'Change' on iTunes launches as first album for band The Off Chance

BOSTON MA, AUGUST 22, 2012: Boston based Pop-Rock duo The Off Chance (Maldi Kellici: guitars; Jason Differ: vocals) are pleased to announce the release of the new album, ‘Change’, August 22, 2012. Possibility fuels the newest project from former bandmates, Kellici and Differ. The six track album (digital) encompasses Differ and Kellici’s catchy, rock-driven, and optimistic energy through deeply personal song-writing. Change is a motivating, honest representation of what is unmistakably The Off Chance. Differ's heartfelt lyrical prowess is punctuated by Kellici's inspired guitar work, fusing energetic rock, soulful pop, funky grooves and uplifting choruses. Their unique brand of pop-rock satisfies the musical tastes of all ages and backgrounds.

The album is available in digital format now, from major retailers including iTunes and Amazon. Retailers for physical CDs will be announced shortly. The official release will be celebrated at a launch party to be scheduled.

Through their life and musical experiences, Differ and Kellici have learned that in success, there are no slight possibilities. Make your own luck. Be your own Off Chance.

Change was recorded by Maldi Kellici & David Bawiec, produced by David Bawiec, mixed by Yan Purchak at Vibrant Productions, and mastered by Yoad Nevo at Nevo Mastering.

Founding members Maldi Kellici and Jason Differ met in 2004 at a show, playing with separate bands. Within weeks, Differ was asked to join Kellici’s band. Upon the band's breakup, both quit writing music to pursue other interests. While teaching private guitar lessons, it would be the curiosity of a student to push Kellici to contact Differ. With a reinvigorated passion for music and a mature approach to songwriting, the duo began writing for their first album titled Change in 2011. 

Maldi Kellici was born in Tirana, Albania. From an early age, his interest in music was obvious. Kellici’s love of music grew even stronger in his teenage years while listening to bands like Led Zeppelin, Deep Purple and Iron Maiden. He moved to Boston after being offered a scholarship to attend the prestigious Berklee College of Music, and took on the role of lead guitarist in a local band – the same band that Differ would later be asked to join.

Jason Differ was born on a Navy base in Millington, TN. He would spend his toddler days banging on a toy drum and strumming a plastic guitar, entertaining whoever was willing to listen. By age eleven, Differ taught himself to play the drums. He got involved in a handful of bands and projects spanning the musical spectrum: jazz, blues, punk rock, screamo, and metal. He was forced into leaving the safety of his drum kit to take lead vocals, a skill that he ultimately embraced and nurtured into his own unique sound.

Why "Change" as an album title?

MK. It’s called “Change” because this project for us was a change in many ways: 1st and foremost it was a change in the way we approached music and songwriting. We came from a Punk/Rock background, where sometimes entire albums can be about crazy guitar riffs, flashy fills and drum grooves… and not necessarily about songs. 

JD. We feel “Change” is all of the above. Every element that drew us to music in the first place is there, just not in an overbearing way. All of the lyrics come from a very personal place and are our actual life stories. There’s no speculation involved – it’s purely something we’ve lived through presented in a way that people can identify with.  

MK. 2ndly it is called Change because we made a change in our way of life. We had a dream that got derailed, but never faded. We realized that if we wanted it to happen, we had to make it a reality ourselves despite the challenges – and there were a lot of them. That’s what we stand for, and that is why we are called The Off Chance. Thus far, we’ve achieved everything we set out to do!

JD. Somewhere in the back of our mind, we knew writing and performing music was going to become a priority again. We feel we have something to say –  something that people can relate to and look forward to sharing it with them. 

Where did the inspiration for the songs on Change come from?

MK. Our musical interests are very diverse ranging from The Beatles to Foo Fighter to Slayer and everything in between. Name any artist and most likely it’s in our music library. With Change, and The Off Chance really, we wanted to create a platform where all of those influences could coexist. There really was no particular genre in mind. We just captured what we heard and worked with our producer David Bawiec to further refine it.  

JD We feel we’ve done a good job in sneaking in every musical element that excited us about music. We are very pleased with the results and fully embrace the diversity of our music. Each song on the EP is very different. We feel that variety sets us apart from a lot of bands who write genre specific music.