Out Today: The Drunken Hearts’ ‘Wheels of the City’ on LoHi Records, Produced by Tim Carbone

The Drunken Hearts Release Wheels of the City
October 18, 2019 on LoHi Records
Produced by Tim Carbone at Silo Sound Studios in Denver, Colorado

Out Now: https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/thedrunkenhearts/wheels-of-the-city-4

DENVER, CO — The Drunken Hearts release Wheels of the City October 18 on LoHi Records. Produced by Tim Carbone (Railroad Earth), the album was recorded at Silo Sound Studios in Denver, Colorado, and mastered by Jim Wilson. On Wheels of the City, The Drunken Hearts deliver tales of adventure, love, risk, and realization. 

Kind Words about Wheels of the City:

“Powerhouse singer Andrew McConathy is commanding from the outset on ‘Fire in House’ as he proceeds to light up Wheels of the City… More than anything, Drunken Hearts will evoke little snippets of our nostalgic memories of our favorite country-rock and rock bands. Yet, their music, as stated, is a bit more complex, without the usual clichés. And, surely McConathy has one of the most memorable voices in roots music.”
—Glide, Jim Hynes

“They bring positive proof of their sturdy existence in the form of Wheels of the City, a pulsating, ambitious, adventurous new record… Throughout an 11-song escapade, gutsy listeners might experience any number of thrilling sensations: the beauty of a string section on ‘Passchendaele’; a vibrant brass attack on ‘Wheels of the City’, the title cut inspired by Jack Kerouac’s essay ‘The Vanishing American Hobo’; and a psychedelic bridge on both ‘Two Hearts (On a Limb)’ and ‘Unrest’, the latter a lively folk tale about a weary man dying to go to sleep.” 
—PopMatters (full-length album premiere stream), Michael Bialas

“Made up of songs that emphasize positivity they start with ‘Fire in a House’ — a typical classic rock era swipe without sounding too retro. What’s commendable is the band maintains an absorbing pace… Rock & roll seeps into the fibers of ‘Unrest.’ It’s piano pounds as drums bop similar to The Beatles White Album years — quite impressive. This song is stellar.”
—Americana Highways, John Apice

“This album is a rare and natural gem that embodies its beauty through its rawness… Unlike a sad whiskey shot, these are eleven tequila toasts in a row.”
—Live Gig Source, Nathan M. Emerson

“Throughout the album, you hear examples of McConathy’s way of painting a picture with his words. The best example of that is in the title track. Over a gentle rhythm and a muted melody, he sings about someone who sleeps in a doorway, back to the wall. He goes on to sing, “Let’s build a bridge and not a wall. Something to bind us and not to divide us all.’ While the subject matter is heavy, the message is ultimately one of hope that is accented nicely with some horns at the end.”
—Americana Highways, Gary Schwind

“Listening to The Drunken Hearts pending release, Wheels of the City, dispels the notion that they are a one dimensional entity. There is country, with pedal steel and banjo, as well as elements of soul, some of the classic Laurel Canyon sound, touches of rock comparable to Drive-By Truckers, and alt-country stylings reminiscent of Son Volt.”
—NYS Music, Brian Cornish

More about The Drunken Hearts:

 

The Drunken Hearts. Photo by Tobin Voggesser

Mixing their mountain-spirit with the twang of the south, this electrifying five-man band met and live in the Denver/Boulder area of Colorado. Acoustic guitarist and powerhouse lead singer, Andrew McConathy is originally from Shreveport, Louisiana, and is known for his compelling songwriting and distinct and expressive vocals. Joining him are pedal steel, dobro, and lap steel player Cody Russell and electric guitarist and vocalist Kory Montgomery, both from Arkansas, along with bassist Jon McCartan, from Upstate New York by way of Vermont, and, from the outskirts of Chicago, drummer Alex Johnson.

The band wanted to try something new for this album: to create and record a new song each day, and continue that model until an entire album was realized. The result is eleven full-fledged, living, breathing, musical time capsules that make up Wheels of the City.  

“I loved working on this record with The Drunken Hearts,” exclaims Tim Carbone, a partner in LoHi Records. “We did a song a day and except for some vocal overdubs, solo replacements and the strings and horns, that was how it all went down. I’d never worked that way before. It was an amazing stretch of hyper-creativity. I’m very proud of Wheels of the City!” 

With notable performances at Winter WonderGrass Steamboat (CO), Winter WonderGrass Squaw Valley (CA), Mumford & Sons Gentlemen of the Road Fest (CO), Electric Forest (MI), FloydFest (VA), Vertex (CO), Fayetteville Roots Fest (AR), Hangtown Music Festival (CA), Bohemian Nights at New West Fest (CO), Northwest String Summit (OR), Grandoozy (CO), Four Peaks Festival (OR), and the band’s very own Yarmony Music Festival (CO), the band is very much at home on the festival circuit. They have also supported Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real, Greensky Bluegrass, Railroad Earth, Deer Tick, Leftover Salmon, String Cheese Incident, among others.

The band is touring the country from coast-to-coast, with stops at famed venues and festivals along the way and is set to perform a slew of shows with Yonder Mountain String Band during this album release cycle.

The Drunken Hearts Wheels of the City Tour Dates:

10/18 Fri – Norfolk, CT – Infinity Music Hall and Bistro*
10/19 Sat – Saratoga Springs, NY – Putnam Place*
10/30 Wed – Bend, OR – Volcanic Theatre Pub
10/31 Thu – Coos Bay, OR – 7 Devils Brewing Co.
11/1 Fri – Salem, OR – Governor’s Cup
11/2 Sat – Portland, OR – Private Party
11/13 Wed – Baltimore, MD – The 8×10*
11/14 Thu – Brooklyn, NY – Brooklyn Bowl*
11/15 Fri – Ardmore, PA – The Ardmore Music Hall*
11/16 Sat – Boulder, CO – The Fox Theatre
11/17 Sun – Woodstock, NY – Levon Helm Studios*
11/19 Tue – Greenfield, MA – Hawks & Reed PAC*
11/21 Thu – Portland, ME – Port City Music Hall*
11/22 Fri – Pawtucket, RI – The Met*
11/23 Sat – Boston, MA – Brighton Music Hall*
11/24 Sun – York, PA – The Capitol Theatre*

* supporting Yonder Mountain String Band

Wheels of the City Track Listing and Credits

1. Fire in a House 4:02
2. Shining Eyes 3:24
3. Alive ‘n Free 3:47
4. Run It All Together 3:09
5. Unrest 3:42
6. Wheels of the City 4:13
7. Passchendaele 4:52
8. Two Hearts (On a Limb) 3:15
9. In the Middle 3:19
10. Dream of Waiting 4:42
11. The Cave 3:38

The Drunken Hearts:
Andrew McConathy – Acoustic & Electric Guitar, Vocals
Cody Russell – Pedal Steel, Lap Steel, Dobro
Jon McCartan – Electric Bass
Kory Montgomery – Electric & Acoustic Guitar, Vocals
Alex Johnson – Drums, Percussion

Special Guests:
Tim Carbone – Piano (tracks 1, 3, 5), Organ (3), Violin (3), Backing Vocals (7), Spoken Word (11), Percussion (1)
Sheryl Renee – Backing Vocals (tracks 7, 9)

Horn Section (track 6):
Sam Hoyt – Trumpet
Sam Burris – Trombone
John Devivo – French Horn
Jay Rattman – Alto Sax, Flute, Clarinet, and Arrangement 

String Section (track 7):
Stephanie Bell – Violin
Chris Souza – Violin
Marsha Cahn – Viola
David Moulton – Cello
Jay Rattman – Arrangement 

Produced by Tim Carbone / Engineered by Todd Divel / Recorded at Silo Sound Studios in Denver, CO
Mixed by Todd Divel with Tim Carbone / Mastered by Jim Wilson at Jim Wilson Mastering
Strings and Horns recorded by Don Sternecker at Mix-O-Lydian Recording
All songs arranged by The Drunken Hearts and Tim Carbone

For more information and updates from the road, please visit www.thedrunkenhearts.com, facebook.com/thedrunkenhearts, twitter.com/drunkenhearts, and instagram.com/thedrunkenhearts.

 

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Relix Magazine Premieres The Contribution’s “Back This Way” – Single To Benefit Rex Foundation

Relix Magazine Premieres The Contribution’s “Back This Way”
All Proceeds Donated to Rex Foundation ~ OUT TODAY February 17, 2017

The Contribution is:
Tim Carbone, Phil Ferlino, Jeff Miller, Keith Moseley, Sheryl Renee, Matt Butler, & Duane Trucks

On Sale Now at:
iTunes | Amazon | cdbaby.com
TheContribution.net | LoHiRecords.com | RexFoundation.org

The Contribution is pleased to release tracks from their upcoming LoHi Records album, Wilderness And Space, one song at a time over the course of seven months, with full proceeds of each single going to a different non-profit. The full ten-song album will be released on vinyl this Fall.

They kick off with the single “Back This Way” which will be available online on February 17, 2017 with all proceeds donated to Rex Foundation. This track was recorded at Bob Weir’s TRI Studios in San Rafael, CA and engineered by Rick Vargas. Head over to Relix Magazine to hear the World Premiere of “Back This Way” →  http://bit.ly/TheContributionRexPremiere_Relix.

The Contribution is the brainchild of Tim Carbone of Railroad Earth (violin, guitar, vocals) together with Phil Ferlino (keyboards, vocals) and Jeff Miller (guitar, vocals) of New Monsoon. Keith Moseley (String Cheese Incident), has been the bass player from the band’s inception along with vocalist Sheryl Renee (The Black Swan Singers). The drum chair has been occupied by Jason Hann (String Cheese Incident), Matt Butler (Everyone Orchestra), and currently Duane Trucks (Widespread Panic). Both Matt Butler and Duane Trucks appear on the band’s new record, Wilderness And Space.

When Relix magazine announced the The Contribution’s debut record, Which Way World [2010], and called them a “jamband supergroup,” they also recognized, “the band serves the songs first and foremost.” Although the band is comprised of some of the scene’s heavy hitters, the first listen to their music reveals their love of 60s pop and soul coupled with their ability to flat-out shred. It’s what makes the band appealing to music lovers from all walks of life.

Since they are in other touring bands and cannot really get on the road together that often, they came up with this unique idea; Carbone wanted to find a way to live up to the band’s name, which in itself provided the clue as to how, and this is what they cooked up as a way to keep it going and give back in the process. Individually the members of The Contribution have been advocates and activists for various environmental and social causes. Now they have thought of a way to meld the two worlds the band holds dear. They are The Contribution, after all.

The group selected a handful of organizations to partner with and are excited to kick things off with Rex Foundation. Created in 1983 by the Grateful Dead and Family, Rex Foundation aims to help secure a healthy environment, promote individuality in the arts, provide support to critical and necessary social services, assist others less fortunate than ourselves, protect the rights of indigenous people and ensure their cultural survival, build a stronger community, and educate children and adults everywhere. Rex Foundation has granted $8.9 million to over 1,200 recipients.

“For more than 30 years, the Rex Foundation has funded organizations most people might never have heard of, but all of whom do meaningful work that we find important. I believe that these same groups need all of us now more than ever, and I doubt there could be any better way to celebrate their work than by coming together with songs in the air and spirits held high,” says Rex Foundation Executive Director Cameron Sears.

Carbone says, “We feel blessed to be able to make this music and have it help people in need… and we would like to empower those who share our passion and provide a resource for them to take action with us.”

“Back This Way” is a duet sung as a conversation between a man and a woman whose relationship is suffering because the man is always away from home. He could be a musician or a traveling salesman (kind of the same thing) or in the military. It’s an argument that somehow, through love, turns out well. Carbone and Renee take the lead on vocals, backed by Miller, Ferlino, and Mosely, with Matt Butler holding it down on the drums.

Other organizations which will be featured include Conscious Alliance and HeadCount, as well as a handful of others that support the arts, environment, and health. Wilderness And Space will be released on LoHi Records, of which Carbone is one of the partners along with Hard Working Americans’ Todd Snider and Chad Staehly (Gold Mountain Entertainment), and entrepreneur/marketing veteran Jim Brooks.

For more information and music, stay tuned to www.TheContribution.net, www.facebook.com/TheContribution, www.twitter.com/thecontribution, and www.instagram.com/thecontribution.

Hear more about the Wilderness And Space project from Tim Carbone →  https://youtu.be/_6qfJzD97Ak.

Read a great interview with Carbone at Shows I Go To →  http://showsigoto.com/the-contribution-new-music/

Listen in to a podcast interview with Carbone at Ragin’ Randy Entertainment → http://raginrandyentertainment.com/interview-tim-carbone-the-contribution/

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Donna the Buffalo On Tour Summer 2015, Run in the West Announced

Donna the Buffalo On Tour Summer 2015, Run in the West Announced

ASHEVILLE, NC — Having started in 1989, Donna the Buffalo has passed the marker as their 25th year as a band and have proven to be a consistent purveyor of American music. They kick off their 2015 Summer tour at the Blue Heron Festival in Sherman, NY over the weekend of the 4th of July before heading up to their stomping grounds in Trumansburg, NY to celebrate the 25th annual Finger Lakes GrassRoots Festival of Music and Dance mid-month, a festival Donna started, and are still the driving force behind. Late July brings them through Rochester, NY and then over to  Kalamazoo, MI and Lander, WY for a couple of shows on their way out West in August for performances in Missoula, MT, a return to the Grand Targhee Bluegrass Festival in Wyoming, and then back through Boulder and Denver for a couple of Colorado shows.

Mid-August sees their return East with stops in New York, Ohio, and Pennsylvania. They have a short break from the road and pick back up again leading into the Fall in mid-September playing in Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Virginia, New York, and West Virginia, as well as October’s The Shakori Hills GrassRoots Festival in North Carolina and Magnolia Fest in Live Oak, FL. Stay tuned for more Fall shows to be announced.

Donna the Buffalo is Jeb Puryear (vocals, electric guitar) and Tara Nevins (vocals, guitar, fiddle, accordion, scrubboard) joined by David McCracken (Hammond B3 organ, Honer Clavinet & piano), Kyle Spark (bass) and Mark Raudabaugh (drums). “It’s been really fun with this lineup,” Puryear says. “You get to the point where you’re playing on a really high level, things are clicking and it’s like turning on the key to a really good car. It just goes.”

“You have to do just what you want to do, and everyone likes different things,” Nevins says. “Both Jeb and I come from this background of old-time fiddle music, which is very natural, very real, very under-produced, and all about coming from the gut—flying by the seat of your pants. So we have that in us, too.”

The group draws its inspiration from a cherished part of the American heritage: the old-time music festivals of the south that drew entire towns and counties together. “Those festivals were so explosive, and the community and the feeling of people being with each other, that’s the feeling we were shooting for in our music,” Puryear says. “Donna the Buffalo is an extension of the joy we’ve found.”

Over the years, the band has also built a following that proudly calls itself The Herd, along with a well-deserved reputation for crafting social narratives and slipstream grooves without equal. To merely call this “roots music” does it disservice, for the roots nurtured by Puryear and Nevins run wild, deep and strong—a tribute to how much Donna the Buffalo marries musical trailblazing and tradition.

“It’s a great feeling to promote such a feeling of community, like you’re really part of something that’s happening, like a movement or a positive force…” Nevins says, “All those people that come and follow you and you recognize them and you become friends with them — you’re all moving along for the same purpose. It is powerful. It’s very powerful, actually.”

Donna the Buffalo On Tour
7/3-5 Fri-Sun – Great Blue Heron Music Festival – Sherman, NY
7/16-19 Thu-Sun – GrassRoots Festival of Music & Dance – Trumansburg, NY
7/31 Fri – Rochester Public Market – Rochester, NY
8/1 Sat – Bell’s Eccentric Cafe – Kalamazoo, MI
8/4 Tue – Lander Live @ Jaycee Park – Lander, WY
8/6 Thu – Top Hat Lounge – Missoula, MT
8/7 Fri – Grand Targhee Bluegrass Festival – Alta, WY
8/8 Sat – Oriental Theater – Denver, CO
8/9 Sun – eTown Hall – Boulder, CO
8/14 Fri – Inspire Moore Winery – Naples, NY
8/15 Sat – Nelson Ledges Quarry Park – Garrettsville, OH
8/18 Tue – Eight Great Tuesdays @ Liberty Park – Erie, PA
9/17 Thu – Stafford Palace Theater – Stafford Spring, CT
9/18 Fri – New Hope Winery – New Hope, PA
9/19 Sat – Tally Ho Theater – Leesburg, VA
9/20 Sun – The Tin Pan – Richmond, VA
9/25 Fri – Towne Crier – Beacon, NY
9/26 Sat – Westcott Theater – Syracuse, NY
9/27 Sun – The American Music Festival for the Lake – Lake George, NY
10/15 Thu – Rose G. Smith Theater – Williamson, WV
10/ 8-11 Thu-Sun – Shakori Hills GrassRoots Fest – Silk Hope, NC
10/17-18 Sat-Sun – Magnolia Fest – Live Oak, FL

For more information and tour dates, please visit www.donnathebuffalo.com
facebook.com/donnathebuffalo and twitter.com/donnathebuffalo

 

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Donna The Buffalo’s New Years Run in Florida into 2013

Donna The Buffalo’s 8-Show New Years Run in Florida into 2013

DtB @ Revolution on Fri, December 28, 2012
doors 8pm, show 9:15, DtB 10:15pm
$18 adv/ $20 dos, All Ages, (954)727-0950
200 West Broward Blvd. Ft. Lauderdale , FL 33312
www.jointherevolution.net

DtB @ Skipper’s Smokehouse Sat, Dec 29th- Mon Dec 31st
Saturday Dec 29th & Sunday Dec 30th
doors 7pm, show 8pm, $25 adv/ $30 dos
Monday, Dec 31st
doors 5pm, show 6pm, $35 adv/ $40 dos
(813)977-6474, 18+
910 Skipper Rd, Tampa, FL 33613
www.skipperssmokehouse.com

DtB @ Green Parrot on Wed- Fri, Jan 2-4, 2013
(305)294-6133, 21+
601 Whitehead St., Key West, FL 33040

DtB @ The Plaza ‘Live’ Sat Jan 5, 2013
Doors 8pm, All ages, $17 adv/ $20 dos
425 North Bumby Ave., Orlando, FL 82803

www.donnathebuffalo.com

The above video is: Donna the Buffalo’s Full Sunday Set at MagnoliaFest 2012- Thanks to Mark DaBabe for recording!

Donna the Buffalo’s feel-good, groove-oriented, danceable and often socially conscious music all began over twenty years ago with roots in old time fiddle music that evolved into a soulful electric Americana mix infused with elements of cajun/ zydeco, rock, folk, reggae, and country. Donna the Buffalo is known for touring the country remaining fiercely independent as one of the industry’s most diverse roots-music bands and has “earned a reputation as one of the most respected, eclectic and hardest-working acts today,” praises Encore.

Donna the Buffalo has been working on a 10th album with Jeb Puryear on guitar and vocals; Tara Nevins on fiddle, guitar, accordion, scrubboard and vocals; keyboardist Dave McCracken; bassist Kyle Spark; and drummer Mark Raudabaugh.

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Vertigo Jazz Project and One Leg Up Masquerade New Years Eve Party at MoDaddy’s

Vertigo Jazz Project & One Leg Up

MoDaddys
Saturday, New Year’s Eve 12/31

Complementary Champagne Toast and Balloon Drop at Midnight!

Masquerade and Photo Booth!

$15 / $10 before 10pm (So get there early and save $5)
Open for dinner all night, NYE event starts at 9pm

Music begins at 10pm sharp with One Leg Up.

(828) 258-1550
77 Biltmore Avenue
Asheville, NC 28801
www.modaddysbar.com

Vertigo Jazz Project:

Throw out your expectations of what “jazz music” is or might be. Jazz is a giant tree with thick roots, a twisted trunk and continuously expanding branches. Just pull up the wikipedia page and you’ll find countless sub-genres and off-shoots. Over the past century jazz musicians have always pulled inspiration from many sources, be it Latin, funk, or even pop music.

Asheville, North Carolina’s Vertigo Jazz Project is doing just that. It being the 21st Century, we are bombarded by music from all sides,and thus influenced by it whether we like it or not. VJP decided to embrace that influence and is creating original jazz music for modern audiences. And, yes, taking jazz back to its foundation- the dance floor. This is music to move to. Throw out your inhibitions and come have fun watching some musicians play the %#$! out of their instruments. But, if that’s not your thing that’s okay, you’ll enjoy listening as well.

Speaking of musicians and their instruments, VJP is a power trio (i.e. guitar, bass and drum set). And speaking of influences, guitarist and son of a preacher man Preston Cate learned music in church at an early age, bringing some blue-eyed soul and gymnastic improv skills to the group. Meanwhile, Ryan Reardon on electric bass has been all over the map, from symphony orchestras to studying in West Africa. Rounding out the trio is Sean Mason on drum set, learning vicariously through his father, former member of The Fugs, play in all sorts of musical settings.

VJP is currently in the studio working on their third album, entitled “This is Rock?”, set for release in spring 2012. They tour throughout the southeast and enjoy frequent well-known guest soloists. Here’s a link to a great video of the band live: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6zCqohNhaa0.

To quote the great Thelonious Monk- “Where’s jazz going? I don’t know? Maybe it’s going to hell. You can’t make anything go anywhere. It just happens.” www.vertigojazzproject.com

One Leg Up:
Based in Asheville, North Carolina, One Leg Up performs a vibrant mixture of upbeat Gypsy Jazz, Latin, Swing and original jazz compositions and is a favorite of club, concert, and festival stages throughout the southeastern United States. One Leg Up is John Stineman (guitar, vocals), Jim Tanner (Guitar), Zack Page (bass), Mike Guzalak (Clarinet, Sax) and Steve Trismen (violin, vocals). They formed in 2003 as a “String Swing” band in the style of famed French gypsy guitarist Django Reinhardt.

Propelled by their excellent self-produced debut recording “Gypsy Blue”, they soon won critical acclaim for their “hot club” prowess and were tapped to back up award-winning Spanish guitarist Pere Soto on some of his 2005 U.S. tour dates. Also in 2005, One Leg Up performed at a concert and book show with Michael Dregni, author of Django: The Life and Music of a Gypsy Legend. Over the years, One Leg Up has broadened its repertoire to include fresh arrangements of Django classics, vocal harmonies, original compositions, and innovative adaptations of classic jazz numbers in the French “hot club” and American “big band” styles. Now more than just a Django band, their latest recording “Pere La Chaise” is a music mix that is danceable and accessible. One Leg Up continues to attract a growing, varied, and enthusiastic fan base with music that always swings.  www.onelegupjazz.com

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Stephaniesid, Noir-Pop Band, Releases “Starfruit” October 18th through Nine Mile Records

Asheville, NC band Stephaniesid return with their sparkling, new pop gem Starfruit, cementing their status as one of the region’s most ambitious, innovative, and influential bands.In the downtime since their last record, lead singer Stephanie Morgan formed a local songwriter’s group to help spur her creativity.

She began recording the songs that emerged from these sessions, and posting them online for fans. This collection of singles formed the nucleus for Starfruit, and the rest of the band joined her over the course of many months to record more material in the home she shares with husband/co-bandleader Chuck Lichtenberg.

As a result, Starfruit has a much looser, more organic feel than the band’s first three full-lengths, while retaining the band’s penchant for intricate arrangements, unusual textures, and virtuosic playing. The sprawling 14-track effort touches on all of the band’s many influences, even including a faithful cover of Dream Academy’s hit “Life In A Northern Town,” and a cheeky reworking of the Laverne & Shirley theme song.

BACKGROUND:
Stephaniesid quickly became a local powerhouse with their debut Spiral In (2005). The band was signed by Nine Mile Records in 2007 and released Grus Americanus, a record that NPR’s Robin Hilton described as “A mesmerizing mix of songs that can be hushed and calm one moment, and then suddenly dark and explosive the next.” Grus also spawned singles which appeared on HBO’s “Nurse Jackie,” the award-winning short film “The Red Helmet,” and numerous compilations.

In 2008, the band performed at Bonnaroo, and was reviewed in The Bonnaroo Beacon: “…a rather transcendent set …the band was different, melodic, quirky, and just plain good…. A sleeper act which hit the mark with an almost Bjork-like panache.”

2009’s Warm People garnered more national attention for the band, with plays on NPR’s “World Cafe” (“Sharp writing!” exclaims David Dye), and glowing reviews in Blurt, Billboard, and Big Takeover. By 2010, Stephaniesid had been named “Best Rock Band” in Asheville in the (weekly paper) Mountain Xpress poll 4 years in a row.

Touring in support of “Starfruit” are Steph (vox, guitar, synth), Chuck (keyboards, vox), Maine-born Tim Haney (drums), and former NYC horn players Justin Ray and Jacob Rodriguez, with Matthew Richmond (vibraphone) and Jonathan Pearlman (guitar) also appearing on shows in the Southeast.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“This looks happy, but the music hits much deeper. Stephanie Morgan’s vocals [move] delicately between The Sugarcubes and The Sundays, but always with a childlike wink and skip…. Sometimes the band evinces a sadness that lives in the world, but there is always an answer of music and joy to bring light out of every possible shadow.” –Marcel Feldmar, The Big Takeover Magazine

“The songs move from intimate to anthemic… effortlessly poetic letters…acute insights … shimmering synth hooks and smoothly shifting melodic textures… difficult to classify but easy to love.” –Wayne Robins, Billboard Magazine

“This is world-class music, period. No labels necessary.” –Fred Mills, Blurt Magazine

ARTIST: Stephaniesid
TITLE: Starfruit
CATALOG NUMBER: NMR 0123
RELEASE DATE: October 18, 2011
FOCUS TRACKS: #1 Closer, #4 I Like It,
#5 Cinematic, #7 Life In A Northern Town
BEST MARKETS: Asheville, NC, Charlotte, NC,
Atlanta, GA, Cincinnati, OH, Greenville, SC

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Intimate interview with Tara Nevins on the making of the song “Tennessee River” off the new album “Wood and Stone”

Intimate interview with Tara Nevins on the making of the song “Tennessee River” off the new album “Wood and Stone” (Sugar Hill 2011)

Filmed and produced by JAMerica‘s Peter Conners and Denver Miller

“‘Stars Fell On Alabama’ is Tara’s version of an old standard, while ‘Tennessee River’ sounds like she’s written a new standard.” – Hudson Valley Bluegrass Association

“The highlight of the record, though, might be “Tennessee River”, a song that again sees Nevins turning introspective as crunchy, distorted guitars creak in the background a la 1970s Neil Young. In fact, this song could easily be an outtake from Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere, with a different vocalist. Again, the disparate elements come together powerfully to provide a neat bookend for the hard-charging opening track. At five minutes, it’s the longest song on the album and one of its most satisfying. “ – David Maine, Pop Matters

“Two surprises on the album are “Stars Fell on Alabama,” in which Nevins turns the ‘30s jazz standard into a bleak, gothic soundscape, and “Tennessee River,” an even more desolate turn recalling the best of Lucinda Williams.” – Aaron Keith Harris, Lonesome Road Review

“‘Tennessee River,’ a dark and gripping song about love’s place in ones’ life, features Campbell’s harrowing, electric guitar wails.” – Bill Clifford – Relix

“If heroes and heroines of rock ‘n’ roll are defined by their uniqueness, they definitely broke the mold when they made Tara Nevins.” – Wildman Steve, The Corner News

“‘Wood and Stone’ is strangely hypnotic at times, with its mesmerizing rhythms and Nevins’ relaxed but commanding delivery. The beautifully dark “Tennessee River” and her cover of the jazz standard, ‘Stars Fell On Alabama,’ are entrancing and highlight Nevins’ beautiful voice” – Boone Mountain Times

“Tara channels swampy accordion and mountain fiddles through a set of songs about heartaches and a longing for the sanctity of family values and a simple home life. The chemistry between Nevins and Campbell cooks up a powerfully convincing sound through tracks like Down South Blues, The Wrong Side and You’re Still Driving That Truck as the duo’s varied strings entwine. But the star turn is the brooding Tennessee River with its big, fat, shimmering guitars and broken heart laid bare. Terrific.” – Properganda

“With the wonderful fiddle groove and vividly written lyrics, Nevins gives a glimpse into her roots. Stepping out for a rare solo record (beyond her beloved band, Donna the Buffalo), she meshes her Cajun influences, unique voice, drums and steel guitars for an intriguing look at her heritage.” – CMT

“A tour de force from start to finish” – Kay Cordtz, Elmore

Visit Tara Nevins website www.TaraNevins.com for more information about the album, a gallery of images, videos, music, and lyrics.

JAMerica is is dial book/ documentary film project that will tell the story of the roots and evolution of the Jam and Festival Scene. Visit www.jamerica.net

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“A Tour De Force from Start to Finish” ~ Reviews of ‘Wood and Stone’ by Tara Nevins

“A tour de force from start to finish” – Kay Cordtz, Elmore

“With the wonderful fiddle groove and vividly written lyrics, Nevins gives a glimpse into her roots. Stepping out for a rare solo record (beyond her beloved band, Donna the Buffalo), she meshes her Cajun influences, unique voice, drums and steel guitars for an intriguing look at her heritage.” – CMT

“Wood And Stone adds another powerful and engaging chapter to Nevins’ musical achievements”. – Steven Stone, Vintage Guitar

“a wide-ranging affair encompassing all manner of rootsy Americana, spiced with Nevins’s voice and multi-instrumentalist skills, served up in a package that is polished but never slick. Nevins, in other words, is the real deal.” – David Maine, Pop Matters

“If heroes and heroines of rock ‘n’ roll are defined by their uniqueness, they definitely broke the mold when they made Tara Nevins.” – Wildman Steve, The Corner News

“Larry has taken Tara’s music to an entirely higher level, if this doesn’t turn into an award winner they’ll have been cheated!” – Hudson Valley Bluegrass Association

“It’s a smart move…” – Andy Gill, UK Independent

“The centerpiece of the album, in my opinion, is the sweeping “The Wrong Side,” which features Allison Moorer and Teresa Williams. It’s a track sounds like it was from the O’Brother Where Art Thou? sessions, but the same could be said of the haunting “Stars Fell On Alabama,” where once again Nevins shows her prowess on the fiddle. This is an exceptional piece of music, one that I think needs to be heard—to prove that people are still cutting “Country Music” these days!” – Chuck Dauphin, Music News Nashville

“Tara channels swampy accordion and mountain fiddles through a set of songs about heartaches and a longing for the sanctity of family values and a simple home life. The chemistry between Nevins and Campbell cooks up a powerfully convincing sound through tracks like Down South Blues, The Wrong Side and You’re Still Driving That Truck as the duo’s varied strings entwine. But the star turn is the brooding Tennessee River with its big, fat, shimmering guitars and broken heart laid bare. Terrific.” – Properganda

“Songs such as the fiddle-infused title cut, a touching tribute to home and family, and ‘You’re Still Driving That Truck’ are country rockers. ‘Snowbird’ is a string ballad about unrequited love, while “Nothing Really” is an instrumental bluegrass dust-up. ‘Tennessee River,’ a dark and gripping song about love’s place in ones’ life, features Campbell’s harrowing, electric guitar wails. The record closes with a cathartic, beautiful cover of Van Morrison’s ‘The Beauty of Days Gone By’—bringing Wood and Stone full circle.”  Bill Clifford – Relix

“The sound is both loose and tight at the same time; the band knows how to walk that line and let Nevins be herself. To put it simply, it just plain works.”  – Brian Robbins, Jambands.com

For more reviews of ‘Wood and Stone’ please visit Taranevins.com

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Mad Tea Party’s Rock ‘n’ Roll Ghoul Video!

Title track off of the new EP, Rock ‘n’ Roll Ghoul, by Mad Tea Party (Krekel & Ami), produced by Greg Cartwright.

Thanks to the Asheville Zombies!

http://www.themadteaparty.com

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Mad Tea Party Releases Rock ‘n’ Roll Ghoul THIS Friday at Stella Blue in Asheville

Mad Tea Party released Rock ‘n’ Roll Ghoul a 4-song EP that is also available on 7″ vinyl this month! It was produced by Greg Cartwright (Reigning Sound, Oblivions). Visit their Bandcamp page to hear, find out more out the recording, see the great art by Gus Cutty, and to order the record (or just buy the downloads).  Start off the season with some new spooky songs!

Rock ‘n’ Roll Ghoul has already gotten a few great reviews. Read them in the Mountain Xpress, on the Sanuk D blog, and Bootleg Mag.

The Mad Tea’s big hometown show is on Friday, October 15th at Stella Blue in Asheville. They’re opening for Mark Sultan and Dr. Filth will be spinning vinyl between acts.

Photo by Michael Traister http://www.traisterphoto.com

You can also catch The Mad Tea Party on 98.1 The River in the 5:00 hour today 10/13!

They will also be in Bruisin’ Ales from 5-7pm tomorrow 10/14 (Thursday) selling records!

Stay up to the minute with The Mad Tea Party on their website, facebook, and  twitter.

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