The Free Lance-Star, Fredericksburg, VA - November 7, 2002

Michelle Branch discovers young pop-rock trio, justincase
by Michael Zitz

Justin Tosco wrote his first song at age 4. It was about his first love.

"It was called 'Baseball' and it started, 'I'm gonna tell you about my baseball/Yeah, man, I'm gonna tell you about my baseball,' " the Charlotte, N.C. 19-year-old recalls with a laugh.

His brother, Nick, was 2 at the time and sister Hannah was only 1. But that moment of inspiration was the beginning of justincase, the sibling pop-rock group that released its self-titled major label debut album on Maverick Records last week.

The group's first single, "Don't Cry for Us," has gotten airtime on MTV.

The Tosco siblings are a discovery of young singer-songwriter phenomenon Michelle Branch, whom they met two years ago at a time when she, too, was unsigned.

Branch and Justin Tosco sing a duet in "Without You" on the justincase debut album.

"She's been supporting the band the whole way through our process," Justin said. "When we played our showcase in L.A., Michelle made sure Maverick came out and saw us.

"Now she sang on our record and what's cool about it is that I don't think it's really a business thing," Justin said. "We're friends."

Justin plays guitar, Nick, 17, plays drums and Hannah, 16, plays bass. All three play their own instruments on the album, which came as a bit of a surprise to the label.

"Maverick has been really cool," Nick said. "They gave us a big chance in having a lot of say and really trusted our musical ability."

"They knew they'd have to test us in the studio, but at the same time, they didn't treat us like little kids," Hannah said.

"I think a lot of people expected us not to play all our parts on the albums," Nick said. "The record company said, 'If you can't get the job done, we'll bring people in.'"

That wasn't necessary.

The group started out playing Matchbox 20 covers at school talent shows.

As they grew up, their love of reggae and jazz influenced the development of their own brand of melodic pop-rock.

Even though everything is new to them and things seem to be happening quickly for the band now, justincase realizes it only has a short time to prove itself or be cast aside in today's music business.

"I think the industry's really tough right now," Justin said. "Making a name for yourself and becoming successful is really a lot harder now. It's kind of taken its toll on this band. At the same time we're gonna do this no matter what. We're gonna push through."

Hannah thinks the time is right for justincase.

"I think the business is opening up for our kind of young singer-songwriter genre musician," she said, as opposed to performers who regurgitate material that is programmed for them.

She cited Branch and John Mayer as examples of the new trend.