New York, NY (Top40 Charts) Michigan's hardest working rock band, Willamena, has released their 6th studio album, Strong Enough To Last. Self-produced by members Chad Hendrickson,
Lucas Ross, and Lance Hendrickson, Strong Enough To Last showcases why the veteran rockers have been making waves on alternative, adult alternative, and indie rock radio charts for years, and is a testament to their inspiring legacy of consistent high quality indie rock sound.
"The EP had to be titled Strong Enough to Last if only because some producer took eight-plus months to never deliver the first one. He held our masters hostage to try and leverage more rights for himself. Bad move. We don't roll over for scammers, and we never give up. So we saved our nickels and went out and recorded the whole thing all over again - better. Eventually he'll hear it on the radio, and maybe drive right into the ditch? We wouldn't want anybody hurt of course; but we'd pay money to acquire one of his set-off airbags." - Willamena
"The EP title also reflects our history. We've been called 'indie underdogs' and 'indie heroes' and any number of 'Rocky' references over the years, and while I don't know about 'heroes,' some of that's factual. Basically every label A&R rep turned us down; most of them repeatedly. But we keep slugging along, and they keep getting fired. Now we're earning more radio airplay than no small number of big-money acts can buy. From the single: 'close your eyes and dream,' right? And like we put in all our liner notes: 'long live indie!'" - Chad Hendrickson
"The lyric video for the single's as 'indie' as it gets.
Total budget: $0. So, sorry, VH-1. We're not getting on. We spent the money on Grammy winners for mixing & mastering instead. Maybe it looks exactly like a $0 clip, but DJs in exotic places like Greece and Australia (and South Carolina) love how it sounds." - Willamena
Uplifting and Inspiring, this track is timely for a world that seems more focused on scandals and negativity, and a much needed respite from the darkness being thrown at us every day. But it's not just the lyrics that make this track so special; "When You Close Your Eyes" is both refreshingly new but comfortably reminiscent of the best of 80s and 90s college rock. - Tristan Alban - Paste Magazine
Clearly,
Lucas Ross is a great rock vocalist, and carries dynamics the the Fred Neil did, and
Rob Thomas and Bono still do - K-Zap (KZHP, Sacramento)
Willamena creates a true audible experience that is both savory and delicious…With laser focused precision and pinpoint accuracy, Willamena delivers music that is destined to be in your arsenal of playlists. - Rob Figarola (Daily Unsigned)
Track List:
1. Strong Enough to Last
2. Open up the Stars
3. As Long as I Can
4. When You Close Your Eyes
5. Darkest Before the Dawn
