Live Artist Network
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PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Portland, OR April 17, 2012 – Patchwork Family is a band built out of the eviction of the Occupy Portland encampment. On November 13, 2011, as the last tents were being dismantled and thrown into dumpsters, Justin James Bridges, the sign language interpreter and beloved friend to many, was caught in the middle of the police confrontation. On that day he met “Justin 165” and “Jane Doe 18” as they attempted to help him to safety, but he was ripped from their grasp by the Portland Police Department, flex-cuffed and battered, and put into an ambulance. The next day, Justin and Jane were able to locate Bridges in the hospital where they introduced themselves and told him what they had witnessed. They brought Bridges and other displaced Occupiers home with them and they all committed themselves to helping him recover from his injuries. As the Occupiers got to know each other they realized they had something in common; they were all musicians. As Justin began to regain limited use of his right hand they began to share their music with each other. Soon they decided to form a band, and they called themselves Patchwork Family.
Patchwork Family is more than just the name of a band; it is a description of a sound. Just as a patchwork quilt is made of pieces from various types of cloth, a family can be composed of people from diverse backgrounds and walks of life. The music that Patchwork Family creates cannot be defined by any one genre or label. It is a patchwork of styles and genres that are brought together to form a sound that is as passionate as it is indefinable. From blues to funk, from folk to rock, with some bluegrass, punkabilly and gypsy vibes weaving their way throughout, there is something for everyone in their music. In their first album, “Beyond Eviction,” they express their passion for personal freedom, self-actualization and compassion for the fate of humanity. Many songs on “Beyond Eviction” were written well before the first tent was placed in Zucotti Park. Their story reflects the magic of how an unfortunate and painful event can bring people together and allow them to create something very special.
“Beyond Eviction” will be available for free download at PatchworkFamilyBand.com and CDBaby.com on Friday, April 20. For more information, promo requests or to set up an interview please contact Live Artist Network, 503-512-9526, LiveArtistNetwork@gmail.com. More information can also be found at patchworkfamilyband.com and on FaceBook at facebook.com/patchworkfamilyband.
TO: Justin James Bridges
Dear Justin–Only minutes ago, a person I co-write songs with sent me a link to the Patchwork Family Band, where I read about you and listened to (and watched the video) of “Boys in Blue”. I could do nothing else but applaud and identify with the philosophy and the sound of Patchwork Family Band. My kudos!
The reason my friend contacted me is because I recently recorded a demo titled “Occupyin’ with the 99%”, and he thought there might be a chance you would like it, perhaps like it enough to perform it, maybe even to incorporate it into one or more of your patchwork projects.
I won’t waste your time with a sales pitch–looking at the schedule you’re on, you don’t have time for pitches. I just want you to know I’m on your side, and would be thrilled if you could/would make use of my song. I’d be very honored to be included as a small patch.
I’ve tried to attach the mp3 of the song to this message, but I’m in Panama at the moment, and the local ISP is playing hard-to-deal-with, so let me just hope that you will visit my blog http://www.lyricworkshop.com, click on “song demos”, then click on the very first song in the list and give it a listen.
And if you wish, you’re invited to click on my “bio”, or my “lyric list”, and browse around. I think you’ll find we have a lot in common.
Thanks for hearing me out, and may the force be with you in spreading the good word with your music!
Larry Dodge