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.
