P.J. Pacifico
Norwalk, Connecticut, United States | INDIE
Music
Press
"I dig his voice and the personal nature of his songs....very cool." ~ Edwin McCain
"P.J. has landed call letters ranging from WXPN to KINK…Let’s just cut to the chase: indie singer-songwriter P.J. Pacifico is getting noticed by the right people in the right places." ~ the top 22.com
"Peej’s Almost There EP is every bit as breezy, West Coast as his surname. 'The Answer' carries a Jayhawks ring, while the resigned 'Jackbone' recalls rock-bottom James Taylor on a sunnier day." ~ Illinois Entertainer
"...heartfelt lyrics delivered with smooth vocals...Pacifico delivers well crafted songs dripping with sincerity. This 6 song EP will tie fans over until his forthcoming second album is released next year." ~ Matt Kott, Beyond Race Magazine
"...impressive instrumental technique and a finely-honed pop sensibility, that's fused with the slightly C&W, sensitive singer/songwriter." ~ Connect Savannah
"When we heard him sing – an incredibly inspiring and soulful voice – we knew we had the right guy." ~ Ken Hays, Executive Director of Gathering of the Vibes
"His hooks don't miss and his voice contains an everyman warmth...following in the footsteps of John Mayer and Stephen Kellogg..." ~ Stamford Advocate
"Pacifico has a clean, easy style, and an understated band to match." ~ Fairfield County Weekly - Stamford Advocate/Fairfield Country Weekly
P.J. & FULL BAND performing "Jackbone" @ GATHERING OF THE VIBES '09 festival: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s6YolNUsbc4
P.J. & FULL BAND performing "Don't Wanna Know Why" (Whiskeytown) from GATHERING OF THE VIBES '09 festival: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BBjzdsEx36k
P.J. & FULL BAND performing "I'm Home" from GATHERING OF THE VIBES '09 festival: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YUjKMANHP28
P.J. performing "This Street" w/ full band.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LzJPjeHsqcU
P.J. performing "Incognito" on Nantucket's, Plum TV:
http://www.plumtv.com/videos/singer-songwriter-pj-pacifico/index.html
P.J. promotes fall tour and performs "The Girl From Montreal":
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z1xNKOt84vI
Quick promo video of P.J.:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K3goQSccfvE
P.J. live in Chicago:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P9h31G
- youtube
P.J. Pacifico - Always & Everywhere
2009, Viper Records
Norwalk, Connecticut's P.J. Pacifico has lived there all his life and yet seemingly hasn't been home in years. He's been all over the US and Canada sharing his music with crowds both large and small, gaining a perspective on the world that informs his songwriting on his second album, Always & Everywhere (available July 14, 2009). Pacifico's voice has been compared to that of James Taylor, although I find him to be a lot closer in sound to the sound of The Paperboy's Tom Landa or Peter Stuart of Dog's Eye View.
Pacifico opens with Batten Down, a quintessential Pop/Rock tune full of great hooks and a strong melody. Batten Down is as catchy as the flu. The Girl From Montreal is a wistful and sweet love song about first loves and the effect they can still have on you years later. The narrator walks away knowing she's happy but still wishing for "one more walk in the snow". Jackbone is about extending a vacation because there's nothing really worth going home to. This was written during a Colorado snowstorm and features The Samples' Sean Kelly on harmony vocals. I'm Home is a finely crafted acoustic Pop tune that matches up well for alternative rock and pop radio.
Pacifico makes a brave choice in covering The Beatles I Wanna Hold Your Hand. Pacifico sticks with the essential melody, but gives the song his own read in a down-tempo, nearly contemplative version that is a pleasure. There's an almost melancholy feel to Pacifico's version but it works well. This one's just Pacifico and his ukulele. Enjoy looks at the benefits of being in a long-standing relationship where you can simply be yourself. The song is charming and well written and a potential classic. First Light is about diving into love with both hands and feet. It's a great song and certainly radio-ready. My favorite song on the disc is Incognito, an expression of faith in a love that's about to be tested by separation. This song is destined for mix tapes as well as for certain licensing for prime-time television (if the folks that select such songs don't catch on to Pacifico's Incognito they don't belong in their jobs). You'll also want to check out I Can't Say No, Easier and Curtain Call.
P.J. Pacifico has an easy-on-the-ears light Pop/Rock sound that's certain to gain him some attention at commercial radio. Don't be surprised to hear several tracks from Always & Everywhere licensed. It's not a matter of talent or quality but of breaks. If the breaks go Pacifico's way he'll be huge. Always & Everywhere is great stuff!
Rating: 4 Stars (Out of 5) - Wildy's World
Discography
2005 LP "WELL I'LL BE"
2008 EP "ALMOST THERE"
2009 LP "ALWAYS & EVERYWHERE"
Photos
Bio
Critically acclaimed singer-songwriter P.J. Pacifico has released his new, eagerly awaited sophomore effort, Always & Everywhere. Filled with P.J.s trademark brand of warm, inviting, hook-filled songs, the themes of Always & Everywhere take in everything from love and survival to redemption and recovery. The tracks JACKBONE & INCOGNITO have been getting great airplay across the country, along with P.J.'s cover of The Beatles', I Want To Hold Your Hand. The ukulele version of The Beatles song has also been added to XM/Sirius satellite radio.
"P.J. has landed call letters ranging from WXPN to KINK Lets just cut to the chase: indie singer-songwriter P.J. Pacifico is getting noticed by the right people in the right places." ~ the top 22.com
With the exception of the track The Answer, all but one of the six songs that comprise the Almost There-EP will be released on Almost & Everywhere. The leadoff single, Jackbone, features an appearance by The Samples Sean Kelly on background vocals, and will be serviced to AAA/Americana radio. P.J.'s sound has been described as a jam session between James Taylor, Matthew Sweet with some classic rock influences thrown in for good measure. His songs feel immediately familiar and comfortable; straight from the heart and sure to get stuck in your head.
Within the past year, P.J. has shared the stage with Crosby, Stills & Nash, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Sugarland, Hank Williams Jr., Levon Helm, Bob Weir & Ratdog, The Wailers, Donavon Frankenreiter, Dar Williams, Guster, moe., Ryan Shaw, and Sean Kelly of The Samples.
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