Lennon's Song

Erick Bohorquez is the guitarist and vocalist for one of Austin’s premiere reggae/dub/Latin bands Don Chani. He is also a new father. Both of these facts are evident in his new project, a children’s release called We Love, We Learn, We Grow recorded under the moniker Lennon’s Song.

Love is the theme of this recording and the impetus of the project was the bath of his son Ishan Lennon (hence the name of the “band”). Musically, the album is carried by a reggae-infused acoustic guitar sound. This isn’t you’re typical kids album, it’s more like a view of the world using the eyes of a child.

We Love, We Learn, We Grow is a true one-man project. Bohorquez wrote composed, produced, mixed, and mastered it himself. He also is a pretty strong promotional machine (which makes sense as in his past life he was a Regional Manager of Marketing and Promotions at Island/Def Jam Records).

When I get an album like this, a side project that is a single persons vision, I usually take a deep breath before I listen because 90% of the time it’s a nice idea, but not fully realized. This one is different though. This is a really moving CD full of original tunes that are child oriented but not too simplistic. And bonus, the lyrics are well thought out and really moving.

Throughout the nine-song album, I found myself smiling. The reggae “one love” idea is driven home well in the apropos-titled “Love.” The fun “Growing Up” talks about the excitement of new discovery. “Use You Imagination” bops along with a Bob Marley “Three Little Birds” feel to it. The beautiful dedication to Bohorquez’s son, “Lennon,” is another high point of an album full of great tunes. The instrumental “Wonderful” and “Breeze” are also well crafted.

The song that really gets me going is the fun “Summertime.” It is one of those audience participation songs where Bohorquez gets hands clapping and feet stomping. “Summertime is easy because school is out of session. It’s OK to play all day because life is one big lesson.” My kids are big fans of this track as well.

I hope that Lennon’s Song isn’t a one-off for Bohorquez. Although his full-time band is fantastic, the world needs more original kids songs that don’t make parents want to rip their hair out on the 100th listen. I can see this one being on heavy rotation at my house.

You can find Lennon’s Song in Austin at Picket Fences Baby & Maternity (1003 W 34th St) and Waterloo Records. Also check online at http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/LennonsSong. Erick will be playing the The Red Balloon Benefit at 501 Studios in Austin this Sunday as part of Don Chani. He will also be performing as Lennon’s Song in June at Lake Hills Montessori. - Sean Claes

One of the benefits of living in the live music capital of the world (Austin, Texas), is that you don't always have to go looking for good music; sometimes good music finds its way to you.

That's what happened in the case of this disc: it found its way into my son's music library by way of his former Montessori school teacher whose husband happens to be Erick Bohorquez -- the man responsible for (literally every aspect of) "Lennon's Song: We Love, We Learn, We Grow."

I love this disc. Period. Bonus that my 5-year-old gives it the thumbs up, too. In fact, it's on permanent rotation for daytime tunes in his room, and it leads the nighttime request list for bedtime tunes, which is a big deal in our family.

The songs on "We Love, We Learn, We Grow" reflect a breadth of soul and talent that can only come from training and experience -- as in life experience. As in traveling the world, playing a lot of music and being a father. According to his biography:

"In 2001, he studied flamenco guitar in Spain. In 2002, he graduated from the University of Texas at Austin. Deciding to try his luck in the music industry, he packed his bags and moved to LA, where he got his start at Elektra Records. In 2004 he left California for Austin, where he eventually landed the role as Regional Manager of Marketing and Promotions at Island/Def Jam Records. While there, he was the go-to person in charge of managing Universal Music Group artists while developing and maintaining relationships at Radio, Press, and Retail. Contributing to numerous #1 hits and receiving many accolades including 2005 Major Record Label of the Year. In 2006, Erick parted from Def Jam; then quickly shifted his focus to writing, recording, and playing live."

Children have a way of inspiring good musicians to produce great music....and how great is it that a bevy of talented musicians have grown up, had babies, and filled a whole new genre with sounds that come from the very heart of parenthood. Add this disc to the collection of real and lovely music that's all-age appropriate.

The songs will surprise you, and they'll probably grab hold of you, too, but in that nice way that says, "I want to inspire and entertain you, and I promise not to drive you crazy with pedestrian lyrics and over-simplified sounds." This disc will be a crowd pleaser, and it doesn't matter what the age of the crowd is. (Available on CD Baby and iTunes if you want to toddle on over and give it a listen.) - Charlie's Ink

Erick Bohorquez mixes business with pleasure in new children’s CD named after son, Ishan Lennon.
Dane Anderson, Staff Writer
Erick Bohorquez was born to play music. The first-generation American son of Columbian immigrants, Bohorquez’s father was a musician. His great-grandfather, Juan De La Cruz Sanchez, was a well-known composer in South America, and already his 9-month-old son, Ishan Lennon, is showing every sign of benefiting from the genetic legacy.
“No doubt, music is in my blood,” Bohorquez said. “Even before I could verbally express a desire to play an instrument, it was always there.”
Sitting across a table and a couple of mocha lattes at Lola Savannah’s, Bohorquez is trying to explain the magic of pulling songs from dreams and the happenstances that have landed him, at 31, at a crossroads in his life. A talented musician let loose in the music city, Bohorquez is something much rarer. He is a nice guy.
Trademark dark hair curls from underneath a fedora. A new CD of children’s songs lies next to his steaming cup. Half artist, half businessman, if there is a fight going on between his practical side and the magician that lives within, there are no battle scars.
Bohorquez discovered music young. Some of his first memories are of his father writing love songs to his mother and singing them to her at the piano. His first musical instrument was a cherished “The Dukes of Hazard” guitar.
As he grew, he danced with his musical muse through the ups and downs of his teen years and early college. In high school, it was heavy metal. Then he found the blues, which led to Jimi Hendrix, jazz and the flamenco guitar. In 2001, he began to study music at the University of Texas, and he found the kind of new home and family of friends in Austin that usually only exist in the movies. Bohorquez moved into a cabin at Greenshores on Lake Austin and fell in with a fellowship that has remained an important part of his life over the last 10 years. What began as a group of friends with common interests in music evolved naturally into a unique Latin reggae band, said Bohorquez.
Don Chani was formed by Bohorquez and Mark Shaddock, who spent time in Jamaica as a teenager, absorbing the music and culture of the island. The new band drew talent quickly, adding Jacob Benenate on drums, keyboardist Matt Jacobs, rhythm guitarist Mike Franklin, bassist Nico Sanchez, singer Chris Nerren and horn player Jason Frey.
“Drawing from an era that many consider to be reggae’s golden age – the late 1960s through the late 1970s – and Latin influences, Don Chani has carved out a unique sound that’s really unmatched by contemporary bands,” Bohorquez said.
In the decade since its inception, the band has continued to grow in popularity. It has become a mainstay at the Austin Reggae Festival and shared the stage with such reggae greats as the Skatalites, Culture, Eek A Mouse, Luciano, the Meditations and sister carol.
Oddly, it was during the creative time in college when his band was taking solid root that the businessman in Bohorquez stood up and asserted himself. His focus changed from music to music business. He took business classes at UT, eventually earning an undergraduate degree in Spanish. He took a job with Elektra Records in 2003, working promotions in Los Angeles.
“I decided I was going to be smart,” he said. “It’s not called the music business for nothing. A lot of artists don’t get that. You have to do a lot of shows, sell a lot of CDs. You have to go on a lot of tours.”
When Elektra merged with Atlantic in 2004, Bohorquez found himself out of a job. He moved back to Austin and signed on with Island Records to secure airplay for the label’s emerging artists. It was all about building new relationships, living on the road with artists. It paid well, but in the end, it just didn’t seem worth it to Bohorquez.
“You can’t really get close to anybody living like that,” he said. “I was home maybe one week a month. Then I was back at another hotel room in another town. They all got to look the same.”
In 2006, Bohorquez left Island Records and took a job working promotions and sales for Rock Star Energy Drink. It’s a move that bought the young artist a more acceptable lifestyle. Now married and father to young Ishan, Bohorquez has put together a remarkable new children’s CD, “Lennon’s Song: We Love, We Learn, We Grow.”
A kind of Jack Johnson meets the Grateful Dead by introduction from the Beatles, the new CD is a complex blend of beautiful melodies that make adults as well as children smile and nod their heads. Once again, Bohorquez is focused on the art of music. These days the melody man is busy pushing his CD, touring with Don Chani, working his day job and spending time with his family. “Lennon’s Song,” is now available on iTunes, Cdbaby and at Waterloo Records.
“I don’t know why I’m driven, but I am,” he said. “I try and stay positive. I’ve been blessed. This is an art. It’s in my head, and I don’t fight it anymore. It can only get me somewhere better and better.” - Dane Anderson

Erick Bohorquez is the busiest dad I know. Not only does he constantly tour with Austin reggae/dub/Latin powerhouse Don Chani, but he's been working on a solo children's album under the moniker Lennon's Song in honor of his 9 month old son Ishan Lennon. The album We Love, We Learn, We Grow has been already been described as "Grateful Dead for kids", a flattering statement for a first-time solo effort. When I say 'effort' I mean real effort: not only did Erick write all of the music and lyrics, but he performed, mixed, and mastered the whole thing by himself.

That said, I was more than impressed by each and every song as well as the album as a whole. This album is an enchanting blend of talented musicianship and brilliant lyricism. The lyrics are bright and positive, simple but not 'dumbed down' just because it's a children's album. The words encourage the use of the imagination on a daily basis as well as the idea that the smallest acts of love and kindness can make the biggest impact in our lives. The album is full of other lines like Love takes root just like a tree/ Growing, growing endlessly/It’s what makes life, so plant the seed/ In the lives of all you see/ This thing called love it will set you free. Not only is it a wonderful lesson for children, but it serves as a subtle reminder to parents. This is an album that would be appropriate for all ages, from the newest newborn to the oldest grandparent. I can picture a new mom rocking her baby to sleep to lullaby "Lennon", or "Summertime" being one of those songs that small children request to hear over and over again. I adore this album not only because it sounds fantastic and is guaranteed to bring a smile and a laugh to both kids and adults, but because it truly comes across as a genuine act of love from a

The album is now available for purchase on iTunes, Amazon, Lala, CD Baby, Napster, and Media Net. If you have kids, want kids, or have friends with kids, then you need this album. The following excerpt is a peek behind the scenes of We Love, We Learn, We Grow. Taken from the Lennon's Song facebook page, this biography gives you a glimpse of the artist behind this pretty yet powerful music:

Erick Bohorquez's passion for music began early in childhood with memories of his father playing his vintage organ. Erick's creative outlet has always been playing music. In 2001, he studied flamenco guitar in Spain. In 2002, he graduated from the University of Texas at Austin. Deciding to try his luck in the music industry, he packed his bags and moved to LA, where he got his start at Elektra Records. In 2004 he left California for Austin, where he eventually landed the role as Regional Manager of Marketing and Promotions at Island/Def Jam Records. While there, he was the go-to person in charge of managing Universal Music Group artists while developing and maintaining relationships at Radio, Press, and Retail. Contributing to numerous #1 hits and receiving many accolades including 2005 Major Record Label of the Year. In 2006, Erick parted from Def Jam; then quickly shifted his focus to writing, recording, and playing live.

Erick is both a founding member and lead guitarist/vocalist for the Roots Reggae, Lat in, Dub group Don Chani. This touring act has shared the stage with reggae greats such as The Skatalites, Culture, Eek A Mouse, Luciano, Sister Carol, The Wailing Souls, Morgan Heritage, and The Meditations. The band recently released its first album, “From the Hilltops” and a corresponding dub album, “Dub the Hilltops" and has been receiving considerable press, radio, interviews, and TV exposure. - Laurel Johnston