William Pilgrim & The All Grows Up

Orange, CA, March 11, 2013– American roots-rock duo William Pilgrim & The All Grows Up and SoCal songwriter/producer/filmmaker PM Romero have announced the launch of a dynamic new web video music series called Live at the Ice House. The new show, which is available now at: http://liveicehouse.com, is designed to spotlight a variety of creative visionaries and musicians that use their art as an instrument for social change and to bring greater attention to important issues such as homelessness.



The series was conceived as PM Romero’s Orange County creative space, known as the Ice House, evolved into a regular hangout for local Southern California musicians, poets and other artists seeking to raise awareness of various social issues through their art. Live at the Ice House episodes feature interviews and field segments and culminate with a guest artist and William Pilgrim & The All Grows Up performing together.



Romero’s explains, “As the rehearsal space for William Pilgrim, there are always different musicians and artists coming through and sitting in on sessions. Everyone enjoyed the vibe of the Ice House and the great music, lively discussions, debates and calls-to-action that inevitably ensued. So someone came up with the simple idea, ‘hey we should film this shit,’ and armed with instruments, amplifiers, and a professional video camera, Live at The Ice House is simply us filming this shit!" Episodes are scheduled to post once a month.

Episode 1 of Live at The Ice House recounts the amazing journey of Ishmael Herring, aka William Pilgrim, from the streets to the stage and introduces his musical duo and its Southern California rehearsal studio and creative headquarters. Born in Kansas City, MO to a drug addicted mother and a broken home, Herring spent a rough childhood shuffled between foster homes and later, lived on the streets in New Orleans before eventually making his way to Los Angeles. Music always gave Ish solace and he sought to use his talents for guitar, piano and drums for bigger things.



In spite of still being homeless in L.A., Ish still sought a musical outlet, and William Pilgrim was born when PM Romero, an Orange County, CA-based songwriter, producer/musician and filmmaker, answered his ad offering vocal services for hire. Ish’s own life experiences inspired the creation of William Pilgrim which was named for the fatalistic optimist from Kurt Vonnegut’s famous non-linear novel that explored fate, free will, and the often illogical nature of human beings. Romero has since helped Herring escape the streets and the pair have become close friends and potent musical collaborators.



Herring’s distinctive bluesy voice weaves moving stories of struggle and redemption that drive William Pilgrim & The All Grows Up’s full-length debut, The Great Recession, which is available now from Orange County based Moonlight Graham Records and also on iTunes®.



Episode 2 of Live at The Ice House, which is scheduled for release on March 26th will feature a talented 19 year-old singer songwriter named Lesedi Lo-Fi, who sings with the soul of Curtis Mayfield and a voice beyond his years. The artist has also struggled with homelessness and has been living on the streets of Hollywood since the age of 16. The upcoming episode follows Lesedi Lo-Fi to Hollywood to explore his world and spotlight other teens that are among the estimated 4,000 homeless youth that live on the streets of Los Angeles each year.



For more information on Live at the Ice House, please visit: http://liveicehouse.com.



Additional information on William Pilgrim & The All Grows Up Is available at: https://www.facebook.com/williampilgrimmusic



For more information about the issue of homelessness in America, please visit: http://www.nationalhomeless.org - Erik Jansen

Searing sarcasm, punch-in-the-gut humor, and more irony than you can pile in the back of a pickup sync up seamlessly with masterful old-school country song crafting, courtesy of PM Romero, the guitarist/keyboardist and scribe of this distinctive duo. Ishmael Herring’s gravel-rough voice provides an ideal maverick persona for the dark rendering of “A Soldier’s Tale”, the funnier-than-it-oughta-be “About A Girl”, and a classic country “can’t-leave-with-or-without-‘em” tale, “Beautiful”. Backup and production are first-rate.
- Duane Verh, Roots Music Report

This driving upbeat collection of topical tracks was a delight to listen to.

William Pilgrim is Ish Herring and PM Romero and my curiosity was tweaked when I saw the artwork which contained a Chicago-looking black bluesman with a fedora and a biker-type leather-dressed white dude with that air of cool from the 1950’s seated together. What kind of music could these two men possibly muster? Could these styles stand together?

Well, this collection was far from mediocre or formula style pop. It was some creative, push the envelope dark and sometimes optimistic sounding earthy music. Sometimes you need to trust the chef if you want to experience a new taste. This is music has lots of flavor.

As far as roots is concerned, I felt the roots – or influences -- went deeper than most. It has roots in Americana, but they somehow wrapped themselves around a tree that once sprouted some Motown, funk, old school R&B and Rock. This roots music stuff is from the dirt, but these guys have developed sounds that are roots pushing throughthe dirt with determination and angst......... - John Apice on No Depression

This driving upbeat collection of topical tracks was a delight to listen to.

William Pilgrim is Ish Herring and PM Romero and my curiosity was tweaked when I saw the artwork which contained a Chicago-looking black bluesman with a fedora and a biker-type leather-dressed white dude with that air of cool from the 1950’s seated together. What kind of music could these two men possibly muster? Could these styles stand together?

Well, this collection was far from mediocre or formula style pop. It was some creative, push the envelope dark and sometimes optimistic sounding earthy music. Sometimes you need to trust the chef if you want to experience a new taste. This is music has lots of flavor.

As far as roots is concerned, I felt the roots – or influences -- went deeper than most. It has roots in Americana, but they somehow wrapped themselves around a tree that once sprouted some Motown, funk, old school R&B and Rock. This roots music stuff is from the dirt, but these guys have developed sounds that are roots pushing throughthe dirt with determination and angst......... - John Apice on No Depression

Orange, CA, September 4, 2012 – Orange County based Moonlight Graham Records is proud to announce the debut of roots rock artist William Pilgrim & The All Grows Up as it releases The Great Recession on CD for $11.98 on Tuesday, September 11th. The album will also be available for $8.91 from iTunes®.
>
>
>
> More information on the William Pilgrim & The All Grows Up is available at: www.williampilgrim.com.
>
>
>
> At the core of William Pilgrim is the bluesy voice of Ishmael “Ish” Herring, a 27 year-old African American musical prodigy discovered while still homeless on the streets of Los Angeles. The singer’s distinctive gravelly vocals drive each track on The Great Recession with a moving intensity that falls somewhere between the likes of Bob Dylan, Woodie Guthrie, and Tom Waits, while the music recalls a simpler time before digital sampling and fancy studio technology.
>
>
>
> The Great Recession offers 9 tracks that weave moving stories of struggle and redemption, and was largely inspired by the hard economic times that the singer and the country as a whole have experienced in recent years. The album’s first single, “A Soldier’s Tale,” recounts a young man losing his innocence as he transforms from a simple farm boy into a cynical solder who has experienced the horrors of war. The official music video, which is currently available on YouTube at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kqRW1VxZTbA, has been viewed more than 28,000 times.
>
>
>
> “This isn’t meant to be a political record but hopefully the listener will think about where our society has been and is going, and how big portions of our population are slipping through the cracks of what used to be the American dream,” says Ish Herring. “My generation was always told that technology and the global community were going to improve everyone’s lives, but clearly many have been left behind in this mad rush to make a fast buck off a silicon future. The Great Recession is my musical reflection on my own life and an eternal longing for stability, love and better days for everyone.”
>
>
>
> “William Pilgrim’s unique musical style and poignant lyrics will move the listener with powerful stories of love, loss, and ultimately redemption, and we’re extremely honored to release The Great Recession,” says Bart Silberman, President and Founder of Moonlight Graham Records. “We look forward to announcing several live upcoming shows for William Pilgrim And The All Grows Up very soon and to the public discovering this profound new recording.”
>
>
>
> Born in Kansas City, MO to a drug addicted mother and a broken home, Herring spent a rough childhood shuffled between foster homes and later, lived on the streets and in New Orleans before eventually coming to Los Angeles. Music always gave him solace and Ish taught himself to play the guitar, piano and drums. His fond memories of soul and R&B that he remembered from his early childhood blended easily with a diverse array of modern artists ranging from R. Kelly and Matchbox 20 to Soul Asylum and other alternative groups from the mid- and late-90s and gave the singer a distinct musical style.
>
>
>
> Despite being homeless in L.A., Herring still wanted a musical outlet, and William Pilgrim was born when PM Romero, an Orange County, CA-based songwriter, producer/musician and filmmaker, answered his ad offering vocal services for hire. Ish’s own life experiences inspired the creation of William Pilgrim, named for the fatalistic optimist from Kurt Vonnegut’s famous non-linear novel that explored fate, free will, and the often illogical nature of human beings.
>
>
>
> The Great Recession Track List:
>
> 1. A Soldier’s Tale
>
> 2. About A Girl
>
> 3. Farewell
>
> 4. Beautiful
>
> 5. Be With Me
>
> 6. Race Car
>
> 7. Calling Caroline
>
> 8. Run
>
> 9. Water When the Well is Dry
>
>
>
> About Moonlight Graham Records:
>
> Moonlight Graham Records is an extension of the iconic Americana-inspired clothing and retail store, Moonlight Graham, located in Orange County CA’s historic Orange Circle, and focuses on a variety of established and up-and-coming artists, bands and musicians inspired by punk rock and a DIY indie spirit and creative work ethic. With an artist roster featuring releases by John Doe and Exene Cervenka of X, Jack Grisham (TSOL) and the Manic Low, and many more soon to be announced, Moonlight Graham Records looks to become a unique bastion for inspired rock and roll and roots music. More information on Moonlight Graham Records is available at: www.moonlightgrahamrecords.com - Erik Jansen

Orange, CA, September 4, 2012 – Orange County based Moonlight Graham Records is proud to announce the debut of roots rock artist William Pilgrim & The All Grows Up as it releases The Great Recession on CD for $11.98 on Tuesday, September 11th. The album will also be available for $8.91 from iTunes®.
>
>
>
> More information on the William Pilgrim & The All Grows Up is available at: www.williampilgrim.com.
>
>
>
> At the core of William Pilgrim is the bluesy voice of Ishmael “Ish” Herring, a 27 year-old African American musical prodigy discovered while still homeless on the streets of Los Angeles. The singer’s distinctive gravelly vocals drive each track on The Great Recession with a moving intensity that falls somewhere between the likes of Bob Dylan, Woodie Guthrie, and Tom Waits, while the music recalls a simpler time before digital sampling and fancy studio technology.
>
>
>
> The Great Recession offers 9 tracks that weave moving stories of struggle and redemption, and was largely inspired by the hard economic times that the singer and the country as a whole have experienced in recent years. The album’s first single, “A Soldier’s Tale,” recounts a young man losing his innocence as he transforms from a simple farm boy into a cynical solder who has experienced the horrors of war. The official music video, which is currently available on YouTube at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kqRW1VxZTbA, has been viewed more than 28,000 times.
>
>
>
> “This isn’t meant to be a political record but hopefully the listener will think about where our society has been and is going, and how big portions of our population are slipping through the cracks of what used to be the American dream,” says Ish Herring. “My generation was always told that technology and the global community were going to improve everyone’s lives, but clearly many have been left behind in this mad rush to make a fast buck off a silicon future. The Great Recession is my musical reflection on my own life and an eternal longing for stability, love and better days for everyone.”
>
>
>
> “William Pilgrim’s unique musical style and poignant lyrics will move the listener with powerful stories of love, loss, and ultimately redemption, and we’re extremely honored to release The Great Recession,” says Bart Silberman, President and Founder of Moonlight Graham Records. “We look forward to announcing several live upcoming shows for William Pilgrim And The All Grows Up very soon and to the public discovering this profound new recording.”
>
>
>
> Born in Kansas City, MO to a drug addicted mother and a broken home, Herring spent a rough childhood shuffled between foster homes and later, lived on the streets and in New Orleans before eventually coming to Los Angeles. Music always gave him solace and Ish taught himself to play the guitar, piano and drums. His fond memories of soul and R&B that he remembered from his early childhood blended easily with a diverse array of modern artists ranging from R. Kelly and Matchbox 20 to Soul Asylum and other alternative groups from the mid- and late-90s and gave the singer a distinct musical style.
>
>
>
> Despite being homeless in L.A., Herring still wanted a musical outlet, and William Pilgrim was born when PM Romero, an Orange County, CA-based songwriter, producer/musician and filmmaker, answered his ad offering vocal services for hire. Ish’s own life experiences inspired the creation of William Pilgrim, named for the fatalistic optimist from Kurt Vonnegut’s famous non-linear novel that explored fate, free will, and the often illogical nature of human beings.
>
>
>
> The Great Recession Track List:
>
> 1. A Soldier’s Tale
>
> 2. About A Girl
>
> 3. Farewell
>
> 4. Beautiful
>
> 5. Be With Me
>
> 6. Race Car
>
> 7. Calling Caroline
>
> 8. Run
>
> 9. Water When the Well is Dry
>
>
>
> About Moonlight Graham Records:
>
> Moonlight Graham Records is an extension of the iconic Americana-inspired clothing and retail store, Moonlight Graham, located in Orange County CA’s historic Orange Circle, and focuses on a variety of established and up-and-coming artists, bands and musicians inspired by punk rock and a DIY indie spirit and creative work ethic. With an artist roster featuring releases by John Doe and Exene Cervenka of X, Jack Grisham (TSOL) and the Manic Low, and many more soon to be announced, Moonlight Graham Records looks to become a unique bastion for inspired rock and roll and roots music. More information on Moonlight Graham Records is available at: www.moonlightgrahamrecords.com - Erik Jansen

This is so good, with such an incredible back story, that I'm not sure if I'm being pulled into a scene straight from central casting circa 1939. Some stories are written. Others write themselves. This story, about a band named William Pilgrim and The All Grows Up starts with a lie. There is no William Pilgrim from what I can tell, and there really isn't much of a band called The All Grows Up, although maybe there is and I'm just missing it. Or maybe it's a band without the usual constraints that bands kind of operate within, like actual members.But in the end, who cares? Because this artistic vehicle has just released an album called The Great Recessionand it is unlike anything I've heard this year. Or the year before. Or the year before that. And yes, pardon the Springsteen-ian reference point and the burden I've placed on the band with it, but I swear to whoever might be reading this...they don't make them like this one anymore. We have a winner here folks.
Want the story? All I know is what I've read on the website and a little bit from someone who reached out to me and said...hey...check this out...socially conscious band from Orange California. A tiny oasis of antique stores, restaurants, places to still find music and the home of Moonlight Graham. Which is a store that sells stuff like vintage apparel, has something to do with baseball or maybe not, is the record label of John Doe and Exene Cervenka's last recording and has some sort of patina on whatever it is they do. And in Orange County of the real housewives fame...my backyard up until five weeks ago and I'm just pissed off that I had to move 3000 miles away to hear about them.

Before I do the story...which is really absurd because all I'll do is steal it word for word from their own bio...I shall tie you down, place bamboo under your eyelids and make you watch this. And you will. Because like me you will get hooked at the sound of the man's voice, the lyrics he sings, the music they play, the detail to the period and set design, and the message. And there is that. This isn't Kid Rock or One Direction or Aerosmith. Alright...shut up and play the damn thing for the people.
If you're me, the first thing you think of is that voice. Where have I heard it before? Who does it sound like? Well, forget it. Not going there. This video? Did you see the shot? Did you get it? Do you know over 28,000 people viewed it already on You Tube and the album just was released this week? How does this happen? How? Because there is still hope that if you have something to say, people will listen. They may tune in and out in a blink of an eye these days with their short attention spans...but they do find it.
Ready for the story? It's a damn good one. Let me get my scissors...ok. William Pilgrim is the Alter-Ego of Ishmael “Ish” Herring, who sought musical collaboration by placing an online ad. PM Romero, an Orange County-based songwriter/musician, answered it and the pair formed the fruitful musical partnership that would become William Pilgrim and the All Grows Up. At the time, Ish was homeless and living on the streets of Los Angeles. Being on the streets was not new to Ish.

"Born in 1984 in Kansas City, MO to a drug addicted mother and a broken home, Ish Herring spent his childhood shuffling between numerous foster homes and later, lived on the streets and in New Orleans before eventually making his way to Los Angeles. He always found solace in music and taught himself guitar, piano and drums. The R&B and soul music Ish remembered fondly from his early childhood mixed easily with a diverse array of modern artists he heard and liked, ranging from R. Kelly and Matchbox 20 to Soul Asylum and similar popular alternative groups from the mid- and late-90s." (Cut straight from the bio.)

The Great Recession paints a multi-layered musical portrait of a frayed country whose people have fallen on hard times and long for stability, love and better days. “I wanted to make a record that came from the standpoint of the 80s generation, my generation, that was cast off,” says Ish. “We were let down by society and our leaders in so many ways. The Great Recession takes the power of American roots music as tool of social consciousness and updates it for the 21st century but still makes it sound timeless and evokes a sense of nostalgia.” (More theft from their website. I'm ruthless and unashamed.)
I suspect you would like me to add my words now, tell you about the album track by track. No need...through the miracle of modern technology, should I not screw it up, I shall give you the ability to listen to the entire album here. And then you can write your own review. And I can go get pizza. But the point is, which is why I've spent a couple hours doing this, I believe that this is one of the finest albums I've come across in god knows how long. Ish and PM and company have done something very special, and very good. Enjoy it.

The band plans to further complement the upcom - No Depression (Easy Ed's Blog)

This is so good, with such an incredible back story, that I'm not sure if I'm being pulled into a scene straight from central casting circa 1939. Some stories are written. Others write themselves. This story, about a band named William Pilgrim and The All Grows Up starts with a lie. There is no William Pilgrim from what I can tell, and there really isn't much of a band called The All Grows Up, although maybe there is and I'm just missing it. Or maybe it's a band without the usual constraints that bands kind of operate within, like actual members.But in the end, who cares? Because this artistic vehicle has just released an album called The Great Recessionand it is unlike anything I've heard this year. Or the year before. Or the year before that. And yes, pardon the Springsteen-ian reference point and the burden I've placed on the band with it, but I swear to whoever might be reading this...they don't make them like this one anymore. We have a winner here folks.
Want the story? All I know is what I've read on the website and a little bit from someone who reached out to me and said...hey...check this out...socially conscious band from Orange California. A tiny oasis of antique stores, restaurants, places to still find music and the home of Moonlight Graham. Which is a store that sells stuff like vintage apparel, has something to do with baseball or maybe not, is the record label of John Doe and Exene Cervenka's last recording and has some sort of patina on whatever it is they do. And in Orange County of the real housewives fame...my backyard up until five weeks ago and I'm just pissed off that I had to move 3000 miles away to hear about them.

Before I do the story...which is really absurd because all I'll do is steal it word for word from their own bio...I shall tie you down, place bamboo under your eyelids and make you watch this. And you will. Because like me you will get hooked at the sound of the man's voice, the lyrics he sings, the music they play, the detail to the period and set design, and the message. And there is that. This isn't Kid Rock or One Direction or Aerosmith. Alright...shut up and play the damn thing for the people.
If you're me, the first thing you think of is that voice. Where have I heard it before? Who does it sound like? Well, forget it. Not going there. This video? Did you see the shot? Did you get it? Do you know over 28,000 people viewed it already on You Tube and the album just was released this week? How does this happen? How? Because there is still hope that if you have something to say, people will listen. They may tune in and out in a blink of an eye these days with their short attention spans...but they do find it.
Ready for the story? It's a damn good one. Let me get my scissors...ok. William Pilgrim is the Alter-Ego of Ishmael “Ish” Herring, who sought musical collaboration by placing an online ad. PM Romero, an Orange County-based songwriter/musician, answered it and the pair formed the fruitful musical partnership that would become William Pilgrim and the All Grows Up. At the time, Ish was homeless and living on the streets of Los Angeles. Being on the streets was not new to Ish.

"Born in 1984 in Kansas City, MO to a drug addicted mother and a broken home, Ish Herring spent his childhood shuffling between numerous foster homes and later, lived on the streets and in New Orleans before eventually making his way to Los Angeles. He always found solace in music and taught himself guitar, piano and drums. The R&B and soul music Ish remembered fondly from his early childhood mixed easily with a diverse array of modern artists he heard and liked, ranging from R. Kelly and Matchbox 20 to Soul Asylum and similar popular alternative groups from the mid- and late-90s." (Cut straight from the bio.)

The Great Recession paints a multi-layered musical portrait of a frayed country whose people have fallen on hard times and long for stability, love and better days. “I wanted to make a record that came from the standpoint of the 80s generation, my generation, that was cast off,” says Ish. “We were let down by society and our leaders in so many ways. The Great Recession takes the power of American roots music as tool of social consciousness and updates it for the 21st century but still makes it sound timeless and evokes a sense of nostalgia.” (More theft from their website. I'm ruthless and unashamed.)
I suspect you would like me to add my words now, tell you about the album track by track. No need...through the miracle of modern technology, should I not screw it up, I shall give you the ability to listen to the entire album here. And then you can write your own review. And I can go get pizza. But the point is, which is why I've spent a couple hours doing this, I believe that this is one of the finest albums I've come across in god knows how long. Ish and PM and company have done something very special, and very good. Enjoy it.

The band plans to further complement the upcom - No Depression (Easy Ed's Blog)

Moonlight Graham recording artist William Pilgrim & The All Grows Up will be among the diverse artists to perform in 100 Thousand Poets for Change, a very special global event taking place on Saturday, September 29th featuring thousands of poets, musicians, songwriters, and other artists from around the U.S. and across the planet in a massive demonstration/celebration to promote serious social and political change. Over 750 events in 115 countries are scheduled to take place. Full details on 100 Thousand Poets for Change are available at: www.bigbridge.org/100thousandpoetsforchange.



The event will be presented in Southern California by LA Radio Sessions and Rock and Rap Confidential from 2:00pm-6:00pm and will be hosted by veteran on air personality Mike Stark (KNAC, KLOS, Bill Ward on Rock 50, Tom Joyner Show). Listeners can tune in to 100 Thousand Poets for Change on the LA Studio’s Stickam feed (http://www.stickam.com/laradiostudio. William Pilgrim & The All Grows Up will serve as the house band for the day’s local events.



100 Thousand Poets for Change is the latest in an ongoing series of annual events organized by poet Michael Rothenberg and designer/editor Terri Carrion, who both oversee the Bay Bridge Press. Thousands of poets, writers, musicians, and artists come together to create and perform, educate and demonstrate, and join with other communities around the world to inspire a greater sense of global solidarity.



William Pilgrim of takes the power of American roots music to use tool of social consciousness, updated for the 21st century while still evoking a sense of nostalgia. William Pilgrim is driven by the haunting, bluesy vocals of Ishmael “Ish” Herring, a 27 year-old musical prodigy who was discovered while still homeless on the streets of Los Angeles. More information on William Pilgrim &The All Grows Up is available at: www.williampilgrim.com.



“I feel very strongly about many social and political issues and am very excited to take part in 100 Thousand Poets for Change,” says Ish Herring. “Ending the private financing of political elections and the nation’s crippling dependence on fossil fuels are issues that are very important to me and I’m very enthusiastic to use my music as a vehicle for social change. I look forward to everyone tuning in to a special afternoon of poignant performances.”



Moonlight Graham Records released The Great Recession, the full-length debut from William Pilgrim & The All Grows Up, on September 11th. The Great Recession offers 9 tracks that weave moving stories of struggle and redemption, and was largely inspired by the hard economic times that the singer and the country as a whole have experienced in recent years. The album’s first single, “A Soldier’s Tale,” recounts a young man losing his innocence as he transforms from a simple farm boy into a cynical solder who has experienced the horrors of war. The official music video, which is currently available on YouTube at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kqRW1VxZTbA, has been viewed more than 28,000 times.

- Erik Jansen

Moonlight Graham recording artist William Pilgrim & The All Grows Up will be among the diverse artists to perform in 100 Thousand Poets for Change, a very special global event taking place on Saturday, September 29th featuring thousands of poets, musicians, songwriters, and other artists from around the U.S. and across the planet in a massive demonstration/celebration to promote serious social and political change. Over 750 events in 115 countries are scheduled to take place. Full details on 100 Thousand Poets for Change are available at: www.bigbridge.org/100thousandpoetsforchange.



The event will be presented in Southern California by LA Radio Sessions and Rock and Rap Confidential from 2:00pm-6:00pm and will be hosted by veteran on air personality Mike Stark (KNAC, KLOS, Bill Ward on Rock 50, Tom Joyner Show). Listeners can tune in to 100 Thousand Poets for Change on the LA Studio’s Stickam feed (http://www.stickam.com/laradiostudio. William Pilgrim & The All Grows Up will serve as the house band for the day’s local events.



100 Thousand Poets for Change is the latest in an ongoing series of annual events organized by poet Michael Rothenberg and designer/editor Terri Carrion, who both oversee the Bay Bridge Press. Thousands of poets, writers, musicians, and artists come together to create and perform, educate and demonstrate, and join with other communities around the world to inspire a greater sense of global solidarity.



William Pilgrim of takes the power of American roots music to use tool of social consciousness, updated for the 21st century while still evoking a sense of nostalgia. William Pilgrim is driven by the haunting, bluesy vocals of Ishmael “Ish” Herring, a 27 year-old musical prodigy who was discovered while still homeless on the streets of Los Angeles. More information on William Pilgrim &The All Grows Up is available at: www.williampilgrim.com.



“I feel very strongly about many social and political issues and am very excited to take part in 100 Thousand Poets for Change,” says Ish Herring. “Ending the private financing of political elections and the nation’s crippling dependence on fossil fuels are issues that are very important to me and I’m very enthusiastic to use my music as a vehicle for social change. I look forward to everyone tuning in to a special afternoon of poignant performances.”



Moonlight Graham Records released The Great Recession, the full-length debut from William Pilgrim & The All Grows Up, on September 11th. The Great Recession offers 9 tracks that weave moving stories of struggle and redemption, and was largely inspired by the hard economic times that the singer and the country as a whole have experienced in recent years. The album’s first single, “A Soldier’s Tale,” recounts a young man losing his innocence as he transforms from a simple farm boy into a cynical solder who has experienced the horrors of war. The official music video, which is currently available on YouTube at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kqRW1VxZTbA, has been viewed more than 28,000 times.

- Erik Jansen

You'd think an EP called The Great Recession would be a whiny, shadowy affair full of foreboding and dread, but the three-song set by William Pilgrim and the All Grows Up has a lilting optimism that belies its title. For all its talk of goodbyes, going to hell ("Farewell") and losing all the "sweet things" ("A Soldier's Tale"), there's nothing sad about it.

Read full article by clicking on the link. - OC Weekly

Former Homeless Musician Blends Blues, Folk, Roots And R&B Influences And Appears On Veteran DJ’s New Web Radio Show On June 20th

Orange, CA – Moonlight Graham Records has announced the appearance of newly-signed recording artist William Pilgrim & The All Grows Up on the debut episode of LA Radio Sessions, an innovative 4-hour live web show that explores all areas of pop culture, including music, film, TV, the arts, sports, and politics - through in-depth interviews and live performances.

LA Radio Sessions kicks off on June 20th and is hosted by veteran on air personality Mike Stark (KNAC, KLOS, Bill Ward on Rock 50, Tom Joyner Show). Stark is the owner/operator of the LA Radio Studio. Listeners can tune in from 7pm to 11pm (PST) on the studio’s Stickam feed (http://www.stickam.com/laradiostudio

The music of William Pilgrim of takes the power of American roots music as tool of social consciousness and updates it for the 21st century while still evoking a sense of nostalgia. Moonlight Graham Records will release William Pilgrim & The All Grows Up’s debut record, The Great Recession, in September. An advance EP release featuring 3 songs from the album is available now for download for $2.98 from iTunes. More information on the William Pilgrim &The All Grows Up is available at: www.williampilgrim.com.

William Pilgrim is driven by the haunting, bluesy vocals of Ishmael “Ish” Herring, a 27 year-old musical prodigy who was discovered while still homeless on the streets of Los Angeles. Ish’s own life experiences inspired the creation of William Pilgrim, named for the fatalistic optimist from Kurt Vonnegut’s famous non-linear novel that explored fate, free will, and the often illogical nature of human beings.

Like artists like Woodie Guthrie and Bob Dylan that came before him, Ish’s distinctive vocals drive each track with an intensity that harkens to a simpler time before music sampling and fancy studio effects and weave colorful stories of struggle that were inspired in-part by the hard economic times the young singer, and the entire country, had experienced.


About Moonlight Graham Records:
Moonlight Graham Records is an extension of the iconic Americana-inspired clothing and retail store, Moonlight Graham, located in Orange County CA’s historic Orange Circle, and focuses on a variety of established and up-and-coming artists, bands and musicians inspired by punk rock and a DIY indie spirit and creative work ethic. With an artist roster featuring solo works by John Doe and Exene Cervenka of X, Jack Grisham of TSOL, and many more soon to be announced, Moonlight Graham Records looks to become a unique bastion for inspired rock and roll and roots music.

More information on Moonlight Graham Records is available at: www.moonlightgrahamrecords.com

Contact Moonlight Graham at:
401 W. Chapman Ave.
Orange, CA 92866
(714) 639-0084
- Erik Jansen

Former Homeless Musician Blends Blues, Folk, Roots And R&B Influences And Appears On Veteran DJ’s New Web Radio Show On June 20th

Orange, CA – Moonlight Graham Records has announced the appearance of newly-signed recording artist William Pilgrim & The All Grows Up on the debut episode of LA Radio Sessions, an innovative 4-hour live web show that explores all areas of pop culture, including music, film, TV, the arts, sports, and politics - through in-depth interviews and live performances.

LA Radio Sessions kicks off on June 20th and is hosted by veteran on air personality Mike Stark (KNAC, KLOS, Bill Ward on Rock 50, Tom Joyner Show). Stark is the owner/operator of the LA Radio Studio. Listeners can tune in from 7pm to 11pm (PST) on the studio’s Stickam feed (http://www.stickam.com/laradiostudio

The music of William Pilgrim of takes the power of American roots music as tool of social consciousness and updates it for the 21st century while still evoking a sense of nostalgia. Moonlight Graham Records will release William Pilgrim & The All Grows Up’s debut record, The Great Recession, in September. An advance EP release featuring 3 songs from the album is available now for download for $2.98 from iTunes. More information on the William Pilgrim &The All Grows Up is available at: www.williampilgrim.com.

William Pilgrim is driven by the haunting, bluesy vocals of Ishmael “Ish” Herring, a 27 year-old musical prodigy who was discovered while still homeless on the streets of Los Angeles. Ish’s own life experiences inspired the creation of William Pilgrim, named for the fatalistic optimist from Kurt Vonnegut’s famous non-linear novel that explored fate, free will, and the often illogical nature of human beings.

Like artists like Woodie Guthrie and Bob Dylan that came before him, Ish’s distinctive vocals drive each track with an intensity that harkens to a simpler time before music sampling and fancy studio effects and weave colorful stories of struggle that were inspired in-part by the hard economic times the young singer, and the entire country, had experienced.


About Moonlight Graham Records:
Moonlight Graham Records is an extension of the iconic Americana-inspired clothing and retail store, Moonlight Graham, located in Orange County CA’s historic Orange Circle, and focuses on a variety of established and up-and-coming artists, bands and musicians inspired by punk rock and a DIY indie spirit and creative work ethic. With an artist roster featuring solo works by John Doe and Exene Cervenka of X, Jack Grisham of TSOL, and many more soon to be announced, Moonlight Graham Records looks to become a unique bastion for inspired rock and roll and roots music.

More information on Moonlight Graham Records is available at: www.moonlightgrahamrecords.com

Contact Moonlight Graham at:
401 W. Chapman Ave.
Orange, CA 92866
(714) 639-0084
- Erik Jansen