Singer-Songwriter JJ Appleton is back in the US with a brand new EP, 'Black & White Matinee'. Recorded in London, England with Producer Stephen Lironi, the six song disk features sun-shiny moods intermingled with emotional undertones and guitar driven rock-n-roll.
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Recording artist JJ Appleton is back on US soil....for now. Having spent the last ten months touring to support his most recent album "Someone Else’s Problem", released by AATW/UNIVERSAL, JJ’s music has been met with worldwide acclaim. Headlining shows and supporting acts such as Pete Yorn, Ben Lee, and Jamie Cullum, have established JJ as an “artist to watch”.
The single from that album (“Walk into the Room”) found it’s way onto BBC Radio 2, thanks to legendary DJ Terry Wogan. Wogan’s show is the biggest in all of the UK and Europe (9 million listeners daily), and support such as this has led to JJ’s emergence on the international music scene.
The momentum continues with the upcoming EP release, “Black and White Matinee” slated for May, 2008.
Many rainy days (and a love of PG Tips) led JJ to pen and record 6 new tracks, with multi-platinum producer Stephen Lironi (Hanson, Space, Bricolage, Black Grape). The daily trek on the tube up to Finsbury Park, London for recording and writing sessions have paid off. What started out as a few “demos” has now turned into an EP release entitled “Black & White Matinee”. While some may thrive in the sun, England served as a powerful muse for JJ. The new material has his usual emotion, humor and undeniable catchiness that his fans love him for, but the lyrical content has broadened beyond the “relationship” and delves deeply into matters of the soul.
Songs like “Today, Today, Today” and “Falling Down” capture a mood that is melancholy and hopeful at the same time. “Coming Back Alone” documents the tragedy of a friend’s lost battle with addiction. “You’re Sweet on Him” paints a powerful yet intimate picture of unrequited love.
With an eclectic upbringing, JJ has lived all over the world including Tonga, Sweden, London, Vermont, and New York City. As the son of a world famous composer/inventor (his father, Jon Appleton pioneered digital recording with his invention, The Synclavier in 1976), his upbringing exposed him to many cultures and artists growing up, which further fed the musical brain that feeds his creative drive.
JJ’s not just a musical performer, his numerous appearances on national (and international) television have included a guest house band slot on NBC’s Last Call with Carson Daly, guest host of E!’s Wild On, HBO’s Reverb, and MTV2 UK. His songs have appeared in The Wire (HBO), The Today Show (NBC) and The Guiding Light (CBS), The Oprah Show and Brothers and Sisters and he has composed music for films including the Emmy winning When America Was Rocked, by acclaimed director Bruce Sinofsky (Metallica: Some Kind of Monster), and Loki Film’s award winning "Boys of Baraka".
