Maroon 5 Breathe 'Harder to Breathe' album

"There are no second acts in American life." (F. Scott Fitzgerald, author) "Wrong." (Maroon 5, musicians) THEN: Some friends from Brentwood High School in Los Angeles form a band called Kara's Flowers. Within a year of their first live show, Kara's Flowers becomes the industry's most hotly pursued new act. After a fierce bidding war, Kara's Flowers are signed to Reprise Records and release their debut album, 'The Fourth World.'

LATER: Kara's Flowers are transformed and reborn as Maroon 5. Their "second act" begins in June 2002 with the release of a superb new album, 'Songs About Jane.' Maroon 5 hit the road with headliners ranging from Sheryl Crow and John Mayer to Nikka Costa and Phantom Planet: In 2002, the band plays 150 shows across North America. Their song 'This Love' featured in a national TV for Mavi Jeans.

"We've literally played for audiences from 14 to 40. With the kids, you can really feel their excitement-it might be the first live concert some of them have ever seen. With the adults, you get more of a sense that they're really listening to the songs and the playing."
(Adam Levine, Maroon 5)

NOW: Streetwise New York indie Octone Records (distributed by BMG) keeps the hammer down on Songs About Jane. Almost nine months after its initial appearance, 'Songs About Jane' has shipped over 70,000 units and is selling nearly 2000 copies per week. Its first single, "Harder to Breathe," is steadily climbing the Modern Rock and Alternative charts.

"Our experience as Kara's Flowers taught us that you can't always rely other people's advice. They may have their own agenda. They may not share your vision or be as dedicated to it. At Octone, we've found people who share our goals and who are as dedicated as we are."
(Adam)

HOW: Friendship. Hard work. Opening up to new influences. The turning point came in the wake of Kara's Flowers, when Adam and Jesse Carmichael relocated to New York City.

"That's when I started waking up to the whole hip-hop and R&B thing. In New York, I was ex?posed to an urban culture in a way that had never happened to me in LA. It turned me on to an entirely new genre of music and had a profound impact on my songwriting."
(Adam)

WHO: Second guitarist rhythm guitarist James Valentine locked in with bassist Mickey Madden and drummer Ryan Dusick. Together, they brought a new melodic sophistication and rhythmic propulsion to Adam's words and melodies. 'Songs About Jane' (including 'This Love,' 'Shiver,' and 'Sweetest Goodbye') combines the electric charge of great rock and roll with the emotional directness of great Black music-like such Maroon 5 favorites as Prince, Lenny Kravitz, and the Police.

"We wanted real songs that meant something. I used to think it was cheesy to be heartfelt and sincere and emotional. Then I realized I could articulate in a way people can identify with. That's the biggest change between Kara's Flowers and Maroon 5."
(Adam)

WHERE: 'Songs About Jane' was tracked at Rumbo Recorders in Los Angeles, the scene of historic recording sessions by Guns N' Roses, Stone Temple Pilots, Tom Petty & the Heart?breakers, Smashing Pumpkins, and John Mellencamp. Veteran producer/mixer Matt Wallace gave Maroon 5's songs the clar?ity and edge that he's brought to best-selling discs by Train, Blues Traveler, Third Eye Blind, and Faith No More. (Tre Hardson of the Pharcyde recently re?mixed 'This Love' as the likely second single.)

NEXT: In March 2003, Maroon 5 begin their first headlining US tour. Meanwhile, Octone Records prepares to take 'Harder To Breathe' to Pop radio formats.

"When a record company throws money in your face-it's grati?fying for your ego, but it's empty. We want to have longevity and a happy career, writing the best songs and playing the best shows that we can."
(Adam)

MEMBERS

Adam Levine - vocals, guitar
James Valentine - guitar
Jesse Carmichael - keyboards
Mickey Madden - bass
Ryan Dusick - drums

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Maroon 5 Breathe - Harder to Breathe