Jason Sebastian Russo
Encyclopedia
Jason Sebastian Russo is a rock musician
. He was a member of Mercury Rev
from 1994 to 2001, and rejoined in 2011 for the Don't Look Back
concert series Deserter's Songs
reunion tour. He founded the psychedelic rock band Hopewell
in high school. Hopewell has since been constantly recording and touring. They released their fifth full-length album "Good Good Desperation" on Tee Pee Records
in 2009. He is also leader of the band Common Prayer
.
Common Prayer's debut record 'There Is A Mountain' was released in the UK by Big Potato Records, a label founded in part by Neil Halstead
. It was recorded on the site of the Truck Festival
in Steventon, Oxfordshire, by Joe and Robin Bennett of Goldrush. Other players include Russo's brother, Justin Russo
.
during the band's peak, before moving on to focus entirely on his own eclectic psychedelic rock band Hopewell
.
Rock music
Rock music is a genre of popular music that developed during and after the 1960s, particularly in the United Kingdom and the United States. It has its roots in 1940s and 1950s rock and roll, itself heavily influenced by rhythm and blues and country music...
. He was a member of Mercury Rev
Mercury Rev
Mercury Rev is an American alternative rock group, that formed in the late 1980s in Buffalo, New York. Original personnel were David Baker , Jonathan Donahue , Sean Mackowiak, a.k.a...
from 1994 to 2001, and rejoined in 2011 for the Don't Look Back
Don't Look Back (concert series)
Don't Look Back is a yearly series of concerts in which London based promoters All Tomorrow's Parties ask artists and bands to play one of their seminal albums live in its entirety...
concert series Deserter's Songs
Deserter's Songs
Deserter's Songs is the fourth studio album by the Buffalo, New York-based rock band Mercury Rev, released in late September 1998. British music magazine NME named Deserter's Songs album of the year for 1998...
reunion tour. He founded the psychedelic rock band Hopewell
Hopewell (band)
Hopewell is an American rock band. The band was founded by Jason Sebastian Russo, of Hopewell Junction, New York. At 19, Russo joined Mercury Rev, and then struck out on his own with a band named after his hometown.-History:...
in high school. Hopewell has since been constantly recording and touring. They released their fifth full-length album "Good Good Desperation" on Tee Pee Records
Tee Pee Records
Tee Pee Records is an independent record label located in New York City in the United States, made popular by the signing of The Brian Jonestown Massacre.-Artists :*Ancestors*Assemble Head in Sunburst Sound*The Atomic Bitchwax...
in 2009. He is also leader of the band Common Prayer
Common Prayer
Common Prayer are a Brooklyn-based indie rock band led by Jason Sebastian Russo. They released their debut full-length album, "There Is A Mountain," in 2010 on England's Big Potato Records in the UK, and on Russo's own South Cherry Entropy imprint of Virtual Label digitally in North America."There...
.
Common Prayer's debut record 'There Is A Mountain' was released in the UK by Big Potato Records, a label founded in part by Neil Halstead
Neil Halstead
Neil Halstead is a British guitarist and singer, described as "one of Britain's most respected songwriters" by Allmusic. He was a founding member of Slowdive, a band often associated with the shoegazer musical genre...
. It was recorded on the site of the Truck Festival
Truck Festival
Truck Festival is an annual independent music festival in Oxfordshire, England. It was started in 1998 by the Bennett family , who decided that mainstream festivals such as Glastonbury had become too commercial and predictable. It is held in July at Hill Farm in Steventon, near Abingdon...
in Steventon, Oxfordshire, by Joe and Robin Bennett of Goldrush. Other players include Russo's brother, Justin Russo
Justin Russo
Justin Russo is a singer-songwriter-guitarist-pianist from Upstate New York. Russo began his career as a musician at the age of 18 by joining his older brother's band Hopewell, which focused mainly on psychedelic rock balladry and lengthy "shoegazing" soundscapes...
.
Childhood
Jason Russo grew up in a religious household with two brothers, a sister and no TV. The son of a psychiatrist, he spent the better time of his youth in graveyards, woods and strip malls in upstate New York before music consumed much of his life. At the age of 19, Russo found himself touring alongside his brother Justin as bassist for critically acclaimed Mercury RevMercury Rev
Mercury Rev is an American alternative rock group, that formed in the late 1980s in Buffalo, New York. Original personnel were David Baker , Jonathan Donahue , Sean Mackowiak, a.k.a...
during the band's peak, before moving on to focus entirely on his own eclectic psychedelic rock band Hopewell
Hopewell (band)
Hopewell is an American rock band. The band was founded by Jason Sebastian Russo, of Hopewell Junction, New York. At 19, Russo joined Mercury Rev, and then struck out on his own with a band named after his hometown.-History:...
.
Albums
- Harmony Rockets Paralyzed Mind of the Archangel Void (Big Cat, 1995)
- HopewellHopewell (band)Hopewell is an American rock band. The band was founded by Jason Sebastian Russo, of Hopewell Junction, New York. At 19, Russo joined Mercury Rev, and then struck out on his own with a band named after his hometown.-History:...
Contact (Burnt Hair Records, 1997) - Grasshopper and the Golden Crickets The Orbit of Eternal Grace (Beggars Banquet, 1998)
- Mercury RevMercury RevMercury Rev is an American alternative rock group, that formed in the late 1980s in Buffalo, New York. Original personnel were David Baker , Jonathan Donahue , Sean Mackowiak, a.k.a...
All is Dream (V2 Records, 2001) - HopewellHopewell (band)Hopewell is an American rock band. The band was founded by Jason Sebastian Russo, of Hopewell Junction, New York. At 19, Russo joined Mercury Rev, and then struck out on his own with a band named after his hometown.-History:...
The Curved Glass (Priapus, PIAS, 2001) - Grand MalGrand Mal (band)Grand Mal is an American rock band, formed by Bill Whitten in New York City in 1995 and has recorded for No.6 Records, Slash/London Records, Arena Rock Recording Co., New York Night Train and Groover Recordings.-Members:...
Bad Timing (Arena Rock Recording Company, 2003) - The Silent LeagueThe Silent LeagueThe Silent League is a post-rock, chamber pop band from Brooklyn, New York founded by Justin Russo, formerly of Mercury Rev. Their 2004 debut, The Orchestra, Sadly, Has Refused, featuring Sam from Interpol,...
The Orchestra, Sadly, Has Refused (File-13, Something in Construction, 2004) - HopewellHopewell (band)Hopewell is an American rock band. The band was founded by Jason Sebastian Russo, of Hopewell Junction, New York. At 19, Russo joined Mercury Rev, and then struck out on his own with a band named after his hometown.-History:...
Hopewell & The Birds Of Appetite (Tee Pee RecordsTee Pee RecordsTee Pee Records is an independent record label located in New York City in the United States, made popular by the signing of The Brian Jonestown Massacre.-Artists :*Ancestors*Assemble Head in Sunburst Sound*The Atomic Bitchwax...
, Star Mole Records (Japan), 2005) - HopewellHopewell (band)Hopewell is an American rock band. The band was founded by Jason Sebastian Russo, of Hopewell Junction, New York. At 19, Russo joined Mercury Rev, and then struck out on his own with a band named after his hometown.-History:...
Hopewell and the Birds of Appetite (TeePee Records, 2005) - Mercury RevMercury RevMercury Rev is an American alternative rock group, that formed in the late 1980s in Buffalo, New York. Original personnel were David Baker , Jonathan Donahue , Sean Mackowiak, a.k.a...
The Essential Mercury Rev: Stillness Breathes 1991-2006 (V2 Records, 2006) - Grand MalGrand Mal (band)Grand Mal is an American rock band, formed by Bill Whitten in New York City in 1995 and has recorded for No.6 Records, Slash/London Records, Arena Rock Recording Co., New York Night Train and Groover Recordings.-Members:...
Love Is The Best Con In Town (New York Night Train, 2006) - HopewellHopewell (band)Hopewell is an American rock band. The band was founded by Jason Sebastian Russo, of Hopewell Junction, New York. At 19, Russo joined Mercury Rev, and then struck out on his own with a band named after his hometown.-History:...
Beautiful Targets (TeePee Records / Star Mole (Japan), 2007) - Grand MalGrand Mal (band)Grand Mal is an American rock band, formed by Bill Whitten in New York City in 1995 and has recorded for No.6 Records, Slash/London Records, Arena Rock Recording Co., New York Night Train and Groover Recordings.-Members:...
Congratulations You¹ve Re-joined the Human Race ( Groover Recordings, 2007) - The Silent LeagueThe Silent LeagueThe Silent League is a post-rock, chamber pop band from Brooklyn, New York founded by Justin Russo, formerly of Mercury Rev. Their 2004 debut, The Orchestra, Sadly, Has Refused, featuring Sam from Interpol,...
Of Stars and Other Somebodies (Something in Construction, Rallye/Klee, 2007) - Camphor Drawn To Dust (Friendly Fire Recordings, 2008)
- HopewellHopewell (band)Hopewell is an American rock band. The band was founded by Jason Sebastian Russo, of Hopewell Junction, New York. At 19, Russo joined Mercury Rev, and then struck out on his own with a band named after his hometown.-History:...
Good Good Desperation (TeePee Records, 2009) - Grand MalGrand Mal (band)Grand Mal is an American rock band, formed by Bill Whitten in New York City in 1995 and has recorded for No.6 Records, Slash/London Records, Arena Rock Recording Co., New York Night Train and Groover Recordings.-Members:...
Clandestine Songs (Groover Recordings, 2010) - Common Prayer There Is A Mountain (Big Potato Records / South Cherry Entropy, 2010)
- HopewellHopewell (band)Hopewell is an American rock band. The band was founded by Jason Sebastian Russo, of Hopewell Junction, New York. At 19, Russo joined Mercury Rev, and then struck out on his own with a band named after his hometown.-History:...
Live Volume 1 (Virtual Label / South Cherry Entropy, 2010)
Soundtracks
- Jesus' SonJesus' SonJesus' Son is a 1999 film that was adapted from a collection of short stories of the same name by Denis Johnson. It stars Billy Crudup, Samantha Morton, Holly Hunter, Dennis Hopper, Denis Leary, Will Patton, John Ventimiglia, Michael Shannon and Jack Black...
Soundtrack (1999) - TarnationTarnationTarnation is a 2003 documentary film by Jonathan Caouette.The film was created by Caouette from over 20 years of hundreds of hours of old Super 8 footage, VHS videotape, photographs, and answering machine messages to tell the story of his life and his relationship with his mentally ill mother Renee...
Soundtrack (as Hopewell) (2003) - Alphonso Bow Soundtrack (2009)
- Psycho Guru Soundtrack (2010)
EPs / Singles
- HopewellHopewell (band)Hopewell is an American rock band. The band was founded by Jason Sebastian Russo, of Hopewell Junction, New York. At 19, Russo joined Mercury Rev, and then struck out on his own with a band named after his hometown.-History:...
Windy & Carl / Hopewell (Burnt Hair Records, 1996 7" Single) - HopewellHopewell (band)Hopewell is an American rock band. The band was founded by Jason Sebastian Russo, of Hopewell Junction, New York. At 19, Russo joined Mercury Rev, and then struck out on his own with a band named after his hometown.-History:...
Stranger (Priapus Records, 1997 7" Single) - HopewellHopewell (band)Hopewell is an American rock band. The band was founded by Jason Sebastian Russo, of Hopewell Junction, New York. At 19, Russo joined Mercury Rev, and then struck out on his own with a band named after his hometown.-History:...
Purple Balloon (Priapus Records, 1998 EP) - Mercury RevMercury RevMercury Rev is an American alternative rock group, that formed in the late 1980s in Buffalo, New York. Original personnel were David Baker , Jonathan Donahue , Sean Mackowiak, a.k.a...
Goddess on a Highway (V2 Records, 1998 Single) - Mercury RevMercury RevMercury Rev is an American alternative rock group, that formed in the late 1980s in Buffalo, New York. Original personnel were David Baker , Jonathan Donahue , Sean Mackowiak, a.k.a...
Delta Sun Bottleneck Stomp (V2 Records, 1998 Single) - Mercury RevMercury RevMercury Rev is an American alternative rock group, that formed in the late 1980s in Buffalo, New York. Original personnel were David Baker , Jonathan Donahue , Sean Mackowiak, a.k.a...
Opus 40 (V2 Records, 1999 Single) - Mercury RevMercury RevMercury Rev is an American alternative rock group, that formed in the late 1980s in Buffalo, New York. Original personnel were David Baker , Jonathan Donahue , Sean Mackowiak, a.k.a...
Holes (V2 Records, 1999 Single) - HopewellHopewell (band)Hopewell is an American rock band. The band was founded by Jason Sebastian Russo, of Hopewell Junction, New York. At 19, Russo joined Mercury Rev, and then struck out on his own with a band named after his hometown.-History:...
Planetarium / Hopewell (Burnt Hair Records, 1998 12" S/Sided, Ltd) - HopewellHopewell (band)Hopewell is an American rock band. The band was founded by Jason Sebastian Russo, of Hopewell Junction, New York. At 19, Russo joined Mercury Rev, and then struck out on his own with a band named after his hometown.-History:...
Small Places (Zeal Records, 2000 7" Single) - HopewellHopewell (band)Hopewell is an American rock band. The band was founded by Jason Sebastian Russo, of Hopewell Junction, New York. At 19, Russo joined Mercury Rev, and then struck out on his own with a band named after his hometown.-History:...
Safe As Milk (Cutty Shark, 2001 CD/ 7" Single) - HopewellHopewell (band)Hopewell is an American rock band. The band was founded by Jason Sebastian Russo, of Hopewell Junction, New York. At 19, Russo joined Mercury Rev, and then struck out on his own with a band named after his hometown.-History:...
The Angel Is My Watermark (Cutty Shark, 2001 CD/ 7" Single) - HopewellHopewell (band)Hopewell is an American rock band. The band was founded by Jason Sebastian Russo, of Hopewell Junction, New York. At 19, Russo joined Mercury Rev, and then struck out on his own with a band named after his hometown.-History:...
The Notbirds EP (Sunnylane / South Cherry Entropy, 2006 EP) - HopewellHopewell (band)Hopewell is an American rock band. The band was founded by Jason Sebastian Russo, of Hopewell Junction, New York. At 19, Russo joined Mercury Rev, and then struck out on his own with a band named after his hometown.-History:...
Hopewell / Lions & Tigers Keep - Mother Vol 3 (Fire Records, 2006 10" Ltd) - HopewellHopewell (band)Hopewell is an American rock band. The band was founded by Jason Sebastian Russo, of Hopewell Junction, New York. At 19, Russo joined Mercury Rev, and then struck out on his own with a band named after his hometown.-History:...
Good Good Good Desperation / Opus Part 2 (TeePee Records, 2009 7" Single)
Compilations
- HopewellHopewell (band)Hopewell is an American rock band. The band was founded by Jason Sebastian Russo, of Hopewell Junction, New York. At 19, Russo joined Mercury Rev, and then struck out on his own with a band named after his hometown.-History:...
Clooney Tunes (Fierce Panda Records, 2000) - HopewellHopewell (band)Hopewell is an American rock band. The band was founded by Jason Sebastian Russo, of Hopewell Junction, New York. At 19, Russo joined Mercury Rev, and then struck out on his own with a band named after his hometown.-History:...
Psychedelica Vol: 2 (Northern Star RecordsNorthern Star RecordsNorthern Star Records is a UK based record label founded by Scott Causer and Andy Oliver in 2005. The label launched in March 2006 with their first release, the double CD compilation Psychedelica Vol. 1...
, 2007) - HopewellHopewell (band)Hopewell is an American rock band. The band was founded by Jason Sebastian Russo, of Hopewell Junction, New York. At 19, Russo joined Mercury Rev, and then struck out on his own with a band named after his hometown.-History:...
Psychedelica Vol: 4 (Northern Star RecordsNorthern Star RecordsNorthern Star Records is a UK based record label founded by Scott Causer and Andy Oliver in 2005. The label launched in March 2006 with their first release, the double CD compilation Psychedelica Vol. 1...
, 2011) - HopewellHopewell (band)Hopewell is an American rock band. The band was founded by Jason Sebastian Russo, of Hopewell Junction, New York. At 19, Russo joined Mercury Rev, and then struck out on his own with a band named after his hometown.-History:...
Songs From A Sonic Land (Reverb Records, 2011)