Disposable Thumbs

Zach Lewis has experienced the intense scrutiny that accompanies performing a one-man show. With a laptop and an electric guitar as his only companions onstage, he is solo act Disposable Thumbs. Auditory deception strikes listeners who have not seen Lewis strum his guitar and tap his MIDI pedal, for Disposable Thumbs' tight craftsmanship and electro-rock sound leave audiences imagining a trio or quartet happily playing their respective instruments.

There was a time, though, when that image was more than just a misguided conjugation. Although Lewis has been the only permanent member, the Disposable Thumbs project has gone through various incarnations with several other band members. But it was a show by solo performer Baby Dayliner that inspired Lewis to shed the extra weight. Since then, Disposable Thumbs has recorded We Watched the Sun Go Supernova, a six-track EP of upbeat ditties infused with alternative vibes and danceable beats.

As for Lewis's take on his lonely place onstage: "You're up there and pretty vulnerable if you make a mistake. Being in the spotlight 100 percent of the time can be challenging. But it's a lot of fun too."