A TALENTED ENGLISH ARTIST

My FAVORITE part of doing Party Girl Plus One is connecting with all the people I meet on a daily basis.  And I’m not kidding.  Easily accomplished by sitting in my living room with the computer on my lap.

Clear across the Atlantic Ocean is where I met Justin Willis, an English Midlands based songwriter, musician and

Justin Willis

performer whose song “Time To Say Goodbye” off his second studio album “The Butterfly Zoo” (Revolver Records) opens up EP 8 Date 7: The Talented Mr. Somebody.  And a talented Mr. Somebody Justin is.

As 2010 would have it, we met on Twitter and took our appreciation for each other’s art to Myspace and finally to email.  Which says a lot about an artists who is connected to his fans.

Over the course of four months I learned Justin started his musical aspirations as the front man of indie trio Autumn Stone where the band achieved some success with headlining and supports at venues such as J.B’s, The Shed, The Little Civic along with the Varsity to name but a few.

The Butterfly Zoo

Performing radio sessions for BBC WM with Ben Turner and becoming Beacon Radios new band of the month,  the guys parted ways in 2005 to pursue their own individual paths.  Whilst writing and recording for local bands in his purpose built studio at his home, Justin started writing songs which were to later appear on his debut album “Silvermoon” these songs were given to Revolver Records who signed him to their label and in May 2008 they released his first album.

With his first single “Nothing Better“, which you can watch the video here , recorded and produced by Gavin Monaghan (The Editors, The Twangs) released in October 2009 and his second album “The Butterfly Zoo” released in March 2010.

Justin’s love of performing has led him to appear on radio up and down the country becoming a firm favorite on Beacon Radio with Andy Nash and through out the Midlands.  With his amazing band, Justin is now playing venues up and down the Midlands and headlining the Robin 2 in August and soon to be appearing on ITV’s Central news for the Midlands.”

With his melodic indie rock sound based on piano and guitars Justin’s live shows are enjoyed by everyone with a love of powerful, hard hitting songs and also those that love meaningful lyrics and intelligent ballads. Now if I only lived in England!

“Many times I have played a track or album I intend to review, and I need several hearings before I can form a rounded opinion, but this one grabbed me from the outset.  I have not been so moved by an original piece for a very long time and I knew immediately that I was experiencing something very special indeed.  It is a truly beautiful track.”

–Mel Flavell Ryans Gig Guide March 2010

For more information and songs visit: www.justinwillis.co.uk, myspace.com/justinwillismusic or facebook.com/jwillismusic.

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PICTURE THIS

David LeDuc

One Sunday afternoon, I was cleaning up my YouTube inbox and I came across the coolest thing ever:  a bunch of artists from around the country had plugged into each other’s sound system and were collaborating on a song from the comfort of their own home.  Each had a video cam recording their performance.  One member edited together what I was watching: The Owl City Cover collaboration on David LeDuc’s YouTube Channel.  Maybe that’s nothing new, but it blew my mind. And it was really good!   You can check out the Owl City YouTube video here.

Nonetheless, this experience lead me to David LeDuc who plays bass in his own band ‘Pictures of Then‘, whose song “Big Sell” is featured in EP 8 Date 7: The Talented Mr. Somebody.

Since the internet is like a feed into a feed into a feed, I contacted David right away.  I wanted to hear more of his own music, which is exactly what I did.   And again I was blown away.  So then of course, my curiosity had me reading up on ‘Pictures of Then,’ which I would like to share with you.

WHO IS ‘PICTURES OF THEN’?

Pictures of Then

An up and coming indie-rock quintet that has commanded a lot of attention since 2009.  The band is comprised of Casey Call – vocals/guitar, Joe Call – drums, Joe Gamble – guitar, Tim Greenwood – keys, Larry Koszewski – bass and of course David LeDuc – bass.  With a new album “Pictures of Then and The Wicked Sea” (2009 LP), extensive touring, and heaps of press, this folk rock band has been described by critics as “an interesting Flaming Lips meets Dr. Dog Vibe”.  Not to mention the band was named a top 11 Emerging Artist by Summerfest (Milwaukee) and a Paste Magazine Emerging Artist.

Why haven’t you heard of them? That’s my question!  Hailing from Minneapolis, MN, their spirited blend of folk/pop/rock continues to make waves on the national scene, earning them performances at major festivals and critical acclaim nationwide. Pictures of Then released their debut “Crushed By Lights” in 2007 and is currently touring the country in support of their latest release “And The Wicked Sea”.

“Their masterful mash-up of folk and rock will no doubt have listeners on board for a voyage.”

~PERFORMER MAGAZINE

BUT DON’T TAKE MY WORD FOR IT, HERE’S WHAT CRITIC HAVE TO SAY ABOUT ‘PICTURES OF THEN’

“Indie-rock fans have always found something to like about Pictures of Then…the band’s overall musical approach is

Pictures of Then

neither stubbornly rooted in the past, nor based on some contrived, wash of futuristic sound.” (dfw.com) Hailed as “helping to further shape the new Minneapolis sound,” (perfectporridge.com) “Pictures Of Then is decidedly aware of the musical shoulders upon which it stands and it does so proudly. What sets such acts apart is the proletarian everyman aspects of their music: there’s an earthiness, a connectedness to the soil…” (DryvetymeOnlyne) “Wherever you try to peg them on the musical landscape, their songs are always well-crafted and memorable,” (howwastheshow.com) Pictures of Then “does their thing and they do it well.” (Guest List Magazine)

Gaining clout as an “amazing” (Red Gorilla Music Fest) and “fresh” (Crossroads Music Fest) live act, Pictures of Then takes to the stage with an energy that is undeniable. “Spirited and buzzy…they swung with glam-pop abandon, channeling psychedelic folk-roots through howling indie-rock branches.” (Mid-Point Music Festival) “On stage they are dramatic without being pretentious, having a polished and confident stage presence…seasoned by months of touring.” (howwastheshow.com) This comes as no surprise since the band is continually touring, attracting an ever-growing fan base on the festival circuit and at concert venues and college campuses nationwide.

“On Pictures of Then’s 2007 debut, Crushed by Lights, the Minneapolis quintet seemed to be shining Billy Corgan’s flashlight through a 1966 Pink Floyd prism, projecting a gorgeous psychedelic pop rainbow across a Ziggy Stardust tour poster. The combination of PoT’s respect for the vintage past and desire for a modern future came together seamlessly in a soundtrack that was both vaguely familiar and engagingly fresh.” (Amplifier Magazine) Crushed By Lights secured a foothold on the national scene with featured accolades on MTV and college radio.

“As telegraphed by the gorgeous New World-tinged woodcut illustrations adorning their sophomore album, And The Wicked Sea, PoT spend a little more time perusing their sonic scrapbook of the past this time around while still remaining committed to indie rock’s vibrant here and now.” (Amplifier Magazine) Said to have a “Flaming Lips meets Dr. Dog vibe,” (Comfort Comes) their sophomore effort “rings out loud and proud with a host of songs filled with Midwestern charm at its finest. The record evokes a sound that calls to mind Summerteeth-era Wilco, or possibly what Modest Mouse might have sounded like had Isaac Brock been born in Minneapolis himself.” (DryvetymeOnlyne) “Pictures of Then is an amazing blend of reverent classicism and modern vision, And The Wicked Sea is loaded with glittering pop diamonds that are never showy, always tasteful and completely infectious.” (Amplifier Magazine: Brian Baker)

You can follow Pictures of Then on Twitter @picturesofthen And for more information, visit them at www.picturesofthen.com or  www.myspace.com/picturesofthen.

Management: Shanti Schweizer – management@picturesofthen.com, Club / Venue Booking: booking@picturesofthen.com, College Booking: Jennifer Bair – jennifer@seethemusic.net.

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Jake Pavelka

Jen (Jennifer Dawson) parties with some friends at Bar Lubitsch where she meets Bryce Wharton Powell III “Three” (Jake Pavelka). After putting him through his paces, Jen discovers Three has more secrets than she anticipated, starting with a little T.M.I. he knows about her. Written and based on the diary by Jennifer Dawson. PART I

Jen played by Jennifer Dawson
Bryce Wharton Powell III “Three” played by Jake Pavelka
Director of Photography John Orphan
Episode Executive Producer Jennifer Dawson & Lyndon Chubbuck

Featuring music by Justin Willis, Kevin MacLeod & Pictures of Then.

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