This debut album from Pete Yorn's former bandmate is filled with acoustic-driven pop songs, delivering emotionally heartfelt and honest lyrics. Co-Produced by Will Golden (Gary Jules, Joe Purdy, Eric Hutchinson, Meiko, Buddy and Ian Ball from Gomez).

9 MP3 Songs
ROCK: Acoustic, FOLK: Folk-Rock

Show all album songs: The Sweet Bye and Bye Songs


Details:
WAZ is in bloom. Every now and again a musician breezes by and stirs feelings withinâ¦..feelings that are all too often left sleeping or perhaps forgotten. WAZ has arrived at a place where his melodies flow about the room yet holds the listener still. As a confessional singer- songwriter, he writes, sings, and plays with a bellowing honesty.

Growing up in Cleveland, Ohio, WAZ was heavily influenced by his parentâs record collection which included artists such as The Pretenders, ELO, & Neil Young. At the early age of 8, 10ccâs song, âThe Things We Do For Loveâ inspired WAZ to pick up his first guitar.

After graduating college, WAZ packed up his car and drove west having no idea what the future held. Within a day of arriving in California, he got a call from his college buddy Pete Yorn, to start a band. After three years of hard work and gigging in Los Angeles, Yorn signed a major deal with Columbia records. The boys picked up and went on road. It was the next three years where WAZ witnessed the emotional impact music had on people. âPlaying shows night after night I was always surprised to see the raw and emotional connection people have with heartfelt music & lyrics.â It was this connection that inspired him to start writing his own songs. In between tours, he began recording with R. Walt Vincent (Pete Yorn, Liz Phair, & The Format). The overwhelming response to WAZâs voice & well-crafted songs is what led to his decision to ultimately leave the band. Six months later, WAZ released the âMine to Rememberâ EP. It received glowing reviews across the board and left everyone wanting more.

While struggling to make ends meet, WAZ relentlessly continued to write and develop his solo presence. He found a home at the Hotel Café where many of contemporaries were also launching their careers. It was there that he was approached by Will Golden & Al Sgro, who mentioned that they were opening a studio in an old house in Hollywood. In between recording acts such as Gary Jules, Joe Purdy, Eric Hutchinson, Meiko, Buddy & Ian Ball, Will & Al slowly started working on what would be WAZâs first full-length album. âWhile they were working with other clients, I would pick up odd jobs in order to pay for the sessions. We would work for 2-3 days at a time every couple of weeksâ¦.it was always borrowed time. Will & Alâs organic approach to this recording keeps this album simple & honest.â
Yesâ¦..WAZ is in bloom.

"WAZâs knack for beautiful memorable melodies and hooks are the cornerstone of his talents. Add to this his ability to write emotionally mature heartfelt and honest lyrics, a clarity of musical vision that is equal to the best of them, (Gus Black, Philip Price, Michael Penn, Pete Yorn etc) and one of those perfect pop voices, then this magnificent album cannot fail to be a winner. This is one of those albums that touches the heart and the mind in equal measure, the type of album you can put of repeat play and never tire of. I cannot recommend this jewel of an album highly enough."
Mick Dillingham
(Bucket Full of Brains UK)

"WAZ provides songs of many shapes and of light and shade; âHolding Onâ is of the darker end of the spectrum, guitars like huge axes chopping chunks of melody into kindling, rhythmic riff, then gentle touches of flame to burn down the remaining wood - you know the conclusion will be a forest fire of guitars. The quality keeps on coming with âRelease,â a gentle piano based song that broods and sprinkles melody like a storm cloud of music travelling over a musical landscape in need of rain. This is one of the finds of the year so far."
David Cowling (Americana UK)