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By John Norris @jonnynono
Respect to "Call Me Maybe". Truly. But we've got another "call" song that's your real song of the summer of 2012. "Call to Be" from Dana Buoy, the nom de solo of longtime Akron/Family percussionist Dana Janssen, is hands down, the most joyous song you will hear this year--an unabashed thumbs up to lovers and believers and making dreams come true--not a bad thing at all in hard times and sweltering temps. And what's more, "Call to Be" is only the tip of a glistening album called, in case you didn't get the seasonal linkage: Summer Bodies.
But as Janssen explains in a midsummer edition of Face Time, shot on a rooftop in what has long been the musician's stomping grounds, Greenpoint, Brooklyn (he now spends much of his time in Portland), his first solo record is one that transcends one season, with an overarching theme of growth, new beginnings, and positive affirmation. Dana's had some of each in the past year. The album alone, he says, represents a personal triumph, proof to himself that he could create outside of the creative lens of the ever-exploratory Akron trio. It also marks Janssen's unapologetic dive into pure and shiny pop, the likes of which he probably never could have done with Akron, and a move inspired, as you'll hear, by none other than Mr. Sexyback himself, Justin Timberlake.
And finally, there was a new beginning in the form of a new girl in Janssen's life. The relationship took off just as he was beginning to work on the record, which, make no mistake about it, is the sound of someone in love. In fact, the couple's month-long trip to Thailand last year is when many of the arrangments were created, giving rise to Summer Bodies' so-called "tropicore" sound.
We talk about it all and more this week on Face Time - plus you get a look at the charmer of a music video for the glorious "Call to Be". A conversation with a guy who seems on top of the world, and good for him. Share in the joy, and check out Dana Buoy.
















