John McGill

First place winner in the of the 2005 Tucson Folk Festival Songwriting Competition

Finalist in the 2004 Kerrville Folk Festival Newfolk Competition

# Chiming guitars and silvery harmonies sustain themes of longing and triumph on Journey From LaLa., singer/songwriter John McGill's revelatory new CD, but the title cut is rambunctious roadhouse revelry -- downshifting with high octane guitars, whirring Hammond, and sultry chick singers. McGill defines this music as "Existential Blues" as he informs, "I'm a thinker who doesn't think much." The literate self-examination and sterling craftsmanship of his songs clearly indicate otherwise.

# "Ain't it time we had a good laugh
After all it's still a joke, it's who I am
And if platitudes are bone dry
Ain't it enough to know I still could give a damn
I know the angles, and I know the tears
I am entangled, in the indignation in my years"
-- "Entangled"

# Born in Dallas, Texas, John at first resisted the call of the rock, preferring jazz and classical music. In time, a dizzying roster of potent American influences -- Aaron Copeland to Gram Parsons -- infused his musical consciousness. He spent his teen years rocking in bands with his brother, balancing high harmonies and rhythmic Southern rock roots, indelible elements that remain imbedded in his current musical mix as evidenced on his debut artist's release, the instrumental Facing West, as well as Journey From LaLa.

# Between the scrub hills and the strip malls, in that dusty corner of California that larcenous land speculators dubbed "The Inland Empire," John, working with the inland Empire Songwriter's Association and the Southern California Songwriter's Network, has helped nourish a fertile community of songwriters and musicians. A facile guitarist who also plays keyboards and bass in the studio, he is a charter member of an emerging scene that includes Alien Ant Farm, as well as a new cohort, Ralph Torres, with whom he performs in the duo, mostly harmless.

# "It's the wisdom of the ages that the world will end tonite
And the vision of the sages is the word of our demise
In the hope of revelation (or) by malevolent design
It really doesn't matter -- It's 11:59"
-- 11:59

# Journey From LaLa. is an accomplished work from a masterful songwriter. In a voice burnished with honesty and experience, John McGill shares incandescent litanies that seem to glow from within; a steady compass pointing to a destination of infinite promise.

# John can be heard at venues throughout southern california performing with musical partner Ralph Torres under the banner mostly harmless.