Joey Hendrickson is an artist inspired by genuine expression. At 18 years old, Joey released "Reckless Romances," a project that he created to preserve the raw emotion of his experiences. By fulfilling all roles in the creative process- the song writer, musician, engineer, and sole-producer of this album- Joey has created a unique experience that portrays emotions and memories as best he could reproduce them through music.
"I'll admit that my approach to the creative audio process- basically 'pushing buttons until it sounds right' - is much more time consuming to do on my own. But the idea of someone else trying to communicate the experiences and the songs on my behalf kinda freaks me out. l will always try to let the listener into my head- but my head isn't a perfect place, and the music shouldn't sound perfect either, otherwise I've pushed the wrong button."
The extra hours Joey spends searching for the right sound in his mixes is similar to the dedication Joey has for songwriting. Averaging 3 songs written per week in 2010, Joeyis constantly "purging" his thoughts and experiences into notebooks, later creating songs from the most pressing emotions. "From start to finish- writing a song is like watching a short film for me, except my senses are attached to the memories like cables would be to a television. I relive what I've done, or what I've felt more clearly, the more I write. It's satisfying and interesting to look back, but healing to complete a song and move forward."
--
"Reckless Romances" Review By Hanif Abdurraqib:
Most people grow weary of the singer-songwriter format, endlessly seeking something refreshing in a genre that admittedly, has become a bit generic, due in part to guys reaching for an acoustic guitar at any opportunity at a college party to cover the latest John Mayer song. And those same people often stick around long enough to hear…but not to LISTEN. Columbus’ Joey Hendrickson reaches out with those people in mind with his album, Reckless Romances.
The album was helmed completely by Hendrickson himself, writing all of the songs, playing almost all of the instruments, and even self-producing all 10 tracks on the album. Lyrically, he shies away from any clichés, and it’s not bland. It’s not boring. Hendrickson’s lyrics can be compared to finally reaching a highway exit that has all of the greasiest fast food, after you’ve been driving for hours. It’s that level of satisfaction that Hendrickson goes for, the relatable over the abstract. In “In Chicago”, he sings, “I want to rent an apartment in Chicago/walk the streets and pass by pretty women/and give you thousands and thousands of reasons why I’ll always choose you over them.” And on one hand, that’s maybe too sweet, maybe too idealistic, but then you realize that Hendrickson writes the things that people feel, but never actually say (and definitely don’t follow through on), and that in and of itself endears a listener to his lyrics. Most idealists just aren’t as skilled of songwriters as this.
Musically, Hendrickson is skilled enough to fall somewhere between hyper-sensitive, but far too upbeat to be emo (I dare you to listen to the infectious drum beat in “Hush, Hush” and not tap your feet.), which presents a refreshing balance. Listening to these songs, you find out quickly that Hendrickson has a natural gift of working his way around a catchy hook, which you either have (Patrick Stump), or you don’t (Dave Matthews). Nearly everything here is infectious without being overbearing. You can sing along to “2 of a Kind” without feeling like the guitar, and the melody are forcing the issue.
Taking on the challenge of producing your own work, while ultimately is likely the best thing to do, can be a challenge when you think of overproducing due to fear of letting your product go. That said, this album comes off on the whole, about as clean as possible. You can almost hear the ideas and possibilities being realized through the crafting of the music. There are risks in the production, some of which pay off, the use of auto-tune in “Dodging Mirrors” might turn some off at first, but if you stay around long enough, you see that Hendrickson was smart enough to structure music around his use of auto-tune that’s so accessible that you have no choice but to be sucked in. It’s the variety in his music, no two of these 10 songs sound alike, that one must commend. In his attempts to vary the sound, there are misses, of course, “Missing You More” sounds a bit too tense and angst-filled, and is about the only track in which you might not ease into Hendrickson’s otherwise approachable vocals. But, there’s so much musical ground covered, from real heartfelt folk and bluegrass, all the way to the kind of straight forward rock that will make you want to turn up the stereo a bit louder.
There’s simply something for everyone. And by the end of this album, you’ll be taken with the title track, which is brilliant in it’s structure, as it takes on almost a “Band On The Run” Mini-suite feel, constantly building, changing from atmospheric to slightly frantic, and back to calming, without skipping a beat. It brings the album to a close well, but not before you listen to it on repeat a few times.
Not many singer-songwriters, especially YOUNG singer-songwriters, take the risks that Hendrickson does. He has the guitar playing ability, and the vocal skills to be content strumming away at open mics. But instead, what we have here is a collection of songs in which you can hear growth in every track. In sticking to the basics of honest, heartfelt lyrics, warming vocals, and fantastic instrumentation, Joey Hendrickson has made it easy to HEAR what he’s doing. But even easier to LISTEN to where he’s going.
-- Hanif Abdurraqib
Poet, Blogger, Public Speaker, Cap City Creatives Artist Collective
"Reckless Romances" Review by Jeff Meyers Jr.:
Columbus Music. First names that come to mind, This Is My Suitcase, Karate Coyote, Violetta, Monolithic Cloud Parade….and you know? There will be people who read those names and say, ‘Who the fuck is that?’ This is because the music scene is a massive ocean of noise, blunder, toils, treasures and wonders that is constantly bringing its audiences waves and waves of different sounds. When people go to a show in Columbus, more often than not they’re going to see their ‘band.’ Which leaves the Coffeehouse kids high and dry, and scraping to get an audience.
Joey Hendrickson, however, seems to be at the forefront of that struggle.
Releasing “Reckless Romances” on Xmas Eve, Joey has been a songwriter since I’ve known him in High School, and he’s played more Coffeehouses than you’d care to know. The kid always jabbed about studios, music, and how to better his songwriting through others. He’s grown now, has his home studio, has grown into his genre and music, and hasn’t stopped this train of musical movement since. When it comes to working diligently, Joey knows how to tick. That, is very audible, in his latest release.
Hitting you with a bang and then coming all the way down, the tracks seem to have a precise order of impressing you. The first track shows off his production skills, almost a preview as to what you’ll be hearing for the rest of the CD. The big surprise is, sounds coming out of the first track don’t return until the end, making the whole record one big Joey Sandwhich. The top and bottom layers are toasted, crunchy layers than gleefully rip open to expose your senses to the meaty, fulfilling, and unique insides. When it comes to this record, that’s where the best is contained.
“In Chicago” will be your favorite off of the bat, but it will probably change on and off as you dig deeper into the disc. Joey excels at creating a relaxing atmosphere that at times, includes all sides of the elements pop, jazz, and blues. As you rest easy with this track, you can almost picture the skyline of Chicago as a poor boy looks out of his apartment window in wonder and remorse, missing those he’s left behind, but excited for the adventures ahead. As those emotions flood to you, the music written suggests that there is a struggle yet a peace with the situation at hand, and that in the end, looking forward is the best. Moving forward, “Hush Hush” stands out as a beautiful piece solely for its warmth and sound orchestration. “Homemade Lemonade” is probably a track you’ve heard Joey play out and about. I know I have, more than a few times, and in the beginning, I thought the track wasn’t the best Joey could do…UNTIL I heard it recorded. The track eats at my insides, and plays to my sucker side, because if anyone loves the blues, it’s me. Here Joey keeps it real and kickin with some jazzy chord progressions and sleek-easy riffing with a clean electric guitar. Cue the mobs of hipster girls dropping to his feet.
Amidst the record, I warn you now, you will find that Joey auto tuned parts of his voice. Yes, Yes, I know, I’m not sure why either. If Autotuned is your bag, skip to the next paragraph. If you believe that Joey’s voice is being done a disservice by machines, convince him that next time, leave the Autotune at home. The only slight disappointment of the record is when Joey does Autotune, because throughout other parts of the record, his voice carries so well without it.
I won’t get too much into anymore, because I feel that in order to impress yourself; you need to experience them yourself. Joey has worked hard on this record to find himself musically, and I think he’s done just that. In the future, I hope Joey works now to stretch himself in ways so uncomfortable that he makes something sheer and beautiful, which will put Coffee shop musicians back in the mix of interests in the Columbus music scene.
-- Jeff Meyers Jr.
Hiedelberg DJ, Music Director
Read more...