Bluejay
Tallahassee, Florida, United States | SELF
Music
Press
It is not often that a new sound emerges, a sound that is difficult to pigeonhole in any of the usual boxes. Bluejay is a mixture of a baroque chamber quartet, a rock band and a coffee bar poet.
The band has warm enthusiasm and their lyrics present a humorous, if wry, look at their own subculture. An intelligent blend of various themes that takes music back into the hands of the performers and away from the old 20th century repetitive electronic stereotypes. The songs themselves seem never to follow a known format but like a mystery novel, twist and turn to amaze and occasionally challenge the listener. Vocals are a blend of tight harmonies and an almost Kandinskian blare of discordant voices which somehow always manage to coalesce.
You do not watch a Bluejay show, you experience it. It is a far more intimate musical form and gains its energy from your participation. You have never heard these songs before; you have never heard these sounds before; you will never forget them once you do.
New Times caught their act at Walsh's Pub, 2217 North Federal Highway, Hollywood. See them there again July 17th. Call for show times.
Neil Blinco
New Times, May 16th 2010 - New Times
Discography
Goblins (debut LP)
Recorded 2008-2010 at Studio 211 in Tallahassee, FL.
Released July 6, 2010
Produced by Jay Thomas; Engineered by Oscar Quesada
**Goblins is on regular rotation at WVFS 89.7FM in Tallahassee, FL. Tracks frequently played include Garden Girl, Boogeyman, Tallahassee Song, To The End Of The Map, and Black Cherry Blood.
Photos
Bio
Bluejay is alternative singer/songwriter, Jay Thomas.
His debut album, "Goblins," was released on a crisp summer day of July 8, 2010 in Tallahassee, FL. Thomas' debut is an enchanting journey through a cornucopia of dark and snarky poetry juxtaposing images of castles with images of keg parties sung in milky voices that sooth you at one moment, and passionately move you at another.
Bluejay's sultry voice is enhanced by vocalizations from friends and band members through call-backs, choirs, shouts, and growls.
Bluejay's collaborator, Oscar Quesada, adds beauty to the songs with lush cello arrangements. Everything on "Goblins" was recorded and mixed by Quesada, who in addition to playing cello, performed many of the keyboards, synths, and percussion himself.
Bluejay perches on a family tree of entertainers... His grandfather was the British comedian, Shakespearean actor, and satirical author best known as Cardew “The Cad” Robinson. His grandmother was a professional showgirl who, even at the age of 92, would sing and kick her legs into the air, "There's no business like show business!" His mother was an actress, dancer, and pianist who died unexpectedly when Thomas was 12 years old. Thomas remembers her playing and singing to friends at home -- everything from show tunes to covers of the Beatles and Elton John, to pieces by Debussy, Beethoven, Mozart, and Bach. Although a budding actress and dancer, she never took her musical talents to the stage.
Today, the passion for music, poetry, comedy, and entertainment pumps relentlessly through Jay Thomas. He is an active defender of human equality and freedom of expression through his songwriting and live performances.
Bluejay is currently recording his sophomore album with engineer/cellist, Oscar Quesada.
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