Bio
Justin Schwenk is a Boston area singer/songwriter who draws on influences from jazz, folk, rock and electronica, wielding a unique sound through innovative songwriting and intricate guitarwork. His solo live performances are described by fans as "acoustic looping and rocking," referring to his unique use of a sampler to overlay percussive acoustic guitar and vocal tracks into one energetic, emotional soundscape.
Schwenk's full band delivers energetic, guitar-fueled performances of his catchy songs. Under the name "Jude Nemo" the trio, rounded out by drummer Colby Kuzontkoski and bassist Justin Panariello, plays percussive, acoustic rock comparable to early Dave Matthews Band, Toad The Wet Sprocket, The John Mayer Trio, and The Police. Together, the group has toured the Northeast corridor, playing at Boston's Harper's Ferry, New York's Lion's Den, and Maine's Sugarloaf Ski Resort.
Schwenk has released three albums under the Jude Nemo moniker. His first effort, Jedi In Jeans was a full length solo acoustic album released in 2004. Across its twelve tracks, Justin emotes themes of love and longing, supported by his considerable acoustic chops. The album was supplemented the following year by The Band Demo, a four song EP featuring fleshed out arrangements of three tracks from Jedi, including a fourth live track of the band recorded at The Attic in Newton MA.
Schwenk's third "Nemo" release, 2008's Soulstice, showed a marked change in musical direction for the artist. Unlike his prior efforts, which revolved around the acoustic guitar, Soulstice showcases Schwenk's love for electronica, largely relying on catchy synth hooks and sophisticated arrangements to convey a more contemporary sound. Across the half instrumental album, influences such as Moby, The Chemical Brothers, Imogen Heap and The New Deal can be heard.
Prior to the start of his solo career, Schwenk was the lead guitarist for Amherst's Traveling Matt, a five-piece contemporary acoustic rock/pop group from Western Massachusetts. Traveling Matt released two albums, a seven song self titled EP in 1999, and the full-length Stories For A Day in 2000. The latter of the two albums was recorded by Mark Thayer at Signature Sounds Studios in Ware, MA. Through tireless touring and self-promotion, Traveling Matt built a loyal fan base and sold over 1,000 copies of each album. The band toured from Boston to New York, eventually gaining enough popularity to sell out venues such as Harpers Ferry in Allston, and The Iron Horse in Northampton.
After the breakup of Traveling Matt in 2002, Schwenk founded Satellite, the first Dave Matthews tribute band to emerge from the Boston area. Filling the role of "Dave", Satellite became an immediate success on both the club circuit and in the college market. From 2003-2005, the band toured from Maine to Florida, regularly performing at Sugarloaf ski resort, and playing for audiences of up to 5,000 people. Due to his success with Satellite, in 2005 Schwenk was hired by the Rochester-based Dave Matthews tribute One Sweet World, with whom he toured for a year.
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