Growing up in Brookline, MA, Eli Reed had wide exposure to music. His father was a critic and lent his extensive record collection to his son, who soaked up as much as he could, gravitating toward the gospel, soul, blues, and R&B albums especially. Reed taught himself piano, guitar, and harmonica, and busked in Boston's Harvard Square to practice his chops and performing skills.
After finishing high school he found work in Clarksdale, MS. Upon moving there, and finding that the job had fallen through, Reed introduced himself to the music community, playing frequently at local clubs and even ending up under the tutelage of drummer Sam Carr. It was in Mississippi that Reed also got his nickname, "Paperboy," thanks to the newsboy-styled hat he was wearing at the time.
After nine months there, at his parents' bequest he moved north to attend the University of Chicago. In Chicago Reed was able to meet soul singer Mitty Collier, who had had a hit in 1964 with the single "I Had a Talk with My Man" but had since turned to ministry. The young musician impressed her so much -- he auditioned on the piano in his dormitory -- that she asked him to be the Minister of Music at her church, a position he held until he returned to Boston after a year of school.
Back home, Reed worked on assembling his band, called the True Loves, and in 2005 he self-released the record Sings "Walkin' and Talkin' (For My Baby)" and Other Smash Hits, a collection of covers and originals.
The band began to gain recognition around town, particularly thanks to Reed's enthused and passionate singing, and a performance at 2007's SXSW attracted some label interest. Signed to Boston-based Q Division, Eli "Paperboy" Reed & the True Loves issued their second full-length, Roll with You (with all songs written or co-written by Reed), in the spring of 2008.
Since then Reed and the True Loves have toured the world and gained international attention for their famously fiery live shows. 2009 promises more touring (including trips to Australia and Japan) and a highly anticpated new album in the fall.
Hear what the press is saying about
Eli "Paperboy" Reed & The True Loves and "Roll With You"
"Mr. Reed invokes the stylish and muscular R&B of Otis Redding and Sam Cooke
with convincing suavity." - THE NEW YORK TIMES
"A whole-hearted son of soul ... Amy Winehouse better watch her back."
- THE VILLAGE VOICE
"Serious swagger and old-school sincerity ... a local favorite set to break
out on a national level." - THE BOSTON GLOBE
"There are singers who sing and there are singers whose sheer power of
expression can knock you off your feet. Eli 'Paperboy' Reed falls firmly
into the latter category ... [he] threatens to be one of the defining voices
of the year" - MOJO MAGAZINE
"[A] star on the rise ... Reed stunned the crowd [as he] screeched and
hollered through a no-holds-barred set of originals that could be easily
mistaken for lost Stax classics." - THE BOSTON HERALD
"The truth is in the grooves ... [Reed's song 'The Satisfier'] is the sound
that's bulldozed the skeptics - dirty guitar, in-the-pocket rhythm section,
goosy organ, rocking call-and-response horns, and backing vocals that
out-Ronson Mark Ronson." - THE BOSTON PHOENIX
"[Reed's] blazing soul get[s] the pulse racing and the spirit testifying.
The brilliantly nicknamed singer combines the sob of Al Green with the beef
of Otis Redding, and boasts a band, The True Loves, who look young enough to
be in some emo group but have better taste." - MOJO MAGAZINE
"A belting singer....A call to party like it's 1969." - THE TIMES OF LONDON
"[Reed] is strong and confident...he delivers a classic soul boast without sounding churlish or macho..." - NO DEPRESSION
"A voice to rival the greats." - THE WORD MAGAZINE
"The audience was fully swept up in the soul wayback machine [Reed] and his
band constructed ... one look at Reed wailing his guts out and it was clear
he meant every note." - BILLBOARD
"If you do only do one thing this week, [go see] Eli 'Paperboy' Reed ... The
talented singer is clearly screaming from the heart." - TIME OUT NY
"Stirs up rafter-raising Gospel spirit with down-home dirt and spit." - RECORD COLLECTOR
"If I had to choose a new song I loved, I'd pick 'Take My Love With You' by this guy from Boston, Eli 'Paperboy' Reed." - NICK LOWE talking to MOJO MAGAZINE
Contact Information:
**Please do NOT send myspace message for press, booking or requests for promotional copies, contact the appropriate person on the list below**
Booking (US, Australia and Japan): Matt Galle, Ellis Industries (Paradigm Agency)
What's that? You say you coming 'Down Under'? Man - we would be so happy to support you guys. Eli - you and your guys really are somethin else! Lizzie Mack
Some bad news guys we've had to cancel our show in DC at the Rock N' Roll Hotel on Nov. 22nd due to some logistical problems. I sincerely apologize and I promise we'll be back to DC soon! -Eli
Two days ago, driving to work and listening my favorite radio channel "Rock&Gol" I heard they were playing your song "Doin' the Boom boom"!!!! What a kind surprise for me. I hope your music be hearded in all Spain' radio.
Eli "Paperboy" Reed & The True Loves come back to DC for one night only! We'll be playing some songs from our forthcoming album on Capitol records as well as old favorites. Don't miss it!
Nov. 22nd 2009 Eli "Paperboy" Reed & The True Loves Rock and Roll Hotel $12 at the Door 21+
Eli "Paperboy Reed & The True Loves BACK IN BROOKYN!
Eli "Paperboy" Reed and the True Loves come back to Brooklyn! After the amazing success of the Brooklyn Soul Festival we've come back with our own show, one night only at the amazing new Williamsburg venue, Brooklyn Bowl.
We'll be playing a bunch of new songs from our recently finished forthcoming album on Capitol records as well as old-favorites and some surprises. It should be an amazing night, don't miss it!
Nov. 21st 2009 Eli "Paperboy" Reed & The True Loves Brooklyn Bowl $5 at the door 21+
You have just been on TV here in Perth Western Australia. From Jools Hollands Later, recorded last year I think. But I loved it. I had to come on here to check out some more.
great music, it makes me happy 
