Podcast about Whiskey, Movies, and Music.

A Berklee College of Music alum Joelle James unearthed her vocals to global audiences on YouTube, and found herself discovered by one special listener -- superstar Chris Brown. Chris signed Joelle to his imprint, CBE (Interscope Records). As Joelle stumbled on a voice deeper than her vocals -- her pen -- her purpose was revealed: "I realized the goal was telling a story, baring my soul for art,” and she signed a publishing deal with Roc Nation. Fresh off millions of streams from “SCREAM” featuring Chris Brown (from Kevin Hart's What Now? Mixtape via Motown/Artist Live) -- plus her written repertoire for Tamar Braxton, Ella Mai, Saweetie, and Justine Skye -- Joelle James is now unleashing her iSCREAM Playlist. 🍦

Electricity fills the room when a musician or group of musicians express themselves from their core releasing a huge amount of energy. When the audience gives that energy right back it's intoxicating and addictive. Something really special happens and the sum is much greater than the individual parts and an authentic connection is made between the band and audience. A moment is shared that is forever remembered and cherished. Today there is so much talk about how a lot of new music is lifeless and boring especially at the concerts. The music is sometimes programmed and made into backing tracks. Nothing played live except the vocals, well, sometimes even that's pre-recorded. Where have all the true artists gone? We believe there is a resurgence of live music. Real music played by people that truly give everything they have to the music they make. We believe in the energy and love that live music brings to everyone involved. Olio was inspired by rock legends that made music in the moment without the help of computers and backing tracks. It's our responsibility to continue this inspired tradition. Sharing moments with you that can only happen at a live show. There is only one way to do this.

In 2014 the band released their 3 third full length studio album "UNTITLED." This is a much anticipated project, after their time with recording legend Eddie Kramer, who produced the bands last two EP's, Comeback Kings & the yet to be released France Sessions. They learned a lot and wanted to combine that knowledge with the energy and fun of their live shows. so when they returned from their Summer Tour in 2013, they hit the studio with reckless abandon. having played most of the new songs on tour, they were really tight and knew exactly how this record should sound and feel. This project offers a nice variety of rock, funk, and pop with well crafted songs and stories. In an era where people are focused on making "tracks" & "hooks" Olio is focused on the song. regardless of genre, the song is the most important thing. Then when you add that to a tight groove and or an edgy riff, you're creating something that people can sink their teeth into.

On December 18, 2012 Olio released the Comeback Kings EP produced by legendary producer/engineer Eddie Kramer (Hendrix, Zeppelin, Beatles, Stones, Santana, Woodstock, Kiss, Frampton, Robert Randolph, Grace Potter). This session was born from a project at Loyola Marymount University where Eddie and the band recorded their first single together "Hello/Goodbye". This prompted a new relationship so the band & Eddie could finish an EP. Before the project was done, Eddie needed a band to do a session in France for a Recording Workshop for some of the worlds top young Producers. So Olio got on a plane and while there, laid down the foundation tracks for the France Sessions EP. More importantly they wrote two new songs. One of which is "Rich People Problems" which Eddie loved and had the band record it immediately! Old school style, no click track, just push record and go! The song is now a staple in the live shows and shows the raw energy of the band as well as their groovesmanship. The second song "Round & Round" can be heard on their 2014 release "Untitled".

2011 is what kind of started all of this good fortune. Olio won the Emerging Artist Competition held by Rusty’s on the Santa Monica Pier. They were the only band to play the Twilight Dance Series twice in one summer, opening for Dawes with Jackson Browne in front of a crowd of several thousand music lovers. Shortly there after bassist Kelley Hill joined the band and they have been non-stop ever since.

Other accolades include the celebrated release of their 2010 single “Get It Good” following the success of the 2009 11 song album “Living The Dream.” The songs are dynamic ranging from the nylon stringed sweetness of “Completely Beautiful” about the profound impact of becoming a parent (received an Honorable Mention Award in the 2008 West Coast Songwriters International Competition) to a hard rock/rap collab that already has 20,000 NJ Devils fans shouting “Here We Go” at the Prudential Center. Their homage to the mamacita de futbol aka “Soccer Mom” inspired one impassioned UK critic to call them “sexist and subtle as a sledghammer.” The sound they create is rich and packs a punch reminiscent of the John Mayer Trio while thematically aiming for Stevie Wonder’s “Songs in the Key of Life.”

To experience Olio only on recording is doing yourself a disservice. yeah, it's nice to listen to some good songs but wouldn't rather see and feel the experience in person? So, maybe the question isn’t Who or What is Olio but rather When and Where?

olio is following