Soulful Roots Rock

10 MP3 Songs
ROCK: Roots Rock, URBAN/R&B: Soul



Details:
It was growing up in St. Paul, MN where Joe realized, at the age of 10, his love for making music. He had just gotten his first guitar, an Eddie Van Halen replica from Sears, and was starting to hash out three-chord rock songs with a friend who had just picked up the drums. Eventually Joeâs brother Jim jammed along on the keys and before they knew it, they had their first official band.

Following a brief stint of playing the local garage circuit, the band broke up and the brothers moved to Rochester, MN with their family. There, Joe began to develop his guitar playing technique and dabble in musical styles other than rock, such as folk, classical, and some jazz. After playing in several bands throughout high school, he continued to study music at Rochester Community College, all the while playing acoustic shows at local bars with Jim. He then spent some time in Colorado exploring musical avenues and developing his songwriting skills.

When Joe returned to Minnesota, he was asked by brother Jim to join a new band called Loft as an acoustic guitarist/vocalist. Joe accepted and Loft went on to become one of the busiest bands of the twin cities continually writing, recording, and gigging throughout the region. After three successful years and two albums Loft disbanded while Joe kept on writing and performing.

Once again living in his hometown of St. Paul, Joe realized that it was time for another big stepâ¦.he was to record a solo album. Taking the handful of songs that he had set aside for such a project, he continued to ride the wave and write more and more. He consulted fellow musicians including brother Jim, Mike Molzahn (drums), and Justin Rieken (bass) and in December of 2002, the foursome began recording Joeâs album, Wondervibe, which was released in Summer of 2003. Since then, he has played with several bands including Minnesota Gold, the Porn Thieves, and currently plays with Nick Hensley in the rogue acoustic duo Love Songs For Angry Men. He also plays solo shows and is compiling songs for a new album to be released in late 2007.

Joe currently lives in St. Paul with his wife Jenny and their daughter Sophia.