Coming from a variety of backgrounds, the members of Janet's Vice have one mission: to have fun and avoid writing boring music.
Vocalist, songwriter, and rhythm guitar player, Naomi Ulsted, has been writing music for over ten years. Prior to playing with the other Vice members in Astoria, Oregon, her music was generally played for open-mic and coffee houses, and mostly, her front porch.
Once she hooked up with drummer Dave Gager, guitar player Doug Noltemeier and keyboard player, Brett Marconeri, those songs took on a new and powerful life. With poignant lyrical storytelling and enticing, yet sometimes unusual, rhythms, the songs evoke images of longing, hope and change.
Several songs are co-written by the band members, whose varied musical styles give this album a unique quality not seen any longer in the musical mainstream.
Dave has been playing drums in various projects for over 20 years. During the '80's, he indulged himself in the harder-edged rock music scene (and a mullet hairdo), as well as various progressive and fusion rock projects. Fortunately for Janet's Vice, he's lost the mullet, but not the talent.
Doug has probably been Astoria's best kept musical secret up until Janet's Vice. On a recent radio appearance, the DJ, a long-time music aficionado and Astoria resident, once asked him, "Where did you come from and why did you take so long?" Complex, yet smoothly executed, his playing is integral to the music and several songs on the CD are written by Doug.
Brett has been involved the local music scene for several years, and donates his expertise with everything from big band swing, to 80's techno, to classic blues. His musical versatility adds an acute level of sparkle to the group.
Janet's Vice's debut CD, Journeyer, brings together all these talents and styles to make for a difficult to classify, but altogether enjoyable album. Many of the songs have to do with travel, both literal and metaphorical. Travel to another place, another time, another episode in one's life. This CD attempts to remind us that it's not about the destination... It's the journey itself that's important.
Check out the artist's website:
http://www.willapabay.org/~dave/janetsviceTrack List:
1. Bitter Pill
2. Journeyer
3. Some Days
4. Cazadero
5. Color Me Blue
6. You Never Call My Name
7. Generations
8. My Room
9. Crazy Woman's Dance
10. Circles
11. Crossing the Equator
12. Paragon
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