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The Empty Pockets

Josh and the Empty Pockets is a pop rock band from Chicago, Illinois.

History

The Buddy Holly Days

Josh Solomon (guitar and lead vocals) grew up in Lincolnwood, Illinois, playing music with his childhood friends Nate Bellon (bass) and Dan Rosenthal (drums).[1] Shortly after forming the band in 2006, Josh was cast as Buddy Holly[2] in the 2007 production of Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story at Chicago’s Mercury TheatreCite error: The <ref> tag has too many names (see the help page).[3], which had an extended run.[4] Nate and Danny were also cast as The Crickets in the show.[5] During the run, the band met singer Erika Brett Holleb (lead vocals), who was a singer and dancer in the show.[1] Erika is a singer and actress described by the Chicago Tribune as having "some killer pipes".[6] As part of the production, the band released a tribute album called Celebrate Buddy Holly.[7]

Baby It’s Cold Outside/Baby Please Come Home

The 

| url=http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2675/4131944385_a624a066ed_o.png | title=WYYY Playlist (archived on Flickr) | accessdate=2009-11-24 | author=Mediabase}}</ref>. By the first week of December the single reached #31 on the Mediabase Christmas chart[8] and became yet another station's top played song, WEZF in Burlington, Vermont[9].

First Album: Under the Bed

File:Under the Bed.jpg

Josh and the Empty Pockets released their first album of original songs[10] – Under the Bed – in 2008.[1] In an interview with Phil Ponce on Chicago Tonight, Josh explains that the debut album is about growing up and that the title Under the Bed comes from the lyrics “where have the monsters under my bed gone” on one of the album's songs.[1]

In an April, 2009, Daily Vault review of Under the Bed, Duke Egbert wrote "Under The Bed is tight, melodic, layered, harmony-drenched rock/pop, and one of the better new CDs I've heard this year. ... Besides the aforementioned 'Fall Right Now' and 'Freedom To Me,' I particularly liked the wordplay of 'Missteps,' 'Side Effects,' and 'Monsters,' all of which are both great pop songs and lyrical tours-de-force. Josh and the Empty Pockets have a bright future. They play intelligent, well-crafted pop/rock with substance that still manages to not get bogged down in its own importance."[11]

All ten of the tracks from Under the Bed were placed on the Nickelodeon TV channel's programs "iCarly", "Zoey 101" and "Drake & Josh".[12] In his review of the album, Michael Capozzoli, Jr., former writer for Billboard magazine, describes Josh as "a young recording artist who writes and sings as if he is already an old master of the pop/rock genere. This singer/songwriter/recording artist and his band are THE BAND to watch in 2009."[13] Echoing the sentiments of prior reviews, Amy Lotsberg, a music critic and producer of Collected Sounds, writes about Josh and the band that he "has a pleasing voice. It’s clear, and easy to understand; which is important because the lyrics are clever. The songs are melodic and interesting and they’re obviously talented musicians that work well together. All their songs are pretty radio friendly, but I’d say Let Go and Side Effects are standouts."[14] In his October, 2009, Illinois Entertainer review, Terrence Flamm describes the album as "fun rock ‘n’ roll."[15]

Fall Right Now

As part of that release, the band promoted the single "Fall Right Now" to medium and secondary markets and reached #11 on the FMQB Adult Contemporary Chart.[16]

The band also recorded an acoustic version of "Fall Right Now" at the world famous recording studio Sweetwater[17] included with a second previously unrecorded song called "Leaving Jackson" on WAJI's annual charity CD[18], a fundraising project for the Riley Hospital for Children in Indianapolis.[19]

Signing to 8th Impression/Universal Music Group

According to Mediabase, as of February 25, 2009, Josh and the Empty Pockets is with the label 8th Impression/UMG[20], the same label that signed Bang Camaro[21]. After signing with the label, the single "Fall Right Now" was promoted to major radio markets and was added to the playlists of two radio stations the first week[22]. Since then, "Fall Right Now" has gotten spins on over a dozen radio stations including Clear Channel and other monitored stations.[23]

On March 16, 2009, "Fall Right Now" was listed on the Mediabase Taking Off chart, which records the track's increase in radio airplay over 7 days and lists "the Top 50 currents sorted by the most new spins showing detections for the first time".[24] As of April 9, 2009, the single was #77 and climbing on the Mediabase Hot AC chart, reached #65 on the Adult Contemporary chart, and made the Taking Off chart a second time.[25] According to New Music Tipsheet, the CD Under the Bed became available online everywhere and in select stores beginning April 21, 2009.[26]

Music and promotional videos

In the accompanying music video for the single "Fall Right Now," Josh portrays a high school student late for an end of the year talent show. Erika, Nate and Danny play a joke on Josh, mixing up the signs directing Josh to the show. Cheerleaders and skateboarders, as well as fans, are also featured. The band changes their look and also change from playing acoustic to electric guitar and bass from the first half to the second half of the video. As the clip ends, Josh, Erika, Nate and Danny run outside, jump into a convertible, and drive away.[27]

As of July, 2009, Josh and the Empty Pockets are represented by David Spero and Adam Spero of Alliance Partners, releasing a promotional video incorporating clips from their album, music video and television appearances.[28]

Touring

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On the road and sea

File:Tour and Radio Stations.png
Josh and the Empty Pockets Tour Route and Radio Markets playing "Fall Right Now" as of March 2009

In the fall of 2008, Josh and the Empty Pockets performed along the Mexican Riviera on the Sapphire Princess cruise ship.[29] After Mexico, the band toured the United States playing many venues outside of Chicago including the Winchester Tavern & Music Hall in Cleveland, Ohio[30], Sully's Saloon in Louisville, Kentucky[31], Sportsman's Tavern in Buffalo, New York[32], Freddy's Bar & Backroom in Brooklyn[33], The Delancey in New York City[34], John Harbor's in Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin[35], Java Joe's in Des Moines, Iowa[36], and The Frequency in Madison, Wisconsin[37]. In March 2009 the band played at the South by Southwest music festival in Austin, Texas.[38]

After South by Southwest

Following their SXSW debut, Josh and the Empty Pockets continued touring the country to promote their single "Fall Right Now" playing at Ole Moulton Bank in Moulton, Texas, Poor David's Pub in Dallas, Texas, Cimarron Bar in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Murphy's in Memphis, Tennessee, Cummels Cafe in St. Louis, Missouri, Rudyard Kipling in Louisville, Kentucky, Comet Bar in Cincinnati, Ohio, Canal Street Tavern in Dayton, Ohio, The Modern Exchange in Detroit, Michigan, and Johnny's Irish Pub in Rochester, New York.[39]

References

  1. ^ a b c Phil Ponce. "Interview on WTTW Chicago". Retrieved 2009-04-18.
  2. ^ Chris Jones. "Chicago Tribune Review". Retrieved 2-8-2009. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  3. ^ Mary Shen Barnidge. "Windy City Times". Retrieved 2-8-2009. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  4. ^ WLS-TV Chicago. "Buddy Extends Chicago Run At The Mercury Theater". Retrieved 2009-01-26.
  5. ^ Chris Jones, Hedy Weiss; et al. "Review Round-Up". Retrieved 2009-01-26. {{cite web}}: Explicit use of et al. in: |author= (help)
  6. ^ Nina Metz. "Chicago Tribune". Retrieved 3-7-2009. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  7. ^ Adam Harrington. "Whisperin & Hollerin Review". Retrieved 2009-01-26.
  8. ^ Mediabase. "Mediabase Christmas 7 Day Chart (archived on Flickr)". Retrieved 2009-12-06.
  9. ^ Mediabase. "WEZF Playlist (archived on Flickr)". Retrieved 2009-12-06.
  10. ^ American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers. "ASCAP Title Search". Retrieved 2009-01-26.
  11. ^ Duke Egbert. "Daily Vault Review". Retrieved 4-10-2009. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  12. ^ Top40 Charts. "Josh & The Empty Pockets". Retrieved 2009-01-26.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  13. ^ Michael Capozzoli, Jr. "Josh and the Empty Pockets. Under the Bed". Retrieved 2009-03-31.
  14. ^ Amy Lotsberg. "Collected Sounds Album Review". Retrieved 2009-05-10.
  15. ^ Terrence Flamm. "Around Hear: October 2009". Retrieved 2009-10-10.
  16. ^ FMQB. "ACQB Adult Contemporary Top 40 Chart (archived on flickr)". Retrieved 2009-01-26.
  17. ^ Mike McVay. "Josh & The Empty Pockets visit with WAJI PD Barb Richards". Retrieved 3-2-2009. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  18. ^ Sweetwater. "Sweetwater Majic Miracle". Retrieved 2009-11-27.
  19. ^ Sweetwater Sound’s Notes. "Josh and the Empty Pockets in Studio A". Retrieved 2009-02-21.
  20. ^ AllAccess.com. "Hot AC Media Base Monitored Reporters (archived on Flickr)". Retrieved 2009-02-25.
  21. ^ Ayala Ben-Yehuda. "Billboard". Retrieved 2009-02-27.
  22. ^ AllAccess.com. "Mediabase Report for Adds as of February 24, 2009 (archived on Flickr)". Retrieved 2009-02-24.
  23. ^ Mediabase. "Monitored Reporters". Retrieved 2009-03-28.
  24. ^ AllAccess.com. "7 Day Charts - Taking Off - Hot AC (archived on Flickr)". Mediabase. Retrieved 2009-03-16.
  25. ^ AllAccess.com. "Second Time 7 Day Charts - Taking Off - Hot AC (archived on Flickr)". Mediabase. Retrieved 2009-04-02.
  26. ^ Sperry Media. "New Music Tipsheet". Retrieved 2009-03-28.
  27. ^ Josh and the Empty Pockets. "Fall Right Now – Music Video". Retrieved 2009-04-22.
  28. ^ Josh and the Empty Pockets. "Agent's Video". Retrieved 8-2-2009. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  29. ^ Stellaristic. "On the Sapphire Princess YouTube Clip". Retrieved 2009-03-22.
  30. ^ John Benson. "The Plain Dealer". Retrieved 2009-02-20.
  31. ^ "New Years Eve". Retrieved 2009-02-20.
  32. ^ The Pocket Rocket Diaries. "Sportsman's and heading South". Retrieved 2009-02-27.
  33. ^ Howard Flysher. "Greenwich Village Gazette". Retrieved 2009-02-25.
  34. ^ "Outside In". Retrieved 2009-02-20.
  35. ^ "Reverb Nation". Retrieved 2009-03-15.
  36. ^ Michael Swanger. "City View". Retrieved 2009-03-16.
  37. ^ Isthmus. "The Daily Page". Retrieved 3-12-2009. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  38. ^ SXSW, Inc. "Music Parties & Lounges". Retrieved 2009-03-18.
  39. ^ Cite error: The named reference Past Appearances was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
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