Piney Gir hails from the American Midwest, home of wide-open plains with sunflowers that go on
as far as the Earth curves. The “you’re not in Kansas anymore” jokes never wear thin, because
Piney embraces her heritage bringing it with her to the UK, where she’s lived in London for over a
decade now (yes she does have a sparkly red shoe collection & yes she wears a lot of gingham).
Piney was raised to fear God, like a lot of kids in the Bible-belt she wasn’t taught about Darwin in
schools, she memorised Bible verses and chapters every week... It was this religious upbringing
that spurred her into rock ‘n’ roll. “All we like sheep have gone astray...” Isaiah 53:6.
All teenagers rebel, but Piney had a lot to rebel against and so she went through a series of
extremes on an epic journey to figure out what’s what and who the heck she actually is. She was a
bit of a Laura Palmer, with a mysterious double life burbling underneath her wholesome persona.
After lots of phases, from pop to goth, hippy, rocker, hip-hopper, metaller, psychedelic traveller,
straight-edger, grunger, raver, country rocker, folky lady, funkadelic, electro-girl, jazz lover, mod,
rockabilly quiff-wearer... she finally settled on ‘everything’ as a genre for herself. Because the
conclusion that Piney came to was that she didn’t need to be categorised and that maybe not
being categorised could be her niche. “If you appreciate many types of music, why only limit
yourself to one thing all the time? So much inspires me!” she says. But there is a Piney Sound: it’s
perfectly-formed indie-pop with tuneful riffs and Piney’s lovely voice unifying it all. With that lyrical
rhyme/reason that you can’t quite put your finger on; it’s pleasing, charming and poetic.
Piney Gir thanks the church for her early music education – she went to one of those Pentecostal
churches with speaking in tongues and fainting – music was a big part of the Sunday ritual and
there was a lot of drama in the sermons. She also thanks her glamorous Aunt Mary for the piano
lessons without whom she would have never learned her scales... she then took up the drums and
studied them for 10 years going to University to major in music. Her drums were nicked from her
ghetto apartment, and so she changed her major to voice (which nobody can steal). Never really
having the voice for Verdi, she moved to London after uni to see what she could see. It never
occurred to her that she might sing in a band and write songs, but she knew she liked singing and
writing songs (she was 9 when she wrote her first song).
When she moved to London she worked in a cocktail bar & took some classes at St. Martins
mainly to meet people & find new ways of expressing herself, and it was then she joined a synth
pop duo called Vic Twenty... Vic Twenty released a single on a Mute label and toured UK and
Europe with synth-pop legendary duo Erasure. Vic Twenty split up and thus Piney Gir the solo
artist was born and this is Piney’s discography so far...
“Peakahokahoo” Piney Gir - Truck Records 2004
“Hold Your Horses” The Piney Gir Country Roadshow - Truck Records 2006
“The Yearling” Piney Gir - Hotel Records 2009
“Jesus Wept” The Piney Gir Country Roadshow - Damaged Goods 2010
“Geronimo!” Piney Gir – Damaged Goods 2011
“Mr Hyde’s Wild Ride” – Damaged Goods 2015
Piney has toured the UK and Europe extensively playing big festivals, small stages, toilet venues,
night clubs, gay bars, art galleries, theatres, churches and pop-up shops. She even did her first
tour of America, having played CMJ Festival and South By Southwest. She did 2 national radio
sessions for NPR, including a gig at the esteemed Mountain Stage, which was a real milestone for
her. “It’s nice to feel welcomed by your homeland,” says Piney. She will be playing a few select UK
festivals and touring Mr. Hyde's Wild Ride spring/summer 2015.
"A new Piney Gir album is always a reason to celebrate on The Other Woman. Angela
Penhaligon has one of the best voices and is one of the finest songwriters in the
business."
Ruth Barnes, The Other Woman, Amazing Radio
UNCUT **** - Sweet 60's pop from Kansas Chameleon
THE SUN *** - Undeniably charming
MOJO *** - Varying emotions and mutations are part of her unexpected strength
GUARDIAN *** - A retro delight
It’s pretty impossible to actively dislike Piney Gir, what with her pretty prom frocks, feisty
attitude and general chirpiness all forming the background to her perky country-tinged pop
This Is Fake DIY
Exuberant, bursts with joy, divine and sometimes mournful
Q Magazine top picks
Sandy Posey twinned with Dolly Parton with exceptionally good lyricism. If Jesus were to
hear it, he’d surely approve.
Shindig
Instantly grabs you by the scruff of your neck and leaves you a toe-tapping, line-dancing
maniac
Narc Magazine
The type of open-hearted pop that has you clutching your knees with glee
Drowned In Sound
Piney is a born entertainer, all dainty dress swirls and extravagant accordion flourishes
The Fly
Tuesday, October 13, 2015
Ted Drozdowski's Scissormen To Play Famed Music City Roots — Watch Live Worldwide on October 28
New album Love & Life scoring airplay, rave reviews; band now represented for booking by the Road Warrior Agency
NASHVILLE, TN — Acclaimed American roots blues trio Ted Drozdowski's Scissormen will play Music City Roots, the internationally famed syndicated live radio and internet broadcast show, on Wednesday, October 28 at 7 p.m. The show can be seen live worldwide at http://musiccityroots.com/.
The album and the band's live performances have also garnered rave reviews from No Depression, Blues Blast, Living Blues, The Nashville Scene, The Boston Globe, Guitar Player (where Ted will be featured this fall) and other publications. And earlier this summer Ted Drozdowski's Scissormen were featured on the syndicated, 2.4-million listener Beale Street Caravan radio show.
Ted Drozdowski's Scissormen are now working with the Nashville based Road Warrior Agency.
Upcoming tour dates include:
• October 17, Saturday, Gray's On Main, Franklin, TN (9 to 10:30 p.m. concert)
• October 28, Wednesday, Music City Roots, Franklin, TN (7 p.m.)
• November 5, Thursday, JV's Restaurant, Falls Church, VA (9 p.m.)
• November 6, Friday, The Robin's Nest, Linden, NJ (9 p.m.)
• November 7, Saturday, The Twisted Tail, Philadelphia, PA (9 p.m.)
• November 28, Saturday, A Mighty Love — Tribute to Mighty Sam McClain, Arlington Regent, Arlington, MA (7 p.m., fundraiser for the homeless with many guest performers)
• January 30, Saturday, Darwin's, Marietta, GA (9 p.m.)
The band is touring behind their heralded new album Love & Life, which is getting extensive global airplay including Sirius/XM's "B.B. King's Bluesville," currently playing the songs "Beggin' Jesus" and "Let's Go To Memphis," featuring the late soul giant Mighty Sam McClain on guest vocals.
NASHVILLE, TN — Acclaimed American roots blues trio Ted Drozdowski's Scissormen will play Music City Roots, the internationally famed syndicated live radio and internet broadcast show, on Wednesday, October 28 at 7 p.m. The show can be seen live worldwide at http://musiccityroots.com/.
The album and the band's live performances have also garnered rave reviews from No Depression, Blues Blast, Living Blues, The Nashville Scene, The Boston Globe, Guitar Player (where Ted will be featured this fall) and other publications. And earlier this summer Ted Drozdowski's Scissormen were featured on the syndicated, 2.4-million listener Beale Street Caravan radio show.
Ted Drozdowski's Scissormen are now working with the Nashville based Road Warrior Agency.
Upcoming tour dates include:
• October 17, Saturday, Gray's On Main, Franklin, TN (9 to 10:30 p.m. concert)
• October 28, Wednesday, Music City Roots, Franklin, TN (7 p.m.)
• November 5, Thursday, JV's Restaurant, Falls Church, VA (9 p.m.)
• November 6, Friday, The Robin's Nest, Linden, NJ (9 p.m.)
• November 7, Saturday, The Twisted Tail, Philadelphia, PA (9 p.m.)
• November 28, Saturday, A Mighty Love — Tribute to Mighty Sam McClain, Arlington Regent, Arlington, MA (7 p.m., fundraiser for the homeless with many guest performers)
• January 30, Saturday, Darwin's, Marietta, GA (9 p.m.)
The band is touring behind their heralded new album Love & Life, which is getting extensive global airplay including Sirius/XM's "B.B. King's Bluesville," currently playing the songs "Beggin' Jesus" and "Let's Go To Memphis," featuring the late soul giant Mighty Sam McClain on guest vocals.
NICK LOSS-EATON MEDIA AT CMJ 2015: PINEY GIR, LELAND SUNDRIES
Wednesday - 1:20pm – Leland Sundries - Rockwood Music Hall, Stage 1 – Baby Robot Media / Dangerbird Party (acoustic set)
Leland Sundries – This Brooklyn band (which I happen to lead) is putting the finishing touches on its debut full-length, combining Americana, indie rock, and garage rock sounds.
"Scrappy" - The New York Times
“Excellent.” -The iTunes StoreFlavorpill CMJ preview: http://flavorpill.com/nyc/
Saturday – 2:45pm – Piney Gir – Leftfield – Baby Robot Media / American Diamond Recordings / Nick Loss-Eaton Media Party: https://www.facebook.com/#/
UK by way of Kansas indie pop artist Piney Gir will release a new Halloween EP followed by a January full-length album. NPR Weekend Edition profiled her in 2012: http://www.npr.org/2012/11/24/
Praise for 2012 album ‘Geronimo’:
"Pop gems." – Philadelphia Inquirer
"Piney Gir performs a brand of upbeat indie-pop sure to delight fans of the Vivian Girls and Best Coast." – Pop Matters
"A bit Shangri-Las, a bit Vivian Girls, and a bit Jenny Lewis." – Blurt Magazine
Saturday – 5:45pm – Leland Sundries – Leftfield – Baby Robot Media / American Diamond Recordings / Nick Loss-Eaton Media Party (electric set): https://www.facebook.com/#/
Saturday – 10pm – Leland Sundries – Hank’s Saloon – Pick Up the Change: Alt-Country Showcase (electric set)
Leland Sundries – This Brooklyn band (which I happen to lead) is putting the finishing touches on its debut full-length, combining Americana, indie rock, and garage rock sounds.
"Scrappy" - The New York Times
“Excellent.” -The iTunes StoreFlavorpill CMJ preview: http://flavorpill.com/nyc/
Saturday – 2:45pm – Piney Gir – Leftfield – Baby Robot Media / American Diamond Recordings / Nick Loss-Eaton Media Party: https://www.facebook.com/#/
UK by way of Kansas indie pop artist Piney Gir will release a new Halloween EP followed by a January full-length album. NPR Weekend Edition profiled her in 2012: http://www.npr.org/2012/11/24/
Praise for 2012 album ‘Geronimo’:
"Pop gems." – Philadelphia Inquirer
"Piney Gir performs a brand of upbeat indie-pop sure to delight fans of the Vivian Girls and Best Coast." – Pop Matters
"A bit Shangri-Las, a bit Vivian Girls, and a bit Jenny Lewis." – Blurt Magazine
Saturday – 5:45pm – Leland Sundries – Leftfield – Baby Robot Media / American Diamond Recordings / Nick Loss-Eaton Media Party (electric set): https://www.facebook.com/#/
Saturday – 10pm – Leland Sundries – Hank’s Saloon – Pick Up the Change: Alt-Country Showcase (electric set)
Tuesday, October 6, 2015
MAVIS STAPLES & JOAN OSBORNE'S SOLID SOUL TOUR KICKOFF JOINED ON-STAGE BY BONNIE RAITT
Mavis Staples and Joan Osborne kicked off their national Solid Soul tour at the Fillmore in San Francisco with a bang as special guest Bonnie Raitt sat in for "Will the Circle Be Unbroken." Solid Soul is presented by Columbia Artists Management, Inc. and runs through November 22, 2015.
Solid Soul Tour Dates:
October 6-7, 2015 – Phoenix, AZ – MIM Music Theater
October 8, 2015 – Tucson, AZ – The Rialto Theatre
October 10, 2015 – The Woodlands, TX – Dosey Doe Coffee House
October 11, 2015 – Baton Rouge, LA – Manship Theatre
October 24, 2015 – Clinton Township, MI – Macomb Center for the Performing Arts
October 26, 2015 – Binghamton, NY – Osterhout Concert Theater
October 27, 2015 – University Park, PA – Eisenhower Auditorium
October 28, 2015 – Tarrytown, NY – Tarrytown Music Hall
October 30, 2015 – Stony Brook, NY – Staller Center for the Arts Main Stage
October 31, 2015 – Washington DC – George Washington Lisner Auditorium
November 1, 2015 – Newport News, VA – Ferguson Center for the Arts
November 3, 2015 – Morristown, NJ – Mayo Performing Arts Center
November 4, 2015 – New York, NY – 92nd Street Y, Theresa L. Kaufmann Auditorium
November 6, 2015 – Schenectady, NY – Proctors
November 7, 2015 – Boston, MA – Berklee Performance Center
November 8, 2015 – Providence, RI – Veterans Memorial Auditorium
November 10, 2015 – Keene, NH – New Hampshire Colonial Theatre
November 11, 2015 – Fuller Hall - St. Johnsbury, VT
November 12, 2015 – Portsmouth, NH – Portsmouth Music Hall
November 14, 2015 – Englewood, NJ – Bergen Performing Arts Center Auditorium
November 15, 2015 – Richmond, VA – Camp Concert Hall
November 16, 2015 – Durham, NC – Fletcher Hall Auditorium, Carolina Theatre
November 18, 2015 – Atlanta, GA – Ferst Center for the Arts
November 19, 2015 – Oxford, AL – Oxford Performing Arts Center
November 21, 2015 – Cutler Bay, FL – Main Stage, South Miami-Dade Cultural Arts Center
November 22, 2015 – Clearwater, FL – Capitol Theatre
Solid Soul Tour Dates:
October 6-7, 2015 – Phoenix, AZ – MIM Music Theater
October 8, 2015 – Tucson, AZ – The Rialto Theatre
October 10, 2015 – The Woodlands, TX – Dosey Doe Coffee House
October 11, 2015 – Baton Rouge, LA – Manship Theatre
October 24, 2015 – Clinton Township, MI – Macomb Center for the Performing Arts
October 26, 2015 – Binghamton, NY – Osterhout Concert Theater
October 27, 2015 – University Park, PA – Eisenhower Auditorium
October 28, 2015 – Tarrytown, NY – Tarrytown Music Hall
October 30, 2015 – Stony Brook, NY – Staller Center for the Arts Main Stage
October 31, 2015 – Washington DC – George Washington Lisner Auditorium
November 1, 2015 – Newport News, VA – Ferguson Center for the Arts
November 3, 2015 – Morristown, NJ – Mayo Performing Arts Center
November 4, 2015 – New York, NY – 92nd Street Y, Theresa L. Kaufmann Auditorium
November 6, 2015 – Schenectady, NY – Proctors
November 7, 2015 – Boston, MA – Berklee Performance Center
November 8, 2015 – Providence, RI – Veterans Memorial Auditorium
November 10, 2015 – Keene, NH – New Hampshire Colonial Theatre
November 11, 2015 – Fuller Hall - St. Johnsbury, VT
November 12, 2015 – Portsmouth, NH – Portsmouth Music Hall
November 14, 2015 – Englewood, NJ – Bergen Performing Arts Center Auditorium
November 15, 2015 – Richmond, VA – Camp Concert Hall
November 16, 2015 – Durham, NC – Fletcher Hall Auditorium, Carolina Theatre
November 18, 2015 – Atlanta, GA – Ferst Center for the Arts
November 19, 2015 – Oxford, AL – Oxford Performing Arts Center
November 21, 2015 – Cutler Bay, FL – Main Stage, South Miami-Dade Cultural Arts Center
November 22, 2015 – Clearwater, FL – Capitol Theatre
Photo of Mavis Staples/Joan Osborne/Bonnie Raitt Solid Soul opening night
Credit: Greg Chow, click for high res
Monday, October 5, 2015
Brian Carpenter & The Confessions 'The Far End of the World' credits
Brian Carpenter - vocals, harmonica, Farfisa organ, guitar
Jen Kenneally - vocals
Andrew Stern - guitar
Noell Dorsey - vocals
Jef Charland - bass guitar
Gavin McCarthy - drums
Carla Kihlstedt - violin, viola, nyckelharpa, vocals
Lilit Hartunian - violin
Morgan Evans-Weiler - violin
David Michael Curry - viola
Catherine Bent - cello
Larkin Grimm - voice, whistling
Rafi Sofer - recording, mixing
Bryce Goggin - recording
Craig Schumacher - mixing
J.J. Golden - mastering
Amy Higgins - photography
Maricar Manalo - lettering and drawings
Jen Kenneally - vocals
Andrew Stern - guitar
Noell Dorsey - vocals
Jef Charland - bass guitar
Gavin McCarthy - drums
Carla Kihlstedt - violin, viola, nyckelharpa, vocals
Lilit Hartunian - violin
Morgan Evans-Weiler - violin
David Michael Curry - viola
Catherine Bent - cello
Larkin Grimm - voice, whistling
Rafi Sofer - recording, mixing
Bryce Goggin - recording
Craig Schumacher - mixing
J.J. Golden - mastering
Amy Higgins - photography
Maricar Manalo - lettering and drawings
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