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The term "singer/songwriter" almost seems as if it's become a pejorative term. The label gets thrown around a lot these days and seemingly applies to any musician with a voice and an instrument. Joe Hamgeri is here to change all of that. Joe's unique and refreshing approach to songwriting is the byproduct of many different influences and genres that range from rock to jazz and blues. Hamgeri doesn't always look for inspiration in convention musical structures though, many times he thinks outside of the box when writing his lyrics often times visualizing literary works. "I often think of musical situations comparable to scenes that a playwright would think up." Hamgeri's lyrical process usually starts with a solitary idea and then he continues to build off of that until he fleshes out a complete song. Never one to rush the creative process Joe takes his time with his songwriting,"Sometimes the creation of a song will span a few weeks, sometimes a few months". If his imaginative approach to songwriting wasn't enough, Hamgeri has a firm belief that melody is an integral part of his artistry. He provides the listener with diverse and interesting melodies that seem altogether fresh compared to the tired clichés of the singer/songwriter genre. Joe draws his melodic inventiveness from film composers such as Klaus Badelt and Johann Strauss. He tends to thinks of melodic statements in a linear fashion, preferring angular melodic lines that work compellingly into progressions unconventional to the standard rock/pop cannon. A self-taught musician, [Joe] started as a poet by trade in middle school but didn't get serious about songwriting until high school when he also picked up the guitar. In college, he joined various music groups include a chorale group and jazz band. These groups had a resounding impact on the young musician, especially the chorale group, which he says "taught me quite a bit about vocal performance and expression". With his newly acquired music experiences Joe was ready to bring his special brand of music to fruition. Surviving in the music industry today takes supreme dedication and an insatiable will to succeed. Hamgeri proved he had the right amount of both when he entered the Taylor University battle of the bands in 2007. Right before the contest began Hamgeri fell ill and didn't think he was going to be able to perform. Instead of succumbing to sickness he decided to play anyway eventually winning the contest. Armed with a creatively diverse musical palette Hamgeri seems to be poised to take the music world by storm. The originality and unique personality he brands his music with ensures him as a beacon on the rock/pop scene for years to come. Look for Joe Hamgeri's new E.P. entitled Violet! to be released in the upcoming weeks. For more information Joe can be found via the internet at his website www.joehamgeri.com and http://www.facebook.com/joehamgeri
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