Joel Willoughby
Langley, BC, CA      Folk / Rock
    • Songs
    • The Girl With Golden Eyes
    • Nothing Compares
    • Lost
    • Do You Have Something To Say?
    • Waiting For The Sky to Fall
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Artist Info

Members: Joel Willoughby, Ryan Remple, Josh Field, Andy Greenwood
You can also find us at: Myspace_16x16 Facebook_16x16 Artist website_16x16 Bebo_16x16
Label: eyes & ears

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Bio

Canadian singer/songwriter Joel Willoughby has absorbed plenty of culture in his youth, being the son of traveling missionaries and having called a variety of places home. Growing up overseas gave him a unique world view. At one time, his parents lived in war-torn Uganda. While Willoughby went to an Anglican boarding school in Kenya, he met other kids from around the world, played the usual British sports such as rugby and cricket, and was introduced to the influential Brit-pop scene. With such varied life experiences, that well-traveled, world-weary soul can't help but show up in Willoughby's songs. He's been writing and performing in various bands for over 15 years -spending the past 10 years drumming in Vancouver's 'critically acclaimed' Maplewood Lane, while also splitting his time with Dawntreader. While in the midst of recording drum tracks for their prospective albums, Willoughby began crafting his own solo record with producer Jon Anderson. An album began to take shape that embraced Joel's love of catchy guitar-driven indie pop - an album aptly titled "Do you Have Something To Say?" (Released July 2008) Joel has shared the stage with bands and songwriters alike - at folk fests, clubs and coffeehouses around the northwest US and Canada. He's already released one EP, entitled "Closer to Home." This was also recorded and produced by Jonathan Anderson (Maplewood Lane, Dawntreader, Kensington Prairie, Stabilo, etc.) On his new album, Willoughby took things slowly - recording demos with producer Jonathan Anderson, and slowly crafting the songs over the course of the last 2 years. Anderson lends his hand at electric guitar, bass, and a plethora of other instruments. Catherine Newton sings hauntingly beautiful back-up vocals and plays violin on one track as well. Joel Willoughby takes care of the rest: lead vocals, bgv's, acoustic guitar, electric guitar, keyboard, drums and percussion. All in all, "Do You Have Something To Say?" is a great LP and a captivating album of catchy indie pop. For fans of: Death Cab For Cutie, Doves, Josh Rouse, or Travis.

About

Joel Willoughby


 

www.joelwilloughby.com

Joel Willoughby
Do You Have Something to Say?
Released July 2008
reviewed by Christa Banister


Sounds like ... guitar-driven alternative pop reminiscent of Josh Rouse, Travis, Death Cab for Cutie, and Elliot Smith.

At a glance ... proving again that there's beauty in simplicity, Joel Willoughby's music shines with an earthy, atmospheric sound, thoughtful faith-centered lyrics, and warmly inviting vocals.

Just as there was a world of difference between Coldplay's 2000 debut Parachutes and their 2002 breakthrough A Rush of Blood to the Head, so goes the career of singer/songwriter Joel Willoughby. While the beauty of simplicity really shines through on 2004's Closer to Home, both sonically and lyrically, his new release Do You Have Something to Say? tops his previous album in every possible way.

Willoughby invested two years of hard work to make sure the songs were just right, and his persistent attention to detail really pays off on this lushly crafted effort. And the surprises keep coming with 10 superb slices of life that are both entertaining and insightful. "The Girl with the Golden Eyes" and "Don't Think Twice" both offer a healthy dose of alt-pop indie cred, while the Travis-styled "Let Go While You Still Can" shows some skillful turns of phrase.

Willoughby's expressions of faith play out more subtly than other artists who present their spirituality front and center. But painting with more abstract colors is precisely what prevents this artist's songs from playing out too predictably. From beginning to end, there are glimpses of God to be found, whether thoughtfully pontificating on how short life is on "Waiting for the Sky to Fall," celebrating the unexpected blessing of finding lifelong love in "Nothing Compares," or encouraging listeners to "be so much more" by fully embracing God's unconditional grace.

Such time-honored truths told in a colorful new way, combined with Willoughby's expressive voice and intriguing artistic sensibilities, ultimately make for a rich listening experience. It makes you wonder if this guy is perhaps capable of raising the bar for faith-inspired artistry even higher.

For more information on Willoughby, check out www.joelwilloughby.com.


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