PureVolume

www.vicodinloveconfession.com

The decade of the 1970s was undeniably a goldrush for singer/songwriters. Gentle balladeers weaved together lush tapestries of orchestration and lyric with multi-platinum results. Artists such as Jim Croce, Cat Stevens, Neil Young, Harry Chapin and countless others valued the craft of songsmith over the flamboyant aesthetic of corporate rock and disco. Time unfortunately cut short of the lives and careers of many of these artists, and prevalling winds within the music industry made storytelling and genuine catharsis passe.

Vicodin Love Confession brings a feeling to music that has rarely been touched since the 70s. Honesty. VLC takes the listener's hand and leads them to view their world through a stained glass window filtered by booze, bad decisions and heartbreak. To see a place where light emerges through pain and the belief that in the end, we'll all be alright. If modern releases are considered "music", VLC can be considered a new style of art.

Fast forward to today.

A nation of youth are spoonfed TRL faux femmes "co-writing" pop singles funded by their creepy fathers and "songtitlesthatarewaytoolongfortheirowngood" image bands that rely more on elaborate videos than quality live performances. A general groundswell has been sensed throughout the nation - music fans are tired of being preached to about what is cool - they want to be individuals.

Enter VLC. Vicodin Love Confession has been creating music that crosses a country since 2004. As co-writers and more importantly friends in the small town of Kincardine, ON, Tyler Johnston (Vocals, Lyrics) and John Culbert (Guitars, Keys, Bass) were on-and-off collaborators who both shared a common goal; to exercise their own personal demons through complex arrangements presented in a simplistic format.

Acoustic guitars, heartfelt vocals, and a singular message - You don't have to be like everyone else. When Tyler moved to Saskatchewan in 2005, the two agreed to keep the partnership alive over the Internet. John recorded his new songs in a makeshift studio set up in his basement (hence the title of the debut album - "Basements") and shipped them long distance to Tyler, who added beautiful colours to the black and white sketches drawn on the solid spruce canvas of a Martin 6-String. Amassing an impressive collection of material over a 2 year period, the two artists have presented an epic selection of songs that deal with memories, failed relationships, depression, love, betrayal and cathartic transcendence. The brushfire 'Sleepaway Camp' lament of "On the Lake" perfectly compliments the "bottom of a bottle" tearful recollection of "Anthem for Autumn", while "With Every Word" plucks a lounge style guitar arrangement straight out of a jazz club and sets it in an all acoustic environment to deliver a message of emotional trauma. The achingly beautiful cover of the Rolling Stones' classic "Wild Horses" breathes new life into one of the most beautiful love songs of all-time and rounds the album out.

"I knew when Tyler laid the lyrics to 'On The Lake' that we had something very special happening with our music. I felt like if we didn't put this album out, that I would have failed in my life - Tyler gives life to these songs like no one ever could. If nothing ever happens for us in terms of a record deal, it would suit me fine - I use songwriting as therapy and I know TDub does too. If one kid listens to one of these songs and actually forms a memory with it...shares a moment if you will, then I am satisfied. People often dismiss indie records as being just that-not worthy of the mainstream. We are out to prove that theory wrong. These songs fit in on any mixtape you can produce." says John.

While the distance and odds to some would seem insurmountable, VLC tackled the mileage the only way they knew how - head on:

"I never thought writing songs together while living over 2000 miles apart would end up working, but we've proven that anything can happen. John is the link I was missing with my solo project, his paintings, drawn up by ethereal sounds and dripping with feeling always create an easy setting to get lost and write relaxing honest music to. I just hope people can listen to our music and identify with some issues and feel comfort in that moment of clarity..." says Tyler.

Two artists existing as a singular entity - that is the very essence of Vicodin Love Confession. Proof that distance is just that, an 8 letter word. Proof that music can overcome anything. Proof that Honesty is still the catalyst that drives real emotion..even in these times. It's time to take back what we love about music - it's time for Vicodin Love Confession, baby.