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Covering The Spectrum
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Just in time for the holidays, ENVY brings you a fantastic band that mixes their unique style of mus...Just in time for the holidays, ENVY brings you a fantastic band that mixes their unique style of music with the spirit of giving—the Will Evans Project. The Austin-based band is comprised of frontman Will Evans on vocals and guitar, Jason Pollan on lead guitar and effects, Jeff Hartsough’s lively drums and the band’s latest addition, John Olrech on bass.
Besides playing energetic live shows and producing a vast array of songs that touch on every point of the musical spectrum, the band gives back to the Austin community that continues to support them.
WEP’s music is a medley of genres—it takes soul and blues, rock and even electronica and weaves them into something entirely new, resulting in a very eclectic style. The band’s newest album, Planténga, reflects this sense of drawing from a vast repertoire to produce truly experimental work.
Through the different facets the band displays with songs like “Mysteries,” “Like Suicide” and “Maya,” the unifying factor is Evans’ raw vocals, which is where the real feeling is transmitted. A mix between Paolo Nutini and Gavin DeGraw with a sort of country kick and soul feel, Evans adds his own twist for a very distinctive voice.
While most songs, also by Evans, seem to deal with love and women, they vary from telling stories to more bitter lyrics, such as, “Your love is like a suicide/But in the right frame of mind.”
The drums are a very important part of this band in particular, perhaps more than others. Along with the vocals, they seem to set the tone of each song—ranging from resigned at the beginning of “Like Suicide” to angry, to alive and cheerful in other songs. One of the best songs on the album, “Dead Wrong,” brings to mind a toned-down STP feel laced with the band’s own energetic approach, and Evans’ vocals stretch in a playful way that is reminiscent of Kings of Leon.
What does the band think of their music? “It’s like Thanksgiving,” Will Evans says. “Our music is a reflection of our own backgrounds and influences, which cover the spectrum from Jeff Buckley to Pink Floyd to Radiohead. We go where the musical ideas take us and try not to limit ourselves. Music can be found everywhere, we draw from what we know and what we wish to experience.”
This all-encompassing approach enables them to appeal to a broad audience, evident in the band’s success with their first album, which was nominated by the Independent Music Awards as “Best Live Album of the Year” in 2007.
To promote their follow-up, Planténga, WEP will be heading out on a series of small tours in the spring, traveling through the Midwest and West. The band’s ultimate goal? To reach the world, of course. But no matter the scale of their success, WEP is committed to giving back. In October 2008 they played an event to raise funds for a single Austin mother of five who had been injured in a car accident, helping raise close to $20,000.
The band even donated a portion of the proceeds from their launch party to Grounded in Music, a local nonprofit dedicated to providing children with the opportunity to take lessons from local musicians and the ability to obtain instruments to develop their musical talents.
Will Evans Project represent a breed of unique music that is unafraid to experiment and push further in what they dare to do. Most importantly, they never forget their fans and always give back, something all artists can learn from. —PM
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Planténga Review ~ Flanfire
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Lots of folks know Will as that handsome lad who tends bar at Momos’ Club, but whenever this guy has...Lots of folks know Will as that handsome lad who tends bar at Momos’ Club, but whenever this guy has a show, the young ladies show up in droves. Will, Jason Pollan and Jeff Hartsough (with John Olrech on bass on the record) have put together a progressive rock record that has a ton of energy — by trekking out to Salem, Oregon, to what Will says was an amazing vibe and studio.
This record is all about the sounds — yes, there are 12 songs, and the lyrics are out there to be heard, but the whole purpose here is to take the listener on a “journey to the center of the mind.” I mean, I could write poetic fluff about the lyrics, but these guys could be singing the phone book and you would not care. But that does not mean to ignore the lyrics — “Dead Wrong” is just one of the many good songs here, as is the quiet, acoustic ”Maya” and the equally gentle “Serenity” that are back to back. [I think these are the songs that bring out the ladies, but quien sabe?] “Elaine” has its quieter moments, yet what we remember is the wailing guitar in the middle … the best of both of Will’s worlds. ”The Moment” just explodes out of a Zeppelin mist. Once again, you FEEL this music more than listen to it … I recommend incense and maybe some soft cloths and fragrant oils …. and very soft, multicoloured lighting. “Shifting Shapes” — the final cut — is pure smoke … an acid trip of a song that invites you to let the music take you where it will. [Oh, and Will and the band play every Thursday in September at Momo's Club.] And OBTW do NOT turn the player off too soon.
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Planténga cd review
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Pairing good local music with a good local cause is a good way to increase support in the community ...Pairing good local music with a good local cause is a good way to increase support in the community for a project or event. That’s exactly what The Will Evans Project, a band who are no strangers to blending their music with a good cause, are doing for their CD release party Saturday at The Belmont. This eclectic Austin rock group who blend soul, blues and experimentalism into a sonically potent mix is releasing their debut studio full length, Planténga, with a portion of the evening’s proceeds benefiting Grounded in Music, which is a program bringing music education to kids. Opening the show is native Nigerian folk rocker Kalu James and the pop rock of Love at War.
For this new recording, The Will Evans Project - Will Evans (vox/guitar), Jason Pollan (guitar/effects), Jeff Hartsough (drums/sounds), John Olrech (bass/backing vox) - chose to travel to a studio Oregon and what they brought back with them is a sound that’s cohesive, rocking, improvised and even a little funky. You can definitely hear a hint of groups like the Red Hot Chili Peppers in the vocals and instrumentation, and their use of sound effects sporadically throughout does a lot to enhance the experience without taking away from the rock elements. Songs like the first track, “Mysteries”, are good examples of all the parts functioning to better the whole. The fuzzy pulses of the bass is a driving force in the song, as are Evans’ soulful rock vocals. One of the sweet spots of the tune is in the jangling guitar during the chorus that many may not notice the first time, but it’s these kinds of sweet spots along with the brief guitar effects and sounds that make songs like this really worthwhile. And, lucky for them, the album contains enough to go around.
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Planténga album review Insite Magazine
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Austin’s Will Evans Project has gone electric.
This band first came to us in 2007
with a fantastic...Austin’s Will Evans Project has gone electric.
This band first came to us in 2007
with a fantastic live-recorded acoustic
offering by a three-piece band. Since that
release, they have added a bassist and
recorded their first studio record, Planténga.
It was released last month at an
INsite Night at The Belmont.
The difference is apparent immediately,
from the opening track, “Mysteries,”
which introduces a great fuzzy bass
line, and continues through the killer
“Dead Wrong.”
I think that’s what surprised me the
most about Planténga. Being a big fan
of their acoustic work, I wasn’t sure if I
was going to like the electric version. I’m
happy to report the experimental rock
version of the band blew me away.
Not to say the whole album is a rocker.
“Maya” is a beautiful ballad, “In Trouble”
has a laid-back lounge tune feel, and “Like
Suicide” brings the blues to the forefront.
My favorite track on Planténga is a slow
jam called “Elaine.” It’s a song about a girl
who has a little bit too much fun with her
dad’s gun. The guitar is almost creepy with
a Door’s “The End” feel to it. And, I’m a
lyrics guy, and the song includes my favorite
line of the album, “A gunshot rang out
from the four-way stop of fame.”
You can pick this up on iTunes, but I’d
recommend seeing them live and picking
up the physical CD at the show. They’ll be
playing Boomerz in Oak Hill on 7/10 or
Juniors Ice House in Round Rock on 7/23.
The Will Evans Project is Will Evans
(vocals/guitar), Jason Pollan (guitar), Jeff
Hartsough (drums), John Olrech (bass).
Find out more about them at willevansproject.
com. – Sean Claes
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The Project: Experimentation in Music
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INsite Magazine
September 2009
By Lauren Warthan
The Project: Experimentation in Music
Nearl...INsite Magazine
September 2009
By Lauren Warthan
The Project: Experimentation in Music
Nearly two years ago I came across a relatively unknown Austin band, The Will Evans Project (The WEP), at a networking event on Lake Travis. Little did I know that our paths would cross years later under very different circumstances.
Last August, after my mother-in-law was involved in a bad car accident, I began the search for a band to play at her fundraising benefit. After receiving referrals for other bands in town, my mind kept going back to The Will Evans Project. I had thoroughly enjoyed the CD I purchased the night I saw them perform, and thought their style of music would be fitting for many different audiences. On a whim I called and just a month later they were performing live for our closest friends and family. Without their participation, the benefit would most likely not have been as successful, and I wouldn't have had the chance to reconnect with the group of guys that I now call friends.
In the "Live Music Capital of the World," where thousands of bands are competing for the dame venue space, air time, and press coverage, musicians face a tough challenge to succeed. It's the heart and soul that the Project puts into both their music and community that makes them stand out. Since early 2005, the Project has been turning die-hard Austin music critics, including myself, into loyal fans with its refreshing blend of blues, rock, soul, and improvisation.
After years of mixing drinks for bar-goers at Austin's famed Momo's Club, lead singer and guitarist Will Evans has learned a thing or two about how to navigate the Austin music scene. Evans' passion to start his own project was fueled by exposure to live shows and famous Austin musicians as well as the constant hustle and bustle of the entertainment industry. Originally consisting of Will Evans, Jason Pollan on guitar, and Jeff Hartsough (previously of Vallejo), on percussion, the group succeeded in creating a name for themselves as "the acoustic trio without a bass player." As an experimental three-piece group, The WEP had found their niche - acoustic sound.
The release of their first album in 2007, the self-titled "Will Evans Project," was produced in a single, two hour live concert event at the Austin Music Lab Studio's sound stage. The all-acoustic album was a huge first step for The WEP, and they quickly received praise for their versatile sound and live shows. The album even earned the group a "Best of 2007" nomination for the International Independent Music Award's Best Live Album category.
When starting the Project in 2005, the group never ruled out having a bass player. However, they knew that it required the right person to fit the part. In 2008, the group was excited to add their fourth member, John Olrech, (Cadiillac, Voodoo Choir and Tyrone Vaughan Band).
With a full group on board, they quickly switched gears to write new songs for their second album. The WEP left Austin in early 2009 for Salem, Oregon where they recorded their debut studio album, Planténga, named after the family farm where they stayed during their visit. After three weeks of recording with engineer and drummer Jason Carter of Black Francis/Grand Duchy, in the bitterly cold Northwest, the group returned to Austin with a renewed spirit, just in time for SXSW. Exhibiting their creative versatility, the group's new release is a mix of both lighter ballads and heavy rock songs, including an Eagles-esque track titled "Serenity." Though a departure from its acoustic roots, The WEP kept an original fan favorite and remixed the upbeat and catchy "Oh Tomorrow."
The Will Evans Project doesn't just have good music going for them, they also have good karma too. Considered the "goodwill" band of Austin, The WEP believes in giving back to the community by performing for various charities and community fundraising events. Most recently, the band donated a portion of proceeds from its Planténga Album Launch Party to a local charity, Grounded in Music (groundedinmusic.org). Founded in Austin, Ground in Music, is designed to inspire kids to get involved with music at an early age. The Project understands firsthand the impact that music can have on a child's life, and they felt that this group was the perfect organization to benefit from the CD release party.
"Grounded in Music is an organization close to our heart and we were thrilled to incorporate the group into our event," says Jeff Hartsough. "We may not be able to raise a large sum of money, but every little bit helps. By working together, we have a better chance of making a difference."
In September, you can find The Will Evans Project in their new residency slot every Thursday night at Momo's Club on West Sixth Street. The WEP is scheduled to perform from 9:15-10:30 pm, alongside other notable Austin bands including The Canvas Waiting, Derrick Davis, Slow Down Lady, and Home By Hovercraft. Cover for each night will be $5. For more information on the performances, check out www.momosclub.com for details.
Find both albums by The Will Evans Project, the "Will Evans Project" and "Planténga," online for purchase on iTunes, CD Baby, and willevansproject.com. For more information on the group, fans can also connect with The WEP on MySpace, Facebook, and Twitter (@WEProject).
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WEP: Finalist Live Album of the Year Independent Music Awards
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For Immediate Release Thursday Nov. 1st, 2007
AUSTIN’S OWN WILL EVANS PROJECT AMONG FINALIST...For Immediate Release Thursday Nov. 1st, 2007
AUSTIN’S OWN WILL EVANS PROJECT AMONG FINALISTS OF THE 7TH ANNUAL INDEPENDENT MUSIC AWARDS
INDIE ARTISTS FROM 6 CONTINENTS TO BE PROMOTED TO MORE THAN 20 MILLION & APPEAR IN 2008 EDITION OF THE MUSICIAN’S ATLAS
Austin based band Will Evans Project is among a diverse group of independent musicians named as finalists of the 7th Annual Independent Music Awards. The Will Evans Project is one of the most innovative and experimental acts to grace the stages of the Texas music scene. The trio's 2007 self titled release was submitted to the IMA's in the Album category, 'Live Performance', and stands tall among four other nationally known artists. The Will Evans Project's debut album, recorded in front of live studio audience, breaks new ground by bridging the gap between a polished studio recording and the energy of a live performance.
IMA Finalists will now advance to the final round of judging by a distinguished group of influential artists and industry insiders. The Judges who will determine this year’s IMA Winners include Suzanne Vega; Snoop Dogg, Chad Smith of Red Hot Chili Peppers; Les Claypool of Primus; Ray Davies of The Kinks; Susan Tedeschi, Frank Iero of My Chemical Romance; blues legend Charlie Musselwhite; Judy Collins; Rolling Stone contributing editor Anthony DeCurtis, MTV Music Supervisor, Carrie Hughes, Kevin Lyman of Vans Warped Tour and many others.
IMA Winners and Finalists will appear in the 10th Anniversary edition of The Musician’s Atlas 2008, on sale December 18, 2007. Regarded as the industry’s most comprehensive contact directory, The Atlas is used by independent musicians and entrepreneurs to market and sell music more successfully.
Developed and coordinated by Music Resource Group, publisher of The Musician’s Atlas, the Independent Music Award program delivers a variety of premiums to Winners including:
•Year-long marketing campaigns, partnerships and distribution alliances, that will place the Winners in front of millions of music fans and industry decision makers around the world.
•The IMA Winners CD compilation will be distributed to 10,000 music fans and industry at events such as SXSW, Ozzfest, The Warped Tour throughout the year and promoted to more 650 US & Canadian college & public radio stations.
•eMusic will promote IMA Winners to millions of their subscribers throughout 2008.
•Borders Books & Music will promote IMA Winners more than 11 Million of their customers.
•Exposure to nearly 10 million viewers of ManiaTV.com and Havoc TV.
Music fans will be casting their votes for their favorite IMA Finalists at HYPERLINK "http://www.IndependentMusicAwards.com" www.IndependentMusicAwards.com at the IMA Vox Populi Jukebox.
For more information on the Musician’s Atlas and the Independent Music Awards CONTACT: Joelle Caputa (joelle@independentmusicawards.com) at 973-509-9898.
For more information about WILL EVANS PROJECT please visit "http://www.myspace.com/thewillevansproject"
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Album Review
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INsite Magazine
Austin, Texas
April 2008
The Will Evans Project
What a pleasure it was t...INsite Magazine
Austin, Texas
April 2008
The Will Evans Project
What a pleasure it was to bump into percussionist Jeff Hartsough at Vallejo's CD release. He made me aware of the recent release of one of his projects, The Will Evans Project. This is lyrically and musically one of the best albums I've heard in a while. It's Americana without being country, acoustic without being hokey and entertaining without being shallow.
This three-piece, made up of Will Evans (vox/guitar), Jason Pollan (guitar), and Jeff Hartsough (drums) fills up the sonic space so well, I'm not sure if a bassist could fit in. What a great sound they've captured.
And, I guess "captured" is a good word for the band. This self-titled debut is a "live show" recorded in front of an audience at Music Lab Studios. The one hour show begins with a megar introduction and ends with an amazing 11-minute-track called "Out of Your Mind."
My favorite track is the jam "It's A Shame." Seems not all relationships end on a good note. "Read the writing on the wall / Don't kick me when I fall / You're not the right one after all / You had it all / You had it all."
They claim that no live show is ever the same...from acoustic to electric...jam to set list...so although there is about 5 places to see this band in Austin this month (check myspace.com/thewillevansproject) for locations...I recommend all five. And for God's sake buy a CD.
(DEANS LIST)
-Sean Claes
