Major VH1 Break For Justin Nozuka

NEW YORK (Top40 Charts/ Shore Fire Media) - Justin Nozuka's new album 'Holly' (April 15) is showing signs of being the next breakout story. The 19-year-old songwriter was just named a VH1 'You Oughta Know - Artist On The Rise,' the latest in an illustrious list that includes Feist, KT Tunstall, Colbie Caillat, James Blunt, Jamie Cullum, John Legend, and many other current stars.

Nozuka has been on a roll, with recent packed showcases at SxSW and NYC, and a flurry of new recognition:

* New album's lead single 'After Tonight' was used in a VH1 promo and instantly sold 7,000 downloads on iTunes.
* Picked as an mtvU 'Freshmen' artist to watch, as well as a Barnes & Noble 'Discover' selection.
* Recently taped performance on DirecTV's 'SxSW Live,' part of the festival's official TV broadcast.
* Taped in-studio performance on NYC tastemaker station WFUV.
* Nominated for a Best New Artist Juno (Canadian Grammy) in his native Canada.
* Critical raves following UK release: Q magazine gave 'Holly' 4-stars, as did the BBC.

Nozuka is an artist whose sound benefits from an intrinsic sense of melody which permeates all 11 tracks on his US debut 'Holly,' out April 15 on Glassnote Records/RED Distribution. From the tasty, bluesy slide that opens 'Be Back Soon,' to the exuberantly infectious chorus of 'Mr. Therapy Man,' Nozuka displays an ability to pen tunes that are both crowd-pleasers, and works of uncommon emotional weight.