LimerickRecords.comMySpaceGazillion is a Twin Cities band that has been hovering around the Minneapolis indie scene since the release of their first full-length in 2003. “Red Feathered Bird” was independently produced and released with the witless enthusiasm of teenagers in their first rock-band. Gazillion began to play regularly in Minneapolis clubs and bars before they were even of age, and in late 2004 they released their second full-length album. “Growth” was also self produced and independently promoted; energetic efforts of a curious band unencumbered by expertise or experience. By 2005 Gazillion had sold more than a thousand copies of their first two records by selling them exclusively at performances, and relying on word-of mouth publicity. This approach has earned Gazillion a modest but loyal Twin Cities fan-base that continues to grow. In 2006, industry veteran Scott Jarrett produced Gazillion’s junior album, “Best Kept Secret”, and in the process taught Gazillion how to listen. The band followed-up with intermittent radio play and continuing online sales of the record, but remains relatively underground by the standards of modern independent music.
Obviously, Gazillion needed more reasons to stay together than commercial success, so they have been trying to focus on creativity. In 2008, after a now-familiar restructuring, they returned to the studio with a new plan and the savoir-faire of Minneapolis underground icon Knol Tate to help navigate the project. After a critical, deliberative and honest effort (and with a gracious guest performance by the local Jazz and Folk legend Prudence Johnson singing ‘The Tango Trinidad,’ a duet) Gazillion presents ACROSSACROSS AN ALBATROSS (a guide to the north american songbird), a record about discovery.‘ALBATROSS’ is a study of what Gazillion has learned by simply existing and adapting for so long, incorrigibly writing, performing and recording, persistently obsessing about pop songs.
