Based in Leucadia, Michael Deakers and Josh Ottum, aka Junior High, celebrates the sounds and emotions that are inextricably linked with the emergence of the synthesizer, the warmth and nostalgia of a pastel-colored windbreaker, sailboats, and the unapologetic lyrical positivity of the 1980s.
A self-titled full-length was released in May 2012, mastered by Tom Meyer (Neu!, Brian Eno) and featuring guest players John Wood (Black Keys, Sebastian Tellier) and Frank Lenz (Richard Swift, Jesca Hoop). The video for their party song “PSA” throws a visual aspect on the track, with gold lamé, ray-bans, vibraphone, breakdancing, and special effects straight out of a 1980s Saturday morning Public Service Announcement.
In addition to his Junior High duties, Josh Ottum has released two solo albums on Germany’s Tapete Records, completed several tours of the U.S. and Europe, and his music has been featured on MTV, the TV show Mad Men, and on NPR.