WAZ is in bloom. Every now and again a musician breezes by and stirs feelings within…..feelings that are all too often left sleeping or perhaps forgotten. WAZ has arrived at a place where his melodies flow about the room yet holds the listener still. As a confessional singer- songwriter, he writes, sings, and plays with a bellowing honesty. 　　 　　Growing up in Cleveland, Ohio, WAZ was heavily influenced by his parent’s record collection which included artists such as The Pretenders, ELO, & Neil Young. At the early age of 8, 10cc’s song, “The Things We Do For Love” inspired WAZ to pick up his first guitar. 　　 　　After graduating college, WAZ packed up his car and drove west having no idea what the future held. Within a day of arriving in California, he got a call from his college buddy Pete Yorn, to start a band. After three years of hard work and gigging in Los Angeles, Yorn signed a major deal with Columbia records. The boys picked up and went on road. It was the next three years where WAZ witnessed the emotional impact music had on people. “Playing shows night after night I was always surprised to see the raw and emotional connection people have with heartfelt music & lyrics.” It was this connection that inspired him to start writing his own songs. In between tours, he began recording with R. Walt Vincent (Pete Yorn, Liz Phair, & The Format). The overwhelming response to WAZ’s voice & well-crafted songs is what led to his decision to ultimately leave the band. Six months later, WAZ released the “Mine to Remember” EP. It received glowing reviews across the board and left everyone wanting more. 　　 　　While struggling to make ends meet, WAZ relentlessly continued to write and develop his solo presence. He found a home at the Hotel Café where many of contemporaries were also launching their careers. It was there that he was approached by Will Golden & Al Sgro, who mentioned that they were opening a studio in an old house in Hollywood. In between recording acts such as Gary Jules, Joe Purdy, Eric Hutchinson, Meiko, Buddy & Ian Ball, Will & Al slowly started working on what would be WAZ’s first full-length album. “While they were working with other clients, I would pick up odd jobs in order to pay for the sessions. We would work for 2-3 days at a time every couple of weeks….it was always borrowed time. Will & Al’s organic approach to this recording keeps this album simple & honest.” 　　Yes…..WAZ is in bloom. 　　 　　Touring with an artist for a few years has a tendency to rub off on band members. Such is the case with WAZ, who toured as part of Pete Yorn’s band for a few years and is now promoting his solo career in earnest. WAZ’s first full-length album, The Sweet Bye and Bye, has a lot of Yorn flavors in its melodies and arrangements, but that’s just a reference point; WAZ has his own voice -- and some pretty amazing songs. The Cleveland native has been living in California for the better part of a decade now, and calling his music breezy California alt-pop is certainly no stretch. 　　“Hardly Enough” kicks things off, breezy with nicely placed guitar and piano parts, and then “Home” follows that up as a song with a pretty, harmony-drenched chorus. “Mine to Remember” is a holdover from WAZ’s EP from a few years back, and it’s the same strong version. “Why Can’t We” is a bit of a departure here, up-tempo and the kind of song you know his band has fun playing live. But WAZ is best suited for slow, moody ballads, and on “Maria” and “Release,” he absolutely shines. Lastly, there is “Holding On,” a steady, pulsing number with screaming Neil Young-influenced guitars, somehow a nice counterpoint to WAZ’s pop hooks. 　　(Mike Farley Bullz-Eye.com) 　　 　　"WAZ’s knack for beautiful memorable melodies and hooks are the cornerstone of his talents. Add to this his ability to write emotionally mature heartfelt and honest lyrics, a clarity of musical vision that is equal to the best of them, (Gus Black, Philip Price, Michael Penn, Pete Yorn etc) and one of those perfect pop voices, then this magnificent album cannot fail to be a winner. This is one of those albums that touches the heart and the mind in equal measure, the type of album you can put of repeat play and never tire of. I cannot recommend this jewel of an album highly enough." 　　Mick Dillingham 　　(Bucket Full of Brains UK) 　　 　　"WAZ provides songs of many shapes and of light and shade; ‘Holding On’ is of the darker end of the spectrum, guitars like huge axes chopping chunks of melody into kindling, rhythmic riff, then gentle touches of flame to burn down the remaining wood - you know the conclusion will be a forest fire of guitars. The quality keeps on coming with ‘Release,’ a gentle piano based song that broods and sprinkles melody like a storm cloud of music travelling over a musical landscape in need of rain. This is one of the finds of the year so far." 　　David Cowling (Americana UK)