Tea For Julie

www.teaforjulie.net

I’m at the Crystal Ballroom to hear this band. The first song starts to play and I have to stop and ask myself, “Why are they opening with a U2 cover?”. Well, turns out, it wasn’t. It was just that good.
 
Take note, Tea For Julie (barring any hideous band break-up) will be HUGE someday.
 
Forget the big names they have opened for, or the early indie record they put out.  Forget their MySpace page or their local shows. All have been impressive and righteously enjoyable. But someday soon, this may just end up being your favorite band.
 
Michael Deresh  tries to shy away from the limelight as their leader and lead singer, but to no avail. He crafts songs with both technical brilliance and complete marketability, equally. His voice sounds good clean, is fun when he screams, and floats when he is in falsetto. He’s Bono with humility, he’s a non-self-destructive Jim Morrison, he’s the musical son John Lennon wished he had. He’s got the face and voice that will make him a very rich and famous man, whether he likes it or not.
 
His band is a collection of enigmas. They are more hard core rockers: tattooed, drinking and militant. But onstage they all blend seamlessly into a vibrant groove that completely envelops a crowd. Guitarist Travis Stanek is a force to be reckoned with. While he likes to rock out, he has a knack for bringing the dynamic harmonies to life on his guitar, making the music go. Denver Warner is so ‘on’ during the shows that it is everything he can do to not kick over the gear and leap into the crowd, yet still holds a steady bass for the band. He in particular, is credited for the truly unique sounds they are able to create for some of their songs. Then comes Jad Simpson. He is calm, cool, steady, diligent. Oh, and he is likely one of the better drummers to have hit the Crystal all year.
 
It’s hard to guess as to which of their songs will hit huge on the charts, because like having children, it’s tough to pick a favorite. ‘Hello’ is the U2-ish song that I just can’t stop listening to. But then there are all the new darlings on their soon to be released album, ‘The Sense In Tying Knots’. ‘Snowglobe’, ‘Pollyanna’, ‘And Winter Calls’…too hard to choose.
 
They still have some work to do. They still need a few key elements (record deal, management, etc). But it won’t take long. And when they do, did I mention this will be your favorite band? Actually let’s help out here a bit…Someone PLEASE sign this band! Tea For Julie is the giant who has walked among men in the Portland music scene.
 
To quote a line from ‘Nip/Tuck’, “I’ve paid my dues and now I want some overnight success”. That night will be soon.