Most modern music tends to be either too gloomy or too calculated, lacking the melodies and unabashed sense of fun that always drives the best pop. The Love Willows – a duo consisting of vocalist Hope Partlow and multi-instrumentalist Ryan Wilson – right that wrong with their infectious Decca debut Hey! Hey!, a collection that deftly fuses classic ‘60s pop structures with a stylish modern twist. Wilson provides the hip retro flair while Partlow is the thoroughly modern woman, writing love songs to her "Shoes" and demanding attention when she sings "Strut My Stuff" – a dance-pop gem that splits the difference between Gwen Stefani and Katy Perry. Partlow is just as winning when the tempo slows down on the warm "Falling Faster.” Other bands might hint at this bright blast of big hooks and sweetness but no other modern group comes close to capturing how The Love Willows revive and defy classic pop conventions.
It all comes down to chemistry, of course – musical chemistry, and personal chemistry, too. A native of Drummonds, Tennessee, Hope Partlow was a music biz veteran before she even reached the age of 20. Her teenage demo tape won over execs at Virgin Records, who signed her to a record contract at the age of 14. Hope released her first album, Who We Are, in 2005, and when it came time to take the album on the road, Partlow needed a guitarist. In putting together her backing band, Wilson auditioned and got the gig. As they toured with acts like the Jonas Brothers and Jesse McCartney and appeared on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, their offbeat personalities gelled. After graduating from high school, she headed down to Atlanta and moved into Ryan’s parents’ house.
As Partlow worked in a hair salon and Wilson did carpentry with his dad, the duo set up shop in an attic space above his parents garage and created The Love Willows (“Willows” a combination of their surnames and “Love” from the vibe of the songs they had written). They continued writing and recording, eventually penning “A Day in My Life” and “Shoes,” the songs that provide the cornerstone of their debut, Hey! Hey!. These songs were the beginning of an album that alternates between sassy, spirited pop and sweet love songs, sometimes riding an intoxicating Motown beat, sometimes gently swaying to sunshine harmonies.
This versatility highlights The Love Willows build on each other's strengths: Ryan’s upbeat pop instincts are given a tart twang by Hope, who first performing tunes by Johnny Cash and Patsy Cline in a local dancehall when she was still a child. “I sang every Saturday night and that was strictly country and gospel,” she says. Ryan agrees. “Hope puts the country twang and the minor chords in there. She puts the edge in it.” Like his heroes the Beach Boys and The Beatles, Ryan combines a love of simple pop hooks and sophisticated studio savvy, resulting in the unique sound of Hey! Hey!.
It’s this combination of influences that give The Love Willows their own unique sound. The eclectic collection of tracks on Hey! Hey! bears this out, from the sweet duet “I Still Love You,” written by Ryan while Hope was out of town; to the shimmering first single, “Falling Faster,” and the adrenaline jolt of “Shoes,” Hey! Hey! has a timeless, universal appeal. But The Love Willows are hardly a retro group; they belong to now, as they prove on the sassy, stylish “Strut My Stuff” with its slinky dance groove.
The contagious charm of the album is captured in The Love Willows’ animated live shows, with Hope strutting her stuff in front of the audience while Ryan bangs out his brightly colored chords on guitar.
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***THE VERONICAS HAVE KICKED US OFF OF THE JUNE/JULY TOUR AND REPLACED US WITH THEIR BOYFRIEND'S BAND.***
We apologize to our fans, but this is out of our control. We were really looking forward to the shows and hopefully we can find a loyal tour to make up for it.
***** READ OUR BLOG ABOUT IT HERE! *****
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Hey just dropping a line to see how its been going. Its been busy these last few days but all is well.Just thought I should drop a quick hello and see how its going with you lately.Well drop by the website to see this weekends show.Oh hey we also have a chat room it took forever to get set up rite and actually work.So drop by and say hello to me during the show.Besides it will give me a chance to show you what I do if you havent seen a stream already.Well hope to see ya around and ill talk to you later.
July 11th!! Mayhem is having it's biggest night yet!! Make sure you don't miss out on this massive event!! Early arrival is strongly suggested!!! This week we have JOE D!RT as our special guest!! Along with our residents, JANKIES & YOSHI!! And we also have Control Freak!! Don't forget to RSVP @ www.going.com/mayhemdancevshiphop to get on our guestlist for a discounted price!! See you on Jully 11th!!
what are you doing thurs july 9th If your 21 you and your friends should come check out EdstanleY they have a show at the Blue Cafe in Huntington Beach Ca They're a 3 piece band Scott Gripe does guitar/vocals Justin Brescia is on drums and Dave Reese is on bass you would love the show it will be a blast , If you choose to come, email me your guestlist @ jvarnado@tmo.blackberry.n et so i can put you and your friends on the list, hope to hear from you
The address is 17208 Pacific Coast Hwy Huntington Beach, California 92649
THEY GO ON AT 10PM !!! SHOULD ARRIVE AT 9PM please mention EdstanleY at the door myspace.com/edstanleypromo
We do hope you can come out to a very special show we are playing. Friday July 10th. 8pm - 4 gogirls bands playing in support of our fellow gogirls members, the band Cornerstone from Austria. Playing USA for the first time! Let's show them a warm Atlanta welcome w/green bracelet, electricsoul, and cell fehrenbach! Uptown Loft 9700 Medlock Bridge Road John's Creek (Duluth area)
Hey guys =) I would just like to say how ridiculous it is that the Veronicas kicked you of off their tour. I saw you guys when you came to Arkansas, and it was probabaly one of the best shows I have ever been to. You guys were amazing, and i was so dissapointed that you didnt have a c.d. to sell at the concert because i really wanted one. (I did end up buying a t-shirt though =)) You guys are really great and if the Veronicas dont want you then its really their loss, because the show wouldnt have been half as good without you. Lots of Love.
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Editor & Journalist for Country Music Christian Lamitschka An der Pfingstweide 28 61118 Bad Vilbel Germany Phone: ++49 6101 544613 Mobil: ++49 171 6903352 Ch.Lamitschka@t-online.de Info@CountryMusic-Magazin.de
July 11th!! Mayhem is having it's biggest night yet!! Make sure you don't miss out on this massive event!! Early arrival is strongly suggested!!! This week we have JOE D!RT as our special guest!! Along with our residents, JANKIES & YOSHI!! And we also have Control Freak!! Don't forget to RSVP @ www.going.com/mayhemdancevshiphop to get on our guestlist for a discounted price!! See you on Jully 11th!!
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