Josh and the Empty Pockets

Josh and the Empty Pockets
Josh and the Empty Pockets

Performing at Double Door in 2008
(left to right: Josh, Danny, Erika, Nate.)
Background information
Origin Lincolnwood, Illinois, United States
Genres Rock, Pop Rock, Jazz
Years active 2006–present
Labels 8th Impression/UMG
Website joshandtheemptypockets.com
Members
Josh Solomon - Guitar and Vocals
Nate Bellon – Bass and Vocals
Dan Rosenthal – Drums and Vocals
Erika Brett Holleb – Vocals

Josh and the Empty Pockets is a pop rock band hailing from Chicago. The group is composed of 4 members: Josh Solomon, Nate Bellon, Dan Rosenthal, and Erika Brett Holleb whom they met in a 2007 theater production.

In addition to a Buddy Holly tribute album, they have released an album of original songs and a single, "Fall Right Now". The album was well received by critics. The band has toured across the United States from 2008–10.

Contents

History

The Buddy Holly Days

Josh Solomon (guitar and lead vocals) grew up in Lincolnwood, Illinois, playing music with his childhood friends Nate Bellon (bass) and Dan Rosenthal (drums).[1] Shortly after forming the band in 2006, Josh was cast as Buddy Holly[2] in the 2007 production of Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story at Chicago’s Mercury Theatre,[3][4] which had an extended run.[5] Nate and Danny were also cast as The Crickets in the show.[6] During the run, the band met singer Erika Brett Holleb (lead vocals), who was a singer and dancer in the show.[1] As part of the production, the band released a tribute album called Not Fade Away.[7]

Baby It’s Cold Outside/Baby Please Come Home

The band added Holleb as their female vocalist before recording and releasing a Christmas single, a rock arrangement combining "Baby, It's Cold Outside" and "Baby Please Come Home".[8] By Christmas Day, 2008, Josh and the Empty Pocket's Christmas single "Baby, It's Cold Outside/Baby Please Come Home" reached #51 on the Mediabase AC chart playing on radio stations across the United States including over a dozen reporting stations.[9] Early in the 2009 holiday season, the single reached #36 on the Mediabase AC chart and, of the 29 holiday songs on the top 100 one week, was the 6th most played.[10] During November, 2009, "Baby It's Cold Outside/Baby Please Come Home" was the #1 song played on KQIS in Lafayette,[11] WJYE in Buffalo, New York,[12] and WYYY in Syracuse, New York.[13] By the first week of December the single reached #31 on the Mediabase Christmas chart[14] and became yet another station's top played song, WEZF in Burlington, Vermont.[15]

First Album: Under the Bed

Josh and the Empty Pockets released their first album comprising original songs – Under the Bed – in 2008.[16] In an interview with Phil Ponce on Chicago Tonight, Josh explained that the debut album is about growing up and that the title Under the Bed comes from the lyrics “where have the monsters under my bed gone” on one of the songs.[1] All ten of the tracks were placed on the Nickelodeon TV channel's programs iCarly, Zoey 101 and Drake & Josh.[17]

The album garnered a positive response from critics. Reviewing the album, Daily Vault staff writer Duke Egbert described their sound as "harmony-drenched," and labeled it "intelligent" yet unpretentious and "well-crafted". Egbert rated the album "one of the better new CDs I've heard this year", and complimented the wordplay of "Missteps," and "Monsters," among others.[18] Illinois Entertainer reviewer Terrence Flamm described the album as "fun rock ‘n’ roll."[19] Michael Capozzoli, Jr., former writer for Billboard magazine, opined "Josh is a young recording artist who writes and sings as if [a]lready an old master of the pop/rock genre", and tipped them as "the band to watch in 2009."[20] Echoing the sentiments of prior reviews, Amy Lotsberg, a music critic and producer of Collected Sounds, wrote "Josh Solomon has a pleasing voice. It’s clear, and easy to understand; which is important because the lyrics are clever." Lotsberg deemed the songs "melodic and interesting", singling out "Let Go" and "Side Effects" for praise.[21]

Fall Right Now

As part of that release, the band promoted the single "Fall Right Now" to medium and secondary markets and reached #11 on the FMQB AC chart.[22] The band also recorded an acoustic version of the song at Sweetwater studios[23] included with a second previously unrecorded song called "Leaving Jackson" on WAJI's annual charity CD,[24] a fundraising project for Riley Children's Hospital.[25]

Signing

The group signed with a production/distribution deal label 8th Impression/UMG in January, 2009.[26] After signing, promotion of the single "Fall Right Now" to major radio markets got underway, which saw it receive airplay on a number of Clear Channel and other monitored stations.[27]

During March and April the single twice appeared on Mediabase's weekly Taking Off airplay chart,[28] which lists "the Top 50 currents by most new spins, showing detections for the first time". The track reached #77 on the Mediabase Hot AC chart, and #65 on the Adult Contemporary chart.[29] The album was re-released nationwide, to stores as well as online outlets, in April, 2009.

Touring

In between touring the country in their 1977 Dodge van with shag carpeting and wood paneling,[30] and its Ford successor,[31] Josh and the Empty Pockets have played many venues in the city of Chicago, including twice at the Double Door in 2008–9,[32][33] as well as playing at various restaurants, theaters and bars in its suburbs.[34] In June, 2009, the band played at Chicago's Millennium Park restaurant Park Grill at the WTMX-sponsored Party in the Park event,[35] returning in July, 2010.[36]

On the road and sea

In the fall of 2008, the band performed along the Mexican Riviera on the Sapphire Princess cruise ship.[37] After Mexico, the band toured the United States playing in places such as Louisville, Kentucky,[38] and locations across the Midwestern[39] and Northeastern[40] United States. In March, 2009, the band played at the South by Southwest (SXSW) music festival in Austin, Texas.[41]

After South by Southwest

Following their SXSW debut, Josh and the Empty Pockets continued touring the country to promote their single "Fall Right Now" playing in cities such as Detroit, Michigan, and at venues across the South Central and Southeastern as well as East Central and Midwestern regions.[34] In June, 2010, they kicked off the 2010 Concert Series at Evergreen Lake, Colorado,[42] playing songs from their first album, Under the Bed, as well as several unreleased songs.[43] On October 5, 2010, Josh and the Empty Pockets played at the House of Blues for Michigan Aveneue Magazine's second anniversay party, which also featured performances by Jennifer Hudson and DJ Rock City.[44]

References

  1. ^ a b c Phil Ponce. "Interview on WTTW Chicago". http://www.wttw.com/chicagotonight/video/sN28neTdOxXzADch_dJQ_Vck4uPtg24o/. Retrieved 2009-04-18. 
  2. ^ Chris Jones. "Chicago Tribune Review". http://archives.chicagotribune.com/2007/feb/06/news/chi-0702060270feb06. Retrieved 2-8-2009. 
  3. ^ Susan Weinrebe. ""Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story" at Chicago's Mercury Theater". http://www.robertaonthearts.com/id819.html. Retrieved 2-8-2009. 
  4. ^ Mary Shen Barnidge. "Windy City Times". http://www.windycitytimes.com/gay/lesbian/news/ARTICLE.php?AID=14029. Retrieved 2-8-2009. 
  5. ^ WLS-TV Chicago. "Buddy Extends Chicago Run At The Mercury Theater". http://abclocal.go.com/wls/story?section=resources&id=5117920. Retrieved 2009-01-26. 
  6. ^ Chris Jones, Hedy Weiss, et al.. "Review Round-Up". http://www.theatreinchicago.com/playdetail.php?playID=1412. Retrieved 2009-01-26. 
  7. ^ Adam Harrington. "Whisperin & Hollerin Review". http://www.whisperinandhollerin.com/reviews/review.asp?id=4875. Retrieved 2009-01-26. 
  8. ^ "Baby It's Cold Outside/Baby Please Come Home". OurStage. October 22, 2008.
  9. ^ Mediabase. "Music Information Systmes Monitored Reporters". http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2803/4124058619_e43a02180f_o.png. Retrieved 2009-11-22. 
  10. ^ Mediabase. "Mediabase AC 7 Day Chart (archived on Flickr)". http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2640/4126673300_7fe99bc52d_o.png. Retrieved 2009-11-22. 
  11. ^ Mediabase. "KQIS Playlist (archived on Flickr)". http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2496/4103436565_c0903084be_o.png. Retrieved 2009-11-14. 
  12. ^ Mediabase. "WJYE Playlist (archived on Flickr)". http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2776/4126978164_abb5ef30b2_o.png. Retrieved 2009-11-22. 
  13. ^ Mediabase. "WYYY Playlist (archived on Flickr)". http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2675/4131944385_a624a066ed_o.png. Retrieved 2009-11-24. 
  14. ^ Mediabase. "Mediabase Christmas 7 Day Chart (archived on Flickr)". http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2724/4163039564_e132e3d30a_o.png. Retrieved 2009-12-06. 
  15. ^ Mediabase. "WEZF Playlist (archived on Flickr)". http://www.flickr.com/photos/barryluda/4162312911/sizes/o/. Retrieved 2009-12-06. 
  16. ^ "Josh and The Empty Pockets Interview with Steve Levy" The Steve Levy Show (YouTube official channel)
  17. ^ Top40 Charts. "Josh & The Empty Pockets". http://top40-charts.com/news.php?nid=45468. Retrieved 2009-01-26. 
  18. ^ Duke Egbert. "Daily Vault Review". http://dailyvault.com/toc.php5?review=6006. Retrieved 4-10-2009. 
  19. ^ Terrence Flamm. "Around Hear: October 2009". http://illinoisentertainer.com/2009/09/around-hear-october-2009/. Retrieved 2009-10-10. 
  20. ^ Michael Capozzoli, Jr.. "New Music: Josh and the Empty Pockets. 'Under the Bed'.". http://www.mcapozzolijr.com/newmusic.html. Retrieved 2009-03-31. 
  21. ^ Amy Lotsberg. "Collected Sounds Album Review". http://www.blog.collectedsounds.com/?p=4308. Retrieved 2009-05-10. 
  22. ^ FMQB. "ACQB Adult Contemporary Top 40 Chart (archived on flickr)". http://www.flickr.com/photos/34730722@N03/3227491271/. Retrieved 2009-01-26. 
  23. ^ Mike McVay. "Josh & The Empty Pockets visit with WAJI PD Barb Richards". http://mcvaymediaphotos.blogspot.com/2009/03/josh-empty-pockets-visit-with-waji-pd.html. Retrieved 3-2-2009. 
  24. ^ Sweetwater. "Sweetwater Majic Miracle". http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/RileyCDv4. Retrieved 2009-11-27. 
  25. ^ Sweetwater Sound’s Notes. "Josh and the Empty Pockets in Studio A". http://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=66664757811&ref=mf. Retrieved 2009-02-21. 
  26. ^ AllAccess.com. "Hot AC Media Base Monitored Reporters (archived on Flickr)". http://www.flickr.com/photos/34730722@N03/3310459036/. Retrieved 2009-02-25. 
  27. ^ AllAccess.com. "Mediabase Report for Adds as of February 24, 2009 (archived on Flickr)". http://www.flickr.com/photos/34730722@N03/3310459036/in/photostream/. Retrieved 2009-02-24. 
  28. ^ AllAccess.com. "7 Day Charts - Taking Off - Hot AC (archived on Flickr)". Mediabase. http://www.flickr.com/photos/34730722@N03/3360868102/. Retrieved 2009-03-16. 
  29. ^ AllAccess.com. "Second Time 7 Day Charts - Taking Off - Hot AC (archived on Flickr)". Mediabase. http://www.flickr.com/photos/34730722@N03/3408274650/sizes/m/. Retrieved 2009-04-02. 
  30. ^ WHAM Chanel 13. "ABC Rochester". http://www.13wham.com/mediacenter/local.aspx?videoid=206831@wokr.dayport.com&navCatId=212. Retrieved 6-2-2009. 
  31. ^ "May we introduce the Pocket Rocketeer", July 6, 2009, The Pocket Rocket Diaries.
  32. ^ Chicago Sun-Times (Requires registration for a free trial). "Ticket line". http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1N1-120FF27982E545A0.html. Retrieved 2-8-2009.  May 30, 2008
  33. ^ "Metromix Chicago". http://chicago.metromix.com/music/rock/josh-and-the-empty-bucktown-wicker-park/1134613/content. Retrieved 2009-06-20. [dead link]
  34. ^ a b Gig Masters. "Past Appearances". http://www.gigmasters.com/gig_calendar_detail.asp?rowid=25777&cal=past. Retrieved 2009-03-22. 
  35. ^ Chrissy S. "Josh and the Empty Pockets Back In Chicago!". http://www.yelp.com/events/chicago-josh-and-the-empty-pockets-back-in-chicago. Retrieved 6-3-2009. 
  36. ^ "WTMX Party in the Park" Special Events Management
  37. ^ Stellaristic. "On the Sapphire Princess YouTube Clip". http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-u0tAcRl6fw. Retrieved 2009-03-22. 
  38. ^ "New Years Eve". http://blogs.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.ListAll&friendID=399554215&page=3. Retrieved 2009-02-20. 
  39. ^ John Benson. "The Plain Dealer". http://blog.cleveland.com/localbands/2008/12/motter_flynn_hopes_to_fly_in_k.html. Retrieved 2009-02-20. 
  40. ^ Howard Flysher. "Greenwich Village Gazette". http://www.nycny.com/entertainment/folk/index.html. Retrieved 2009-02-25. 
  41. ^ SXSW, Inc. "Music Parties & Lounges". http://sxsw.com/music/parties_and_lounges. Retrieved 2009-03-18. 
  42. ^ Marquee Magazine. "Live for Live Music". http://marqueemag.com/index.php?s=Kort+McCumber. Retrieved 2010-06-15. 
  43. ^ Summer Concert Series. "Evergreen Lake Presents". http://www.evergreenlakepresents.com/websoftware/Gallery2/main.php?g2_itemId=2461. Retrieved 2010-06-15. 
  44. ^ Jessica Zweig. "Jennifer Hudson Sparkles at Magazine’s 2 Year Anniversary Party". http://www.cheekychicago.com/jennifer-hudson-sparkles-at-magazines-2-year-anniversary-party/. Retrieved 2010-10-09. 

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