A year and a half ago, Jennifer Westwood and the Handsome Devils released an unmastered EP. We held a small release party on a Wednesday night at a Detroit speakeasy. We were honored to have in attendance Luis Resto, known most widely for extensive work with Eminem (co-writer on the Oscar winning song "Lose Yourself"), as well as The Highwaymen (yes.. THAT Highwaymen), Patti Smith, Anita Baker, Was (Not Was), and a laundry list of other amazing talent.
Also in attendance were Johnny Badanjek (Mitch Ryder, The Rockets, etc), Mary Cobra (Detroit Cobras), producer Al Sutton (Kid Rock) and other respected music industry friends from the Detroit area. To have this type of support is something we treasure.
A Little History ---
The reason we released an unmastered EP and held a party was to raise funds to record and mix our full length CD, "Greetings From This Town" (which was released May 2016). As some of you know, none of us in the band are very comfortable with the idea of asking fans to directly fund recording, pay for touring expenses, etc. through crowdfunding websites due to their frequent overuse and abuse by musicians. While we are far from wealthy, there are many in greater need. We've chosen our career paths much like anyone else struggling to get a career off the ground and keep food on their family's table.
So, instead we held a small party on a weekday and did our best to give everyone a great value for a night out - for each ticket we had over $100 worth of JWHD merch and items given to us by friends like Bloodshot Records, appetizers, desert, a first listening of the CD, and a short intimate performance for $50. Door admission was $10 and included a copy of the EP. Cafe D'mongo's Speakeasy proprieter Larry Mongo generously opened the doors of the world renown Detroit gem on a Wednesday night. Mr. Mongo gave me some of my (Jennifer) first real paying gigs in Detroit and has been a good friend and support through more unpleasant times. The whole evening is a cherished memory.
Jennifer Westwood and the Handsome Devils continue to move forward. We've logged close to 50,000 miles touring since our May release and expanded our family from Detroit to Texas, New York and Florida. As an independent, self-funded band we love to work, grow and we're always looking into opportunities to make it all happen. So often we meet great people that want to see us succeed. All we ask is that you continue to come to shows, share our music, buy merch, hire us for your event and let your local venue you want to see us there. You guys really make it all work for us. We thank you always for your support and being a part of what we do!