New York, NY - January 24, 2008 - This spring, musically accomplished singer-songwriter George Stanford will unveil his debut album, titled Big Drop, on the revived Mercury Records label, a division of the Island Def Jam Music Group. With an eclectic blend of blue-eyed soul, rootsy Americana and straightforward pop, the release is already being lauded by critics as “a promising debut from a serious talent” (Billboard). Stanford is currently on the road performing select tour dates across the country, including two recent star-studded performances at the Sundance Film Festival, the opening spot on February’s Babyface tour and upcoming appearances at SXSW.
Born and raised in Philadelphia on a musical diet of jazz, folk, country, rock and soul, Stanford honed his multi-instrumentalist chops, first playing trombone, and later mastering guitar, bass and keyboards. He studied music theory as a student at the University of the Arts while playing in hometown favorite band Townhall. Following his departure from the band, he moved to Los Angeles, where both skill and serendipity garnered the artist much deserved attention. He released a five-song EP, simply title The EP, in fall of 2007, currently available on iTunes.
Stanford produced or co-produced nine songs on his forthcoming debut album, and worked with such noted producers as John Alagia (John Mayer, Jason Mraz), Eric Ivan Rosse (Sarah Bareilles, Tori Amos), Brian Malouf (Dave Mathews, Army Of Me) and Dave Tozer (John Legend). Performing everything but the drums, Stanford conjures similarities to icons such as Paul Simon, Chris Martin, John Mayer and Ben Folds, yet maintains a distinct sound, uniquely George. The album’s first single, “My Own Worst Enemy,” a reflective look at his relationship with the music he creates, has been deemed “the first great pop song of 2008” by Bruce Warren at WXPN. Fans can stream the track here: http://www.musicmedialink.com/a?t=a1984
George Stanford can be heard live, in advance of Big Drop’s release, when he performs select tour dates across the country (dates below). Of a recent gig, the Boston Herald called Stanford’s set “funky” and “inventive.”
Tour dates include:
Jan
25 @ Neighborhood Theatre- Charlotte, NC *
26 @ City Hall- Nashville, TN *
27 @ Revolution Music Room- Little Rock, AR *
Feb
7 @ Sunset Sessions- Carlsbad, CA
15 @ Trocaderos- Minneapolis, MN**
16 @ Star Plaza- Merrillville, IN**
17 @ Madison Theater- Covington, KY**
18 @ Chevrolet Centre- Youngstown, OH**
21 @ House of Blues- Orlando, FL**
22 @ Carnival Center for the Performing Arts- Miami, FL**
26 @ Birchmere- Alexandria, VA**
28 @ The National- Richmond, VA**
29 @ The Borgata- Atlantic City, NJ**
Mar
1 @ The Borgata- Atlantic City, NJ**
3 @ Mountain Stage- Athens, OH *
14 @ SXSW- Austin, TX
* w/ Big Head Todd and the Monsters
** w/ Babyface
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