Northeast Indie In-Tune Magazine
The members of Boston's Mission Hill are Adam Jensen (vocals, guitar, piano), Jeff Cannon (drums), and Alexander Knutsen (guitar). The band has been together for just over a year, but has already created an avid fan-base by touring throughout New England and the Mid-Atlantic States. Adam has won the LA Music Awards for Indie-Male Vocalist of the Year and Singer Universe Magazine's National Vocalist of the Month in addition to being listed to the top five songwriters by Songwriter Universe Magazine. The band as a whole was named the number one band on Alternative Addiction's list of Top Ten Unsigned Bands in the Country. Mission Hill's unsigned status is unlikely to last long as they are courting the interest of several major labels and have hired the team of experienced managers David Corey and Mark Ligget to guide them through this process. Mission Hill's songs have a very mainstream rock sound. They would appeal to fans of Matchbox Twenty, Semisonic, Third Eye Blind and Vertical Horizon. Adam's vocals are similar to the lead singers of those bands. "Down With Young Love" and "Stay" are peppy tunes that drive home the Matchbox Twenty comparison in both vocals and musical accompaniment. "Jen" is a slower, piano based ballad. "Sleeping With The Enemy" is a pop song that reminds me of Semisonic especially with the "doo doo doo" background vocals in chorus. Mission Hill is definitely on its way to greater accomplishments. I can picture any of the songs on their MySpace page having a regular spot in the rotation on any Top 40/Rock radio station. If their demos are this good and polished, I can only imagine that once the band gets into a proper studio environment their impact on radio will be note-worthy. Singer Universe Magazine - National Vocalist of the Month Adam Jensen, a promising rock/pop singer/songwriter who is the leader of the band Mission Hill (based in Boston. MA), has won the February SingerUniverse “Best Vocalist Of The Month” Competition, for his performance of his song “Jen”. This is one of the cuts which will be included on Mission Hill’s upcoming EP, which will be released later this year. “Jen” is a passionate, contemporary rock ballad, which is stylistically in the vein of such hit artists as The Fray and Snow Patrol. The song begins with a soft, understated arrangement, then gradually builds to an emotional peak in the choruses. The recording provides an excellent showcase for Jensen’s clear, expressive vocals. Another highlight is the elegant string tracks. “Jen” was skillfully produced by Mark Liggett, who is known for his work with Blessed Union Of Souls and Billy Idol. Jensen, who is 22, was born and raised in Boston, and his mother Lynn was big music fan and an early supporter of his musical aspirations. Jensen initially learned to play classical piano, but when he saw Nirvana’s Unplugged TV concert, he decided to switch to guitar. Jensen was also inspired by listening to John Lennon/Beatles songs, and to Stephan Jenkins & Third Eye Blind. In high school, he formed his first band with his bassist friend Jeff Cannon, and Cannon is now a member of Jensen’s current group, Mission Hill (Mission Hill is a neighborhood in Boston). Following college (he briefly attended both George Washington University and Northeastern University), Jensen began to seriously pursue his music career. He and his band Mission Hill recorded some demos with prominent Boston producer/studio owner, Taylor Barefoot. Soon after, these demos caught the attention of Dave Corey, who is program director of KISS-108 radio station. Corey then offered to manage Jensen & Mission Hill, in partnership with producer Mark Liggett. “I signed a management contract with Dave (Corey) & Mark (Liggett), and then in July (2006) we cut two songs at Mark’s studio in Cincinnati,” recalled Jensen. “We recorded ‘Jen’ and a song called ‘Down With Young Love’. Both songs have since gotten a terrific response from some major labels, who said they wanted to hear more songs from us.” Jensen & Mission Hill will soon be recording more songs with Liggett, and then the band will release an EP and seriously shop for a label deal. In addition, the group will continue to perform many shows in Boston and in other Northeast cities. “We’re a tried and true local Boston band, and we’re building a name in the area,” said Jensen. Shinbone Magazine In one year’s time, Adam Jensen, Jeff Cannon, Alex Knutsen and Jon Saval have attained cult status throughout the East Coast and were recently named the top unsigned band by Alternative Addiction. After hearing them, I have an idea that it may take only one more year before that changes. The Boston foursome have developed their alternative style into one that is original — from the rock stylings of “Down with Your Love” to “Jen,” something I think could be sung by every boy in love with a girl at a karaoke night somewhere, and the boy getting lucky afterwards. Then after they break up, it’s time to listen to “Stay.” Mission Hill’s music can take your emotions on that kind of roller coaster ride. Any music that can do that is good music, in my opinion. Artist Launch Magazine Recently a package landed on my desk, with a note on it: "Open and read instructions". Inside I found the following, "you've got an hour to interview Mission Hill - this is your mission should you choose to accept it ..” I decided to accept the not so “impossible mission” and sat down to learn more about this Alt Rock band from Boston, Massachusetts. Mission Hill is: Adam Jensen (singer, songwriter, guitar and piano), Jeff Cannon (drums), and Alex Knutsen (lead guitar). So, with the band’s chief song writer, Adam Jensen, my mission began: Shannon: Who or what inspired you to become a performer? Adam: At an early age I was very inspired by bands such as The Beatles (I have all their original LPs), Lou Reed and The Velvet Underground, Jimi Hendrix, etc. I also get inspiration from songwriters such as Stephen Jenkins of Third Eye Blind, Scott Weiland of STP and Velvet Revolver, Rob Thomas of Matchbox 20, Brandon Boyd of Incubus, and many others. Shannon: How long have you been performing professionally? Adam: Jeff and I have been performing together under different names since high school. Mission Hill has been performing together for about 2 years. Shannon: Are you currently signed with any record label? Adam: We have a management contract with Mark Liggett (Billy Idol, Fricken A, Saving Jane) and David Corey (KISS 108, CHUM FM) and we are currently drawing interest from many major labels. Shannon: Is there a CD release in the works for Mission Hill? Adam: We are currently in the process of recording some more songs and during the next year we hope to finish recording our album in the next year and sign with one of the labels that have shown interest. After that I hope to go on tour around the US because my real passion is the live shows and the fans that like our music. Shannon: You’ve recently garnered some critical success within the music industry, care to tell us about it? Adam: We recently were awarded a Los Angeles Music Award for "Indie Male Vocalist of the Year", named "National Vocalist of the Month" by Singer Universe Magazine and well as the Number One Unsigned Band in the Country by Alternative Addiction. Shannon: Do you have any advice for other Indie artists or for those wishing to get into the music business? Adam: I think making a connection with your fans is very important. I make it a point to answer all emails and talk to our fans. I make all our music available for them and I make constant updates so they know what going on. It’s important to keep connected to your fan base because they keep connected to you by listening to your music and coming to show. So SHOW YOUR FANS SOME LOVE!! So, your mission.. music fans .. should you choose to accept it .. is to check out Mission Hill’s unique brand of Alternative Rock and join their growing legions of fans. NOMASONHA Music Magazine What would Dave Matthews sound like if he were fifteen years younger? What would John Mayer sound like if he had balls? Probably a bit like Boston's Mission Hill. This singer/songwriter-influenced trio blends skillful instrumentals and ballad-stylings on "Someone Save The Hero EP". Vocalist Adam Jensen fills all seven tracks with the moody and honest poetry befitting of a twenty one year old who simultaneously acts older than his years and exactly his age. He vacillates from being original and eloquent (when describing personal tragedies and triumphs) to the easier clichéd route, thus, leaving the listener disappointed. The let down does not stem from pedestrian lyrics as much as an unrealized potential. Piano, bass, guitar, and a little violin add dimension to these woe-filled words. So intricate and upbeat is the music that one can forget that they are listening to a heartfelt exposition of pain and frustration. The greatest showcase of the band's potential can be heard on the slower and more melodic "Jen" or on the uptempo "Down With Young Love". |
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