Music
Press
For such a young band, Project 1.9 displays a maturity that isn’t often found nowadays. The lyrics in Broken Images aren’t self-absorbed or shrill, the sound stays positive, and the vocals, provided by Ross Hopman’s smoky voice, are triumphant rather than self-pitying. In fact, it’s refreshing to find a band that can gear its frustration and confusion with the world into music rather than loud mayhem.
The interesting part of the album is that there is a very clear progression in sound and purpose. Oscillating between wise acceptance and personal struggle, the band realizes our imperfection as human beings but doesn’t quite know how to focus or control the feelings in the first few tracks. Ordinary World exhibits lyrics such as, “Your sense of reasoning your ordinary world/Guess what it don’t mean shit if you’re standing still too long,” and a sound that is a bit heavier and funky. But through the album, a maturation transitions the band towards a more introspective and halcyon direction. Twisted, my favorite track on the album, is the pinnacle of this new turn. “And as I look back now on the mistakes that I’ve made/Certain people left behind certain people soon would fade.” It’s like watching your best friend go through an ugly breakup with uncontrolled rage before he or she finally calms down, clears their thoughts and ratiocinates. Fortress declares this new, calmer revelation and submission. “I won’t tell no one if you put your trust in me/Cuz I’m relying on your sensitivity.”
The band, for all intents and purposes, is a pop outfit that is able to incorporate fresh sounds into their hook-laden songs . This in turn allows them to transcend the bland crap that they could have easily limited themselves to becoming. This is never more apparent than with the cool bass riff in Twisted or on the last track Borderline, which emphatically concludes an album that introduces to the music world a band with potential and a future well beyond its first 10 tracks. - Zach Pontz of audioexposure.com
Discography
Broken Images (2006)
-preview the tracks on our website
Photos
Bio
In the years since their debut in a Northeastern University dorm basement, Boston band Project 1.9 has been electrifying every stage they step on with an infectiously energetic pop/rock sound that will have you on your feet. Often compared to the likes of Maroon 5 and Lifehouse, 1.9’s heartfelt vocal deliveries, flawless harmonies, and heart pumping groove rock anthems are what define them. Having shared the stage with some great acts like Gavin Degraw, Michael Tolcher, Stephen Kellogg, As Fast As and The Alternate Routes, they have captured the ears of a respectable fan base in both Boston and New York and are continuing to take the Northeast by storm. Upon the release of their widely acclaimed [self recorded/produced] debut album, “Broken Images” early this year, 1.9 rocked a sold out crowd of 600+ at Boston Billiards and then went on to win the Boston Beanpot Battle of the Bands. The remainder of the winter and spring months were spent promoting their album deemed “a wonderful sound” by John Sykes [President of Network Development, MTV]. Taking the summer to fine tune their set, write new material and add bassist Kyle Jozefski, Project 1.9 is back and ready for action, looking forward to a promising year on the road.
All the success and promise held by this band may seem like a far cry from the four guys who started out playing acoustic guitars on campus quads in an effort to attract some attention from the fairer sex, but as the years progressed so did Project 1.9, maturing into a group of professional musicians who still maintain a fun-loving attitude. Embracing the smorgasbord of influences that each member brings to the table helps their sound remain fresh in a pop/rock genre that at times can become repetitive. Ranging from classic acts like Petty and the Eagles to current staples like the Dave Matthews Band and the Goo Goo Dolls [and even some old school funk], these influences can be heard on “Broken Images,” but really shine in Project 1.9’s live show, where extended jams/breakdowns/covers/and even the occasional kazoo solo bring the stage to life.
Having been fortunate enough to perform on many great stages like The Paradise Rock Club in Boston and The Knitting Factory in NYC, the guys are looking forward to bringing their show to even more exciting venues this year. Their hard work thus far has positioned Project 1.9 poised and ready to pounce on the music industry to take their musical career to the next level. They’ll be in your neighborhood soon so come check out a show and experience the music that’s got everyone asking “What the hell does 1.9 mean anyway?”
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