Tuesday, May 25, 2010

People Eating People to release album

People Eating People is the solo project of Seattle musician Nouela Johnston and if you take one thing away from this, you need to know that Nouela Johnston's voice and piano playing is flat-out unfuckwithable! Catchy as hell, full of heart, a nimble pianist and impossible not to love are all phrases thrown around by the Seattle music press after catching one of her performances. What's got them hooked is Johnston's knack of setting often dark, heart-on-sleeve lyrics atop bouncingly triumphant piano riffs. She has the wonderful ability of being brutally honest in her lyrics and never coming off as anything less than sincere.

She grew up in South Korea, not hitting the States until '97. Under the influence of two music professors as parents, Johnston was only allowed two musical indulgences: jazz singers and the Beatles. (Her mother, Hangyo Lee, is a world renowned Julliard pianist) With an musical upbringing as unique as that, it's not surprising that Johnston's stage presence is staggeringly original. After spending the past few years fronting Mon Frere and being a hired pianist in several other bands (including a stint in Barsuk Record's, Say Hi) it's high time that Johnston's intricate melodies are allowed to take center stage!

The band's name, People Eating People, was chosen as the winner of the “world’s worst band name” competition she had with a couple friends after debuting some of the her new songs for them. With the help of her Seattle musical companions, Johnston entered the studio and created an album of bittersweet and highly personal songs... "For Now" pulls you into the end of a relationship where you're struggling not to go crazy and, in turn, be forgiving and accepting (we've all been there!). The song "Rain, Rain" shows Johnston at her sweetest, pleading for a fresh start. Then, conversely, when she belts out the chorus to "I Hate All My Friends", you absolutely must believe her.

Like a People Eating People song, live shows waiver from intimate revelations to roaring parties. The number of musicians on stage varies from show to show (which have ranged from sold out slots opening for the Presidents of The United States of America to intimate house shows for her close friends). Solo shows are dramatic and intimate; band shows are a raucous good time. Either way, you can't lose.

People Eating People's debut self-titled album will be released July 6th, 2010 from the Control Group and when she hits the stage, the world's collective jaw will go slack!

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