Justin Z Walden

27 Jul, 2009 6:52 pm by admin in music

Sunday, August 9pm at the Blackbird Buvette

All the years living in Hollywood recording with artists ranging from Korn, Sevendust, and Guns N Roses to John Taylor(Duran Duran), Robbie Kreiger(The Doors) & Jay Bennett (Wilco). After many records of polishing performances perfect with protools, or adding the icing on the tracks with drum programming and crazy electronic melodies and noise loops Justin Z.Walden has written & recorded countless songs under the name Scarecrow Adams. In December 2008, Justin moved to the mountains for a change of scenery & inspiration. He found cabin in Crestone, Colorado and set up his studio gear and began writing and recording for the next 5 months. “ It is my kind of heaven here, I feel like I am rediscovering music, as well as myself all over again…for the first time. At the end of April I wrote the song ‘Light’ and decided to shelve the first 30 songs, along with the scarecrow attitude and start all over. I want to make a whole record of songs with a natural loose vibe…like four so-so musicians technically, but the souls of 4 men who have lived and loved many lifetimes… Yet I am all four… singer, guitar player, bass player, and drummer….You know, write the song on guitar, write the words on paper, use the computer as just a tape machine, no trickery, just play and record…writing and singing songs.” Justin Walden trades the crafty production as well as his former name in favor of making a brand new old fashioned record, swapping the loops for a capo, a turtle shaker and a hand drum. This is a Hand Made record.

Justin’s album “Introducing, Justin Walden: 9000 ft.” is available for sale here.

WES & VICTORIA HAMIL

Bio

Wes and Victoria began their musical sojourn in San Antonio, Texas. Their first music business mentor was Augie Meyers, keyboardist and songwriter for the legendary band The Sir Douglas Quintet. Their initial lessons were conducted over piping hot bowls of caldo and Augie’s homemade grilled cheese sandwiches where Augie explained the basics of gigging and shared stories of his exploits in the music business, including teaching John Lennon about the accordion and Vox organ and recording with Bob Dylan.

Putting Augie’s guidance to work the duo started gigging in the San Antonio and South Texas area in a variety of their own bands, including a folk act named Little Smoke and a rock/punk act called Puffin. During this time Wes started writing original material and the duo dropped the majority of the cover material they once performed. Looking to expand the audience for their original work, they relocated up the road to Austin, Texas.

While in Austin, Wes and Victoria performed with a number of regional and national acts. They appeared on stage with Lucinda Williams, BW Stevenson, Townes Van Zandt, The Sir Douglas Quintet, Donavon, Eric Anderson, Steve Fromholtz , Jesse Dayton and numerous others. Wes and Victoria also opened a recording studio near the University of Texas called the Track Shack, where they produced local and regional acts. During this time the duo recorded and released an acoustic LP entitled “Not For Prophet” which garnered airplay in various US folk markets and as far away as France.

When the studio lease expired Wes and Victoria headed west to Los Angeles. The City of Angels proved to be the next step in their musical evolution as Victoria started getting session work, recording with Robert Altman, the famed movie director, Oscar winner Hans Zimmer, a CBS movie of the week TV score where she appeared on the soundtrack with Johhny Cash and she had the privilege of recording on Roy Rodgers last recording, adding her soulful harmonica tracks to all these projects.

In the meantime Wes continued to expand his composition and songwriting skills, scoring numerous small budget television and film projects and writing songs with Oscar winning composer Paul Williams. He scored the Los Angeles Area Emmy awards for 3 consecutive years as well as the ACE awards honoring Martin Scorsese. Wes and Victoria also performed acoustic sets throughout the LA area, appearing at the venerable venues of the Troubadour and Whiskey A Go Go along with gigs at various coffee houses and listening rooms across the city.

A series of illnesses derailed the couple, and they moved to Denver, Colorado to pursue new business opportunities. Wes continued to write, composing many of the songs that would one day appear on the “Ballad of Billy Saigon” CD, including the title track. Shortly after moving to Colorado Victoria was hit head on in a near fatal high speed car accident, which ultimately led to open joint jaw surgery and put a 3 year hold on her harmonica playing.

During this time Wes completed the songs for the Billy Saigon CD and began recording over a series of trip to Los Angeles. As Victoria slowly regained her ability to play, she recorded her tracks and the duo began to perform acoustic shows in the Denver area.

Once again, tragedy struck with a debilitating illness sidelining Victoria and requiring multiple hospitalizations. After three more years of recuperation Wes and Victoria once again took the stage and began performing acoustic shows.

Now back onstage, Wes and Victoria are pleased to release “The Ballad of Billy Saigon”. The CD features songs of perseverance and redemption, hard won from the lives of the performers who have created it. Wes and Victoria have remained committed to their music, to each other, and to never giving up hope even in the darkest of times. Their music and their lives reflect a strength that can only be gained through lives fully lived and challenges met head on.

The brief bios of the all star ensemble that grace these recordings are on the Project Info page. Wes and Victoria deeply appreciate the talent and time these musicians contributed to this project.

Check out the music here.