FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE September 1, 2005
Press Contact: Rhonda Kelley
Tel: 617-889-4122
RKelley283@aol.com
BOX OF POEMS RELEASES DEBUT ALBUM: GEMINI
Guitar player Amit Dhar describes Box of Poems (formerly Gemini) as: "A familiar but new and unique sound that captures the heart and mind." Audiences across the country are finding out that the band's new album, Gemini, has captured the universal joy of music, and they want to share it with you.
For the last three years, Box of Poems has been gaining ground in the New England music scene. With their unique blend of international sounds and emotionally driven pop ballads, Box of Poems' debut is an instant classic from the opening track.
With a diverse repertoire of influences, each song on Gemini seems like it could have been written by an entirely different band. From the dreamy soft guitars of the opening track, "Turn Out the Lights," to the bouncing funk of "Lotuseater," Box of Poems proves they are full of surprises.
"We want to move people emotionally, when listening." Says Dhar. We want people to dance and feel great with an uplifting, kinetic vibe." The "vibe" is evident throughout, as Box of Poems weaves a collection of rock, funk, soul, and pop that will leave the audience craving.
Lead singer Billy Genuario has the energy and expression to get a fast song going, while still able to summon genuine emotion for the softer ballads, as he does in the dreamy "Pools of Love," delivered over a latin-inspired rhythm.
The rhythm section, comprising bassist Johnny Mennonna and drummer Kenny Schwartz, is equally diverse. On the fast paced "Perfect Bliss," Schwartz punctuates each verse with crisp rolls and elegant cymbals while Mennonna's bass puts an addictive bounce into the song.
Influences from all over the world are apparent throughout, with subtle hints of gypsy swing, flamenco spice, and the impact of power metal. Such diversity allows Box of Poems to appeal to a wide audience, while no two songs have the same feeling.
"We want a mental vacation." Says Dhar. "You could be on a beach or in a bar with friends...anything." Dhar's lyrical compositions and undeniable talent for guitar, have allowed the band to harness the joy of good music, seemingly oblivious to the constraints of genre.
"We sought to achieve an element of fantasy and romance." Dhar says. "We want to speak to the women without alienating the men." For Box of Poems, each song is a chance to express a feeling and to share it with their audience. "We want our audience to feel different emotions such as mystery, sadness, longing, regret and jubilation."
The band's debut album is drawn from hundreds of musical ideas recorded over the past eight years. Dhar and his band mates took the best ideas and crafted ten diverse songs. With each member contributing some part of their soul and history to the album, what you get is a rarity in music: a collection that flows from start to finish and defies any desire to turn off the stereo.
"We feel that music is about life, not amps, guitars, loudness, and acting out a part." Dhar muses. "Some of the music is pop, but we also want to keep it real. Hopefully these songs achieve that."
With their debut completed, Dhar says that Box of Poems is just getting started. "Much more to come. Stay tuned for some new classics."
To purchase Box of Poem's music, please visit: www.synchead.com
ARTIST BIOGRAPHY: BOX OF POEMS
Amit Dhar: Electric and Acoustic Guitars
Johnny Mennonna: Electric Bass
Billy Genuario: Vocals
Kenny Shwartz: Drums and Percussion
Guitar player Amit Dhar is driven by a great many influences. With musical tastes that span a sea of genres and an imagination that often roams into fantasy realms, Dhar has found a way to combine all the disparate facets of his persona by playing and writing music.
Skilled with both acoustic and electric guitars, Dhar has been playing alone and with various bands for most of his life. It wasn't long before Dhar was a regular at the music clubs of Bayside, New York where he would play Van Halen, Led Zeppelin, and other classics at open mic nights.
Playing with local musicians and with friends at impromptu jam sessions, Dhar developed hundreds of ideas which would later become the raw material for his songs.
As Dhar and his friends were making music, Dhar realized that his ideas needed the touch of a professional singer and he decided to place an ad in the Village Voice. Over the next few months, Dhar and his father poured over hundreds of demo tapes looking for the right artist.
Veteran singer/songwriter Billy Genuario read the advertisement while he was playing gigs in Connecticut and sent his tape to Dhar. When Dhar and his father heard Genuario's tape, they were amazed by his strong, clear voice. "I couldn't believe this guy was available." Says Dhar.
With Dhar's friend Kenny Shartz playing drums and Genuario on vocals, the band was starting to come together. Dhar and Genuario began writing songs together and jam sessions turned into fountains of inspiration.
Shwartz draws inspiration from both classic and modern rock to create unique drum pieces that capture the feeling of each song. He can alternate between soft and reserved and aggressive, giving the band a rhythmic repertoire that truly spans the range. Genuario's vocals are equally diverse, allowing him to create a unique twist for every song. Meanwhile Dhar's inspirations, both as a songwriter and as a guitarist, range from classic rock to Indian music and afro-pop. The result was a melee of sounds and might seem incompatible but harmonize with surprising ease.
However, before the band could make it to the studio the bassist decided that his schedule didn't give him enough time to participate in the band. Luckily, Genuario's friend bassist Johnny Mennonna was introduced to the band, and was an immediate hit. Mennonna was able to synchronize with Shartz to create a true rhythm section or to follow the melody creating interesting poly-rhythmic depth to the songs.
With the current members together, Box of Poems was born and they set their sights upon creating a set list. Drawing upon hundreds of recorded pieces from jam sessions and solo projects, the band crafted the ten songs that would comprise their first album: Gemini. A mix of styles and flavors taken from a truly global palette, Gemini represents the band as it is: a whole that transcends the sum of its parts.
"No two songs should give the same feeling." Says Dhar. "We want to move people. To make them dance and feel great." The music on Gemini will carry listeners through a range of emotions from sadness to jubilation, but always centered on the love of music and the obvious joy that it brings to the players.
Box of Poems is a unique ensemble who has just begun to explore their potential. With the first album completed, the band has begun touring to share their music with as many people as possible and a second album is already in the works. Listening to Gemini, one gets the feeling that the band has only begun to tell its story.
Artist: Box Of Poems
Title: Gemini
Genre: Rock-Pop
Label: Synchead Music-http://www.synchead.com
Website: www.sonicbids.com/gemini
Box of Poems is a great name for a band; it indicates that what you will find inside this CD are songs with lyrics that have thought and meaning behind them. Of course, there is never any guarantee that a band will live up to its name or what it implies, much less be a reflection of their name with their sound and lyrical content. This band hits the mark on all accounts.
On Gemini this all around talented band made up of Amit Dhar (electric and acoustic guitars), Billy Genaurio (vocals), Johnny Mennonna (bass), Kenny Schwartz (drums and percussion), and Rob Vasquez (bass), pump out track after track that offers an eclectic mixture of styles and approaches.
While rock-pop is the predominant style on this recording, you well hear some nice Latin flavored acoustic guitar like on the "Pools of my Love." This reveals a talented group with different dimensions. You, the listener get a little something extra and different for your hard-earned dollars. They certainly did not disappoint this discerning listener, as each track offered up some surprises that happen during the course of the CD. This band does not play it safe, they opt to lay their cards on the table and take some risks. Although there is distinct formula to this recording, every CD has one-the mix is very pleasing and energetic. They even crank out an impressive version of Elton John's "Saturday Nights All Right For Fighting." Some of the songs really hit home, particularly "Living in my Head," for someone that spends most of their time in the cerebral frame of mind, it was easy to find common ground with words like that
Amit Dhar is a versatile guitarist, and he proves it by switching his styles throughout this CD. While everyone in the band is important it seems Dhar is right in step with the pace Billy Genaurio sets with his vocals. Genaurio is an energetic and powerful front man, and just as versatile with his vocals as Dhar is with the six-string. While the music may aim towards the college market initially, it has enough crossover appeal that it could stretch out and spill over into contemporary, rock, and pop charts as well.
August 1, 2005
01. Turn Out The Lights (3:50)
02. Destiny (3:04)
03. Pools of my Love (3:28)
04. Living in my Head (3:41)
05. End of Days (4:30)
06. Perfect Bliss (3:29)
07. Lotuseater (3:48)
08. Secret (3:14)
09. Til death do us Part (4:42)
10. Saturday Nights All Right For Fighting (3:55)
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