Justin Carlson
----Played on CD:
Neal Bowen- Bass; Andy Parrish- Drums; Stevie Griffin- slide, guitar, percussion, ukulele, mandolin, and keys; John Catchings- cello; Jason Moore - sax, B3, and keys; Jonathan Penalber- Piano and rhodes; Russ Pahl- Pedal Steel
Influences
Jesus, family, David Wilcox, Patty Griffin, David Mead, Josh Rouse, David Gray, Coldplay, Fernando Ortega, Jackson Browne, Denison Witmer, Nickelcreek, Josh Ritter, Over the Rhine, The Finn Brothers, Guster, Jayhawks, Stevie Wonder, Nelson, Fine Young Cannibals, The Wiggles, Warrant
Justin, a native of Nashville and resident of Memphis, Tennessee, has always been a man of timing, never wanting eagerness to precede wisdom or carelessness to blind intention, and when you hear his music, you will understand his aim and the eagerness he has cultivated over the years. He has been a writer for years but has recently discovered a renewed richness in the process--a richness that has ironically come from a decision to not immediately pursue the music thing after college. Other opportunities led him to Memphis, where he was able to continue his writing, but in the context of new relationships and experiences. The choices we make sometimes delay our desires, but it is often in those choices that we begin to understand the true intentions of those desires. Justin calls this patience, and he has certainly been patient over the years. Simply put, he is thankful for the growth. Patient years always bear good fruit.
On his debut album, Our Sea, Justin has built a collection of refreshing diversity, blending pop, folk, country, and jazz into a message of hope and resiliency. Resting within the template of an acoustic guitar is a sound that travels between the straightforward and the eccentric--the playfulness of the pools shallow end to the heavier breath of the deep end. Engaging his influences--Patty Griffin, David Gray, and David Wilcox to name a few--Justin has not only achieved carefully-crafted folk/pop music, but he has intentionally pieced together a lyrical canvas of joy, humor, grief, and sadness. But this canvas does not exist without the support of a hopeful message, even in the presence of lifes harder realities. Hope is the best description of his musical pursuit. His writing always begins with the connection of life and hope, and that is where it ends. Even in the song, Her Name Means Cleansing, a sobering account of Hurricane Katrina, Justin leaves the listener to decide between eventual hope and endless sadness. Hope is in every place, and Justin does a fine job taking the listener to those places.
In the live context, Justin offers a solo performance that presents the folk-like elements of storytelling and delivery with the energy that one would find at a pop/rock show. The message of hope is carried even further as he invites the listener deeper into the urgency of his writing. The live show is an affirmation of his recognizable giftedness and his ability to bring fresh life to his songs and to the audience.
Refreshing. Diverse. Hopeful. These words describe the sound and direction of Justin Carlsons music--a direction that began long before his debut and a direction that will hopefully carry him toward greater maturity and insight.
I edited my profile with Thomas' Myspace Editor V4.4
Hey, wanted to let you know my CD release show for my new record is in Nashville at 12th & Porter at 8pm on Monday April 27th. Everyone who comes gets a free CD, hope to see you there! Check my myspace to hear the new tunes, get free downloads, and get all the info on the show! Thanks
-Rick
hey my friend saw your profiVle and thinWks you look hoIt! she is new to myspRace but wants to chat with you on mszn mes1senger her name on there is emily23mills@hotmail.com
Hey brother? How you been? I was in nashville not too long ago and was trying to get in touch with u but no luck. What's been going on? How's life been treatin ya?
If your looking for something to do we will be playing at Newbys on Saturday the 8th at 9:00 P.M. with Fireworks Over London, Perspective, and Bryce Napier of Old Glow.
