Spouse is short for 'Cheating on Spouses Can Be a Messy Management Affair' - the original title taken from an article and used as the stage name for the group's main singer/songwriter, José Ayerve. In the fall of 1997, shortly after completing a second set of recordings with engineer/producer, Thom Monahan, Spouse reformed as a quartet. Original members John Cowden and Ayerve began performing and rehearsing more vigorously with newcomers and fellow songwriters, Michael Merenda and Dan Pollard. (The third original member and architect of the group's name, Alisha Goldblatt spent the year in Florida - she would later return in time to contribute to the band's most recent full-length effort.)

As shows became more frequent and an initial 111-run cassette, 'SPOUSE', became available to the public of Brunswick and Portland, Maine, the group gained local and regional attention for their brand of infectious pop. Articles, blurbs, and a cover story for the July, 1998 issue of Boston's Northeast Performer Magazine fueled the band's momentum as the popsters continued to record and perform more and more material in anticipation of their debut album. Though Cowden and Goldblatt continue to contribute to the band's musical archive, their performance roles have been limited by their plans for furthered education.

In April of 1999, while waiting to release their newly completed album, two singles were released on Pigeon Records - a small independent label from Boston with a focus on college radio and a penchant for pop music. 'Focus' and '1 Marvel to DC' featuring two songs from the upcoming full-length release ('Focus'/'Wonder Woman'), each accompanied by two b-sides: 'Marbles' & 'Harry Crooker, Fla.' and 'Superman' & 'X-Man (I want to be an)'.

The spring of 1999 saw Spouse being joined for the season by Bart D'Alauro of the pop sensation, Persona. D'Alauro's creative contributions and pop sensibility heightened the group's taste for well placed melodies and patterns of endless chords...

The summer of 1999 became the welcome season for Spouse's another addition, Liz Bustamante (Skinner Pilot, Hippopotamus). A learned musician with the ability to command any which instrument with tact and ease, Bustamante joined in the group's spirit of multiple role and instrument switching.

In support of the singles being distributed on vinyl, regionally through Newbury Comics and Bull Moose Music, Spouse executed a brief and busy tour of the Northeast with shows scheduled in Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, Philadelphia and New York City. This current line-up was supported on this tour by Northampton natives and Wormco recording artists, Tappan Zee. The tour began November 17th.

Most recently, Spouse adopted a new member to its clan, Naomi Hamby (formerly of the band Wampeter). Another multi-instrumental player from NYC, Ms. Hamby's guitar work has given the band more freedom to recreate much more of their soon to be released debut full-length, 'NOZOMI'. You might recognize her name from her affiliation with Swampy Records (Ill Ease).

Spouse will be releaseing it's debut full-length effort, 'NOZOMI' on September 5th, 2000 (northeast) & October 9th (international), just in time for all the back-to-school chaos. Don't miss it! And don't miss Spouse touring through a venue near you, this fall!

In the meantime, Spouse will be performing and recording as feverishly and as chaotically as they always have. Plus, a hand full of projects from the individual Spouse members are in the works. Recordings by Michael Merenda & the Voltage Box, Persona, Deer Park, Naomi Hamby, and Dan Pollard, are all under way! Check back periodically for more details.