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Emerging from his formative years as a much sought after drummer and percussionist, Joel Madigan, upon acquiring a four track recorder and a black Les Paul, building upon an already overflowing well of creative mindspring, began to delve into a world of musical expression all his own.
Not content with providing the percussive backbone for several respected rock and hardcore acts in the Peoria Illinois musical community, Joel formed the proto-post hardcore band Fairmont, which self released the "Coming To, And Seeing The Truth" seven inch in 1997. Fairmont dissolved soon after the seven inch release and the voluminous dynamism of Quell was born. Exploring both reserved and paroxysmal musical horizons, the band released a split ten inch with Recuerdo in 1998 on the Silent Film Soundtracks label and a self released full length cd later that same year.
In 1999 Joel continued reinventing his songwriting craft in the driving, angular heaviness of The Temperature And Glass, and the bluesy grooviness of The Inheritance. Both bands would release limited edition eps.
A move to Kansas City followed and led to a new platform on which to build the beginnings of the exemplary "Misery Wallet" double cd and the birth of a splendid line of solo releases bearing the creators name. Having recorded the first disk in Missouri and then completing the second after a return to Peoria gave "Misery Wallet" a unique sense of environment as it simultaneously embraced and blew apart the boundaries of rock music. This 2003 release would open new doors for Joel.
Soon after would come the formation of the impeccable artistry of Two Girls. They released the ep "16:16" soon after their inception and would continue to intrance their listeners with the progressive and visceral masterpiece, "Walking The Throat Line". Two Girls would rejuvenate themselves in 2005 with the surprisingly straightforward "Rock And Roll Songs About Rock And Roll". Showing a new sense of efficiency with a direct line of foot stomping blues this release would propel the band into the category of the "essential live act". 2005 proved to be a busy year for Joel as his second solo offering "Smoking Grounds" would emerge. Expertly textured and orchestrated, "Smoking Grounds" irreverently lead its listeners into a new world of psych/pop jazziness all its own.
2006 would see Two Girls unleashing the psychedelic, danceable stomp of "Dog Will Bark". One of the true embodiments of purely human music, this full length would propel the band into the forefront of the minds of all those who would listen.
Two Girls continues to wow audiences on all levels. To add to his already impressive musical output, Joel now provides the rocking and left of center beats for Peoria's revered Evil Eye Honeytree. EEH are an impressive beast all their own, tantalizing listeners with an impressive mix of angular rock with a sharp noisy edge.
Now Joel is about to release his newest solo album "The Story Of Louis Dilletante". The listener is drawn into a journey through the ephemeral dream scape of Mr. Dilletante. It is perfectly organic, electric and elysian in its sonic representation. This album fully illustrates how music can be truly conceptual and transcendental. As all memorable recordings do, "The Story Of Louis Dilletante" will provide the ears with new and surprising sounds with each listen. An audiophiles dream is to possess records that keep giving each time. Joel has concocted such a record with nuances that intrigue a deeper space in the human psyche. Reminding all of a simpler and inherently pure style of capturing the sound of the instruments, the recording impeccably fits the mood of the songs.
Joel Madigan's musical endeavors are massive in their musical scope and amazingly have all been captured to tape and produced by their creator. The songs and the manner in which the notes are presented are all orchestrated by their master artisan, Joel Madigan.
-Chris Bennett 7/27/08..
Purchase "Smoking Grounds" here.
Purchase "Misery Wallet" here.
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