Announcement from Justin Bell!!
Friends, I have some very exciting news. Most of you are aware of my rock & roll past:) In 2006 Justin Bell & the Lazy Susan Band released our 3rd CD called Something Else Entirely. It’s something I’m still very proud of. That record was very difficult to make, very difficult to write and it all happened during the most difficult part of my life. The day we wrapped it, I announced that it would be the last one and that I would not release any more albums. I subsequently entered into a very dry stretch of writer’s block that lasted over 5 years. I assumed that part of my life was over.
Many things have changed since then and the last year has been very interesting. I built a nice little recording studio in my house and taught myself how to produce and engineer (with the help of my immensely talented friend and gifted engineer/producer Jonathan Earl). I had the opportunity to produce music for other artists, specifically a gifted songwriter named Sarah VanValkenburg who let me produce not only her first record ever, but also the fantastic follow up Guitar Picks and Bottle Caps which came out earlier this year and we are both very proud of.
I started writing songs again. Slowly at first, but then the floodgates opened back up. I decided to try something I had always thought about, but never attempted: recording an album that I wrote, produced, engineered, mixed, played and sang every note myself. I didn’t know what to do with this “thing” when it was finished. I shared it with my compadres in the Lazy Susan Band and they were supportive of releasing and promoting this…whatever it was.
The LSB has changed many times, almost by definition, over time, the members coming and going, subbing in and subbing out and the band expanding and contracting as needed. I have relied on Ben Young and Tom Adams as my rhythm section for some time now, and I’m happy to say that they have agreed to stay on and support the new record. My musical partner in crime, Brian Zirngible (aka BPZMAG) has always been an option spinning on the Lazy Susan, but now has officially joined the group full time. And the newest member of the LSB, $2 Bill Turner, rounds out the new sound with piano, organ, synths and trumpet.
As a result, I am very excited to announce that, 7 years after the release of Something Else Entirely, we are releasing a new album on October 5th!! The album consists of an eclectic mix of songs that, although all over the genre map, represent what I think is my most seasoned writing. The album is called $80 Whiskey – after a track on the record and we also have a signature cocktail called the $80 Whiskey that will be featured at all of our shows (but will only cost about $4). We are having a HUGE release show event on October 5th at, where else…Whiskey Junction in Minneapolis. We will be joined by special guests Sarah VanValkenburg and reuniting for one night only the Jonathan Earl Band!
I invite you to check out our new website: www.jbellmusic.com (live now) for more info on the new record and what the band is up to and in coming weeks lots more will be happening on the site.
On September 21st– the entire record will be available streaming on the website, on September 28th album will be available for purchase on iTunes and on October 5th there will be lots of other cool stuff available both on the site and at the big show at Whiskey Junction!
I am equal parts excited and nervous to put out another record and wouldn’t be comfortable doing it all if it weren’t for the incredible support of those closest to me. I’m hoping you’ll give $80 Whiskey a listen, check the band out at one of our next stops and I hope you enjoy the record that was never supposed to be.
With much appreciation,
j. bell