Da Vinci's Notebook made their debut at the 1994 Mid-Atlantic Harmony Sweepstakes, where they came in third place. In 1996, they came back and won the 1996 Mid-Atlantic Harmony Sweepstakes. They continued to tour, locally and nationally, for the next ten years.
| Also known as | DVN |
|---|---|
| Origin | United States |
| Genres | A cappella, comedy |
| Years active | 1993-2013 |
| Labels | Da Vinci's Notebook, Uncle Buford Records |
| Associated acts | Paul and Storm |
| Past members |
|
Da Vinci's Notebook (or simply DVN) was a comedic a cappella singing group. Former Artists-in-Residence at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, they performed specials on Comedy Central and PBS, and spent time as the 'house band' on Washington radio's WBIG-FM. They were also regular guests on the nationally syndicated Bob and Tom Radio Show.
History[edit]
The group was formed in 1993, by Bernie Muller-Thym, Greg 'Storm' DiCostanzo, Paul Sabourin and Richard Hsu. Muller-Thym, DiCostanzo, and Sabourin met via a classified ad. Hsu, a friend of DiConstanzo from the University of Maryland, joined them in the summer of 1993. Bass singer Jay Jones sang with them from 1993 to 1994.
Da Vinci's Notebook made their debut at the 1994 Mid-Atlantic Harmony Sweepstakes, where they came in third place.[1] In 1996, they came back and won the 1996 Mid-Atlantic Harmony Sweepstakes.[2]
They continued to tour, locally and nationally, for the next ten years.[3] Highlights included some of the most prestigious folk venues and festivals on the East Coast, such as the Falcon Ridge Folk Festival.
In addition to their albums, DVN also recorded a track called 'The Ballad of The Sneak' for the Homestar Runner cartoon website.[4] This song was credited to the entire group, though it was only written and performed by Paul and Storm.
In 2004, the band stopped touring and regular performances.[5] Two of the members, Paul and Storm, then hit the road as a musical duo dubbed Paul and Storm. DVN will still perform together on occasion for corporate shows.
In 2007, interest in the band spiked as they began to get played on the syndicated Bob and Tom radio show. Their signature songs include 'Ally McBeal', 'Enormous Penis', 'Internet Porn', 'Kingdom in the Sky', and 'Title of the Song'.
In 2013, DVN's 'Another Irish Drinking Song' was featured in the film Despicable Me 2, with new lyrics in the language of the Minions.
Members[edit]
- Paul Sabourin, tenor
- Richard Hsu, tenor, keyboard
- Greg 'Storm' DiCostanzo, baritone
- Jay Jones, bass (1993-1994)
- Bernie Muller-Thym, bass (vocal), guitar
Discography[edit]
- Bendy's Law
- The Life and Times of Mike Fanning
- Brontosaurus
Awards and nominations[edit]
| Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1994 | Da Vinci's Notebook | Mid-Atlantic Harmony Sweepstakes | 3rd |
| 1996 | Da Vinci's Notebook | Mid-Atlantic Harmony Sweepstakes | Won |
- Professional awards include two Wammies (Washington DC local music awards) for 'Best A Cappella' group.
References[edit]
- ^'1994 mid-atlantic Regional Winners'. Harmony Sweepstakes. Archived from the original on 14 April 2014. Retrieved 13 April 2014.
- ^'A Brief History'. Archived from the original on 8 February 2006.
- ^Rogovoy, Seth (18 February 2003). 'Da Vinci's Notebook fills doctor's prescription'. The Berkshire Eagle. Retrieved 8 April 2013.
- ^'Ballad of The Sneak'. Homestar Runner Wiki. 23 June 2003. Retrieved 16 July 2009.
- ^'Looking for Da Vinci's Notebook'. Paul and Storm. Archived from the original on 14 April 2014. Retrieved 13 April 2014.
External links[edit]
- Da Vinci's Notebook discography at MusicBrainz
Da Vinci's Notebook Lyrics
Statue Model: The very top peak of Mount Everest you can reach.
Phonograph: On top of the treasury building in Ancient Greece (the guards are standing in front of it). You must climb up the winged statue and jump to the roof.
Peace Medal: Hanging on the pulley system in Da Vinci's Workshop. First, climb onto the middle platform, making the top one come closer so you can jump on it. Get on the top platform. You will go down but the bottom platform will come out. Jump onto the bottom platform, and from there jump and touch the shiny silver circle. If you touch it, you will get the Peace Medal.
Declaration of Independence: In the Mali Empire (watch out for snakes) there will be a place called 'Timbuktu Inn'. A document merchant is there. Piece together a puzzle for him to get the Declaration of Independence.
Stone Bowl: Go to Lewis and Clark's campsite. There will be a tree that has the words 'Clark was here' carved into it. Climb the tree and wait for a beaver to appear. He has the bowl on his head.
Sun Stone Piece: On top of Edison's Workshop. Go to the left and jump on the car. Click the circle at the rear and the car will move forward and stop under the tree. Climb up the tree and onto the house.
Notebook: Go to the Statue of Liberty. Climb to get on the very top platform of the scaffold. Jump to your left. The Notebook is on the ledge.
Salt Rocks: Go to the Graff House and climb the tree. Jump onto the roof. They are in a bag at that location.
Thor's Amulet: Go to the Great Wall of China and pass the construction zone. A man will be wearing the amulet. If you defeat him in a memory game he will give it to you.
Golden Vase: Go to the Great Wall of China and pick up a barrel of gunpowder. Go to where the Vikings are and climb onto the first cliff. Use the gunpowder to blast the rocks. Pick up the torch and go inside. You have a limited amount of time to find the vase before your torch goes out. It will also go out if you step in water. Note: Run down, up, up, up, across, down, and left.
Warrior's Mask: In the Aztec Empire there is an old warrior who wants to retire. Talk to him and he will give his mask to you.
Glider: Da Vinci gives it to you when you give him his notebook.
Viking Suit: It is laying on the second cliff where the Vikings are. Use the Glider to reach it.
Go to Pendulum's Lab.
Power up the Future Machine.
Talk to yourself 50 year older.
He will give you a Time Device.
To get the Salt Rocks from Mali, jump on top of the Graff House in 1776.
Then, go to 1387.
Talk to the man on top of the first building.
Give him the rocks.
To get the Declaration of Independence from the Graff House, go to Mali in 1387.
Go to the inn.
Talk to the Document Merchant.
Then, go to 1776.
Piece together the puzzle.
Give it to Thomas Jefferson.
To get the Statue of Liberty, go to the top of Mt. Everest in 1953. Then, go to 1882.
Give it to the person by the thing that reads 'Modele Original'.
To get the goggles from Everest, go to the Aztec Empire in 1519.
Go to the end of the empire.
Go to the top of the temple.
There is an old man there who gives you the Warrior Headdress.
Then, click on the first guard.
He gives you the goggles.
To get the sun stone from the Aztec Empire, go to the Workshop in 1877.
Ride the 'wagon' to the big tree.
Jump on the branches until you get to the roof.
Go to the left chimney.
Then, go to 1519.
Give the king the sun stone.
To get the phonograph from the Workshop, go to Delphi in 328 BC.
Jump on the roof of the treasury.
Get the Phonograph.
Return it to Edison (the workshop boss).
To get the golden vase from Delphi, go to Scandinavia in 831.
Note: You must have the gunpowder from China and the glider from Da Vinci to do this.
Blow open the cave.
Go to the bottom left before the torch burns out.
Get the golden vase.
Return to the guards at the Treasury.
To get the amulet, go to China in 1593.
Defeat the person in the game. Return it to the Viking captain.
To get the stone bowl from China, go to Lewis and Clark in 1805.
Go to the top of the tree.
Get the stone bowl by jumping on the chipmunk.
Return it to the smoke signal person.
To get the peace medal from Lewis and Clark, go to Da Vinci's time in 1516. Jump on the correct platform.
Then, go to the bottom platform.
Jump on the bottom of the deck to get the medal.
Return it to Meriwether Lewis.
To get Da Vinci's notebook, go to the Statue of Liberty in 1882.
Go to the far left.
Jump on the ledge of the red building.
Return it to Da Vinci.
He gives you a glider.
Go to Main Street (in the present).
Use the future machine to go to the Restored Future.
Use the air tubes and monorails to get to your home.
Go to the bathroom of your home.
Talk to yourself 50 years older again.
He will give you the Island Medallion.
back to top