Independent student content

BG Falcon Media

Independent student content

BG Falcon Media

Independent student content

BG Falcon Media

The BG News
BG24 Newscast
November 30, 2023

Follow us on social
  • Repairing the Family
    By Jay Grummel Earlier this month I wrote about fond families, however the holidays are made up of many different types of families. Some will be hostile and dysfunctional or some will be loving and understanding. Whatever your family looks like this season, it’s always nice to read about ones other than your own. So, […]
  • Review of The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes
    Let’s time-travel to the year 2012 and the world is raving about none other than Katniss Everdeen. I remember being in elementary school, begging my mother to let me dress up as her for my birthday. Now it’s over ten years later and I’m still just as excited for the new movie as I was […]

Local one-man band rocks out to MTV

Justin Russell was born a performer. Even as a child, his passion for music was apparent.

“He was very creative and he always loved music,” said his mother Susan Russell. “We have video tapes of him performing artists such as Michael Jackson. He would sing his heart out and be dancing up a storm.”

Now Russell’s creativity and passion for music has paid off. Last Monday, he received news that his band, The Cityscape Retreat, was one of 50 quarterfinalists in the mtvU’s Best Music on Campus contest. And earlier this week found out the band had advanced on to the semi-finalist and was one step closer to winning a contract with Drive-Thru records.

All this hard work is particularly rewarding for Russell because not only is he the singer of The Cityscape Retreat, Russell is also the band’s guitarist, bass player, piano player and drummer.

“It’s a lot easier for me to work alone,” he said.

Although the events of the past week have been somewhat overwhelming, Russell has still somehow managed to not let it go to his head.

“It’s kind of humbling,” he said. “The key to this is staying modest.”

Russell admits at first he really didn’t think he would make it far.

“There are definitely some other really good bands that deserve to be on Drive-Thru Records,” he said. “When I was writing and recording songs I never thought that people would like me.”

One person who is particularly proud of Russell is his mother.

“I am incredibly proud,” she said. “I just can’t describe the feeling of being a mother and going to the Web site and seeing someone so determined and passionate has gone so far.”

Justin’s mother is not the only fan of his music. The head of programs at mtvU, Ross Martin, admits he was taken aback when he first heard Russell’s work.

“Justin’s music has unique style,” he said. “From the minute you listen to him you want more. His music makes you think.”

He believes that Russell will go on to do great things even if he is not the winner of the contest.

“No matter what, his music has already been exposed to millions of listeners on mtvU and mtvU.com,” Martin said.

Justin admits being influenced by bands such as Bright Eyes, Broken Social Scene, The White Stripes, The Arcade Fire, Death Cab for Cutie and Jimmy Eat World.

The idea of The Cityscape Retreat is to make raw, real and thoughtful music that will make you think. One song in particular does just that.

In a song titled “Temporary Dream State,” he sings about the feeling of thinking your asleep only to realize that you are awake.

“It’s almost like a surreal song,” Russell said. “It’s about the difference between reality and temporary dream world.”

The Cityscape retreat was not the first band Russell was active in. In middle school he formed a band and most recently he and his older brother Aaron had their own band called Dryden. The band entered the contest last year, but didn’t go very far.

Justin has just recently finished “What Is All Around Us,” his debut album. This, along with some others of Russell’s work, is on sale downtown at Madhatters for $3.

Leave a Comment
Donate to BG Falcon Media

Your donation will support the student journalists of Bowling Green State University. Your contribution will allow us to purchase equipment and cover our annual website hosting costs.

More to Discover
Donate to BG Falcon Media

Comments (0)

All BG Falcon Media Picks Reader Picks Sort: Newest

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *