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Bleu
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| Born William James McAuley III, the release of Bleu's Redhead marks the Boston-based tunesmith's debut effort for Aware/Columbia Records. Recorded with producer John Fields (Andrew W.K., Semisonic) and contributions from Dan Wilson (Semisonic) and Andy Sturmer (Jellyfish), Redhead is a collection of pop epics that echoes contemporaries like Ben Folds, Foo Fighters and Weezer, all wrapped with the multi-tracked flair of Brian Wilson, and Roy Thomas Baker-era Queen.
Some have already glimsped into the world of Redhead, "Somebody Else" appeared on Spider-Man (Music From and Inspired By) and a slightly different version of the finished album has been available via Aware Records mail order. Redhead has already earned major accolades in the music press. Amplifier Magazine dubbed Redhead "the first truly great record of 2003… wall to wall pop nirvana, all killer hooks and big guitars" while Request Magazine gave the disc "5 stars" and made the comparison of "The Smithereens on speed, Ron Sexsmith rocking out, Semisonic on steroids".
Bleu - dubbed with the moniker because he used to have blue hair - has opened shows for everyone from Ben Folds to The Strokes to Ric Ocasek. In a live context, Bleu might appear fronting his full-on rock band or as a solo artist with his electro-acoustic conceptual "e-band," described by the Boston Globe as "a spare, affecting solo performance where Bleu's voice and guitar are accompanied by a miniature cadre of samples, loops, and effects." Bleu's unorthodox take on live performance is also reflected in his approach to songwriting, "I play exclusively in a guitar tuning called DADGAD, which is usually a 1/2 step down to C#G#C#F#G#C#. It definitely lends a unique sound to some of the songs"
Bleu burst on the Boston music scene in December 1999 with A Bing Bang Holidang, a seasonal charity record benefiting the Boston Institute for Arts Therapy. In the three years since, Bleu has taken home the prestigious Boston Music Award (for "Outstanding Rock Band") and won top honors at WBCN's annual "Rumble" for Boston's Best Unsigned Band. Over the course of his burgeoning career, Bleu has been nominated for five Boston Music Awards and two Phoenix/WFNX Music Poll Awards.
A Bing Bang Holidang featured special guest appearances from local friends and musicians--including Members of The Mighty Mighty Bosstones, Letters To Cleo, Guster, Buffalo Tom, The Amazing Crowns and Rubyhorse. A Bing Bang Holidang went on to become one of the northeastern seaboard's largest selling independently released albums of the year.
In January 2000, Bleu began collaborating with engineer and producer Ducky Carlisle (Susan Tedeschi) to start work on Headroom (Lunch Records), his first all original solo album. Released in October 2000 to critical acclaim, Headroom secured New England commercial radio airplay, and the attention of numerous major labels. Ending a year of intense A&R buzz, Bleu signed to Aware/Columbia Records.
For Redhead, Bleu teamed up with producer John Fields (Andrew W.K., Semisonic, Puffy AmiYumi) and co-wrote some songs with Dan Wilson (Semisonic) and Andy Sturmer (Jellyfish). Bleu enjoyed the collaborations, especially the opportunity to work with Andy Sturmer, as Bleu is a big fan of Sturmer's former band, Jellyfish. "I like Jellyfish because they incorporate a little bit of all the things I like best... Queen, Beatles, Beach Boys...and they make supremely interesting music that doesn't sound forced. Also, Andy Sturmer is one of the greatest melody writers of all time, and I adore melody above all else."
Bleu also found a sympathetic foil in producer John Fields. "I definitely had some goals for this record... I felt like my last record Headroom was a bit bells-and-whistles-y, and I wanted something that felt more organic," adding, "John and I talked a lot about our favorite producers and what they might do in a particular situation - Mutt Lange, Jon Brion, Jeff Lynne - they're all in there."
While not a concept album, Bleu feels Redhead definitely works as a cohesive piece. "I think I made a very eclectic album and I sort of consider all the tracks to be pieces of a puzzle... I'm not quite sure what the puzzle is of, but it's probably got some cartoonish sideburns in it"
In addition to the release of Big Bang… Headroom and Redhead, Bleu's music can be heard in "Lovely & Amazing," the new indie comedy from "Walking & Talking" director Nicole Holofcener, and four of Bleu's songs have been used on MTV's "Real World" and "Road Rules." |
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| I Won't Go Hollywood |
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| Could Be Worse |
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| Watchin' You Sleep |
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| Redhead (Aware 2003) |
| Headroom (Lunch Records2000) |
| A Bing Bang Holidang (Independent Release 1999) |
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Evan Lamberg
