Hey willpower

Infobox musical artist
Name = hey willpower


Img_capt = hey willpower, circa 2005. L to R: Rush, Tomo, Schwartz, Kelly.
Img_size =
Landscape =
Background = group or band
Name = hey willpower
Alias = willpower, Hey Willpower
Born =
Died =
Origin = San Francisco, California
Instrument = Electronic
Voice_type =
Genre = Dance, Pop, R&B, Crunk
Occupation =
Years_active = 2003 - present
Label = Cochon Records (US)
Tomlab (Europe)
Associated_acts =
URL = http://www.heywillpower.com/
Current_members = Will Schwartz (vocals), Tomo Yasuda (electronics), Justin Kelly (dancer), Erin Rush (dancer), Christelle (keyboardist and DJ), Mecca (dancer)
Past_members = Donal Mosher, Chelsea Starr (dancers)
Notable_instruments =

hey willpower is an American pop band, led by vocalist Will Schwartz and electronic musician Tomo Yasuda (usually known simply as "Tomo"), with rotating collaborators including musicians and dancers.

History

hey willpower was formed by Will Schwartz (one of the "queer alt-rockers" [ [http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1589/is_2005_Sept_13/ai_n15652870 "Joy of singles: Imperial Teen's Will Schwartz goes pop with his bubbly side project, hey willpower" - "The Advocate"] 13 September 2005 retrieved from FindArticles.com] of Imperial Teen) and San Francisco musician Tomo Yasuda (of The Boy Explodes), under the name "willpower" in San Francisco during July 2003. [http://heywillpower.com/bio.html hey willpower Biography by Will Schwartz - heywillpower.com] ] They had to change their name to "hey willpower" by December 2004 [http://heywillpower.com/images/press/guardian_dec04.gif"Name games" - "San Francisco Bay Guardian"] December 2004] after receiving a cease and desist order from an artist called Will Power. [http://www.heywillpower.com/images/press/SF_Weekly.jpg"Pop Goes the World" - "San Francisco Weekly"] February 2005] Schwartz started the project to explore his interest in dance pop and R&B music, which he had no outlet for in his other band. [http://www.sfbg.com/39/30/cover_hey_willpower.html "Free Will" - "San Francisco Bay Guardian"] May 2005]

Schwartz and Tomo began gigging in the San Francisco area in late 2003, eventually launching US and then European tours. The pair recruited dancers to liven up their shows; first Donal Mosher and Chelsea Starr, [http://www.heywillpower.com/images/press/guardian.gif"Willpower" - "San Francisco Bay Guardian"] January 2004] and later Erin Rush and Justin Kelly. In 2007, they toured Europe with a dancer named Mecca, and a keyboardist and DJ named Christelle. [http://www.myspace.com/heywillpower hey willpower MySpace] ] hey willpower have opened for bands including Scissor Sisters, Le Tigre, and Peaches." [http://www.heywillpower.com/main.html hey willpower Official Website] ]

In the US, hey willpower released a self-titled EP through Cochon Records in 2005 (which went out of print and was re-released as "Dance" in 2007). Singles for "Double Fantasy II" and "Hundredaire" were released, with music video clips directed by the band's own Justin Kelly. 2006 saw a European-released LP titled "PDA", from Tomlab. In 2006, the band also contributed to a duet version of Norweigan electronic pop singer Annie's song "Chewing Gum."

In press, Will Schwartz has spoken effusively about his love for radio-friendly, danceable pop music, how emotionally and physically he is moved by it, and the pleasure he feels from seeing an audience move around and make some noise. He has name-dropped the likes of Janet Jackson, L'Trimm, Michael Jackson, Prince, Gwen Stefani, Justin Timberlake, and Missy Elliott [http://www.heywillpower.com/images/press/stranger_aug04.gif"The Stranger"] August 2004] as influences to hey willpower's sound. Schwartz has noted that some audiences disregard dance pop music like the kind he makes with hey willpower as being without musical integrity or value; as opposed to the sort of indie rock, post-punk music he makes with Imperial Teen. Schwartz refutes and rejects these attitudes. The [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sLPK4tPSGjo music video for "Double Fantasy II"] carried a John Lennon and Yoko Ono-inspired concept that urged viewers to "give dance a chance."

Discography

Albums

* "hey willpower" EP (2005)
* "PDA" (2006)
* "Dance" EP (2007)

ingles

* "Double Fantasy II" (2005)
* "Hundredaire" (2005)

References

External links

* [http://www.heywillpower.com/ hey willpower Official WebSite]
* [http://www.myspace.com/heywillpower hey willpower MySpace]
* [http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=jjjustin Justin Kelly's YouTube (hw videos, etc.)]
* [http://www.myspace.com/foolz_gold Christelle's MySpace]
* [http://www.myspace.com/meccavzzz Mecca's MySpace]