The Fuzzy Blog

The Sound Of Growing Up is the moniker/band name of singer/songwriter Justin Kao (kay-oh). A Boston transplant via Long Island, NY, Kao moved to Boston shortly after finishing college to pursue his career in music. Having played small shows and open mics in the local area, Kao began building up a network of fans, friends and musicians with his catchy melodies and earnest lyrics.

The band’s aptly titled debut EP, “Drifting”, due out March 8, 2011, is a sweeping range of emotions that travel from uncertainty and apathy to hope and promise. Hints of The Beatles and the Beach Boys mingle with the power pop sensibilities of Jellyfish and Weezer, building upon Kao’s insightful lyrics to create what he affectionately calls “smart pop.”

Recorded at Barefoot Studios in Boston, the record was produced by Kao with arrangement help from band guitarist Thomas Meunier. The pair also enlisted the help of veteran studio drummer Mike Levesque (David Bowie, Susan Tedeschi, Juliana Hatfield) and engineer Nate Christy (Al Jardine of The Beach Boys, Casey Desmond). The record was mixed by Jon Castelli and mastered by Grammy Award winner Nathan Dantzler of LA’s The Hit Lab Studios.

Having since filled out the band’s lineup to include Gerard Beaudoin (son of New England jazz/blues legend Gerry Beaudoin) on drums and Steve Tagarelis on bass, The Sound Of Growing Up looks to continue captivating fans with their unique brand of insightful, smart pop. Listen to “The Kite” here!