Album Notes

Emi Jarvi and J Carmichael have been writing and performing together for almost five years. J and Emi began working together when she moved to England and they became intrigued by each other's talent. However, the musical similarities end there. His guitar-playing background of electronic and rock music mixed with her vocal folk/blue-grass upbringing brewed an eclectic musical taste. Emi returned to America after two years in England but saw J often and they continued to write together in spite of the distance. Over the years, the fusion of the genres became addictive and lead to the release of their Debut album, BlueStar Café.

J Carmichael brings his knowledge of electronic music and alternative rock to the album. He's been in many bands over the years and has produced countless electronic tracks that have been used both in live theater and film. His lyrics are poetic and steeped in metaphor. Every instrument on the album (aside from the mandolin) is played by J. He is also the creator of every moment of distortion, reversed keyboard and he loves to resolve the final note of the melody because "it's so satisfying".

Emi Jarvi was raised in a folk household. She was in a band with her family for roughly four years in which she played the mandolin and harmonized with her mom, dad and brother in ways that only genetics allow. She has performed in many venues and in many areas; from Texas to Boston to England to Chicago...the list goes on. Her lyrics are honest because "that's how [she] feels" and she "wants music to be accessible". All vocal and mandolin tracks on the album are by Emi. She is the creator of every suspension, vocal harmony and she prefers to leave the final note of a melody unresolved...especially if the story being told isn't over.

Emi recently moved to England in September 2004 and has begun work on her second album with J. Follow their progress at Take1Records.co.uk or at the newly released website, EmiJarvi.com.