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Justin Levinson

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Justin Levinson
Background information
Born (1985-09-09) September 9, 1985 (age 39)
Vergennes, Vermont, U.S.
OccupationSinger-songwriter
Instrument(s)Vocals, piano, guitar, trumpet, trombone
Years active2006–present
Websitewww.justinlevinson.com

Justin Levinson is an American singer-songwriter from Vermont.

Music career

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The son of singer-songwriter Bob Levinson, Justin Levinson grew up in Vergennes.[1][2] In high school, he was introduced to Lester Bowie and Fontella Bass, who were traveling on a grant to bring jazz to rural areas. He attended Berklee College of Music in Boston, accepted in part due to a letter of recommendation from Bowie.[3][4] He started out studying jazz trumpet, before switching to and getting his degree in songwriting.[5]

On his earlier releases, Levinson's sound has drawn many comparisons to Ben Folds.[6][7]

1175 Boylston

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Levinson released his first album, 1175 Boylston, in 2006, while a student at Berklee.[2] On the album (which was named after Levinson's address at the time), he supplied the vocals and played piano, trumpet and trombone while his father played guitar, bass and drums on some tracks, with fellow Berklee student Adam Popick supplying the remaining instruments.[8] The single "City With Two Streetlights" spent eight weeks on the CMJ Top 25 charts.[9] Faculty members of the Berklee songwriting department also voted the album's opening track “Sunny Day” the best song of the year.[10] Following the album's release, Levinson played the 2006 International Pop Overthrow Festival, and was named Best Male Artist at The 4th Annual IAMA (International Acoustic Music Awards).[11][12]

Bury Your Love

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In 2007, Levinson, by then a graduate of Berklee, released his second album, Bury Your Love.[2] Many reviews of this record noted the influence of Elton John.[13][14] The same year, he won the ASCAPLUS award and was a finalist in the USA Songwriting Competition.[15][16]

Predetermined Fate

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Levinson's 2009 release, Predetermined Fate, had a more country-influenced style.[17][18] One single on the album, "Waiting For Someone To Love Me", was played heavily on Sirius, and he was nominated for the Sirius singer-songwriter discovery of the year.[19][20] Another track, “Losing You To Tennessee”, was featured on Virgin Airlines flights.[21]

This Side of Me, This Side of You

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In 2012, Levinson released This Side of Me, This Side of You, his first album with his band, The Valcours.[22] The band is made up of Sean Witters on guitar, Seth Barbiero on bass, Josh Glass on organ and synthesizer, and Simon Plumpton on drums and sampler, with Levinson writing the songs, and the group writing the arrangements.[23] Levinson plays piano and provides vocals.[24] The album included a number of guest contributions as well.[25] Boston-based recording artist Will Dailey appeared on the track "Let You Go", Burlington singer/songwriter Gregory Douglass contributed to "Love You Goodbye", and Liz Longley was on "I Was So Wrong."[26][27][28]

Take My Time

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In 2013, Levinson released the three-song EP Take My Time.[29] Noted in reviews as a slight departure from his work with the Valcours, the EP took a more country-influenced turn on the third and final track, “Bid The Rest Goodbye”, which employs steel guitars and fiddles.[30][31]

Yes Man

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Early 2017, Justin Levinson released his fifth studio album Yes Man. The album was produced by Adam Popick. After touring California, he was invited by Songs & Whispers, a European booking agency, to tour Germany, the Netherlands, and Belgium.[32][33][34]

During 2018, Justin Levinson collaborated with Anna Nalick on a new single titled A Part of Me.[35]

Collamer Circle

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Collamer Circle is the fifth full-length studio album by Justin Levinson, marking his return to the music scene after a six-year hiatus. Released in 2023, the album is a culmination of Levinson's journey as an artist, reflecting his growth and evolution both personally and musically. The album showcases a blend of power-pop, soft rock, and introspective lyricism, all of which are underscored by Levinson's signature storytelling and melodic sensibility.[36][37]

Collamer Circle has been praised by critics as Levinson’s most accomplished work to date. Reviewers have highlighted the album’s rich melodies, thoughtful lyrics, and the seamless integration of various musical styles. The collaboration between Levinson and Ben Patton has been lauded for bringing out the best in both songwriters, resulting in an album that feels both nostalgic and fresh.[38][39]

Live performances

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Levinson has played live in support of Apollo Sunshine, Serena Ryder, The Verve Pipe, Big Head Todd and the Monsters, Matt Wertz, Chris Barron of the Spin Doctors, Grand Archives and Zox.[40][41] He toured with One Tree Hill star and singer-songwriter Tyler Hilton.[42][43] He has toured with Aaron Carter, opening on select dates of the After Party Tour, as well as with Teddy Geiger and Howie Day.[44][45] He has appeared at NXNE and the Boston International Pop Overthrow.[46][47] He has also made television performances, including on Bangor's WLBZ, Connecticut's WTNH, Backstage With Barry Nolan (Comcast), The 10 Show! (NBC Philadelphia), NECN Morning News, Fox 44 Boston, Plum TV on Martha’s Vineyard and Late Night Saturday WCAX Burlington, Vermont.[48][49][50]

Film industry

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Levinson wrote and performed a song for the 2013 film The Den, entitled "Love You Goodbye".[51]

Work with Champlain Community Services

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Levinson works for Champlain Community Services, an organization dedicated to help provide services and self-advocacy to developmentally disabled adults.[52] He facilitates a show called The Advocacy Team, which airs on Vermont Community Access Media.[53] The show features clients of Champlain Community Services interviewing local celebrities.[54]

Discography

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Artist Title Format Label Year
Justin Levinson 1175 Boylston CD OutTake Records 2006
Justin Levinson Bury Your Love CD OutTake Records 2007
Justin Levinson Predetermined Fate CD None 2009
Justin Levinson & The Valcours This Side of Me, This Side of You CD Justin Levinson & The Valcours 2012
Justin Levinson Take My Time CD EP Justin Levinson 2013
Justin Levinson Yes Man CD Justin Levinson 2017
Justin Levinson Collamer Circle CD Justin Levinson 2023

References

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  1. ^ "Bio". Bob Levinson. Retrieved 2013-08-12.
  2. ^ a b c "Justin Levinson, Bury Your Love | Seven Days". 7dvt.com. Retrieved 2013-08-12.
  3. ^ "REVIEWS | Justin Levinson - 1175 Boylston album review". Hybridmagazine.Com. Retrieved 2013-08-12.
  4. ^ Livewell, Shannon (2014). "The Charger Bulletin » Livewell's Latest". chargerbulletin.com. Retrieved April 17, 2014. Lester Bowie and Motown legend Fontella Bass. They were both on a grant to bring jazz to rural areas and they happened to come to Vergennes, VT, where I was in school
  5. ^ "Interview with Burlington, Vermont based singer-songwriter, Justin Levinson, playing The Westcott Theater on February 24th". Upstatelive.com. Archived from the original on 2014-04-19. Retrieved 2013-08-12.
  6. ^ "Justin Levinson performs on FOX25 - Boston News, Weather, Sports | FOX 25". MyFoxBoston. Archived from the original on 2013-08-13. Retrieved 2013-08-12.
  7. ^ "NECN Shows - News". Boston.com. 2006-08-22. Retrieved 2013-08-12.
  8. ^ "CD REVIEW: ...1175 Boylston... Impressive Debut for Berklee Student - The Tech". Tech.mit.edu. Retrieved 2013-08-12.
  9. ^ "Maritime Festival Announces FREE Concert Music Series (Aug 10,11,12) | Vermont Business Magazine". Vermontbiz.com. Archived from the original on 2013-08-13. Retrieved 2013-08-12.
  10. ^ "Justin Levinson". Wacbiz.com. Archived from the original on 2011-12-30. Retrieved 2013-08-12.
  11. ^ rob v (2006-10-31). "Cheap Thrills - Boston: International Pop Overthrow 2006". Cheapthrillsboston.net. Retrieved 2013-08-12.
  12. ^ "IAMA | International Acoustic Music Awards | Past Featured Artists". Inacoustic.com. Retrieved 2013-08-12.
  13. ^ "JUSTIN LEVINSON - Bury Your Love (mini-CD) :: Not Lame Recordings - power pop and melodic rock record label, music and CDs". Notlame.com. Archived from the original on 2013-08-13. Retrieved 2013-08-12.
  14. ^ "Justin Levinson "Bury Your Love" - Powerpopholic". Powerpopaholic.com. 2008-02-10. Retrieved 2013-08-12.
  15. ^ "New Jersey Folk Festival". Njfolkfest.rutgers.edu. 2011-12-15. Retrieved 2013-08-12.
  16. ^ "ASCAP Plus Awards Information". Ascap.com. Retrieved 2013-08-12.
  17. ^ "Music listings - The Boston Globe". Boston.com. 2009-11-19. Retrieved 2013-08-12.
  18. ^ "Justin Levinson, Predetermined Fate | Skope Entertainment Inc". Skopemag.com. 2009-11-20. Retrieved 2013-08-12.
  19. ^ Fri 4/6 - Doors: 8:30 p.m.. Show: 9:00 p.m. 21+ $5. "Saint Solitude | Live Music at The Monkey House Winooski, VT". Monkeyhousemusic.com. Retrieved 2013-08-12.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  20. ^ "First Night Burlington". First Night Burlington. Archived from the original on 2013-12-26. Retrieved 2013-08-12.
  21. ^ Dave Dircks. "Justin Levinson LIVE at Acoustic Long Island". Acoustic Long Island. Retrieved 2013-08-11.
  22. ^ "Indie Spotlight: Justin Levinson and the Valcours". Culture Tease. Archived from the original on 2013-06-18. Retrieved 2013-08-12.
  23. ^ "Justin Levinson and the Valcours". Higher Plain Music. 17 March 2012. Retrieved 2013-08-12.
  24. ^ Peter Biello (August 2, 2012). "Levinson Captures "Feel Good Hearbreak" Vibe In New Album". VPR. Retrieved 2013-08-11.
  25. ^ JP's Music Blog (2012-01-20). "JP's Music Blog: CD Review: Justin Levinson Shows Us His Better "Side"". Jpsmusicblog.blogspot.com. Retrieved 2013-08-12.
  26. ^ "Justin Levinson & The Valcours - Let You Go (feat. Will Dailey) OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO". YouTube. 2011-11-26. Retrieved 2013-08-12.
  27. ^ Custom License. "Love You Goodbye | Justin Levinson & The Valcours". Musicxray.com. Archived from the original on 2014-10-23. Retrieved 2013-08-12.
  28. ^ "I Was So Wrong - Justin Levinson & The Valcours (OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO)". YouTube. 2011-07-17. Retrieved 2013-08-12.
  29. ^ Plain, Higher (2012-12-04). "Justin Levinson – "Take My Time" Review". Higher Plain Music. Retrieved 2013-08-12.
  30. ^ Haney, Shawn M. (2013-03-28). "Justin Levinson – "Take My Time" | Performer Magazine". Performermag.com. Archived from the original on 2013-10-30. Retrieved 2013-08-12.
  31. ^ "Justin Levinson – 'Take My Time EP' Review". Venturemag.co.uk. 2013-04-17. Retrieved 2013-08-12.
  32. ^ "Music Video Premiere – Justin Levinson's Homewrecking Machine". Huffington Post. 2017-02-16. Retrieved 2017-12-31.
  33. ^ "Justin Levinson displays essential piano pop on Together Forever". Glide Magazine. 2017-01-19. Retrieved 2017-12-31.
  34. ^ "Justin Levinson: Songwriter-Pop der Extraklasse". Kreiszeitung. 2017-10-05. Retrieved 2017-12-31.
  35. ^ "Premiere: Walk The Rainy Day Streets with Justin Levinson to his Jazzy "A Part Of Me" (Ft. Anna Nalick)". Atwood Magazine. 2018-10-16. Retrieved 2019-01-05.
  36. ^ Patrick, Natalie. "Justin Levinson returns with his latest album "Collamer Circle"". Earmilk. Retrieved 3 September 2024.
  37. ^ Rae, Jimmy. "Justin Levinson Invites US to 'Collamer Circle'". Skope Mag. Retrieved 3 September 2024.
  38. ^ The Blogger, Chris. "Justin Levinson's "Collamer Circle" is a Sonic Masterpiece". Music Arena GH. Retrieved 3 September 2024.
  39. ^ Farnsworth, Chris. "Justin Levinson, 'Collamer Circle'". Seven Days. Retrieved 3 September 2024.
  40. ^ "Justin Levinson". Nightskyentertainment.net. Archived from the original on 2013-08-13. Retrieved 2013-08-12.
  41. ^ + Post an Event!. "Grand Archives, Sera Cahoone, Justin Levinson | Seven Days". 7dvt.com. Retrieved 2013-08-13.
  42. ^ Caitlin (October 4, 2012). "Show Review: Tyler Hilton at Il Motore". Confront Magazine. Archived from the original on April 18, 2014. Retrieved 2013-08-11.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  43. ^ "Justin Levinson : Take My Time | Free Music Download". Noisetrade.com. Retrieved 2013-08-12.
  44. ^ Photo: Emily Slack. "Pop star Aaron Carter remixes his image on After Party tour | The NewsHouse | Syracuse University and Community News - S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications". The NewsHouse. Retrieved 2013-08-13.
  45. ^ Stickle, Sarah (2014). "Arts - Vermont Cynic - University of Vermont". vermontcynic.com. Archived from the original on 19 April 2014. Retrieved 17 April 2014.
  46. ^ "NXNE 2012 Canada Music Festivals". Soundandscene.com. 2012-06-17. Retrieved 2013-08-12.
  47. ^ "Boston 2012". International Pop Overthrow. Retrieved 2013-08-12.
  48. ^ "Singer/Songwriter Justin Levinson | Video". Wlbz2.com. Archived from the original on 2014-04-18. Retrieved 2013-08-12.
  49. ^ "Stage 8 Presents: Justin Levinson". Wtnh.com. 2013-01-29. Retrieved 2013-08-12.
  50. ^ "Justin Levinson & The Valcours | XMR.fm". Xmrradio.com. Retrieved 2013-08-12.
  51. ^ Webster, Andy (13 March 2014). "'The Den' Explores a Web-Based Murder". The New York Times – via NYTimes.com.
  52. ^ "Champlain Community Services » » Self Advocacy". Ccs-vt.org. Retrieved 2013-08-12.
  53. ^ "vermontcam.org". vermontcam.org. Retrieved 2013-08-12.
  54. ^ "The Advocacy Team - WCAX.COM Local Vermont News, Weather and Sports". Wcax.com. Retrieved 2013-08-12.
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