"Handful Of Luvin's third full length release is the work of a band just coming into it's own. Confident and self-assured, obliterating the demarcation lines where genres stake out their turf, Handful happily incorporate influences from Vivaldi to Vasser Clements, from the Stones to Riverdance, refracted through Pop sensibilities, with bright hooks and melodies that remain. ......If I have one caveat it would be this.....To my mind the sound is a bit slick, an almost pop-ish veneer that belies and betrays the rootsy origins of the music. The sound could use a little of the husk & busk immediacy of a more "live" sound. But its really a minor quibble.....and as Handful Of Luvin' tthemselves will tell you....There's No Right, There's No Wrong........
Full article at: http://mog.com/deadmandeadman/blog/2177755
"From start to finish Handful of Luvin’ is one impressive catalog of music. The music is highly original, uplifting, & extremely entertaining. Note for note, song for song there isn’t a weak piece on this entire catalog. The writing & playing abilities of this 4 piece are rock solid. The lyrics are catchy lyrics, & the melodies are well crafted & hooky. Last but not least the vocal presence from frontman David John is world-class. All in all - “Life In Between” is one of the best CD’s that’s come across my desk this year. If you like Rob Thomas, Dave Matthews Band with a splash Celtic flair then you should definitely jump into “Life In Between” head first!" - Cyrus Rhodes (Muse's Muse)
Full article and album review at: http://www.musesmuse.com/mrev-handfulofluvin-life.html
"JULY 9, 2010 - With the music industry squarely focused on pulsating electronic pop sounds, one would begin to wonder whatever happened to that 90's college radio aesthetic which rewarded musicianship and content above celebrity. The Seattle-based Jam-Americana band HANDFUL OF LUVIN have both musicianship and content to spare on their latest offering LIFE IN BETWEEN, an engaging concept album (a first for the band according to violinist ANDREW JOSLYN) detailing the rocky, winding road of life. Despite the heaviness of this oh-so ambitious approach, the music is never weighed down by good intentions . In fact, HANDFUL OF LUVIN are an adept band of troubadours who aren't about to let their rich, earthy sound grow stale or have it fall upon deaf ears given their ability to change rhythms at a moments notice. The results here are amazing, memorable and - above all else - catchy." - Brian Lush (Rockwired.com and Rockwired Magazine)
Podcast and Interview at: http://www.rockwired.com/rockwiredprofiles4.html
"Have you ever wondered what it might sound like if you tried to break up a scuffle between Gaelic Storm, Bill Withers, and Dave Matthews Band? Oddly enough, I have. And it sounds like Handful of Luvin’, one of the best bands (with one of the worst names) you have probably never heard of. Life in Between is one of the most eclectic sounding records I have heard in a good long time without the whole mess “trying to hard” creates. These songs sound really natural, as if the band just sweat them out during a hot New York summer.
The album opens with the stellar track “Born Lucky” and it’s a hard song to top but they certainly follow the “Put Your Best Foot Forward” rule. When those soulful vocals hits they meld with music just right and take you somewhere else. As a matter of fact, the whole record is like that. The band expertly transports you to another place, offering a journey not quite like anything else out there today. The gentle, yet edgy songs, “Washington” and “Lazy Men” are absolutely mesmerizing and so soulful you’ll geek out trying to imitate it with your acoustic guitar. If there were an Acoustic Guitar Hero game, these songs would be among the most popular. Other highlights include the boppy “Glass Ceiling,” the experimental, sample-heavy, and slightly creepy “The Pilgrimage (Into Chaos),” and the other bookend “Fingers,” which has a slightly Bluegrass bent that I really love.
Overall, I wouldn’t have given this band a chance at all if it hadn’t come from a publicist I trusted to offer quality music. The cover art is bland, the name is ridiculous, and there is nothing eye-popping about the packaging, but once you listen you are immediately hooked on Handful of Luvin’. They truly have the potential to be one of this generations greats… you even get kind of used to the name after awhile. Don’t miss out on Life in Between, you’ll be glad you sought it out."- Mark Fisher (Colossal Pop)
Review at http://www.colpop.net/handfulofluvin.html
"One of my favorite things about festivals is getting the chance to discover new bands to add to my itunes. Seattle-based band, Handful of Luvin filled that role nicely. Living up to their moniker of “fiddle driven roots rock,” Handful of Luvin impressed me from start to finish. Andrew Joslyn’s fiddle playing immediately drew me in to their Americana set. I could easily recognize his accomplished classical upbringing, all the while being happy he decided to pursue the more loose styles of gypsy and rock fiddle. Andrew’s ten minute fiddle solo in the middle of their set impressed even the most skeptic of concertgoers. Handful of Luvin easily switched from folk-rock to reggae to world rhythms, all with an underlying Classical and Celtic themes. I really can’t say enough about these guys. The David John’s lyrics were well written and sung, the rhythm section of Mike Knight (drums) and Pat Files (bass) was solid, and of course, Andrew’s fiddle-playing was top notch."
- Gregg Morris (Jambands.com)
Review at http://www.jambands.com/reviews/shows/2010/09/03/4-peaks-summer-jamboree-2010-bend-or-8-14
"Seattle based band, Handful of Luvin’, have seen some notable local success since their 2005 inception. In 2008 they were voted third best local band of Western Washington by King 5 Evening Magazine and have been selling out venues across the Northwest with their avid touring schedule. During the course of the next 30 days the band will be seen at over 17 venues around Washington, Idaho, California and Oregon.
Their four-piece line-up consists of a vocalist/guitarist, violinist, bassist, and drummer that together produce a succinct relationship between folk and reggae with touches of bluegrass, blues and rock weaved in. True to the implications of these musical tonalities, the lyrical content is authentically blue-collar and often ponderous and reflective.
In the vein of many successful bands prior to Hand of Luvin’, moments of their most evident lyrical melancholy include the most splendid and tender melodies of their work. The song “Stand Strugglin’”, from their 2007 release Land of Giants acts as a testament to the care and thoughtfulness put into the melodies in a marriage of blues and classical compositions.
When the band takes to the stage, however, their performances are filled with excitement and verve. None of the artistic care and heavy-handed lyrics become lost in the transition from the CD to the stage, yet the atmosphere does not feel burdened or bogged down by the serious material. The band seems to really enjoy themselves, confident and at ease during their performances.
Their third and most recent album, titled Life in Between, lends a more up-beat and readily accessible element to their portfolio; constantly adapting to new styles such as the Celtic instrumental “Harry Met Rona”. Some of their previous acoustic melancholy, that was a markedly compelling feature, is a little under-pronounced; however the album is a step forward for the band in many ways.
While imagining a band that is this eccentric in their use of commonly berated genres (such as bluegrass) becoming a feature in the musical landscape seems difficult and counterintuitive; it could very well happen. The nuisances of the band never actually over commit to a specific sound and instead creatively flitter and synchronize the apparent genre influences of the band. I used the words folk, reggae, bluegrass, blues and rock earlier in a vain attempt to construct an idea of their sound; however the final product is such a tight conglomerate of the influences that it essentially becomes its own genre.
Much of their strength seems to lie in the eclecticism of the band’s individual members. In addition to their performances with Handful of Luvin, three of the four members maintain side projects of very different sounds. Bassist, Patrick Files is currently a part of the Mobius Jones Everlasting Blues Band, drummer Michael Knight performs with rock band Blunt Mechanic and Violinist Andrew Joslyn plays with the hip-hop artist Macklemore as well as the Passenger String Quarter."
by Daniel Burnett
http://bestnewbands.com/bands/item/580-handful-of-luvin%E2%80%99-the-new-folk
". . .we walked outside to the Pierce Transit Park right as Handful of Luvin’ began playing. Um, wow. Just wow. Good gravy in all that’s made from butter, I am in love. I was so drawn in. The voice, the violin, the rhythm, I couldn’t help but want to dance. I was drawn to the stage, and immediately began taping. The crowd was nuts, the dancing, the energy, and vibes of happiness. These people loved this band, and I craved more when they were done. I will definitely be seeing more of them soon." -- Steph DeRosa (Weekly Volcano)
>>read the full article here: http://weeklyvolcano.typepad.com/spew/2008/01/first-night-was.html
"Handful comprises a fine mix of experimental violin/fiddle on top of John Mayer-esque songs with undertones of harder blues rock, Celtic riffs and classical compositions. It’s a new music sensation that has lately been generating well-deserved hype in the Northwest." - Sean Roach (Bainbridge Review)
read the full article here: http://www.bainbridgereview.com/portals-code/list.cgi?paper=96&cat=23&id=1031982&more=0
"A potpourri of all great bands we've loved before, each member brings his own unique sound and experience to the stage, formulating an utterly beautiful frenzy. The violinist is mesmerizing as he plays away with all the sound and fury of a regular rock star. And it doesn't hurt that the singer and songwriter is unassumingly gorgeous — maybe the sweat oozing down our face at their last show wasn't just from dancing." - Seattle Weekly
"Handful of Luvin is an eccentric blend of harmony and considerate lyrics. Spawned from Seattle, Handful of Luvin is one the city's most adored live bands. The band is a unique blend of writing, music and overall emotion. Together, Handful of Lovin fashions music into an adaptation of magic." -Tanya Vece (Editor for the Horse Chronicles - Indie Music Magazine)
read the full article here: http://thehorsechronicles.tripod.com/id49.html
Handful of Luvin' has become a 'strong established crowd pleaser' (Seattle Weekly) in the Pacific Northwest and continues to work hard to further their sound to new fans everywhere
"Handful mixes the creative drumming style of Dispatch, a
guitar technique similar to Keller Williams, Red Hot Chili Peppers-like bass lines,
violin riffs better than Boyd Tinsley – all with a Northwest flavor. Songs such as
“Take Me Home” and “Zephyr Cove Blues” make you wish it were summer all
year long, so you could crank these tunes loud with flip-flops and a cold beer.
The band also has killer stage presence, and their sound is reminiscent of
Willis, the long-lost, yet much-celebrated Seattle band from the mid-to-late 90s."
-Independent Global Music- http://www.angeloslist.org/
