East Village songstress, poet and multi-media maven Rachael Sage has been makinggutsy pop music in one form or another since she was three years old. Her latest offering of “lovely and literate folk-pop-rock” (The Village Voice), THE BLISTERING SUN, is devoted to the topics of vision, clarity, and facing life head on.
A self-taught pianist who honed her skills listening to her parents’ doo-wop, Broadway and Beatles album collections, Rachael debuted her first original material for a captive audience of kindergarten students one fateful afternoon before their ballet teacher arrived and broke up the party. “When I started,” she says, “ I was writing a lot of music that sounded like Elton John - if he’d been a nice Jewish girl from a long line of Russian cantors.” By junior high school, Sage’s dancing abilities had landed her a spot at the prestigious School of American Ballet; but it was really the music she was hearing– in and out of class – that intrigued her the most.
As a teenager, Sage recorded hundreds of demos in the basement on a four-track (her Bat Mitzvah present), arriving at a provocative lyrical and vocal style recently described by Judy Collins as “a great gift...of incredible talent and beauty.” After earning a degree in Drama from Stanford University, Rachael returned to New York and founded MPress Records. A sleepless Sage wrote, produced and designed artwork for a swift succession of releases, including “Smashing The Serene” and “Painting of a Painting”. In the late ‘90’s she attended the Actors Studio MFA program, working as a jingle singer and composing music for a steady string of national commercials, before landing a coveted slot at Lilith Fair by entering their New York Talent Search. “Meeting Sarah McLachlan and so many other inspiring artists was a big turning point for me, and I realized I needed to get out of NY, ditch my six-piece band and hit the road if I really wanted to develop as a performer.” She started booking her own tours, playing over 150 dates a year throughout the U.S and Europe and earning a sizable fanbase along the way.
During the release of her first few albums, advice and support from the likes of Suzanne Vega, Ani DiFranco and Eric Burdon (The Animals) encouraged Sage to stick to her musical roots and “just keep doing what I loved and not think a whole lot about what was going on in the music industry.” As a songwriter, she was energized by the sensibilities of Elvis Costello, Patti Smith and Laura Nyro; as a visual artist (Sage also paints, decorates instruments and designs much of her vibrant stage-wear), pop-art pioneers Roy Lichtenstein, Andy Warhol and Keith Haring were ongoing visual muses.
After receiving the 2005 Independent Music Award for Best Folk/AAA artist and the 2005 OutMusic Award for Best Songwriter for her previous CD BALLADS & BURLESQUE, Sage headed back into the studio and emerged with her newest full-length work, THE BLISTERING SUN. The 15 song album “focuses on the rare moments where action follows instinct, without procrastination.” Fittingly, the cover-art depicts a colorful, super-heroine-esque image of Sage staring unflinchingly at the sun.
ALRIGHT, OK, the first cut on the record, is an upbeat swing number that Sage wanted to sound as though it could be its own type of 1950’s dance, like the twist or the bop. “When I wrote it I was thinking about how often I make diluted decisions simply because I don’t trust my initial instincts. I wanted the music to sound peppy and tongue-in-cheek, ‘cause it’s a hell of a lot easier to play a song about transcending your own weakness night after night when you can envision Ellen dancing along to it and smiling!”
FEATHERWOMAN is a energetic anthem celebrating individuality and independence. Its opening lyric asks “what are the things that I do best that nobody else can do?” and is aptly followed by what might be Sage’s most ambitious story-song yet, the driving, Eastern European flavored “93 Maidens”. Based on the letters of Warsaw teenager Chaya Feldman, whose entire class swallowed poison rather than submit to Nazi torture, it’s the song that Sage admits means the most to her “because I’ve wanted to sing about this brave young woman ever since I read about her ten years ago.” When she read her story, Sage says Chaya and her classmates “seemed like the ultimate feminists to me, despite the tragic context in which they were forced to reveal that strength.” Other highlights on the album include the R&B ballad VIOLET OR BLUE, the jazzy LONELY STREETS (a Peggy Lee inspired ode to solitude in the big city that Rachael penned “after one too many crushes I never should’ve acted on”), and BURNING WITCH, a dynamic jazz-drenched number in which Sage spells out the album’s personal-meets-political creed: ‘cause you’re a burning witch / when you can’t shape destiny”. Produced by Sage, recorded by John Shyloski and mixed by Kevin Killen (Peter Gabriel, Kate Bush), THE BLISTERING SUN features trumpet player Russ Johnson (Norah Jones, Aretha Franklin), drummer Dean Sharp (Moby, Jane Siberry), percussionist Doug Yowell (Duncan Shiek, Suzanne Vega), guitarist Jack Petruzelli (Rufus Wainwright, Gavin DeGraw),cellist Julia Kent (Antony & The Johnsons, Leona Naess), violinist Allison Cornell (Cyndi Lauper, Joe Jackson), organist Julie Wolf (Dar Williams) and bassist Todd Sickafoose (Ani DiFranco).
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
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
Rich Somers
Born in Brighton, Rich Somers received his first guitar at 11 years of age and started trying to emulate some of his favorite musicians. It was the likes of Wilson Pickett, Bob Dylan, Marvin Gaye, The Eagles and many others who all later became an inspiration to Rich’s individual songwriting talent.
Rich left school and trained as an antique furniture restorer and worked his way to running his own business in the Brighton area but there was still a burning ambition inside to express himself through music and this wasn’t possible through the restoration business so Rich Somers started spreading his wings. It was these early travels to Bermuda, Mexico, Australia, Barbados, and India which prompted Rich’s song writing career and without realizing it, “Terracotta Skies” was now in the making. As the portfolio of songs grew, the passion for playing live increased and intensified, as Rich played set after set around the resort bars of Mexico. “Terracotta Skies” was dreamt up while enjoying a Mexican sunset late on one balmy summers evening. “Better Way of Life” was inspired by that same Mexican scene that Rich viewed and the song paints a thousand pictures.
A poignant moment came in Kerala, India when while traveling in the area, the horrific tsunami of December 2004 hit the region wiping out much of the coastline of Sri Lanka and India’s south west corner. This gave Rich a whole new perspective on life and was a serious reality check. This can be heard in two songs, “The Words” and “Stuck on the Ceiling” which were both written in the aftermath of that incredible natural disaster.
The bottom line is this. As long as Rich has his guitar, a hammock and a bar nearby, it doesn’t matter where in the world he is, the inspiration will continue to flow.
Back home in Brighton in 2002, Rich performed in a duo playing the local scene for a couple of years and requests of a record started coming in, so under the banner of “Terracotta Skies” the recording journey began.
In the summer of 2006, Rich got to work with producer Phil Taylor and musicians Pete Riley, Phil Williams and Richard Barrett, all who empathized with his style of songwriting, and after nearly two years of very hard work, “Terracotta Skies” by Rich Somers was finally born.
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
Richard Murray
Irish-born singer/songwriter Richard Murray has, after years of working in almost every capacity the life of a musician has to offer, finally released his first album of original material.
His rich history as a formally trained session musician and producer has served his songwriting well.
This, along with his wide-ranging influences and experiences, has helped to create an edgy, provocative album umbued with dynamic sound and imagery.
Richard is currently promoting “Desert Wind” and continuing his work with other artists.
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.
The Robber Barons
Exploding out of San Francisco's hotbed of musical creativity, The Robber Barons have elicited more descriptions of their music than can be counted. The word that keeps bubbling to the top is "fresh." Having been compared to artists as far reaching as Steve Earle and The Replacements, The Robber Barons run the gamut from Americana to alternative rock without abandoning a pop sensibility.
Utilizing subject matter that has been coined "adult angst" by one reviewer, their rhythmic, string-driven songs encompass universal themes of faith, death, work, heartbreak, pleasure, sin, joy and suffering. The Robber Barons use deceptively simple details to shed an interesting light on things about the American experience. Jay Bennet (formerly of Wilco) calls it "rural contemporary." Whatever label they are tagged with, the inescapable fact is that the band delivers a rootsy and often dark sound with the sincerity of classic country music and the attitude of a rock band.
With three accomplished songwriters in the band, The Robber Barons are able to quickly produce quality songs as diverse as the band members themselves. Within the music can be heard hints of early country, blues, old-time gospel, and punk ideals delivered with a rock and roll abandon. Adding smooth harmonies to fire and brimstone vocal deliveries, their live shows take on the feeling of a southern tent revival.
The band went the DIY route early on, releasing their own e.p. Watch It Burn to wide acclaim and quickly built a loyal following in the Bay Area that soon grew to include most of the west coast. Armed with an arsenal of songs, hundreds of shows under their belts and an ever-growing legion of fans, The Robber Barons are currently hitting the road in support of their new CD “Kerosene Communion”.
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.
Robbie Dupree
The brand new studio album from Westcoast legend Robbie Dupree and band, "Time and Tide” has just been released.
"The songs on 'Time and Tide' are all very personal to me and they have been brought to life by my incredible band: David Sancious (Peter Gabriel, Sting), Larry Hoppen (Orleans), Leslie Smith (Bobby Caldwell, Sheryl Crow), Rick Chudacoff (Patti LaBelle, The Temptations) and Peter Bunetta (Peabo Bryson, Smokey Robinson). Together, we have been friends and music partners for more than 30 years. Five years ago we formed this band and began touring around the world. We created the foundation for our own sound. From the start, I knew that we would someday get to do a recording together. 'Time and Tide' is the realization of that dream! I have never been more proud or pleased with the results of our efforts.”
www.robbiedupree.com
www.zinkmusic.com
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
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
Reza
Rhett Miller
Rich Somers
Richie Furay
Richie Lawrence
Richard Murray
R M & F
Rob Laufer
Robber Barons
Robert M Fisher
R D Salmon
Robbin Thompson
Robbie Dupree
Rod Davies
Roger Holzheimer
Ruth Minnikin
