Musical career

The Virgins

The Virgins were a rock band formed in New York City by Donald from 2006 to 2013. They signed to Atlantic Records to release their first full-length, self-titled album The Virgins. The song “Rich Girls” was on Rolling Stone’s list of 100 Best Songs of 2008.[10] In 2012, the band returned, signing with Julian Casablancas’, of The Strokes, label Cult Records. In March 2013, they released their album Strike Gently.

The Virgins made multiple national and international tours, opened for The Killers, Iggy Pop and The Stooges, Lou Reed, Sonic Youth, Patti Smith, Kenneth Anger, and more. They have also made television appearances on the Late Show with David Letterman, Late Night with Conan O’Brien, Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, and Last Call with Carson Daly.

Solo career

His first major performance as a solo artist was at the 2014 Bonnaroo Music Festival.[11]

Cumming was later featured in Richard Hell's artist series "Night Out with Richard Hell. The event was held at the New York City Symphony Space, and was a two hour conversation between Hell and Cumming that touched upon; music, art, and film."[12]

Cumming released his debut solo album Out Calls Only on June 16, 2015 with the single, "Game of the Heart" on Washington Square Music.[13] British newspaper The Guardian described it as a carefully constructed period piece, and rated it three stars.[14] NME listed it under 8 Great Albums That May Have Passed You By This Week and was rated eight stars by the music magazine.[15] Since his album release, Donald has opened for both Brandon Flowers and The Killers.

Acting career

In 2006, Cumming starred in the short film "Bug Crush". The film went on to win the Short Filmmaking Award at the Sundance Film Festival.[16]

References
  1. "Donald Cumming to Release Debut Solo Album, Out Calls Only, on June 16". Washington Square Music. Retrieved 2015-09-29.
  2. "The Virgins announce their separation". 13 November 2013.
  3. Danton, Eric R. (10 June 2015). "Donald Cumming Sends Distress Signal on "Out Calls Only" (Exclusive album)". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 11 July 2015.
  4. Murray, Nick (24 March 2015). "Hear Virgins Singer Donald Cumming Channel Tom Petty on "Game of the Heart"". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 11 July 2015.
  5. Daly, Rhian. "20 Tracks You Need to Hear This Week". NME. Archived from the original on 11 July 2015. Retrieved 11 July 2015.
  6. Hann, Michael (11 June 2015). "Donald Cumming Out Calls Only review - a carefully constructed period piece". The Guardian. Retrieved 11 July 2015.
  7. Willanders, Wochentipp (19 June 2015). "Album der Woch: Donald Cumming - 'Out Calls Only". Rolling Stone Germany. Retrieved 11 July 2015.
  8. Orr, Dacey. "Donald Cumming Song Premiere - "Workin' It Out"". Paste. Retrieved 11 July 2015.
  9. Brown, Eric Renner. "Former Virgins Frontman Donald Cumming debuts dreamy ballad 'In the Early Hours' - Exclusive". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved 11 July 2015.
  10. "100 Best Songs of 2008". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on October 2, 2012. Retrieved 16 June 2015.
  11. Smith, Jack (15 May 2014). "Bonnaroo Club Stage Band of the Day: Donald Cumming". No Country For New Nashville. Retrieved 11 July 2015.
  12. "Night Out with Richard Hell: Donald Cumming". Symphony Space. Retrieved 11 July 2015.
  13. "Concord | Independent Music".
  14. "Donald Cumming: Out Calls Only review – a carefully constructed period piece". TheGuardian.com. 11 June 2015.
  15. "8 Great Albums That May Have Passed You by This Week". NME. 9 June 2015.
  16. "BUGCRUSH-A Creepy, Crawly Affair-Sundance 2022". 22 January 2022.
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