SUBSTATION 7
Independent Music Link Archive
 |
 |
 |
Artist Name: Juniper Album:
Email address:
info@happygreentrees.com
Hometown: Apopka, FL, USA
Website: www.happygreentrees.com
Style of music: Alternative
MySpace:
CDBaby:
SonicBids:
SoundClick:
Video: N/A
Description: N/A
Bio:
Juniper is the work of Ron and Lisa Potter, a couple very much in love; with each other, with their music, and with life. With the completion of their third album, "Escape," Ron and Lisa will share their love with anyone who wants to be moved by music and the simple joy of a great song. You will grow to love Juniper.
The story of how Lisa and Ron met may seem to some like the story of any first date, but to them it marks a turning point in their lives. Lisa remembers seeing Ron at a picnic in 1991, while he was in college and she was still in high school. "I remember him looking sad but having fabulous arms." She says. Lisa told a friend that she wanted to meet him and the message was relayed to Ron. "Her friend told me she thought I was cute," Ron recalls, "That's girl talk for 'sexiest man she'd ever seen." Their first date ended with a tender kiss and the rest is history.
Lisa is classically trained in voice and an accomplished percussionist. Her mother started her with piano lessons at eight years old and she's been doing it ever since. Over the years, Lisa joined in her school choirs and bands, playing everything from classical to jazz. She learned to play a variety of percussion instruments and continued to hone her voice. Although Ron had always been strongly motivated by music, it wasn't until college that he began to study guitar. Ron was never classically trained but an inescapable urge to involve himself with music has driven him to learn as much as he can.
After they were married, Ron and Lisa bought a sequencer so that Lisa could practice playing piano while Ron set his sights on learning the machine's other functions: programming and assembling tracks, beats, and samples. In short, while Lisa was singing, Ron was learning how to compose and produce music. Ron shared his dreams with Lisa saying that one day he would write songs for her and the two of them would create a band and take their music as far as it could go.
As Ron became more proficient, his music began to improve and he convinced Lisa to work with him. With her musical sense added to his, the two were able to write their first compositions. Lisa loved to sing and Ron loved the often tedious process of recording, re-recording and mastering the tracks. "It's always a give and take" Says Lisa. They called their band "Juniper" an ode to their spirituality and a symbol for the inspired nature of their music. Working from diverse influences, Ron and Lisa created a versatile milieu of sounds carried by Lisa's powerful voice but enhanced by elements of jazz, ambient, electronic, even hip hop. There is no definition for their music because it creates a category for itself.
With the help of some stand-in musicians, Ron and Lisa produced two full length albums; the first "Juniper" was released in 1998. Ron admits that the production quality was poor but already the pair showed some incredible potential. By the time they released their second album "Unspoken" in 2003, Ron and Lisa were better at working together and Ron took more time with the production achieving a more polished sound.
While they continued to record, Juniper made several live appearances in the Florida area playing for crowds of different sizes from churches to coffee houses. The audiences have responded warmly to their soft, moving melodies and their deep visceral beats.
For their newest album, "Escape," Ron and Lisa have achieved an even more graceful presence. Lisa's voice is refined, yet passionate and the beats and background music are deeply involving, bringing the listener into every song.
Ron and Lisa found love when they met, but it is clear that they also love what they do. For the future, the couple hopes to be more active as a live act, making appearances whenever possible, and it won't be long before they are back in the studio for another recording session. In the meantime, Ron will continue to write songs about the world, emotions, and experiences. There are a million songs about love affairs, but Juniper is a love affair in itself, set to music, and we are invited to share it with them.
Press Release:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Press Contact: Rhonda Kelley Tel: 617-536-1461 RKelley283@aol.com
*JUNIPER RELEASES THIRD ALBUM: "ESCAPE"*
* *
The third release from Juniper may be their most compelling to date. Lisa Potter's beautiful voice and emotional delivery has reached new heights, while producer and musician Ron Potter has let his imagination go; crafting a unique blend of music and ambience that carries Lisa's voice like a dream. You can't escape the sensual appeal of Juniper.
After releasing a self-titled album in 1998 and a follow up, "Unspoken," in 2003 producer/musician Ron Potter and Singer Lisa Potter have some experience with making music. Together they've learned to mix Lisa's sensual, powerful voice with a variety of instruments, electronica, and heart pounding beats. With Ron's skill for writing moving lyrics and Lisa's ability to add genuine flavor to everything she sings, the two have been quickly gaining in popularity. With the release of their newest and most refined album, "Escape," Juniper proves that they are only improving with time.
The songs on "Escape" are hard to categorize; utilizing guitars, bass, keyboards and a variety of samples they create an otherworldly atmosphere with a variety of manifestations. On "Vexed," edgy guitars keep the pace pounding while Lisa's voice pleads with the audience. The title track, "Escape" begins with a beat that seems played over a desert oasis, while Lisa's voice is ethereal, as if floating across a mysterious mist. Each song is different and compelling, keeping the listener fastened to their sound.
"Our music is a stewpot of sonic fulfillment," Says Ron. "Each piece retains its integrity of taste while at the same time adding a unique, enhancing flavor to the whole." Ron says that his music is simple, "nothing fancy" but when taken as a whole the effect is sonically profound. "The sound is elementary AND collegiate" Adds Lisa "by having simple vocals mixed with complex rhythms." Ron and Lisa both strive for versatility, trying to mix their sounds and to keep it interesting from track to track. "The music can go from gritty to angelic," Lisa explains.
Though Ron and Lisa are humble about their talents, they are happy to think that their music can influence the lives of their listeners. "I hope people will hear a myriad of messages through our music," Says Ron "Its not exclusively 'dance' music or 'ambient.'" Though both Ron and Lisa are spiritually motivated, they don't want their music to speak to only one type of person; they want everyone to connect with their songs. Ron's lyrics are written to engage the listener's imagination, allowing them to see shadows of themselves in every song. "I would like for our music to affect people by causing them to look beyond the norm and look inside themselves" Lisa explains.
Even though they have three albums to their credit, Juniper is just getting started. After the release of their newest album the couple hopes to spend more time on the road, playing live versions of their songs. Ron will continue to write and it won't be long till they're back in the studio for round four. Juniper is a spiritual and sensual mix, rarely found in combination but beautiful to the ear and expanding to the mind. If you love great music, you won't be able to resist Juniper.
