New York, NY (Top40 Charts/ Joshua
Panda Official Website) - Comparisons to The Grateful Dead, The Band, Bob Dylan, Patsy Cline, Kris Kristofferson for 25-Year Old Phenom. Joshua Panda's Americana/Soul/Country/Zydeco/Folk Album is a Career-Shaping Winner. 'Panda's versatility and depth as a performer is matched by raw musical talent'
25-year old phenom Joshua Panda finds himself earning growing acclaim for his eponymous Americana/Soul/Country/Folk CD, with critics comparing his sound to such seminal artists as The Grateful Dead, The Band, Bob Dylan, Patsy Cline and Kris Kristofferson, among others. Listen to samples from the Pandarue Productions release, here: https://press.joshuapanda.com/
BlogCritics praised: 'Panda's originals run the gamut from country and Cajun to gospel and rock, from raucous, story ballad and quiet lament to the powerful anthem. His joy and his passion are infectious, whether he is romping through some rocking zydeco to a bouncing piano and accordion background or softly lamenting life's roadblocks to a sweetly punctuating guitar...'
Panda recently performed on CBS-TV in Charlotte, and the terrific clip may be seen here:
BURLINGTON FREE-PRESS
In-person Feature by Brent Hallenbeck 9/23/10
Singer Panda finds the light by making music his way
https://www.burlingtonfreepress.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2010100922030
The spiritual quality of the music of Joshua Panda is obvious on his new self-titled CD. There's the soaring, heavenly voice he displays on an album filled with tunes steeped in bluegrass and old-school country, balanced by Americana-styled tracks influenced by the likes of The Band and the Grateful Dead.
Panda - a North Carolina native whose stage name is a lighthearted derivative of his birth name, Joshua Pender - also has that quality of many Southern-born songwriters (A.A. Bondy comes to mind) whose lyrics reflect an eternal struggle between heaven and hell. The young woman at the center of the tune 'Weight in Gold' ('She kills all her time with booze/Sometimes she cries/Sometimes she cries/She says that she got nothing to lose/Lord knows she tries/Lord knows she tries') is praying, seemingly against hope, for God's help. The darkly whimsical 'Pastor' tells of a man of the cloth who's shot in the back by the father of the girl the minister has been making moves on; in many of Panda's songs, hell seems to be winning the eternal struggle with heaven.
A gospel-trained voice and songs filled with references to Jesus haven't turned the 25-year-old musician into a Bible-thumper. 'I personally put a huge line between spirituality and religion, because religion is a business,' Panda said over coffee last week at August First in Burlington. 'Religion's man-made, so it's obviously flawed.' At the very least, a childhood surrounded by religion and religious music has given Panda and his growing legion of fans locally and nationally a sound worthy of praise. His own life has touches of those characters he sings about on his new album, as Panda himself has struggled while breaking away from a religious upbringing en route to finding his own identity. Panda, whose high-energy live skills will be on display Friday, Sept. 24 at the � Lounge in his adopted hometown of Burlington, began singing in church in Huntersville, N.C., near Charlotte, at age 3. His mother, grandmother and aunt sang in a gospel trio. 'Growing up, that was predominantly what I heard,' Panda said. 'It (singing) was just like breakfast; you just did it.' He infused his voice with gospel music until his teens, when he entered what he calls 'the who-am-I years.' His brother had a serious illness ('Our whole world got shook up') and Panda was kicked out of public school and then a private Christian school. The schools thought Panda was a troublemaker. 'In public school particularly,' Panda said, 'I think I was just bored.' He graduated from a private school that had no religious affiliation, where he said he honed his guitar skills playing music by the likes of the Dave Matthews Band, Green Day and Weezer. Gospel or traditional music didn't enter the equation. 'I didn't want anything to do with it at the time,' Panda said. 'I was trying to rebel against my upbringing.' By age 18, Panda said, he became a ponytail-and-Birkenstock-wearing follower of the Grateful Dead and the like-minded Burlington jam band Phish. He also became engaged (and then un-engaged), took a job as a mailman, began drinking heavily, moved to Brooklyn, spent a lot of time 'living in the clouds' and delved into music ranging from jam to hip hop to folk to electronic. 'In a nutshell, I was life-surfing from 17 to about 23,' Panda said. 'I was just kind of reaching for identity.' He began to find his identity at 23 when he drifted back to the traditional gospel sounds of his youth and moved to Burlington, where his girlfriend and manager, Ruth Hill, lives. He played a show at Nectar's around Christmas 2007, and aside from getting a thrill at the venue that's synonymous with the early days of Phish, he felt a friendly, welcoming vibe from Burlington. He came back in 2008 for a summer residency at Nectar's and began busking on Church Street, where the singer-guitarist with the mop of dark hair and rainbow-colored socks became a familiar sight and sound. By 2009, when he began regular national tours and formed his own company, PandaRue Productions, Panda knew he had found his career and the place where he'd be based. 'Now it's almost 2011,' he said, 'and I can't imagine living anywhere else.' One of Panda's earliest encounters in Burlington came at open-mike night at Radio Bean when he saw an old-timey band called The Murder Ballads. The Southerner thought to himself 'Let's see what these Yankees have got' before the Montreal-based band floored him with its traditional sound. They were a great band, he said, but the only thing they lacked was a strong front man. 'I'm a front man,' the charismatic Panda said, 'and I didn't have a band.' They joined forces, and many of the band members - including Ed Grasmeyer, who'll join Panda at the � Lounge on Friday - helped record the new album on reel-to-reel tape in Montreal; Burlington guitarist/vocalist Lowell Thompson also pitched in. Panda's plans for the future include slow growth of his career on his terms. 'The sky is the limit,' he said, 'as long as I can maintain control.' Other than that, he's just happy that he's made it through those lost years and found himself. He's even on good terms with his family back home and the music his family instilled in him. 'I'm just proud of where I am and where I came from,' Panda said. 'I'm in a really good place musically.'
BLOGCRITICS REVIEW
By Jack Goodstein 9/1/10
https://blogcritics.org/music/article/music-review-joshua-panda/
In a July interview, eclectic folk singer Joshua Panda describes himself as a "sing-aholic" blessed to do what he loves for a living. If his new, self-titled album is any indication, his audiences are equally blessed. The CD's thirteen tracks are made up of a dozen original compositions and a rousing cover of Tom Waits' "Come on Up to the House," that ends the album with smash'em out coda. Panda's originals run the gamut from country and Cajun to gospel and rock, from raucous, story ballad and quiet lament to the powerful anthem. His joy and his passion are infectious, whether he is romping through some rocking zydeco to a bouncing piano and accordion background or softly lamenting life's roadblocks to a sweetly punctuating guitar. His energy is infectious.
The CD programs the songs to emphasize variety. "Masquerade," the opening song on the album, is a dynamic anthem with an infectious hook and Panda belts it out with dramatic passion. There are times at the end of the song, when he sounds a little bit like the young Bob Dylan as he wails out the warning that the ace of spades can sometimes be a joker. This is followed by a complete change of pace with the Cajun echoes of "Rosie," and then the plaintive lament of "It's All Relative," where there is solace for life's troubles when love lets down her hair. Next come two country tunes: the wailing "Are You Hurting at All" (think Patsy Cline, as others have noted), and "Pastor," a boisterous reminder to beware the hypocrite.
There are songs that echo the outlaw booze and broads ethos like "Tattle Tales," a song with a gospel feel that flies against its message, and the quaintly rhymed "Lemonhead Wine." "I-77" is a Southern rocker with some piano licks that could have been played by Jerry Lee Lewis or Little Richard. "Thomas" is one of those lost buddy songs that bring back memories Kris Kristofferson. In a word this is an album that takes the listener in almost as many directions as there are songs. There is something for almost everyone, and that something is always good. The band on the album features Pete Weiss on accordion and Brian Axford on upright piano. Lowell Thompson sings backup vocals and plays electric guitar. Upright bass is long time Panda collaborator Ed Grasmeyer. Joe Grass plays a variety of strings including the mandolin and banjo. Electric bass is Jarrod Atkinson, the drums are handled by Bucky Wheaton, and Josh Zubot plays the fiddle.
Panda is currently touring in support of the album. Called "The Great Busking Tour," Panda likes to arrive a day or so early and do a little outreach in the streets to help develop his audience. In the fall he will be in Tennessee and North Carolina as well as West Virginia, Maryland, Vermont, Pennsylvania and New York. Details are available on his website.
WILDY'S WORLD - 4.5 Star CD review By Wildy Haskell, 9/7/10
https://wildysworld.blogspot.com/2010/09/joshua-panda-joshua-panda.html
You'd never guess it, but Joshua Panda is all of twenty-five years old. Keep that in mind as you listen to his self-titled album, a recent independent release. Panda sounds like a seasoned story-teller and songwriter in the vein of Randy Newman. With influences as diverse as Van Morrison, Tom Waits, Sam Cook, Townes Van Zandt, Kris Kristofferson and Otis Redding, Panda has a brilliant performing persona that's too good to be anything other than genuine. Joshua Panda is proof positive; encompassing twelve original songs and one cover that leave no doubt about Panda's talent, durability and essence as a songwriter or performer. Joshua Panda opens with "Masquerade", a devilishly good bit of Americana songwriting that would seem more at home amidst the great singer/songwriters of the 1970's. Panda shows a lyrical depth and sense of melody that are rare in combination. "Rosie" is a rousing number straight out of New Orleans. You'll want to dance along as Panda spins a fun tale in an irresistible arrangement. "It's All Relative" has a dually melancholy/hopeful feel in a lover's lament about the world outside and the saving grace of love. Panda tackles "Are You Hurting At All" with a classic country flare that would sound at home in Nashville in the 1950's or early 1960's. It's a highly stylish and realistic bit of songwriting that should sit well across generations of listeners.
"Pastor" is a mildly raucous bluegrass tune sung from the perspective of a father who fends off a wolf from his daughter. The wolf just happens to be the local pastor. It's a great tune; very well written and Panda is in perfect voice here. "Tattle Tales" is the most purely entertaining track on the album. Panda will remind listeners of Randy Newman with his wit and lyrical touch as well as his musical versatility and tendency to write songs "in character", and "Tattle Tales" is a perfect example of these qualities. "Lemonhead Wine" documents an unfortunate stay in South Dakota involving government work and the narrator's preferred method for passing time. All of this is offered in an entertaining country/zydeco blend that's thoroughly infectious.
"Weight In Gold" is a utilitarian love song, singing the praises of a good woman in classic country overtones. "I-77 Blues" is more early rock and rhythm n blues. Panda is very convincing through the rapid-fire lyrics and vibrant arrangement that features some of the hottest piano playing this side of Jerry Lee Lewis. "Mama's Song" is a loving tribute of sorts, to a mom who clung to her son when her husband left, only to lose that son to music. It's a sweet number that uses gentle humor to describe an entirely human situation. Panda closes with a wild version of Tom Waits' "Come On Up To The House", a party-time song done in the zydeco style. Just try to sit still.
Joshua Panda runs through much of the American songbook stylistically. Country, zydeco, rock n roll, rhythm and blues and even hints of gospel and soul can be found on Panda's self-titled album. What's abundantly clear is that Joshua Panda is an entertainer with a capital E. Panda's versatility and depth as a performer is matched by raw musical talent. Panda walks you through vignettes drawn from the lives of persons both imagined and real in much the same fashion as Randy Newman. Even if you're lukewarm on the music on Joshua Panda, the energy will draw you in. Don't miss this guy. Rating: 4.5 Stars (Out of 5)
Technorati - Tour Preview
By Jack Goodstein, 9/10
Joshua Panda and The Great Busking Tour
https://technorati.com/entertainment/music/article/joshua-panda-and-the-great-busking/
Eclectic contemporary folk singer Joshua Panda has come up with an innovative approach to touring the country in support of his newly released self titled CD.
The tour which began in July and extends through the fall has the singer spending several days in a city and mixing busking stops in with the concerts. Panda told one interviewer that the busking, which he has been doing for about three years, is a way for him to reach the grassroots. It gives people who don't know the band a sense of what their music is like and helps to develop an audience.
Some of these performances are streamed life on his website and to keep with the busking theme viewers are encouraged to make donations to a "Virtual Guitar Case."
His new album is a mix of styles, everything from Americana and gospel to folk rock and Cajun. Highlights include a dynamic "Masquerade" which opens the album with a wailing hook reminiscent of Bob Dylan at his best, a true country lament in "Are You Hurting at All," and a rocking "I-77." The album ends with a dynamite cover of Tom Waits' "Come on Up to the House."
Band members include accordionist Pete Weiss, Lowell Thomson on electric guitar, Brian Axford on upright piano, Ed Grasmeyer on upright bass, Jarrod Atkinson on electric bass, Bucky Wheaton, drums, Joe Grass on strings and Josh Zubot on the fiddle.
Tour stops in September include Bristol, TN, Davidson, NC and Scranton, PA. A live performance is scheduled for CBS TV in Charlotte on September 5 and at noon in Knoxville on September 8, he will appear on the WDVX Blue Plate Special. Check for a complete list of tour dates on the website.
As mentioned above, Panda is currently in the midst of a major U.S. Tour. His innovative, - www.joshuapanda.com, features live footage of the band on the road (busking, venue shows, etc,) and also includes a 'virtual guitar case' where fans can make donations via Paypal to help fund the band's threadbare tour.
OTHER RECENT COVERAGE INCLUDES:
SEVEN DAYS - VT
CD Review, By Dan Bolles 8/27/10
https://www.7dvt.com/2010joshua-panda-joshua-panda
SF REPORTER - Q&A
Bearly Legal
BY ALEX DE VORE, 7/28/10
https://www.sfreporter.com/santafe/article-5553-a-sharp.html
Longmont Times-Call in Colorado
Busker Joshua Panda will hit local venues
By Quentin Young, 7/30/10
https://www.timescall.com/entertainment/entertainment-story.asp?ID=22864
Burlington Free-Press- 7/10
Another local musician, the bluesy/gospel-influenced Joshua Panda, is also making waves on the Web. My eagle-eyed, music-obsessed co-worker here at the Free Press, page designer extraordinaire John James, pointed out to me that Joshua has been doing a busking tour of selected cities and posting videos from each. It's a fun little postcard from the road, as you can see here: https://www.joshuapanda.com/streaming/
MELODIC INTERVIEW FEATURE
By Rickard Holmgren, 7/13/10
https://melodic.net/interviewsOne.asp?interviewId=324
Panda's band includes musicians from Vermont, Montreal, New York and North Carolina, and features guitar, mandolin/piano, accordion, drums, electric guitar, pedal steel, and upright bass. Panda's regular musicians include Lowell Thompson, Brett Lanier, Brian Axford, Ed Grasmeyer, Dan Davine, and Pete Weiss.
Joshua Panda on Tour:
October 6: Howlers Coyote Cafe: Pittsburgh, PA
October 7 Purple Fiddle Thomas, WV
October 8 Caf� Nola Frederick, MD
October 9: Private, D.C.
October 16: Private, Charlotte, NC
October 22 � Lounge Burlington, VT
October 23: Private, Shelburne, VT
October 24: Tosca's: Montgomery, VT
October 31: Tosca's: Montpelier, VT
November 4: Parima: Burlington, VT
November 6 Shifty's Syracuse, NY
November 12: Two Brothers: Middlebury, Vermont
November 13: Parima: Burlington, VT
November 19: River Spirit Music: Hastings-on Hudson, NY
November 20: Sally O'Briens: Boston, MA
December 3: The Brewski: Jeffersonville, Vermont
December 4: 51 Main: Middlebury, VT
Additional tour dates will be announced soon.
Visit: https://www.joshuapanda.com/
Visit: https://www.myspace.com/joshuapanda
