What else is new???
Another New Jersey songwriter trying to make it big, right? Wrong!
Brandon Hans has put together an entorage of musical talent to bring the songs he writes to life each and every time The Group Project hits the stage! There is no waiting for the big time! The show is now!
With a live DVD in production, a music video in the works, and a catalog of recorded hits, Brandon Hans is taking the "Do It Yourself" attitude to the next level.
"I'm trying to give myself everything that the major labels have." says Hans in a his July 3rd interview with the Ocean County Observer.
His newest release, "One Hit Is All I Need" features the 20+ members of The Group Project and introduces the newest a best music of his career.
-Productions-
1999 Produced “The Trippin’ Troll Project,” with his band, Phantasma.
2000-2006 Formed “The Group Project,” a congregation of talented musicians
2003-2004 Taught voice, piano and guitar at The Music Den, Denville, NJ
Graduated from William Paterson University with a Bachelor Degree in Music Management, Classical Voice Concentration.
2002 Started company, Dreamscapes Music Productions: Managed band called, “The Fear.”
2004 Produced “Time To Relax” live, solo album.
2004-Present Teach voice, piano and guitar at The Music Academy, West Water Street, Toms River, NJ 08753
Wrote commercial scores for CD compilations by Propeller Music, West 54th Street, NY, NY
Honorable Mention 2006 John Lennon Songwriting Competition for submission of “I Had A Dream”
Plays keyboards and sings background vocals for Martin Bisi who has produced and recorded such acts as The Dresden Dolls, Herbie Hancock, and the Ramones.
2007 Produced “One Hit is All I Need,” recorded and mixed by Martin Bisi, a full-band production featuring The Group Project.
--PRESS--
www.ocobserver.com
Tuesday, July 3, 2007
On his way toward stardom
T.R. music teacher releases second album
Posted by the Ocean County Observer on 07/3/07
BY KIM PREDHAM
STAFF WRITER
TOMS RIVER — Even if musician Brandon Hans becomes a megastar, Toms River will always be his home.
"You have to have a home base," Hans, 25, said. "Toms River is my home."
That's not to say Hans isn't actively pursuing his shot at success, and wouldn't jump at the chance to be in the spotlight.
Hans' mother, Betty Ann, taught him to play the guitar almost 20 years ago, and he began writing songs and performing with the band Phantasma while in high school. He produced his first solo album in 2004.
Hans recently completed his second album, "One Hit Is All I Need." He will debut the album tomorrow at McIntyre's Pub in Toms River.
"My main focus is getting to a record label," said Hans.
Ever since he was a child, music has been a major part of Hans' life.
As a toddler, he said, he sat in on his sister Andrea's piano lessons. His mother taught him to play Beatles songs on her guitar, and he started taking piano lessons at age 10.
Then, while a student at Toms River High School North, he was fortunate to learn music theory from teacher Frank Hughes, he said.
Also in high school, Hans said he started playing venues such as The Stone Pony with Phantasma.
The group split up when members scattered for college, and Hans headed to William Paterson University in Wayne, where he studied music management with a concentration in classical voice.
It was during college when Hans started his own record label, Dreamscapes Music Productions. He also began forming what he calls "The Group Project," an assemblage of more than 20 musicians who perform together when needed.
"(They are) just friends who I respect as musicians," Hans said.
Though he currently plays in a band called the Vibes, Hans said generally he has had poor luck with bands because he had trouble meshing visions with bandmates. The Group Project allows him to call in musicians for specific parts on his songs — say, a blues guitarist to add a certain feel to a tune.
Hans compares The Group Project to studio musicians, who are used when musical skills are needed on a short-term basis.
"I'm trying to give myself everything that the major labels have," Hans said.
Hans pulls talent from wherever he can find it, including some of his own students.
Hans teaches voice, piano and guitar at The Music Academy, located in downtown Toms River. Two of his students — Tracy Colon and Christine Madeo — performed on his newest album, he said.
Hans describes his latest release as "eclectic rock," with a mix of rock, blues and jazz.
He counts old Michael Jackson, The Beatles and Billy Joel as influences, but also says he loved Nine Inch Nails and The Cure as a young man.
A lifetime spent on the Jersey Shore has left its stamp on his sound as well, he said.
"I think New Jersey itself is a center that branches out," he said, to Philadelphia and New York City and internally to Atlantic City.
"It's an eclectic state, so I feel like that makes me a more eclectic person," he said.
Though he can delve into darker material, Hans says that his music is "mostly" upbeat, a symptom of his own philosophy to stay positive.
"I try to live my life always being happy," Hans said.
Part of being happy is helping others, something Hans feel he does through his teaching. At work, he can think about music, share his songs, listen to students' work and help them improve their own songs.
Even if he succeeds as a musician, Hans said he would like to continue teaching.
"It's exciting to help others form songs," he said.
— — —
Brandon Hans will debut his newest album, "One Hit is All I Need," from 4 to 8 p.m. tomorrow at McIntyre's Pub. The performance will be taped for production of a live DVD. Admission is $20, which includes a CD and one free drink. Tickets can be purchased at the door. McIntyre's Pub is at 213 Route 37 E. in Toms River. For more information, call (732) 349-0420 or visit www.mcintyrespub.com.
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