Pete and J Singer/Songwriters Folk acoustic pop Based USA

Pete and J are a breathtakingly fast emerging US independent folk/rock acoustic duo with the sort of gorgeous harmonies and finger picking acoustic guitar goodness that thousands mimic but few ever master.

Pete Harper and Jason Blynn first met whilst studying at Amherst college; in fact sophomore J was leading Pete and a bunch of other freshmen into the White Mountains of New Hampshire for an orientation trip. Discovering little more than a smelly old lady, a dog, a pot of beans and a banjo for entertainment at their camp site Pete proceeded to entertain everyone with campfire banjo sessions. J’s love for dogs prevented him from enjoying even one minute of Pete’s music, but he was told later by his trip co-leader that Pete “was pretty good” and thus it began.

J convinced Pete to audition for the world renowned Amherst College “Zumbyes” acapella group he was directing that year; Pete was quite uncomfortable with the idea but somehow ended up joining even though it was and still is well understood that college acapella is super lame. Finding themselves in the group together, they had to be friends; again, Pete was quite uncomfortable with the idea.

Failing to find the rest of a band the duo began performing at coffee house open mic events and local venues whilst working on writing a range of material that would eventually evolve into their first album Without a Band, recorded over several years in Philadelphia and Brazil and released independently in 2005.

Pete and J have since moved to New York City, traditionally a magnet for ambitious musicians and have been performing a staggering number of gigs there and up and down the east coast at venues like the Bitter End, Cutting Room, Rockwood Music Hall and the Knitting Factory.

Good word spread fast and come 2006 the duo were getting regular comparisons to Simon and Garfunkel, appearing on compilations alongside Emmy Lou Harris and Blues Traveler and were on their way to tour the UK on the back of an invite from a major record label. They've sinced toured twice more gigging at London’s Spice of Life, Acoustic Lounge, Borderline, Ginglik and a number of BBC Radio stations and recorded a second album, Dressed for Conversation with an EP to follow; we hope to have them back late in 2008 somewhere amidst their hectic US schedule.

“Heartfelt…and moving”
Boston Globe

"I was truly impressed with their songwriting and talent…Great songs, great musicians and great fun."
Mark Seaman, BBC Radio

“Drawing regular comparisons to Simon & Garfunkel, but rising well above simply sounding like someone else, Pete and J are seasoned live performers, consummate entertainers, and offer a simple but unique twist that somehow bridges young and old, shy and wild."
Cheshire FM

Discography
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Video
Click the screen below to watch Pete and J live on NBC

Pete and J Booking and Publicity Enquiries
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Contact Coffee Artists now to book Pete and J; fee and rider on request, deposit required, venues must provide pa and sound system.
Call Gelli Graham
+44 (0) 1622 222 222
gelli@coffeeartists.com

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