Self-taught musician, poet and producer Rachael Sage radiates what Mojo Magazine calls “warm, intelligent, N.Y.-indie charm”. An innovative, improvisational keyboardist, she performs over 150 dates a year with her band The Sequins throughout North America, Europe and Asia. In 2009, Sage made her debut at the world’s largest arts festival, Edinburgh Fringe, where she performed a week-long run of her show “Sequins & Shpiel” to rave reviews. A subsequent sold-out revival of the show at New York’s Joe’s Pub was recommended as a “Top Pick” by both the New York Daily News and Time Out.
Sage, who has shared stages with Sarah McLachlan, Judy Collins, Marc Cohn, The Animals and Ani DiFranco, was named one of the 'Top 100 Independent Artists Of The Past 15 Years' by Performing Songwriter magazine. A Grand Prize-Winner in the 'John Lennon Songwriting Contest', as well as 2-time winner of both the 'OUT Music' and 'Independent Music Awards', Sage has earned a loyal following for her infectious melodies, poetic lyrics, and often-outrageous, colorful stage banter.
Her new self-produced album, "Delancey Street", contains a dozen tracks of what CMJ calls “a resonant mixture of pop, folk and jazz”, inspired by the urgency of the Green Movement, as well as her Jewish immigrant heritage - It is Sage’s most revealing work to date.
Ralston Bowles
Ralston’s father played the fiddle, guitar and banjo in the Appalachia hills before he moved to Gary, Indiana to work the Steel Mills. With instruments throughout the house Ralston learned early they were for making music not just hanging around. Ralston's first professional job was at the age of 16 when he was asked to make up one of his story songs for a neighborhood party. After graduation he found himself playing in clubs and coffeehouses throughout the Midwest making up songs about the people and places he visited.
His songwriting has been lauded by many, and his songs have been performed and recorded by Caroline Aiken, Peter Mulvey and Rachael Davis. He received numerous awards for his writing from a variety of organizations including American Songwriter Magazine, NSAI/CMT, Unisong and the ISC (International Song Competition) and As A Kerrville New Folk Finalist. He even found himself opening for such artists as Shawn Colvin, T-Bone Burnett and Arlo Guthrie.
But it was only after years of coaxing he found himself recording his own material with producer Marvin Etzioni. The recording, "Carwreck Conversations", earned him triple Jammy Awards locally and recognition as best musician in West Michigan by Grand Rapids Magazine. It has also opened doors for his doing more outside the Midwest, and lead him to his first commercial release through Judy Collins’ Wildflower Records.
"A mature, thoughtful portrait of age, youth, and the place 'where dreams and truth collide." - All Music Guide
"'Carwreck Conversations' is chock-full of the smart and catchy, rock- and folk-tinged material that has long made Bowles a coveted performer throughout the Midwest." - Grand Rapid Press
He has become a bi-annual favorite at Boston's Club Passim. He has continued to build on the relationships and music opportunities which has led him completing a second disc with producer Marvin Etzioni (to be released on Wildflower Records late 2008) and includes the talents of Gurf Morlix (Lucinda Williams, Slaid Cleaves, Ray Wylie Hubbard) and Radoslav Lorkovic (Greg Brown, Jimmy Lafave, Odetta) and Charlie Sexton (Bob Dylan).
"Rally At The Texas Motel" available here.
www.ralstonbowles.com
www.myspace.com/ralstonbowles
www.wildflowerrecords.com
Rebecca Turner
"One day en route to work, I was trudging up some subway steps when an impatient lady behind me grumbled something about 'all the slowpokes.' I remembered something a friend once said: 'It’s the slowpokes who need the lovin’.' And that turned into the song 'Comfort You Up'.
'Slowpokes' as the new album title, fits in a bunch of ways: although I’ve been singing and writing songs since I was a kid, it took me until my early 30's to actually stand up in front of people with a guitar; and making my first album ('Land Of My Baby') took a couple of years. Certain things can be pretty sweet when you let them bloom to their full potential.
'Slowpokes' features the talents of many folks, including: Rod Hohl (Mary Lee's Corvette, Yarn), Andy Hess (Gov't Mule, The Black Crowes, Tina Turner), Steve Goulding (Garland Jeffreys, The Mekons, Elvis Costello), Rob Clores (Colin Hay), Rob Jost (Imogen Heap), Boo Reiners (Demolition String Band, Klezmatics), and Scott Anthony (Daniel Lanois, Lloyd Cole). Robert Scheffler is an amazing NYC singer-songwriter who helped me push some of my unfinished ideas into real songs, and we ended up writing (and singing) a beautiful duet. 'Slowpokes' was produced by Scott Anthony, Rod Hohl, and me, and was mastered by Grammy-winning engineer Gene Paul (son of Les Paul).
'Slowpokes' is my usual casserole of styles... kind of Americana, kind of rock, kind of folk. I grew up in L.A. and soaked up the whole California rock thing, pretty much memorizing every Linda Ronstadt song. Right before I moved east, there was the whole Bangles/Plimsouls thing; I wrote a poem for the school paper about how Peter Case sweat on me from the stage. In college in New York City I sang with an a cappella trio... everything from settings of Edna St Vincent Millay poems, to raucous gospel tunes. Somehow it all came to a head in the late '90s, when I was listening to a lot of Jane Siberry and Liz Phair, and indulging my country music fanaticism, with Nanci Griffith on one end of the spectrum and Trisha Yearwood on the other - That's when I started to write.
I began playing places like CBs Gallery and the lovable but now-defunct Baby Jupiter; eventually met my bass player/producer/husband Scott Anthony and started making records. 'Land Of My Baby' was about winding down the stressy young adult years and inching into true grownuphood (and suburbia). 'Slowpokes' is basically, 'Hang on, I'm almost done growing up, and I've made some amazing discoveries along the way.'
Some of my favorite gigs have been at Jalopy in Red Hook; the Happy Ending reading/music series - I played the night the amazing Jen Trynin read! The truly wonderful Banjo Jim's in the East Village; and the Parkside on the Lower East Side. I'll always miss CBs Gallery, where I had my first real gig, and Baby Jupiter, where my friends and I threw a benefit concert in 2000 at which we did all of George Harrison's 'All Things Must Pass' from start to finish (except the jams).
So, let's meet one day in a sweet little club (one that's also a used bookstore?), or outside in the summer playing in a barn that's not too sweaty... or at the Saturday Afternoon Song Swap, the songwriter's circle I run in NJ with Deena Shoshkes. In any case, I hope to see you... but come at your own pace; it will make it that much better."
http://rebeccaturner.net
www.myspace.com/rebeccaturner
The Red Button
“If The Red Button had been around when I was producing, I would have signed them to EMI.” -- Norman “Hurricane” Smith, Beatles engineer (1962-66) and record producer at EMI (Pink Floyd, Pretty Things, etc)
The Red Button is made up of Los Angeles-based singer-songwriters Seth Swirsky and Mike Ruekberg.
Seth has written songs for dozens of artists over the years ranging from Taylor Dayne ( the # 1 hits "Tell it to My Heart" and “Prove Your Love”) to Al Green (“Love Is A Beautiful Thing”), Rufus Wainwright, Jane Weidlin (of The Go-Gos), Tina Turner, and many others. His solo album, “Instant Pleasure” (with background vocals by Andy Sturmer of Jellyfish and The Rembrandts) was named Best Pop Album at the 2005 L.A. Music Awards. He loves the sun on his face, looking through kaleidoscopes and eating sushi. Mike was the writer and singer for Rex Daisy, who recorded a highly-acclaimed CD with Geffen Records, produced by Paul Fox (XTC). A much sought-after session singer and musician, Mike also wrote the soundtrack to the Adrien Brody, Indie cult film Dummy. He has a pet pig, Peggy.
When they met in 2005, Seth and Mike discovered a shared love of melodic pop songs. So, they started writing together and 11 songs later, She’s About To Cross My Mind was born. Almost immediately praise from the pop critics poured in. David Bash, founder of the International Pop Overthrow Music Festival said in the rock magazine, Bucketful of Brains, “It's all here: merseybeat, bubblegum, folk-pop, and psychedelia - The joint venture of Swirsky and Ruekberg may be the most successful pairing since peanut butter met chocolate!” Goldmine Magazine’s John Borack called The Red Button’s songs “pop music the way God and Paul McCartney must have intended!”
Rench
New american music for the 21st century that connects the deserts of the Southwest with the brownstones of old Brooklyn neighborhoods, not manufactured in a record labels boardroom or carbon copied by pasting the 
lastest pop chart sounds together, built with love in a little studio, hand crafted, using whatevers available, running on inspiration and imagination and duct tape, calling on the spirit of Gram Parsons and Otis Redding and KRS-ONE and Dolly Parton and Nina Simone and Willie Nelson and Missy Elliott and Johnny Cash, talented artists getting their voice in the mix, because to make it happen is reason enough, and to share it with the world is all the reason you need, because we tell the truth with music and the truth is beautiful.
Kept secret from the public through the mid seventies was the strange relationship between an aging Lone Ranger and an adolescent Voltron, in which they adopted and raised a young orphan. The young orphan Rench went on to success at the feared World Domination Academy, though he dropped out before graduating, rejecting his training by the nefarious Dr. Destructo. Working with elite musical teams combining hip-hop and country music under various names (Battlestar, Battlestar America, B-Star), Rench and his associates have repeatedly defeated the schemes of Dr. Destructo and his army of vampire robots, and continue to fight evildoers everywhere.
Reto Burrell
Is everybody drow-ning in self-pity and loosing his spirits because of economic crisis? Reto Burrell says: "No - In times like these it's important to move on." He starts an example with his latest album, which is simply called: "Go".
The Swiss singer-songwriter shows his American roots as he leaves the past behind and heads for the future. He tackles life head on with an endless passion and inexhaustible optimism. To hear the album "Go" is inspiring as it palinly gets the message through to live out your dreams.
Reto's career began more than twenty years ago in a dark dingy rehearsal room, with the formation of his first punk band. After years of living the punk-life, he discovered an infinite love for thoughtful well-crafted songs, inspired by great writers like Tom Petty and Bruce Springsteen. Now, after two decades of writing, performing, recording and producing there's no doubt - Reto Burrell is the finished article.
Between 2000 and 2004, the German Roots-Rock label, Blue Rose Records, released three of his albums, 'Echo Park', 'Shaking Off Monkeys' and 'Roses Fade Blue', which all met with critical acclaim, and were followed by major tours throughout Europe. His next project was to form the band 'Burell', who released two albums, 'Burrell' (2004) and 'Hello Hello Hello' (2006), in Switzerland.
Recently Reto felt a desire to blaze his own trail, with only his guitar, voice and songs for company. In 2008 he made a yearlong trip to Los Angeles and Nashville. In "The City of Angels", he recorded his latest album in some of L.A.'s best studios. In Nashville, he wrote and recorded material - for future projects.
He is now back from the States with the results of all that hard work. His new album is called: "Go", and one listen will let you hear why. Twelve catchy, energetic, infectious songs that show Reto Burrell's musical ability to turn a catchy hook and a profound lyric into an experience of sheer pleasure. Co-produced with Chris Testa (Dixie Chicks, Jimmy Eat World, Rickie Lee Jones) and recorded live with guitarists Jonny Polonsky and Michael Chavez, drummer Aaron Sterling, bassist Jonathan Ahrens and keyboard player Phil Parlapiano. These musicians are among the cream of the LA scene, playing on albums by Johnny Cash, Dixie Chicks, Neil Diamond, Fiona Apple, John Mayer and Kelly Clarkson, just to name a few. Raw, edgy, live and up-close best describe the songs, on this powerful new album.
Lyrically, the songs stretch the listener's emotions to the limit as they take you from the highs of happiness to the depths of despair, but always with a glimmer of hope. In the radio single release, "Some Days", he relates an encounter between rich and poor in L.A.'s 'Echo Park' - with a surprising twist. In the title track, "Go", he describes the desire that exists in all of us, in a clear and simple way: "The further you go the closer you get to where you hope to be".
The song "Coming Home" reflects the anticipation of returning to his family after yet another gig: "Smiles and cigarettes lit up the crowd. Still feel the smoke itching in my throat. There's nothing better than coming home to you". A similar theme is recalled In, "Heart & Bones", only this time Reto turns his vulnerability inside out: "I'm giving my last smile to you, use it as your own". One of the highlights on the album is the song, "Dancing To The Rhythm Of Rain" - A stunning duet with American singer Tift Merritt - the singers voices compliment each other beautifully as they tell a tale of longing and of past loves.
Cheerful self-irony appears in the punky, "Not As Cool As L.A.", where Reto talks about the ridiculous side of the music making circus, and the hollow promises of the sweet talkers, superficial admirers and scam artists, who prey on newcomers to the city. As the song says: "Gotta have swag and learn how to brag, sell junk as if it were gold".
Reto's answer to the crisis in the music industry is: "Happiness and success are not determined by the events in your life, but rather in how you deal with those events". Reto dealt with the current financial downturn by taking matters into his own hands. Together with his Brothers Coal and Philipe (of Marygold), he founded his own company, Echo Park Music. They release their own material, their own way, and have teamed up with international partners for distribution.
For Reto Burrell, there is only one direction - forward. No doubt about it, with his new album, 'GO', Reto Burrell is here to stay!
www.retoburrell.net
www.myspace.com/retoburrellmusic
Revolve
Revolve was formed in 2003 in Uppsala, Sweden, by brothers Per and Nils Tengvar. They grew up in a home where music was always present in everyday life. Their father introduced them to both the Beatles and the Rolling Stones in an early age, which later lead to their own deep dedication to music. Nowadays they are based in Gothenburg and there they have recruited homeboy Jarkko Kyyriäinen who since then is their most excellent drummer. Revolve's sincere goal is now to become one of Swedens new shooting stars in the world of rock'n'roll. And they certainly have the potential!
Revolve have been playing live constantly, either by themselves or as supportact for household names as among others Christian Walz. During the years they have also been working together with the worldwide known percussionist and musical mentor/coach Michael Blair (Tom Waits, Lou Reed, Elvis Costello, etc).
In 2008 the single 'Out To Get You' was released. Swedens biggest music magazine, Groove, was very enthusiastic and belauded the band with the words: "Revolve resurrects rock'n'roll!" In connection to this, they were also included on one of the magazines exclusive sampler-CD's.
For the recording and production of their debut album - 'Burning Money' - the band did, just as with the previous years single, once again turned to well-renowned Music-A-Matic studio in Gothenburg, and the experienced and skilled producers Henryk Lipp (Thåström, Millencollin, Hellacopters) and Micke Nilsson (C Aarme, Kendolls). This successful co-operation was by the way initiated after Henryk and Micke had read a full-page article about the band in the biggest local newspaper, Göteborgs Posten. The album was released in Sweden on the bands own label Screaming Records late 2009.
There is an unusual dynamism and diversity, seldom seen or heard in rock, in Revolve's music. A wide range of sounds, that spreads from softer ballads to earsplitting, heavy and hard rock with tempo and attitude. The melodic harmonies of the catchy songs is what unites everything and makes it all belong together. Revolve are completely proficient in the art of balance, being an explosive rockband, without forgetting about the importance and integrity of their songwriting.
Revolve have had the time to go through all possible struggles and confront all the problems a hardworking rockband have to deal with, and they have done it in style. During the years it has been changes of bandmembers, change of city, and blood, sweat and tears of all kinds. But now, finally, the trio stands united and strong, with all stability and confidence required, with their powerpacked, fresh and sharpshooting new album. With their groovy, melodic and heavy rock, Revolve stands above the the rest, and these guys delivers the best and most powerful Swedish rock you can imagine or wish for.....
www.revolve.se
www.myspace.com/revolveswe
Rex Fowler
Rex Fowler and Tom Dean emerged as prominent folk-rock artists in the 70's. Rex’s band, Aztec Two Step, burst upon the scene with their self-titled debut album on Elektra Records in 1972. This, and their three subsequent albums on RCA Records, were staples of college and progressive FM radio and helped usher the music of the 60's into the 70's and beyond.
Tom Dean and Alana MacDonald's band Devonsquare was signed by Ahmet Ertegun, the legendary chairman of Atlantic Records, after hearing Dean’s "Walking On Ice" from their self-released album of the same name. Devonsquare went on to record another CD for Atlantic titled "Bye Bye Route 66", which spawned several critically acclaimed singles including "If You Could See Me Now", featuring Alana's powerful vocal performance.
Collectively they have toured worldwide, been reviewed in Rolling Stone, performed on David Letterman and shared stages with such musical luminaries as Bruce Springsteen, Bonnie Raitt and The Band, and continue to distinguish themselves as esteemed song-writers, performers and recording artists in the venerated genre of folk-rock music.
Along with several prominent studio musicians, Rex and Tom have teamed up in this labor of love to celebrate the genius and artistry of John Lennon. As a gift to John for his 70th birthday on October 9, 2010, they have re-imagined exquisite acoustic renditions of Lennon’s legendary Beatles songs. Besides a smattering of tasteful percussion, Rex and Tom’s distinctive acoustic guitar and vocal stylings and the beautiful voice of Alana MacDonald, featured instrumentation include cello, violin, mandolin, mandola, bass, slide guitar, accordion and chromatic harmonica.
Happy Birthday John!
www.aztectwostep.com
www.rexmarchfowler.com
www.johnlennonsongproject.com
Reza
Reza is the musical project of Reza Hatami, a french songwriter born in Iran. Since 2005, he composes great songs, somewhere between indie-pop, folk and singer-songwriter. He likes to tell us stories about exile, melancholy, hope or disillusion.
His last album, 'Moonless', recorded with some of the most inspired musicians of the French indie scene, sounds like Leonard Cohen singing folk versions of Robert Forster's and Grant McLennan's songs, backed by the members of Calexico.
As a band or on his own, Reza has performed many shows in France, Belgium, Switzerland, Holland and is about to tour in Germany this summer.
www.reza-music.com
www.myspace.com/rezasongs
Rhett Miller
Critically acclaimed singer-songwriter and Old 97’s front man Rhett Miller releases his fourth solo album on Danny Goldberg’s Serial Lady Killer Records. The self-titled album will thrill fans with an up-close and personal journey through Miller’s dark heart and complicated mind – all set to the kind of rollicking tunes for which he’s known. The album is the darkest of Miller’s deep catalogue of releases and is a personal triumph both lyrically and sonically.
“My approach to songwriting has always been to take a heavy subject and put it to a bouncy tune. This record takes that trick to the next level.” Miller says. “Don’t get me wrong, there are some rays of sunshine on the album, but there is a lot of deep night.” He explains further, “The death of my grandmother, the suicide of my hero, David Foster Wallace. In my head, I was sort of in a dark place when I made this record.” Laughing, he adds, “It’s still a fun record to listen to. It’s a fine line you gotta walk, right?”
Miller penned all the songs on the record with the exception of “If It’s Not Love” which was co-written with Matt Scannell. "Rhett Miller" was produced by Salim Nourallah, who also produced the latest critically acclaimed Old 97’s release, "Blame It On Gravity". The exciting new 12-song set also features multi-instrumentalist and producer Jon Brion on guitar and bass, The Apples In Stereo’s John Dufilho on drums and Billy Harvey on guitar. While speaking to Billboard Magazine about the album, Miller states “Every musician I hired was a producer. All these people could have easily produced this record themselves.” While the album was initially planned a stripped-down, acoustic record, with the help of his stellar backing band, it quickly turned into one of huge sonic scope.
Of the album’s most rocking track, Miller says, “Happy Birthday Don’t Die” came to me in a fevered rush the morning before I headed to Texas to make the record. The whole story was there in my head when I woke up. This weird sci-fi portrait of a little old lady buried in the catacombs of some colony planet celebrating her one-hundredth birthday by dying. Writing that song was like speaking in tongues, very strange.” Not all the songs on the album are so far-flung, “ ‘Sometimes’ came out of hearing my two-year old daughter singing to herself in her crib one morning. I took her little tune and fleshed it out into first a chorus and then a whole song.” Elsewhere on the album, one finds the quirky details that are a hallmark of Miller’s songwriting. The “comedy club” in “I Need To Know Where I Stand” sounds suspiciously similar to LA’s famed Cafe Largo where Miller has played regularly over the years. In the same song, we find “the hamlet of Wallkill,” a town in the Hudson Valley near where the song’s author resides. But it’s the simple statements of grand truths that set this album apart from Miller’s earlier work. Take, for instance, the following line from “Like Love.” “We are all alone in this world / from cradle to grave / and maybe after that.” A bitter little sentiment, but dropped into the middle of a fun, foot-stomper of a song, it’s a testament to the years Rhett Miller has spent honing his craft.
While maintaining his career with the Old 97’s, Austin-born Rhett Miller has also released three previous solo albums, "Mythologies", recorded during his junior year in high school and produced by future Old 97’s co-founder, Murry Hammond, in 1989, 2002’s "The Instigator", and "The Believer" in 2006. While based in Dallas, Miller and Hammond formed Old 97’s in 1993. With their effortless combination of rock, power-pop and country, the band quickly became one of the most acclaimed and beloved bands to spring from the 90s indie rock scene. They have released seven powerhouse studio albums to date.
www.rhettmiller.com
www.shoutfactory.com
www.myspace.com/rhettmiller
Richie Furay
Richie Furay started his musical career playing folk clubs as a solo artist in the 1960s, as well as with bands like The Au Go Go Singers (which included Stephen Stills in the lineup). After meeting Neil Young they formed Buffalo Springfield with Bruce Palmer and Dewey Martin. The band cut its first album in 1967; it included the single "For What It's Worth." The band recorded two more albums — "Buffalo Springfield Again" and "Last Time Around" — before disbanding in 1968.
Furay and Jim Messina (who had replaced Bruce Palmer in the Springfield) formed a new band, Poco, with steel guitar player Rusty Young, drummer George Grantham and bass-player Randy Meisner. The band recorded its first album, "Pickin' Up The Pieces", and Meisner quit soon afterward. The band continued as a quartet, building a reputation at the Troubadour. Timothy B Schmit was added as their second album, "Poco", was released.
After Poco's third album, "Deliverin'", Messina quit and was replaced by Paul Cotton. Poco went on to cut albums such as "From The Inside", "A Good Feeling To Know", and "Crazy Eyes" before Furay left.
At David Geffen's request, Furay formed the Souther Hillman Furay Band with Chris Hillman and John David Souther. The band split after two unsuccessful albums in 1974 and 1975.
Furay then converted to Christianity and formed The Richie Furay Band. After two albums — "Dance A Little Light" and "I Still Have Dreams" — the band recorded "Season Of Change" for Myrrh Records, Furay's first album for a Christian label. Furay became a minister in Colorado and continued singing and recording.
He rejoined Poco in 1990 for their comeback album, "Legacy", which included the hit single "Call It Love".
Latest album is "The Richie Furay Band Alive" (Always An Adventure) which features songs from all the aspects of his career.
Richie Lawrence
Richie Lawrence was born in Tulsa, Oklahoma, when Eisenhower was president, and that was just fine with Tulsa. Richie grew up as a townie and a country boy, spending summers cowboying on the family’s grassland homestead. He became best friends with the family’s 1917 Model AIII Steinway Grand Piano, which he still owns and plays to this day. Richie got deep into the blues and roots music, self-taught from vinyl, absorbing the styles of Professor Longhair, Otis Spann, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Garth Hudson.
Upon surviving high school, young Lawrence wound up in 1970’s Colorado, when bands were paid to play, rock musicians ruled the earth, and you could still drink water from mountain springs. Freedom reigned. While acquiring a BFA in Art History at the University of Colorado in Boulder, Richie also took his knocks in the College of Musical Knowledge, in local blues bands opening for and absorbing Willie Dixon, Mance Lipscomb, John Hammond, and The Ramones.
1980 brought the big move to Los Angeles. Richie’s first recorded song and session playing was released in ’81 with The Tim Goodman Band, on Columbia Records. The LP, produced by John McFee, featured every member of the Doobie Brothers and the incomparable Nicky Hopkins. Fame and fortune didn’t quite happen, but Richie got to open for and hang with Bonnie Raitt, Steve Goodman, Crystal Gayle, America, and George Thorogood.
In 1983 Richie met guitarist-songwriter Paul Lacques and the two would work together for the next 7 years in that uniquely creative and crazy theatrical and musical Polka extravaganza called Rotondi. Richie Lawrence would finally learn to play his uncle’s accordion liberated from Germany in WWII. The Rotondi exploit garnered Los Angeles DramaLogue Awards for “Best Music,” and thousands of fans across the country. The band would release 4 CDs and appear on every major television network of the day: ABC, CBS, NBC, as well as Fox, HBO, and NPR’s Weekend Edition. Three U.S. tours and many festivals led to meeting, jamming, or hanging with The Neville Brothers, David Lindley, Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Doug Sahm, Little Richard, David Byrne, Timothy Leary, and polka king Jimmy Sturr.
Love and work brought Mr. Lawrence to Sacramento, CA in 1994. He married the beautiful Katie Thomas and joined the traditional cowboy folk music experience called Horse Sense, founded by Justin Bishop. On the rosters of The USIA, The Western States Arts Federation, and The Los Angeles Learning Tree, musical tours were made to El Salvador, Indonesia, Germany, Poland, many of the United States and more schools than one can count. Collaborating with the likes of cowboy poets, Paul Zarzyski and Wally McRae, and playing The Cowboy Poetry Gathering in Elko, Nevada, were beyond inspirational.
2004 brought The Loose Acoustic Trio and partnering with fellow writer and bedpandolin player Ken Cooper and bassist Steve O’Neill. The Trio’s debut CD, 'Brand New Mind', inspired the inaugural release and creation of Big Book Records. With no reviews and no help, The Trio’s first CD was able to reach #27 on the John Conquest FAR chart, wander into a few TV productions, play their numerous staple of Farmers Markets and enter the big time with The California State Fair.
The solo debut, 'Melancholy Waltz', due for release February 2, 2010, is a turn inward for Richie, deep into his own songwriting and personal world view, and a full embrace of his timeless and deep grasp of American piano. The big Steinway has never sounded richer, and the playing will carry listeners deep into the honky tonks, whorehouses, and churches of Tulsa, New Orleans, and all points east and south. The songs, as a whole, reflect a tumultuous decade in world history expressed in a way that is deeply sad and sincerely hopeful; Richie Lawrence and his 'Melancholy Waltz'.
www.richielawrence.com
www.bigbookrecords.com
www.looseacoustictrio.com
www.cdbaby.com/cd/rlawrence
Remmelt, Muus & Femke
"The best kept secret from Holland" : Jan Akkerman (Focus).
Hugo Remmelt, Thijs Muus and Femke Japing are singer/songwriters from The Hague, Holland. Due to their powerful vocal harmonies, their music is often compared with the music of Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young.
In September 1995 (Hugo) Remmelt and (Thijs) Muus combined forces.
After doing more than 500 gigs as a duo in pubs, youth centers, regional radio stations, on festivals and the bigger Dutch pop stages, the young lady singer Femke joined them in 2000.
Their debut CD, “Hugo Remmelt & Thijs Muus” (1999), has been awarded as best pop CD from The Hague. Following album, “Bridging The Gap” (2001) appeared in the Dutch charts and got very good reviews.
One of the results of this success was a live performance on national television, where the group played their hit-single “If We Should Fall”.
CD no 3, “The Long Way Round”, broke all the records.
Singles “Move On” and “Here Comes The Sun” got a lot of airplay on many Dutch radio stations and very positive reviews in national, but also international, pop magazines and on websites all around Europe.
Remmelt, Muus & Femke often perform in small theaters, but also appeared on the Neil Young Fan Club Day in Holland and in Germany.
On bigger stages, they have played as support for bands/artists like Poco and Chris Isaak.
Their number of fans is still increasing.
Rob Laufer
A consummate "musician's musician", Rob Laufer began his career playing George Harrison in the hit touring musical "Beatlemania".
His first CD was a self released but critically acclaimed disc entitled “Swimming Lesson” which caught the attention of Discovery Records distributed through Warner Brothers. They signed Rob and released his follow up CD, “Wonderwood”.
The latest album, “The Iron Age”, is released on his own imprint, Eye Records.
He has performed nationally, opening for Santana, Jeff Beck, and shared the Hollywood Bowl stage with a star-studded ensemble honoring George Martin, producer of The Beatles.
Through his affiliation with Criterion Publishing, Rob's music has been covered by Robin Zander of Cheap Trick and many others. He has collaborated with Brad Colerick on an ad campaign for Sears that had him writing tracks for Johnny Cash, Shawn Colvin and BB King. As a producer, Rob has worked on releases by Melissa Ferrick, The Get Set, Gloria Ruben and Wendie Colter and is also an in demand studio musician having contributed to such artists as Fiona Apple, Frank Black and Katell Keineg.
In summer 2007, Rob was a guest vocalist along with Aimee Mann, Joan Osborne and Ian Ball (of Gomez) at the Hollywood Bowl's 'Sgt Pepper At 40'-concert featuring Cheap Trick.
Robert Morgan Fisher is a writer. In addition to novels and screenplays, he is at the forefront of the neo-narrative songwriting movement (neo-narrative = story songs).
He co-wrote four albums of material with Darryl Purpose including folk standards such as "Mr. Schwinn," "Oughta Be A Highway," "Dangerous Game" and "Late For Dinner."
His 1996 debut CD, “Follow A Hunch”, is considered by many to be a lost masterpiece.
In 2005, he released his latest album, the star-studded “Built Myself A Greenhouse, which has the distinction, during the first year of release, of achieving national and international airplay for all 14 tracks. One of those tracks, "A Life In Music," was a finalist for VH-1 2005 Song of the Year in the Folk Music Category.
Robin Dean Salmon
Robin Dean Salmon is an anthropologist of sorts. At times living the life of a gypsy, traveling the world, amassing the experiences it would take most several lifetimes to accumulate. From this he has developed an intrinsic understanding of what it means to be human. A base insight that somehow eludes most, perhaps due to lack of awareness or just simple indifference. It is songwriters like Salmon who help us to look at ourselves and this world in which we live with a bit more clarity.
Born in Durban South Africa, Robin Salmon came of age in a disjointed country plagued by violence and political turmoil. His father’s disaccord with the apartheid favoring government led to a pending threat of him becoming a banned person, which at the time carried the sentencing of house arrest that was doggedly enforced. The family fled to America in 1977, settling outside of San Antonio on the largest long horn cattle ranch in the country. Life was reinvented and the way of the rancher instilled in the fabric of young Salmon. Spending the impressionable years of a young man’s life in the Texas hill country in the early 80’s, Salmon’s musical roots were a cross pollination of musical legends Bob Wills, Johnny Cash and Marty Robbins and the contemporaries of punk rock, The Sex Pistols, U2, The Clash and The Ramones. At 15 Salmon got his first guitar, wrote his first song and realized life as a performer was an inescapable dream.
Fresh out of high school Salmon formed the band, See No Evil, which would later prove to be a success for it’s four young members. While the band was living in Austin and playing every obliging hole in the wall, Salmon penned a song for International Youth Year, a festival held by the General Assembly at the United Nations in New York. The opportunity to perform live before the United Nations, and the intoxication of the vitality and grit that was the New York in the 80’s, Salmon and his fellow See No Evil members packed up and moved their outfit to the city. While living in a Greek Community of Queens and surviving on white rice and kool-aid, the band played steady gigs at the infamous CBGB. At one of these late night gigs legendary producer Richard Robinson of Lou Reed and David Johnson notoriety discovered the young musicians. Impressed with the band and particularly Salmon’s songwriting, Robinson secured the band a deal with Epic that would produce two records. 'See No Evil' and 'Songs', both produced by Robinson, were released to rave reviews.
Nominated for 3 prestigious New York Music Awards, the band toured tirelessly until 1992 when Salmon was in a motorcycle accident that nearly ended his life. Faced with months of rehabilitation and an arduous recovery, the New York City winters and brazen population was something Salmon was not eager to endure. A lover of the balmy comforts of the south and her soulful music, he relocated to Atlanta.
The inception of FMG Studios, affectionately named for his dog Fat Muddy George, came from the desire to wear the hat of both recording artists and producer. During FMG studios existence, Salmon produced over 40 records spanning virtually every musical genre from Baptist gospel records to heavy metal. He also released several independent records of his own; a 1994 acoustic album 'Aiming For The Sun' and 1997's 'High Energy Alternative Power Pop' with his then band, Christopher Robin.
Evolution as an artist is inevitable and Salmon was no exception with his shift from Punk Rock Manhattanite to the roots infused sound of a Bohemian balladeer. Referencing his Texas roots and country influences, Salmon released 2 albums under the name Jack West, 'Gunslinger' and 'Suicide Alley', both applauded by the critics. Hal Horowitz of Creative Loafing said, “'Gunslinger' fits comfortably into the current crop of alt-country traditionalists”.
Heavily influenced by the work of other respected artists, Salmon references Rodney Crowell’s 'Houston Kid' as being a turning point in his musical direction. The honesty of the human condition and rawness of Crowell’s story telling was something that Salmon responded to and worked to incorporate in his own work. Americana music, undecorated and intelligent, was a genre of music that resonated deeply with a South African refugee raised on a Texas Longhorn ranch. From this came a new body of work and Salmon’s 7th album, 'Gasoline'. Recorded in East Nashville with some of Nashville’s most highly esteemed musicians, Kenny Vaughn, Stuart Duncan and Al Perkins to name a few, 'Gasoline' truly showcases the poignant songwriting and rich melodies that Salmon is known for. In addition, he had the good fortune of drawing upon the services of the afore mentioned artist, Rodney Crowell. Collaborating on the track, 'Maybe I Do', Salmon and Crowell have a vocal synergy that produces a beautiful, albeit dismal, account of two people broken by the lonesome struggle to find love.
In the words of Rodney Crowell himself, “Robin Salmon is smart, funny, poetic and in possession of a melodic wit. Anyone got a problem with that?” Few would dare disagree.
Just released is brand new album “Come On Home”.
“His latest offering consists of fifteen originals, and once again he’s got too many noteworthy sidemen to list here providing backup. His feet are firmly planted in the alternative country vein, with an occasional foray into traditional terrain with a song such as the title track, or rockabilly, with 'Last Train' and the closing cut 'Daddy Is A Short Man'. Salmon’s songs run the emotional gamut from pensive reflection, patriotism, (with some provisos), to the sheer joy of just for the hell of it rock n’ roll of 'Arizona Rain'. You might hear some echoes of other artists herein but the finished product is ultimately pure RDS” - Don Grant
Robbin Thompson
Robbin Thompson has been a Richmond resident since 1969. He is the Vice president and co-founder of In Your Ear Music and Recording Corp. A company that composes and produces music for commercials and films.
His musical career spans over 30 years and still counting.
He was the lead singer in the Bruce Springsteen Band Steel Mill, won The American Song Festival twice and so far has recorded ten albums. Thompson along with friend Steve Bassett authored the song ‘Sweet Virginia Breeze’ which is considered by many to be the unofficial state song of Virginia. He has also written and recorded songs with EAGLES bassist Timothy B. Schmit.
Thompson has shared the stage with many recording artists; Bob Dylan, Bonnie Raitt, Crosby, Stills, and Nash, Bruce Springsteen, and Bruce Hornsby are to name just a few.
In 1994, Thompson along with partner and fellow composer Carlos Chafin, scored a musical based on the Stephen Crane novel The Red Badge of Courage. Written and directed by Randy Strawderman, "Red Badge" is hopefully on it's way to Broadway.
His film scoring credits include the title song to the cult classic GLEAMING THE CUBE and was the co-writer and vocalist on the song "I WON'T QUIT" in the film THE FIGHTING TEMPTATIONS starring CUBA GOODING JR. and BEYONCE'.
Due to Robbins' involvement with Bruce Springsteen he is proud to have a song on the EMI/CAPITOL release entitled ‘ONE STEP UP/TWO STEPS BACK - The Songs of Bruce Springsteen’. This 2CD set includes artists such as David Bowie, John Hiatt, Ritchie Havens, Ben E. King, The Smithereens, The Bodeans and others.
‘OUT ON THE CHESAPEAKE’, was released in October of 1998. It features songs that Thompson wrote while sailing his boat on the Chesapeake Bay. The cover art of this CD is an original painting by artist JOHN BARBER done especially for this release.
‘UNITED WE STAND’ another Capitol Records release to aid the victims of 9/11 includes Thompsons song, ‘WOULDN'T WANNA BE YOU’ as the single for the album. Artists included on the release were John Lennon, The Beach Boys, Woody Guthrie, and others.
‘ONE STEP AHEAD OF THE BLUES’, his latest release, include performances by EAGLES bassist Timothy B. Schmit and Dave Matthews Band keyboardist Butch Taylor. It also includes a previously unreleased Springsteen song called ‘TRAIN SONG’.
Brand new album ‘Just A Blur In The Rearview’ out this spring.
Rod Davies
Sophisticated Pop? Alternative Adult Contemporary? These are phrases that have been used to describe ROD DAVIES , the recording artist from Melbourne, Australia who is consistantly impressing all who come to know this unique singer/songwriter. Melbourne's Herald-Sun newspaper describes him as:
"a homegrown artist who can tickle your ear with a tune, command attention and, ultimately, make you a fan.........
Davies has what it takes" .
Davies second solo album "Turn the TV On" was released in Australia in October, 2005, through MGM Distribution. Here Davies displays a mature songwriting style, coupled with his talents as a singer, pianist and guitarist. Add to this a three piece band, some carefully orchestrated violins, trumpets and Davies' trademark harmonies and you have the sound of this quirky and charismatic CD.
His debut album, "Beautiful Scars" was released in 2003 and received widespread praise for it's catchy melodies, subtle hooks and thoughthful lyrics. Finding more and more fans through the internet, Davies was soon being noticed in places far away such as the Swedish-based website melodic.net who declared:
"here is a guy you HAVE to check up at once....The production is a lovely mix of acoustic guitars, perfect vocals, intelligent popharmonies and 100% pure melodic madness in refrains and verses.... Australia rules... And so does Rod Davies..."
This sort of encouragement led Davies to seek out the possibilities of working in Europe. So in 2004 he packed his bags and travelled the continent in search of the right partner to make his dream a reality. He returned to Berlin in 2005 to perform make the final arrangements for his first official European release - a compilation album scheduled for a 2006 release through German label ulfTone Music.
"Berlin has already become a very special place for me"Davies says, " and I totally embrace the chance to give everything I have to a whoie new audience".
In between producing his own albums, Davies has worked on the hit Australian TV show "Dancing with the Stars" as well as with many of Australia's best-known artists including the former front-man for "Hunters and Collectors" Mark Seymour who describes Davies as:
"One of Melbourne's best kept secrets. His voice is exquisite - you will be moved...."
The story that began with Beautiful Scars and has matured with Turn the TV On will grow and develop as Davies music; both live and in the studio, continue to move lovers of timeless original music.
Roger Holzheimer
Roger Holzheimer has been playing and writing for many years. In early 2009 he decided to share his heart felt songs with the release of "Rough Hewn Heart". Songs from the album immediately garnered attention and airplay through the United States on a multitude of stations with a variety of formats. Through a case of internet kismet his music was discovered throughout Europe and the Scandinavian countries, receiving airplay on some of the largest radio stations from Paris to Hamburg to Warsaw. His lyrics recount experiences captured with a novelist's eye for detail, a painter's imagination, and a lover's heart. Critics have said:
"Roger's clarity in lyric and voice helps the listener tap into their own very real, very reflective feelings of lost loves and fortunately, found loves as well. He has created a CD with feelings full of a raw, honest, labor of love."
"He's been compared to an early Springsteen, a Cat Stevens and even the great, late Johnny Cash. It ain't half wrong. His lyrics come from a soul that has been there, who remembers were he came from, with kindness and modesty in his heart. It is honest, upright and darn right good!"
From the early days of busking on the streets of New Orleans and San Francisco to his solitary strumming in the beautiful Colorado hills, he has never forgotten his own experiences, his own tales, or his own loves. He brings an incredible passion to his lyrics with his soulful delivery.
Roger is in the process of writing a second album displaying his brand of thoughtful, insightful songs of the human emotions.
www.rogerholzheimer.com
www.myspace.com/holzra
Route 61
The Roma-based Italian label Route 61 is runned by journalist, music producer and tv show-writer Ermanno Labianca, who wrote a bunch of books on Bruce Springsteen (including the best seller "American Skin") and a few on American singer songwriters (including a Ben Harper biography and "Like A Rolling Stone").
For his Totem Records in the 90's, he produced albums by American soccer player Alexi Lalas and Italian songwriter Marco Conidi, as well as "For You – A Tribute To Bruce Springsteen".
Starting with "For You 2 – A Tribute To Bruce Springsteen" (which features Italian artists, as well as contibutions by the likes of JT Van Zandt, son of the late great Townes, and Chris Cacavas, former member of Dream Syndicate and Green On Red), Labianca recently founded Route 61 and right after he decided to follow that tribute album with "Find the Light", Francesco Lucarelli's debut, which features guest appearances by Graham Nash, Jeff Pevar, James Raymond and Kenny Passarelli. Lucarelli ends the Springsteen-tribute with a bluegrass rendition of "Tomorrow Never Knows".
Route 61 products are marketed as "Americana Made in Italy". That says it all.
"There is a scene, well represented in 'For You 2'" – says Labianca - "that in my opinion deserved to be showcasted, and the mostly folk-country-blues-r'n'r based tribute to Bruce Springsteen was a starting point. In the future, the label intend to produce other artist featured in 'For You', as well as American musicians that we admire."
Ermanno Labianca, Francesco Lucarelli and Joe Slomp (the only recording artist that appears on both "For You" and "For You 2") can be considered the heart and the motor of Route 61.
www.route61music.com
www.foryouspringsteen.com
Rudy Rotta
Rudy Rotta is a name you won't easily forget, once you've heard or seen him perform. This native born Italian has the blues, not only in his blood, but deep down in his soul, as well.
After making it big in his home country, Rudy stormed across Europe like a hurricane, leaving Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Belgium, Holland, France, England and Ireland in its wake. The reputation of this guitar killer reached the hearts of American blues lovers and it's been a continuous journey through the blues heartland of America ever since. His music is a demonstration of hid outstanding talent as a singer guitarist and composer; he subtly combines a modern style with blues roots and a rocky funk soul character.
He has truly proved himself to be, cream of the crop of the Euro blues bands. He was a sensation on the European blues circuit before crossing the ocean and creating waves in the USA. He's now considered one of the best blues musicians worldwide by the European and American specialized press.
Over the past few years he's been exploding on the scene appearing at important blues festivals and performing with world-renown artists on both sides of the Atlantic. Recently he starred at the 'Ultimate R & B Cruise' in the Mediterranean, where he was in the company of some of the finest; Luther Allison, Buckwheat Zydeco, Marcia Ball and John Mayall, who made a special request to sit in with Rudy at one of his shows.
He was invited to the Kansas City Blues Festival, where he shared the limelight with Al Green, Taj Mahal and Brian Setzer before an audience of 20,000 enthusiastic fans.
His future looks starred and striped after having played with top names like BB King, Allman Brothers, Double Trouble, Roomful of Blues, Clarence Gatemouth Browm, Maria Muldaur and Joe Louis Walker.
Rusties
Almost two years since the release of their first, acclaimed, album of originals, “Move Along”, Rusties release their brand new album “Wild Dogs” on Tube Jam Records.
“Wild Dogs” contains 9 original songs, 2 covers and features the amazing Irish voice of Mary Coughlan (lead vocalist on the title track and on Neil Young’s ‘Razor Love’) and Belfast singer-songwriter Andy White (co-authoring and co-producing three tracks).
For more than a decade Rusties has been an Italian rock band of experienced musicians dedicated to the music of legendary Canadian icon Neil Young. Lead by rock critic, journalist, and writer Marco Grompi (lead vocalist, guitarist, main songwriter and author of several rock books and biographies), Rusties rocked some of the hippest clubs and festivals throughout Italy and Europe since their first concert in 1998 up to these days. Osvaldo Ardenghi (guitar & vocals), Massimo Piccinelli (keyboards), Dario Filippi (bass & vocals) and Paolo Guerini (drums) complete the current line up.
They began to perform individually as members of assorted Northern Italy club bands way back in the mist of times (actually some of them first jumped on a stage in the early 80’s), and since 1998 they began performing together as a ferocious hippie rock quartet who basically loved to rock, enjoying wild and extended jam sessions and committing themselves to spread their “rusty” guitar improvisations over classic Neil & Crazy Horse repertoire. Their first rough demo, “Rusties Never Sleep” (recorded in a garage over a couple of hours in August 2002) raised so encouraging reviews that, in November 2005, they released “Younger Than Neil”, a self-produced CD of Neil Young-songs recorded live in the studio to celebrate the rocker’s 60th birthday. Supported by a relentless concert activity in clubs, theatres and international festivals both albums sold out quickly and are currently out of print.
After hundreds of concerts throughout Italy (they shared stages, microphones and “on the road” experiences with Willard Grant Conspiracy, Gov’t Mule, Elliott Murphy, Dirk Hamilton, Steve Wynn, Walkabouts, Fairport Convention, Lee Fardon, David Bromberg, Sarah Pierce, Andy White, Cristina Donà, Eileen Rose, Mary Coughlan and countless other international artists), in 2006 Rusties were the first Italian band invited to perform at the americana-folk-rock festival Orange Blossom Special in Beverungen, Germany. Their highly acclaimed CD “Live In Germany” is a sonic snapshot of that smoking performance, and their loose, psychedelic version of CSNY’s “Ohio” (a strongly political song penned by Young in 1970) is included in the Rockpalast series double DVD “Orange Blossom Special 10: It’s Your Universe” (Glitterhouse Records) alongside performances by Steve Wynn, Broken Social Scene, Okkervil River, Walkabouts, Jeb Loy Nichols, Seachange and many others.
In year 2008 Rusties celebrated their 10th anniversary with a slot of concerts and releasing their 4th album “Last Rust… The Best & The Rest”, a limited edition collection of previously unreleased tracks and rare live performances recorded over a decade. They also spent some time in the studio, with assorted musical friends, recording their “new debut album” featuring only original songs.
Released in Summer 2009, “Move Along” (Tube Jam Records) marks a new beginning, debuting ten self-penned and self-produced tracks. Immensely talented Italian singer-songwriter Cristina Donà guests on the mournful, melancholic title track, and experienced bluesman Robi Zonca adds his inspired guitar playing and backing vocals on a couple of other tracks. With its musical diversity, its wide range stylistic palette, its accurate production and the emotional depth of its song, the album didn’t fail to impress every good music lover. Since its release, “Move Along” raised amazing reviews all over the music press as “the most fascinating americana album produced by an Italian band ever” (Ibs.it). They’re constantly touring Italy and they already toured Germany six times, playing at festivals, clubs, and appearing also on national German TV. In year 2010 Rusties also appeared on “For You 2: A Tribute To Bruce Springsteen” (Route 61 Records) with a mesmerizing rendition of ‘Adam Raised A Cain’ and they performed in front of a crowd of 12,000 as the closing act of the 40th Anniversary edition of the legendary Fehmarn Open Air festival in Northern Europe.
Their second album of originals “Wild Dogs” (Tube Jam Records) is released to critical acclaim in the spring of 2011. Amazing Irish jazz-blues singer Mary Coughlan guests on the passionate title track and on a poignant version of Neil Young’s ‘Razor Love’, and Belfast singer-songwriter Andy White shares writing and production credits on three tracks, including a song dedicated to the late Irish guitar hero Rory Gallagher.
www.rusties.it
www.myspace.com/rustiesband
Ruth Minnikin
"Ruth Minnikin has a voice that would harmonize happily with the McGarrigle sisters and writes songs of stark but simple emotion that are evocative of Natalie Merchant or Gillian Welch at their respective best."
- Maverick Magazine, UK -
When Ruth's first band, the Booming Airplanes signed with EMI she was just 17 years old. Now ten years later, she is a musician, visual artist and businesswoman with an impressive roster of national and international tours both as a member of such bands as The Guthries, The Heavy Blinkers, and as a solo artist. Her voice can be consistently enjoyed on radio stations in Canada, the US, Germany, France, Belgium, Japan and The Netherlands.
Her drive to stay independent is evidenced in her approach to her latest project. 'Folk Art' is an album that follows Ruth's recording and releasing tradition. The album recorded in 2 days and then mixed in just 1 (with engineer and fellow Heavy Blinker Andrew Watt).
Rachael Sage
Ralston Bowles
Rebecca Turner
Red Button
Rench
Reto Burrell
Revolve
Rex Fowler
Reza
Rhett Miller
Richie Furay
Richie Lawrence
R M & F
Rob Laufer
Robert M Fisher
R D Salmon
Robbin Thompson
Rod Davies
Roger Holzheimer
Route 61
Rudy Rotta
Rusties
Ruth Minnikin
