A lyrically passionate and deeply personal soulful rock record - powerful, moving vocal performances combined with unique instrumental chemistry

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



Details:
With full-bodied female vocals, complex instrumentation, grooving rhythms and funky time changes, Joan Zen's Intramission is soulfully jazzy, lyrically satisfying, and emotionally uncompromising. Battling addictions, losing dysfunctional family members, and escaping abusive relationships are all situations handled with disarming honesty mixed with a very compassionate sense of humor that leaves redemption in its wake. Although deeply personal, the album cleverly critiques modern neuroses on such tunes as "Just What the World Needs" and "Push of a Button", with the kind of intelligence that makes you wish you'd written them yourself! Musically eclectic, "Watch Us Fall", perhaps the album's crowning achievement, encompasses all the album's greatest strengths, personal and universal, exhibiting mindfulness with a clarity that verges on satori!

Along with main band members Deborah Hicks on vocals and guitars and Jason Hicks on sax, drums and keys, Intramission features fine musicianship from L.A. based drummer Michael Bedard, San Diego based guitarist Dylan Ankney, and Ted Pence on bass, as Joan Zen's core musical foundation. These artists have been creating music together in many forms since the early 90's, even though they are all just barely 30 years old. Their incredible musical chemistry makes this album organically magical. Also adding awesome, screaming guitar solos on Intramission is Robb Kunkel on such songs as "If I Only Could" and "Push of a Button". Donald Maus features his ultra melodic and intuitive bass playing on his Messenger Signature electric upright bass on "Getting Out" and "Over the Counter".

Joan Zen can be seen showcasing in Western Montana and the Northwestern United States as they tour their exciting new release. Playing to packed houses the first year of their debut, Joan Zen delivers live music with soul, passion and power. Their debut, self-produced album, after only having been released for a month, has already inspired an incredible response by fans and friends. Joan Zen is preparing to record their follow up album, currently untitled, including new works from writing team Jason and Deborah Hicks, like "No Motivation", "The God in You", "Chill" and "Mother Terra".
And they "Thank you for Lis-ZEN-ing!"