An earnest singer/songwriter with some folkie influences (think Nick Drake and Richard Thompson) alongside a big dose of contemporary indie rock along the lines of the Shins and the Pernice Brothers, Justin Glanville makes politely catchy, low-key pop songs with melodies just inventive and memorable enough to lift the Ohio native over the pack of similar young guitar-toting would-be heartthrobs. Born and raised in Cleveland, Glanville was a classically trained pianist who took up both pop music and the guitar in high school. Settling in Brooklyn after college, Glanville took up a career as a freelance music journalist and as a staff writer for the Associated Press while working on his own music on the side. With the help of producers Ron Haney and Bart Schoudel (the creative core of New York pop underground mainstays the Churchills) and guest shots from members of the Sharp Things and the Scud Mountain Boys as well as longtime local scene veteran Joe McGinty, Justin Glanville completed his debut album, Blue Stars, in 2006. Originally self-released, the album was picked up for national distribution and reissued in November of that year. ~ Stewart Mason, Rovi
