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Sons of Maxwell

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The highly entertaining pop/folk band, S.O.M is built around and fronted by co-vocalists Don and Dave Carroll. Their signature close harmonies could only be genetic and this relationship is very evident in the "high energy, engaging performances" at their live shows and in S.O.M recorded works. The band has generated a very impressive discography in a relatively short time and most of their six albums feature the songwriting of Dave Carroll. The depth and diversity of Dave's gift is showcased best on the latest all original S.O.M album Among the Living (release date June 5, 2001, distributed by Distribution Fusion III). "The new album is like our live show ... we like to keep the energy level up but also run through the whole gamut of feelings and tempos" says Don. The S.O.M sound is catching the ears of a fast growing fan base and the band is packing houses and "electrifying audiences" wherever they play, both domestically and overseas.

S.O.M recently caught the attention of Canadian music directors and CMT with "The Neighbourhood" release (1998). Three successful singles and associated videos were produced. With their last album, S.O.M won industry awards and recognition, made the charts and the CMT Top 100 videos list (the only Indie group on that list). Based on the strength of their new album, Among the Living, and the massive momentum of recent years, S.O.M are definitely headed for the top.

The first single "So Confusing" has just been released to radio and plans for a new video are currently in the works. "Among the Living represents another evolution for Sons Of Maxwell with on the whole stronger songwriting and a more focused direction in our sound ... the most distinctive qualities of S.O.M are still evident on Among the Living ...in all aspects this CD is simply better than anything we have released thus far" says Dave. Impressive reviews of the new work are beginning to pour in and the touring continues.

Nova Scotia 2000 Galaxie Group of the Year

4 time East Coast Music Award nominee

#5 Best Atlantic Canadian Albums of All Time

#83 video, CMT’s 2000 Top 100

Winter 2001 - Ottawa Life: With a committed following and boundless energy, the Sons Of Maxwell will continue to achieve star status.

October 2000 - CMT’s Year Top 100 , #83: A duo of brothers from the Maritimes is proving to be the pair to watch on the horizon of success in Canada.

Reverb, February 2000 Best Atlantic Canadian Albums of All Time, #5 of top 20 albums -- The Neighbourhood: When you add The Neighbourhood to the three other albums the Ds have to their credit, it's clear there's just no stopping the steady success of the brothers Carroll.

Dave Carroll - Songwriter

The song's (Oceanside Again) tart shuffle rhythm, killer chorus, and singalong lyrics delivered in lockstep harmony make it irresistible. Several other songs follow in similar footsteps - So Many Things, The Lighthouse, and Will You Come Home are direct, memorable, well-written songs performed with energy and finesse.

Ron Foley MacDonald, The Daily News Dave Carroll, songwriter for Sons of Maxwell, has garnered much praise for his song writing skills. When asked how the songs come to him, Dave responds, It is the melody the music -- that comes to me first. The melody and tempo dictate the mood the lyrics will take. Most of the songs I write are about people and stories. Dave has been invited to participate in many song circles over the years with the following highlights:

Invited to perform at Nancy White's Jokebox Songwriters Concert at the East Coast Music Awards and Conference (ECMA) on February 8, 2001.

Participated in the NSMW Songwriters Circle in October 2000 , featuring Ian Thomas. Dave's songs were very well received and his first song, Hold On, affected the audience greatly and left not a dry eye in the room. His second song, When the Circus Comes to Town, had the opposite effect producing chuckles and belly laughs throughout the audience.

Participated in ECMA '99 (NFLD) Songwriters Circle with Gordie Sampson, Bruce Guthro, Maureen Ennis and Doris Mason .

Hosted Stanfest Songwriters Circle in 1999.

Participated in local Halifax circle with Terry Kelly and other artists.

Other interesting facts:

One of Dave's songs came second regionally in the 2000 National Songwriting Contest

The Lighthouse, from Sons of Maxwell's The Neighbourhood CD, has been the focus of study in two high school English classes in different parts of Canada.

Sons of Maxwell's upcoming CD will include all original songs penned by Dave Carroll. Recording has begun and the project is scheduled or release in May 2001.

Previous original songs from The Neighbourhood CD have received national radio airplay, and three have become videos on CMT Canada for Sons of Maxwell.

Others have recorded Dave's songs :

Sixteen for a While was recorded by Celtic Connection, was a hit in NFLD, and a video on CMT

Maggie was recorded by Highland Heights

Oceanside Again was recorded by an independent NB band, The Mizzenmen

And here is more of what the critics said about Dave's songwriting:

Dave Carroll, who penned eight of the 10 songs, proves he's no slouch in the writing department.

It's got everything that I look for in an album - great lyrics, wonderfully pleasant voices, excellent harmonies, up-tempo beats, top-notch hooks and incredible instrumentation. And it leaves me wanting to hear a whole lot more.

Raymond Arsenault, The Journal-Pioneer The Dave Carroll-penned Oceanside Again and The Lighthouse garnered positive radio programmer response, especially at key Ontario and Western Canadian Country and AC stations. Although not your typical commercial top 40 sounding act, Sons of Maxwell have already impressed dozens of music directors with their solid harmony and exceptional songs.

Paul Kennedy, Radio Tracker (from his report)

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