Kennedy and The Honorary Title Get Ready to Release New Music to the Masses

If you were to take the quirkiness of Napoleon Dynamite and mix in the sheik cool of Beck you may end up with the fun and funk that is Kennedy! Kennedy is the quirky disco/funk Hollywood singer/songwriter who sports tuxedos and white shoes that might actually be older than he is. You have to love (or at least be intrigued by) anyone who claims to be a fan of early Ice Cube, Sly and The Family Stone and ABBA!! On his up coming disc "Kennedy for President" (due out September 25th) Kennedy mashes up seventies dance rhythms and country style harmonica to create the tune "Hillbilly Witchcraft". The lead off track "Karate" is an ode to 70's disco and the tune "Mama Made Me a Pimp" will conjure up visions of Solid Gold Dancers and episodes of the Love Boat!! The first single, "Your Mama" is as Kennedy puts it, "an ode to all of the beautiful, alluring mothers everywhere!" The video for the single has become the hottest download on You Tube this summer. So is Kennedy for real? Is he putting us on? Well the fact is there is much humor to be had on Kennedy for President, but his love for disco, white belts and tuxes with ruffles is real and in a strangely compelling way a breath of fresh air. If you are looking for something that is truly an "alternative" to blinged out gangsta rap and the whining of pretty emo boys then this self proclaimed boogie knight just might have what you need. A tour late summer is in the works and he has already passed a true test by participating on some select dates on the Warped Tour last year. When you can win over the punk rock crowd anything is possible. On September 25th break out your disco ball, get out your ballot out and cast your vote for Kennedy.

The Pessimism and Hope of The Honorary Title

Thanks to entities like American Idol, Britney what's her name and Lindsay so and so (yes I am bitter) the term "pop" has become a dirty word. Thankfully there are a few bands who understand that you can have substance and introspective thought tied to great melodies. These are the elements that make up great pop and these are also the ingredients that make up the sound of the Brooklyn based band, The Honorary Title. The Honorary Title was the working title of the solo project for singer/songwriter Jarrod Gorbel. In 2003 The Honorary Title became the duo of Gorbel and bassist/multi-instrumentalist Aaron Kamstra. The two played shows on the New York club circuit and ended up releasing their indie debut, "Anything But The Truth". While touring in support of the disc the duo became a quartet by adding Jonathan Wiley on guitar and drummer Adam Boyd. The group is now poised to release their second disc, "Scream and Light Up The Sky" on a major label. The band's second disc boasts a maturity in both song writing and musicianship. Songs like "Stuck at Sea" and "Untouched and Intact" have a soaring feeling with ethereal guitar playing, subtle harmonies and Gorbel's heartfelt vocals. On slower numbers such as "Far More" and "Along the Way" the band brings a slight country feel to their brand of indie pop. It's a gusty move to say the least but the boys from Brooklyn make it work. The listener will indeed be able to pick up slight nods to 80's styled rock and Brit-pop but make no mistake the band has their own unique style and although Gorbel's lyrics speak of sadness, pessimism and fear of the unknown, he can't help but inject the idea of hope and a sly sense of humor (and sarcasm) into every note he sings. If you want a bit of humor, style and substance injected into your music collection this summer, look no further than The Honorary Title.