Bleu’s third studio album has been a long journey and a story of persistence and triumph. Recorded in 2005, it is the album that all Bleu fans want to own, but almost never could. A WATCHED POT was originally recorded for Aware/Columbia Records as a follow up to Bleu’s critically-aclaimed 2003 record Redhead. NPR listed Redhead as one of the Top 10 records of the year, and during that time Bleu was touring with hit acts like John Mayer, Switchfoot, and Ryan Adams and wowing crowds across the country with his unique songs and passionate performances.
Only a few weeks after the final tracks of A WATCHED POT were recorded, Bleu was dropped from the label along with dozens of other acts and employees involved in Sony’s ongoing downsizing. But instead of accepting defeat, Bleu continued to play these new songs for his devoted fan base while working tirelessly to get his record released from his former label. He also took the opportunity to pursue many other creative adventures.
Moving from Boston to Los Angeles in 2006, Bleu released a side-project CD L.E.O. Alpacas Orgling (a power-pop collective with friends like Andy Sturmer of Jellyfish, Steve Gorman of The Black Crowes and Jason Scheff of Chicago), as well as starting The Major Labels (a power-pop band with Mike Viola and Ducky Carlisle), and LoudLion (a pop-metal homage featuring members of Rooney, The Donnas, and Bang Camaro, amongst others). LA also proved to be the perfect place for Bleu to pursue his burgeoning career as a professional songwriter and producer, but releasing A WATCHED POT never faded from the forefront of his creative goals. And...with a little (well, a lot of) persistence, he finally acquired the rights to material that Bleu describes as being at his creative heart and soul. Bleu says “these songs are my emotional progeny. I think they represent an honest record of the fears and heartache, as well as the hope and fantasies that encircled me during that chaotic time in my life.”
The here and now finds Bleu at the top of his game. In the past few years he has had numerous songs cut by top-acts like the Jonas Brothers, Boys Like Girls, Hanson, Kate Veogele, Jon McLaughlin and Evan Taubenfeld, who’s first single is his adaptation of Bleu’s fan-favorite (and A WATCHED POT highlight track) “Boy Meets Girl.” He’s recently played shows with friends like Mike Viola and Rooney, and is booked to hit all of his major markets and then some in support of A WATCHED POT.
With an album full of soaring melodies, meticulously crafted productions and
sincere, yet inventive lyrics, Bleu fans will wait no more for this pot to boil....”It truly means the world to me to finally get this record released. It always feels good to put your art out in to the world, but after all I’ve gone through for this material to see the light of day, the reward is particularly sweet.”
In the fall of 2009, Bleu is preparing for another round of shows in Los Angeles, Boston, NYC and Nashville, plus this year‟s power-pop festival in Charlotte, NC.
Bleu will begin work writing for Mom'n'Pop Records (Michael Goldstone) recently signed band TV/TV from NYC. Bleu produced and co-wrote their summer Warped Tour EP “Not Enough Red.” He will also be working & writing with Chris Mann, Drake Bell, Marla, David Mead & more...
In early 2010, Bleu plans to release his fourth studio CD “Four,” written and produced by himself and recorded with his long-time friend and Boston engineer Ducky Carlisle.
"Everything's Fine" by Bleu & Roger Joseph Manning Jr. (unreleased) rehearsed by MOGUL at Bleu's record release show for "A Watched Pot" July 14, 2009 - at Hotel Cafe Los Angeles
"That Is Why" by Jellyfish performed by MOGUL at Bleu's record release show for "A Watched Pot" July 14, 2009 - at Hotel Cafe Los Angeles
"In Love With My Lover" performed by Bleu at his Boston record release show for "A Watched Pot" July 24, 2009 - at TT The Bear's, Boston
"Human Nature" by Michael Jackson by Bleu and Jim Boggia at Bleu's record release show for "A Watched Pot" July 25, 2009 - at Joe's Pub, NYC
Other bands & music projects featuring Bleu:
The
Major Labels
- Pop, Power-pop trio featuring Bleu, Mike Viola and Ducky Carlisle.
For fans of 60's/70's AM radio, The Beatles, McCartney,
Nilsson, XTC, 10CC...debut CD currently available on NoiseTrade, or direct from the band off their MySpace...
LoudLion
- Rock, Pop featuring Bleu, Taylor Locke of Rooney, Allison Robertson
of The Donnas, Maclaine Diemer formerly of Band Camaro & more. For fans of Def Leppard, Mutt Lange, 80's R-O-C-K. Debut CD coming in late 2009.
L.E.O.
- A power-pop collective of ELO inspired, original songs. "Alpacas Orgling"
released in 2006 features Bleu collaborating with Andy Sturmer of
Jellyfish, Mike Viola, Matt Mahaffey of sElf & more.
For fans of ELO, Jeff Lynne...
The Blizzard of '05
- Bleu's self released EP (2007), available digitally on iTunes,
Amazon.com, Rhapsody, eMusic etc. A collection of songs Bleu
recorded when he was literally snowed in...during the New
England...Blizzard of '05
Bleu (a/k/a William James "Bleu" McAuley III) is also a professional songwriter & producer, his work with other artists can be heard on these popular releases:
-- "I Won't Apologize" (co-written with Selena Gomez & John Fields) is the 2nd track on Selena's brand new CD "Kiss & Tell" out now on Hollywood Records
-- Bleu wrote and co-produced the lead off track on the Wizards of Waverly Place Soundtrack released on August 4th (Disney Records), "Disappear,"
performed by Selena Gomez! Check out the soundtrack on Amazon
-- Produced and co-wrote "Small Time," "Fire Island Freakout," "Good Cop Bad Cop," and "Turn Me On," with TV/TV...one of NYC's biggest buzz bands. These songs were featured on their 2009 summer Warped Tour EP “Not Enough Red” which helped them to get signed to Mom'n'Pop Records
-- "Boy Meets Girl,"
Evan's version of Bleu's fan favorite tune. Current single
from the forthcoming 2009 Warner Brothers release "Cheater
Of The Year"
Bleu.... the new stuff is incredible. I love it! I have to get a copy asap! You have a knack for putting things into prospective... at the end of a nasty break up your LP Redhed got me through it even though it took a year. Now I can love the album just cuz its great and it no longer holds some of those memories. Anyhow, you rock.
Nice job! Good talk and fabulous performance!!! Guess what?? I'm a guest speaker next week too (Music in the International Marketplace.) Happy trails, and hopefully, see you again soon! Hugs.
Hi there! How are you? Hope all is going well for you. I have a new song called BRING THE SUN. It would absolutely knock my socks off if you had a listen and let me know what you think of it with a comment!
Hey Bleu, Thank's for the add. I'm Sophie. I'm 24. I live in Tennessee. I really like your music. Your songs are great. I love listening to them. Best of luck with everything. Have a great Thursday. Sophie
i sang backgrounds on your song "glass houses" and i really loved it. now i cannot find it, and i can never listen to it in it's gloriousness again. please, make this happen. we shared tortilla chips once, & it was fantastic.
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