Born in Queens, Leyla McCalla took to the cello at a young age, a
journey that has led her from classical stages to the New Orleans Jazz
& Heritage Festival and to the APAP stage at City Winery. Theese
non-traditional cello techniques helped to form the sounds on
'Vari-Colored Songs: A Tribute to Langston Hughes' (February 4
/ Music Maker Relief Foundation), her solo debut. After classical
training initially, a physical detour led her to reconsider. She
recalls, "I was serious about classical music and my family moved to
Africa when I was in high school."
McCalla is taping four syndicated radio shows in the next few weeks,
including NPR. Listen to a stream of 'Vari-Colored Songs' at Paste
Magazine.
She prepared pieces such as the Bach suites and the Saint-Saens Concerto
for an audition for the NYU music program after her transfer. "I saw
the cellist Rufus Cappadocia in a band outside of school. He was playing
five-string electric cello with a Haitian roots band. His playing just
blew me away: slapping, plucking, using all these different techniques."
She began meeting with him and he expanded her horizons of what a cello
could sound like and what kind of music it could play.
She studied classical techniques at NYU but outside of school, she was a
waitress at world music and jazz venue Zebulon. She says, "I met all
these musicians and was playing in different bands. There were epic jam
sessions at Rufus' house and I got new ideas about rhythm, groove, and
feel."
When I moved to New Orleans, I started playing a lot more. I memorize
the first four suites of the Bach repertoire and played on the street. I
sat in with trad jazz bands, started playing old-time music and Cajun
music. The line through it all is playing by ear. It's intuitive and in
my body," she says.
'Vari-Colored Songs' finds her strumming, plucking, and fingerpicking as
well as bowing the cello and playing the tenor banjo. Of her
songwriting says, "A lot these songs were not made up of conscious
decisions. On 'Heart of Gold,' I heard the poem in 5:4 time and the
melody that way. It just happened and felt right."
Thursday, January 30, 2014
Wednesday, January 29, 2014
THE NICK MOSS BAND GETS A BOOST FROM LEAD BELLY'S OPERA-TRAINED COUSIN
NEW ALBUM 'TIME AIN'T FREE' OUT MARCH 18 ON BLUE BELLA RECORDS, MARKED BY SYNDICATED RADIO SEGMENT
BILLBOARD: "MOSS REACHES DEEPER INTO SOUL, FUNK, AND ROCK 'N' ROLL"
'Time Ain't Free,' the new album from the Nick Moss Band, marks a culmination of the band's new sound, a hard-driving album of soul music, blues, funk, gospel, southern rock, rhythm & blues and boogie sounds. Explosive second lead vocalist and guitarist Michael Ledbetter – who has added to the new sound Moss has carved out for his band– is first cousin twice removed to Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Lead Belly.
Raised in Chicago, IL on the sounds of Stevie Wonder, Donny Hathaway, and B.B. King, he enjoyed a strong, eight-year career in the Chicago opera community before joining the Nick Moss Band in 2011. Moss offered a touring spot in the band after Ledbetter's impressive performance on the popular single "It'll Turn Around" (from 2011's Here I Am), as well as background vocal overdubs on many songs on that release, which reached #2 on the Relix/Jamband Radio Chart in 2012. The band—with Leadbetter in it--would go on to perform "It'll Turn Around" to a standing ovation at The 34th Annual Blues Music Awards in Memphis, TN.
He says, "They seem like very independent kinds of music, but my favorite artists and singers – whether they are blues, soul, or opera – were the most passionate singers: the ones where the passion just flowed from their voices."
Does Lead Belly inspire his current singing? He exclaims, "It's hard not to be inspired by all of his work! I just try to do the Ledbetter name justice in what I do."
'Time Ain't Free' marks the first album of his tenure as bandleader in which Moss shares the lead vocals, as well as some of the songwriting. Ledbetter says, "Nick Moss is an excellent teacher. It's a blessing to have that kind of motivation on stage and in the studio. I wrote four songs on the album. This was my first time singing lead and playing on an album so the whole thing was a crash course for me but the band was a well-oiled machine!"
He reflects, "My favorite song on the album is 'I Want The World To Know.' It's the most personal song I've ever written and, because of that, I was able to put just a little bit more of my heart and soul into my vocals. I'm very proud of that tune." Billboard agreed, posting the song as a track premiere, saying, "Moss reaches deeper into soul, funk and rock 'n' roll on Time Ain’t Free."
An interview on syndicated radio show Elwood's Blues Mobile will air around 'Time Ain't Free's' release.
BILLBOARD: "MOSS REACHES DEEPER INTO SOUL, FUNK, AND ROCK 'N' ROLL"
'Time Ain't Free,' the new album from the Nick Moss Band, marks a culmination of the band's new sound, a hard-driving album of soul music, blues, funk, gospel, southern rock, rhythm & blues and boogie sounds. Explosive second lead vocalist and guitarist Michael Ledbetter – who has added to the new sound Moss has carved out for his band– is first cousin twice removed to Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Lead Belly.
Raised in Chicago, IL on the sounds of Stevie Wonder, Donny Hathaway, and B.B. King, he enjoyed a strong, eight-year career in the Chicago opera community before joining the Nick Moss Band in 2011. Moss offered a touring spot in the band after Ledbetter's impressive performance on the popular single "It'll Turn Around" (from 2011's Here I Am), as well as background vocal overdubs on many songs on that release, which reached #2 on the Relix/Jamband Radio Chart in 2012. The band—with Leadbetter in it--would go on to perform "It'll Turn Around" to a standing ovation at The 34th Annual Blues Music Awards in Memphis, TN.
He says, "They seem like very independent kinds of music, but my favorite artists and singers – whether they are blues, soul, or opera – were the most passionate singers: the ones where the passion just flowed from their voices."
Does Lead Belly inspire his current singing? He exclaims, "It's hard not to be inspired by all of his work! I just try to do the Ledbetter name justice in what I do."
'Time Ain't Free' marks the first album of his tenure as bandleader in which Moss shares the lead vocals, as well as some of the songwriting. Ledbetter says, "Nick Moss is an excellent teacher. It's a blessing to have that kind of motivation on stage and in the studio. I wrote four songs on the album. This was my first time singing lead and playing on an album so the whole thing was a crash course for me but the band was a well-oiled machine!"
He reflects, "My favorite song on the album is 'I Want The World To Know.' It's the most personal song I've ever written and, because of that, I was able to put just a little bit more of my heart and soul into my vocals. I'm very proud of that tune." Billboard agreed, posting the song as a track premiere, saying, "Moss reaches deeper into soul, funk and rock 'n' roll on Time Ain’t Free."
An interview on syndicated radio show Elwood's Blues Mobile will air around 'Time Ain't Free's' release.
Monday, January 27, 2014
NYC DRUMMER KRISTIN MUELLER STEPS OUT FROM BEHIND THE KIT FOR STRIKING ALBUM 'DESERTS & LONG TRAILS,' OUT FEB 25
"Mueller's fabulous songs vibe Calexico - with a beautiful voice she invokes intimacy and elegance."- Village Voice
"There is real promise here. The songs take their sweet old time to unfurl under Mueller's steady vocals." - Time Out NY
Drawing comparisons to Beck's 'Sea Change,' Feist, Mirah, Cat Power, and Smog, NYC first call player Kristin Mueller has stepped out from behind the drum kit for her new album 'Deserts & Long Trails,' out February 25. Recorded in NYC, it features Mueller on drums, guitar (played "upside down"), bass, keys, and banjo alongside new and long-time collaborators Karen Waltuch (Viola: Jim O'Rourke, Beth Orton, Wilco), Brian Kantor (Drums: Nina Pierson, the Yellowbirds), Jay Foote (Bass: Lone Bellow, Trixie Whitely), Jay Russo (Guitar: Hopewell, Mercury Rev), and others.
Together with producer Damon Whittemore, Mueller crafted an intricate and beautifully layered collection of spectral songs that is both sensuous and nostalgic, sorrowful and loudly playful, resulting in a diverse, cinematic and meandering journey of dynamic uncovering. The album hinges on Mueller's exploration of the quiet intimate weight of time and its ever passing. It is inspired by this inescapable permanence and by the alternate influences of the many characters and collaborators Mueller has known.
As a drummer, she has toured nationally and internationally, playing with such artists as Lucinda Black Bear, Jeffrey Lewis, and Cynthia Hopkins among many others.
Mueller's song "Finding a Woman" from her first album 'Ports of Call' was featured in the Sundance award-winning film "What Alice Found."
Mueller will perform March 6 at Jalopy in Brooklyn, NY.
"There is real promise here. The songs take their sweet old time to unfurl under Mueller's steady vocals." - Time Out NY
Drawing comparisons to Beck's 'Sea Change,' Feist, Mirah, Cat Power, and Smog, NYC first call player Kristin Mueller has stepped out from behind the drum kit for her new album 'Deserts & Long Trails,' out February 25. Recorded in NYC, it features Mueller on drums, guitar (played "upside down"), bass, keys, and banjo alongside new and long-time collaborators Karen Waltuch (Viola: Jim O'Rourke, Beth Orton, Wilco), Brian Kantor (Drums: Nina Pierson, the Yellowbirds), Jay Foote (Bass: Lone Bellow, Trixie Whitely), Jay Russo (Guitar: Hopewell, Mercury Rev), and others.
Together with producer Damon Whittemore, Mueller crafted an intricate and beautifully layered collection of spectral songs that is both sensuous and nostalgic, sorrowful and loudly playful, resulting in a diverse, cinematic and meandering journey of dynamic uncovering. The album hinges on Mueller's exploration of the quiet intimate weight of time and its ever passing. It is inspired by this inescapable permanence and by the alternate influences of the many characters and collaborators Mueller has known.
As a drummer, she has toured nationally and internationally, playing with such artists as Lucinda Black Bear, Jeffrey Lewis, and Cynthia Hopkins among many others.
Mueller's song "Finding a Woman" from her first album 'Ports of Call' was featured in the Sundance award-winning film "What Alice Found."
Mueller will perform March 6 at Jalopy in Brooklyn, NY.
LEYLA MCCALLA CELEBRATES LANGSTON HUGHES' BIRTHDAY WITH SHOWS FEB 11 AT BRIC HOUSE AND FEBRUARY 13 AT ROCKWOOD MUSIC HALL, STAGE 3
THREE SYNDICATED RADIO SHOW TAPINGS OVER NEXT MONTH FOR FAST-RISER AS PASTE STREAMS ALBUM THIS WEEK
Leyla McCalla – cellist and tenor banjo player, Jazz Fest alum, and member of the Carolina Chocolate Drops family – will celebrate Langston Hughes' February 1 birthday with concerts February 11 at BRIC House (647 Fulton St., Brooklyn) and February 13 at Rockwood Music Hall, Stage 3 (196 Allen St.). Leyla McCalla will be taping three syndicated radio segments over the next month--NPR Tell Me More; NPR eTown; and Nat Geo Radio—talking about her stellar debut album 'Vari-Colored Songs: A Tribute to Langston Hughes,' which is influenced by sounds from New York, New Orleans, and Haiti. Paste Magazine will stream the album this week before its February 4 release.
Performance videos from the streets of New Orleans.
Early buzz came from the UK. The Sunday Times called it an "unforgettable... triumph." The UK's R2 gave it four stars, calling it "a labour of love, beautifully consummated." UNCUT gave it an 8/10, heralding its "magic." The Guardian said that McCalla casts "a charming, resonant spell."
In the US, New Orleans' Offbeat Magazine tabbed it "ambitious, deep and gorgeous." Sing Out Magazine has raved, "What a voice, more Billie Holiday than anything, flourishing in such bare surroundings and bringing the words, whether joyous or dark, to life... As arranger, musician and vocalist she’s a remarkable talent, and this debut is assured and a harbinger of a towering career."
More info on Leyla's tour.
Leyla McCalla – cellist and tenor banjo player, Jazz Fest alum, and member of the Carolina Chocolate Drops family – will celebrate Langston Hughes' February 1 birthday with concerts February 11 at BRIC House (647 Fulton St., Brooklyn) and February 13 at Rockwood Music Hall, Stage 3 (196 Allen St.). Leyla McCalla will be taping three syndicated radio segments over the next month--NPR Tell Me More; NPR eTown; and Nat Geo Radio—talking about her stellar debut album 'Vari-Colored Songs: A Tribute to Langston Hughes,' which is influenced by sounds from New York, New Orleans, and Haiti. Paste Magazine will stream the album this week before its February 4 release.
Performance videos from the streets of New Orleans.
Early buzz came from the UK. The Sunday Times called it an "unforgettable... triumph." The UK's R2 gave it four stars, calling it "a labour of love, beautifully consummated." UNCUT gave it an 8/10, heralding its "magic." The Guardian said that McCalla casts "a charming, resonant spell."
In the US, New Orleans' Offbeat Magazine tabbed it "ambitious, deep and gorgeous." Sing Out Magazine has raved, "What a voice, more Billie Holiday than anything, flourishing in such bare surroundings and bringing the words, whether joyous or dark, to life... As arranger, musician and vocalist she’s a remarkable talent, and this debut is assured and a harbinger of a towering career."
More info on Leyla's tour.
Wednesday, January 22, 2014
THE BO-KEYS MUSIC FEATURED IN ROBERT DE NIRO FILM; FEATURED IN OXFORD AMERICAN MUSIC ISSUE; PLANNING TOUR WITH JOHN NEMETH AND SPOT ON MUSIC CITY ROOTS; COLLABORATE ON EP WITH NIKKI HILL & DEKE DICKERSON
The Bo-Keys are very excited to announce that their late 2013
Electraphonic Recording single "I’m Still in Need" -- featuring ATCO
vocalist Percy Wiggins -- is featured in the major motion picture Grudge
Match. which came out Christmas Day and stars Robert De Niro, Alan
Arkin, and Sylvester Stallone. Click here to hear the new song.
Oxford American featured the band in its most recent music issue and its song "Deuce and a Quarter" in the accompanying CD, saying, "[Scott Bomar's] band The Bo-Keys captures the sounds of the great Stax and Hi recordings, and that's probably because it's composed of seasoned soul vets who played with Isaac Hayes, Rufus Thomas, David Porter, an the Bar-Kays. The band currently records at Bomar's Electraphonic Recording, which is practically a temple to old-school recording."
The Memphis soul group is finalizing a spring tour with soul man John Nemeth.
The Bo-Keys will appear on the syndicated radio show Music City Roots, taping April 18 from Nashville, TN.
In 2013, The Bo-Keys also appeared on the EP 'Soul Meets Country!' alongside Deke Dickerson and Nikki Hill, recorded at Electraphonic Studios in Memphis, TN.
Oxford American featured the band in its most recent music issue and its song "Deuce and a Quarter" in the accompanying CD, saying, "[Scott Bomar's] band The Bo-Keys captures the sounds of the great Stax and Hi recordings, and that's probably because it's composed of seasoned soul vets who played with Isaac Hayes, Rufus Thomas, David Porter, an the Bar-Kays. The band currently records at Bomar's Electraphonic Recording, which is practically a temple to old-school recording."
The Memphis soul group is finalizing a spring tour with soul man John Nemeth.
The Bo-Keys will appear on the syndicated radio show Music City Roots, taping April 18 from Nashville, TN.
In 2013, The Bo-Keys also appeared on the EP 'Soul Meets Country!' alongside Deke Dickerson and Nikki Hill, recorded at Electraphonic Studios in Memphis, TN.
Tuesday, January 21, 2014
LEARNING FROM THE CAROLINA CHOCOLATE DROPS, LEYLA MCCALLA PROCEEDS ON HER OWN WITH 'VARI-COLORED SONGS: A TRIBUTE TO LANGSTON HUGHES' (FEB 4 / MUSIC MAKER)
Though Leyla McCalla will release her debut solo album 'Vari-Colored Songs: A Tribute To Langston Hughes' February 4,
she's no newcomer to music or the music business, having spent the
better part of two years with the Carolina Chocolate Drops, having
learned from the folk stars. (Though she isn't a member of the Carolina
Chocolate Drops at this point, the members still consider her a member
of the Drops family.)
Leyla says, "I learned so much from all of them; each is a visionary. I learned how to take care of myself—my body, mind, and spirit—on the road. I learned so much about music.
Giddens and Hubby Jenkins both appear on 'Vari-Colored Songs.' Rhiannon Giddens lends her world-class voice on "Manman Mwen," "Search," and "Rose Marie." "There was a snow storm during our last night in the studio in Virginia. We just finished when the snow started. Rhiannon had had her baby ten days before and she in the studio with us singing. Fellow musician Laurelyn Dossett was babysitting for us." Leyla continues, "I'm so inspired by Rhiannon [Giddens]. She stays open to creating things—taps into her own creativity--and she keeps it fresh."
Hubby Jenkins plays guitar on "Rose Marie" and plays the bones on "Latibonit." Leyla testifies, "Dom and Hubby are always practicing, always working on their instruments."
Though he doesn't appear on the album, Dom Flemons played an important role in its development nonetheless. He lent Leyla a box set of Haitian folk music that yielded some of the album's traditional material. (Flemons has also gone the solo career route of late.)
Leyla McCalla Northeast 2014 Tour Dates:
January 10 – New York, NY – City Winery
February 4 – Durham, NC – The Pinhook
February 5 – Washington, D.C. – The Hamilton
February 7 – Bayport, NY – Grey Horse Tavern
February 8 – Philadelphia, PA – Tin Angel
February 9 – Lewiston, ME - Bates College
February 11 – Brooklyn, NY – BRIC House
February 13 – New York, NY – Rockwood Music Hall Stage 3
February 14 – Cambridge, MA – Club Passim
February 15 – New Haven, CT – Café Nine
February 17 – Providence, RI – Fete Lounge
February 19 – Northampton, MA – Iron Horse
February 20 – Brownfield, MA – Stone Mountain Arts Center
Leyla says, "I learned so much from all of them; each is a visionary. I learned how to take care of myself—my body, mind, and spirit—on the road. I learned so much about music.
Giddens and Hubby Jenkins both appear on 'Vari-Colored Songs.' Rhiannon Giddens lends her world-class voice on "Manman Mwen," "Search," and "Rose Marie." "There was a snow storm during our last night in the studio in Virginia. We just finished when the snow started. Rhiannon had had her baby ten days before and she in the studio with us singing. Fellow musician Laurelyn Dossett was babysitting for us." Leyla continues, "I'm so inspired by Rhiannon [Giddens]. She stays open to creating things—taps into her own creativity--and she keeps it fresh."
Hubby Jenkins plays guitar on "Rose Marie" and plays the bones on "Latibonit." Leyla testifies, "Dom and Hubby are always practicing, always working on their instruments."
Though he doesn't appear on the album, Dom Flemons played an important role in its development nonetheless. He lent Leyla a box set of Haitian folk music that yielded some of the album's traditional material. (Flemons has also gone the solo career route of late.)
Leyla McCalla Northeast 2014 Tour Dates:
January 10 – New York, NY – City Winery
February 4 – Durham, NC – The Pinhook
February 5 – Washington, D.C. – The Hamilton
February 7 – Bayport, NY – Grey Horse Tavern
February 8 – Philadelphia, PA – Tin Angel
February 9 – Lewiston, ME - Bates College
February 11 – Brooklyn, NY – BRIC House
February 13 – New York, NY – Rockwood Music Hall Stage 3
February 14 – Cambridge, MA – Club Passim
February 15 – New Haven, CT – Café Nine
February 17 – Providence, RI – Fete Lounge
February 19 – Northampton, MA – Iron Horse
February 20 – Brownfield, MA – Stone Mountain Arts Center
Friday, January 17, 2014
Kristin Mueller bio
"Mueller's
fabulous songs vibe Cowboy Junkies and Calexico - with a beautiful
voice she invokes intimacy and elegance. Dig that banjo."- VillageVoice
Kristin Mueller is a multi-instrumentalist songwriter based in the Brooklyn/NYC area who plays her guitar upside down. Known for her stylistic drumming, she has toured throughout the U.S., Europe, Australia as well as the Middle East, supporting bands and artists such as Lucinda Black Bear, Jeffrey Lewis, the Caulfield Sisters, Fulton Lights, Cynthia Hopkins, Christy & Emily, Mary McBride and Michael Hearst among many others. Her newest solo album Deserts and Long Trails marks the second record composed by Mueller featuring new and long time collaborations with Karen Waltuch (Viola: Jim O'Rourke, Beth Orten, Wilco), Brian Kantor (Drums: Nina Pierson, the Yellowbirds) Jay Foote (Bass: Lone Bellow, Trixie Whitely) Jay Russo (Guitar: Hopewell, Mercury Rev) and many more. Together with Mueller's producer Damon Whittemore they crafted an intricate and beautifully layered collection of spectral songs that are both sensuous and nostalgic, sorrowful and loudly playful - resulting in a diverse, cinematic and meandering journey of dynamic unconvering. The albums hinges on Mueller's exploration of the quiet intimate weight of time and it's ever passing - it is inspired by this inescapable permanence and by the alternate influences of the many characters and collaborators Mueller has known.
"There is real promise here. The songs take their sweet old time to unfurl under Mueller's steady vocals." - Time Out NY
"Mueller is a linguist on the kit. Creative, emotive and skillful - NYC staple." Tom Tom MagazineKristin Mueller is a multi-instrumentalist songwriter based in the Brooklyn/NYC area who plays her guitar upside down. Known for her stylistic drumming, she has toured throughout the U.S., Europe, Australia as well as the Middle East, supporting bands and artists such as Lucinda Black Bear, Jeffrey Lewis, the Caulfield Sisters, Fulton Lights, Cynthia Hopkins, Christy & Emily, Mary McBride and Michael Hearst among many others. Her newest solo album Deserts and Long Trails marks the second record composed by Mueller featuring new and long time collaborations with Karen Waltuch (Viola: Jim O'Rourke, Beth Orten, Wilco), Brian Kantor (Drums: Nina Pierson, the Yellowbirds) Jay Foote (Bass: Lone Bellow, Trixie Whitely) Jay Russo (Guitar: Hopewell, Mercury Rev) and many more. Together with Mueller's producer Damon Whittemore they crafted an intricate and beautifully layered collection of spectral songs that are both sensuous and nostalgic, sorrowful and loudly playful - resulting in a diverse, cinematic and meandering journey of dynamic unconvering. The albums hinges on Mueller's exploration of the quiet intimate weight of time and it's ever passing - it is inspired by this inescapable permanence and by the alternate influences of the many characters and collaborators Mueller has known.
Mueller's song "Finding a woman" from Ports of Call (2006) was featured in the Sundance award winning film, 'What Alice Found'.
Previous credits:
Year Album Artist
Year Album Artist
2014 Deserts & Long Trails Kristin Mueller writer/composer/guitar/bass/
2013 Holte Patricia Thornley drummer
2012 Tic-Tac-Toe Christy and Emily drummer
2011 Hurricane Anton Sword drummer
2010 Knives Lucinda Black Bear drummer
2009 Success of Failure Cynthia Hopkins drummer
2009 City of Oblivion Anton Sword drummer
2008 Must Don't Whip Um Cynthia Hopkins drummer
2007 Divine Candy Caulfield Sisters drummer
2007 Capo My Heart Lucinda Black Bear drummer
2006 Ports of Call single Kristin Mueller writer/composer/guitar/banjo/
2005 Accidental Nostalgia Cynthia Hopkins drummer
2004 Say it with Fire Caulfield Sisters drummer
2003 French Hotel Hidden Driveways drummer Thursday, January 16, 2014
NPR MUSIC'S FIRST LISTEN HIGHLIGHTS THE GLOAMING (JAN 21 / BRASSLAND), WHICH "MIGHT WELL TRANSFORM THE SYNTAX OF A WHOLE STYLE": http://n.pr/1aL2zJc
"The Gloaming is a wonderful mix of soulful and passionate talents who have created their own genre."
-- Peter Gabriel
Brassland Records introduces a new force in Irish music to America with The Gloaming, whose self-titled debut album is streaming via NPR Music's First Listen this week.
NPR Music's Anastasia Tsioulcas writes, "The Gloaming is by any measure an all-star ensemble… Here at NPR Music, Bob Boilen and I have been waiting anxiously for the band's first album ever since The Gloaming made its U.S. debut at globalFEST in January 2012… There's no questioning the bona fides of The Gloaming, or the abundant virtuosity and sheer beauty the group brings to every track. But what's even more impressive is what these five collectively achieve: The entire album is full of deeply felt, wonderfully empathetic performances that are rooted in tradition but scoured of sentimentality…. this is the rare album that might well transform the syntax of a whole style."
Their debut album, entitled simply 'The Gloaming', was produced by Thomas Bartlett and mixed by Patrick Dillett (David Byrne & St. Vincent). It was finished in the summer of 2013 during the build up to a series of sold out concerts at prestigious venues in London, Amsterdam, Paris, and New York (at Lincoln Center).
The Gloaming is a collaboration between five musicians named Martin Hayes (violin, fiddle), Thomas Bartlett aka Doveman (piano), Iarla Ó Lionaird (vocals), Dennis Cahill (guitar) and Caoimhín Ó Raghallaigh (hardanger fiddle). They range in age from 30-something to 50-something, that they live in America and Ireland, and that each one has won individual renowned as a master musician.
The Irish Times said, "Their live performances so far have been revelatory... Future dates are likely to cement them as one of the great forces in Irish music."
The New Yorker weighed in, "[The Gloaming] moves the music of Ireland in captivating new directions."
-- Peter Gabriel
Brassland Records introduces a new force in Irish music to America with The Gloaming, whose self-titled debut album is streaming via NPR Music's First Listen this week.
NPR Music's Anastasia Tsioulcas writes, "The Gloaming is by any measure an all-star ensemble… Here at NPR Music, Bob Boilen and I have been waiting anxiously for the band's first album ever since The Gloaming made its U.S. debut at globalFEST in January 2012… There's no questioning the bona fides of The Gloaming, or the abundant virtuosity and sheer beauty the group brings to every track. But what's even more impressive is what these five collectively achieve: The entire album is full of deeply felt, wonderfully empathetic performances that are rooted in tradition but scoured of sentimentality…. this is the rare album that might well transform the syntax of a whole style."
Their debut album, entitled simply 'The Gloaming', was produced by Thomas Bartlett and mixed by Patrick Dillett (David Byrne & St. Vincent). It was finished in the summer of 2013 during the build up to a series of sold out concerts at prestigious venues in London, Amsterdam, Paris, and New York (at Lincoln Center).
The Gloaming is a collaboration between five musicians named Martin Hayes (violin, fiddle), Thomas Bartlett aka Doveman (piano), Iarla Ó Lionaird (vocals), Dennis Cahill (guitar) and Caoimhín Ó Raghallaigh (hardanger fiddle). They range in age from 30-something to 50-something, that they live in America and Ireland, and that each one has won individual renowned as a master musician.
The Irish Times said, "Their live performances so far have been revelatory... Future dates are likely to cement them as one of the great forces in Irish music."
The New Yorker weighed in, "[The Gloaming] moves the music of Ireland in captivating new directions."
Kristin Mueller photos
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Tuesday, January 14, 2014
INFLUENCES OF NEW YORK, NEW ORLEANS, AND HAITI COMBINE TO PRESENT LEYLA MCCALLA'S LP 'VARI-COLORED SONGS: A TRIBUTE TO LANGSTON HUGHES' (FEB. 4 / MUSIC MAKER)
FAMILY HERITAGE, LANGSTON HUGHES' "COMPASS," ALAN LOMAX RECORDING, AND
HER OWN OPENNESS LEAD HER TO CREATE "AMBITIOUS, DEEP, GORGEOUS" (OFFBEAT
MAGAZINE) DEBUT ALBUM
"A HARBINGER OF A TOWERING CAREER" – SING OUT
A tribute to Langston Hughes comes out of the interconnected worlds of New York, NY; New Orleans, LA; and Haiti for Leyla McCalla, marking the release of 'Vari-Colored Songs: A Tribute to Langston Hughes' (February 4 / Music Maker Relief Foundation) the stunning debut album of the cellist/vocalist and former Carolina Chocolate Drops member.
"Hughes begins his book 'I Wonder As I Wander: An Autobiographical Journey' by traveling around Haiti," she points out. McCalla herself has undertaken a similar journey. Born and raised in the New York, NY area into a Haitian immigrant family, she adopted the Crescent City as her hometown.
She explains, "After I moved to New Orleans, I read Ned Sublette's [book] The World That Made New Orleans and I was blown away by how much Haiti was mentioned. There are so many Louisianans with Haitian origins. What is Cajun? What is Creole? There's so much overlap in cultures. Langston Hughes' work is all about providing history from a black perspective; He provides a good compass."
Dom Flemons of the Carolina Chocolate Drops lent McCalla a box set of Haitian folk music as she was preparing 'Vari-Colored Songs.' McCalla arranged "Kamèn sa w fè" by Ago Fixè from the Alan Lomax recording of Ago’s Bal Band made on Christmas Day, 1937 in Port-au-Prince. "What a great groove," she says.
Leyla recalls, "I discovered that there are different lines of Haitian folk music and heard recordings with ties to France and Africa. I fell in love with the troubadours in particular. It's a banjo tradition of rustic countryside music, old but also Haitian. The melodies so irregular, not like anything I had heard before in other types of music." "Manman Mwen," "Latibonit," "Mesi Bondye" also come out of the traditions of Haiti. "Dad helped me a lot, translating lyrics," she says.
She has traveled to Haiti each of the past three years and her mother lives here now, working in international development, each trip inspiring her to create 'Vari-Colored Songs.'
The traditional New Orleans song "Changing Tide" joins the album as well, a symbol of her present home and of its and her eclectic heritage. In fact, she played the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival in 2012.
Tour dates: http://www.leylamccalla.com/
Sing Out Magazine has raved, "What a voice, more Billie Holiday than anything, flourishing in such bare surroundings and bringing the words, whether joyous or dark, to life… As arranger, musician and vocalist she’s a remarkable talent, and this debut is assured and a harbinger of a towering career."
"A HARBINGER OF A TOWERING CAREER" – SING OUT
A tribute to Langston Hughes comes out of the interconnected worlds of New York, NY; New Orleans, LA; and Haiti for Leyla McCalla, marking the release of 'Vari-Colored Songs: A Tribute to Langston Hughes' (February 4 / Music Maker Relief Foundation) the stunning debut album of the cellist/vocalist and former Carolina Chocolate Drops member.
"Hughes begins his book 'I Wonder As I Wander: An Autobiographical Journey' by traveling around Haiti," she points out. McCalla herself has undertaken a similar journey. Born and raised in the New York, NY area into a Haitian immigrant family, she adopted the Crescent City as her hometown.
She explains, "After I moved to New Orleans, I read Ned Sublette's [book] The World That Made New Orleans and I was blown away by how much Haiti was mentioned. There are so many Louisianans with Haitian origins. What is Cajun? What is Creole? There's so much overlap in cultures. Langston Hughes' work is all about providing history from a black perspective; He provides a good compass."
Dom Flemons of the Carolina Chocolate Drops lent McCalla a box set of Haitian folk music as she was preparing 'Vari-Colored Songs.' McCalla arranged "Kamèn sa w fè" by Ago Fixè from the Alan Lomax recording of Ago’s Bal Band made on Christmas Day, 1937 in Port-au-Prince. "What a great groove," she says.
Leyla recalls, "I discovered that there are different lines of Haitian folk music and heard recordings with ties to France and Africa. I fell in love with the troubadours in particular. It's a banjo tradition of rustic countryside music, old but also Haitian. The melodies so irregular, not like anything I had heard before in other types of music." "Manman Mwen," "Latibonit," "Mesi Bondye" also come out of the traditions of Haiti. "Dad helped me a lot, translating lyrics," she says.
She has traveled to Haiti each of the past three years and her mother lives here now, working in international development, each trip inspiring her to create 'Vari-Colored Songs.'
The traditional New Orleans song "Changing Tide" joins the album as well, a symbol of her present home and of its and her eclectic heritage. In fact, she played the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival in 2012.
Tour dates: http://www.leylamccalla.com/
Sing Out Magazine has raved, "What a voice, more Billie Holiday than anything, flourishing in such bare surroundings and bringing the words, whether joyous or dark, to life… As arranger, musician and vocalist she’s a remarkable talent, and this debut is assured and a harbinger of a towering career."
Thursday, January 9, 2014
"GREAT" (KEXP) NICK MOSS BAND READIES 'TIME AIN'T FREE,' OUT MARCH 18 ON BLUE BELLA RECORDS OUT OF CHICAGO, IL, MOSS' TENTH ALBUM
BILLBOARD PREVIEWS SOUL SINGLE "I WANT THE WORLD TO
KNOW"
DESCENDENT OF LEAD BELLY, BAND MEMBER MICHAEL LEDBETTER ADDS
FIREY SECOND LEAD VOCAL/GUITAR
Nick Moss Band readies its new gumbo of Chicago soul, funk,
blues, jam band music, and rock & roll with 'I Want the World The Know'
(March 18 / Blue Bella Records), marking the tenth album by bandleader,
songwriter, and groove master Nick Moss and a new musical high water mark.
Billboard.com debuted "I Want the World To Know."
Billboard's Lars Brandle writes, "Moss' class shines through in "I
Want the World To Know," which builds into a showcase of his fluency on
the six-string."
Other praise has come to the band on a 36-date national
winter tour. KEXP's Greg Vandy called the band "great" late last year.
UT San Diego praised Moss' "high-octane" sound, continuing,
"Their forthcoming new album, "Time Ain’t Free," finds the group
continuing to expand, stylistically, by incorporating gospel, boogie,
Southern-rock and more."
Photos, new album stream, and more are here.
Elmore Magazine has called Moss "one of the best
guitarists on today's scene" while Blurt Magazine has stated, "Nick
Moss keeps tradition alive while moving his music in new directions."
Michael Ledbetter makes his Nick Moss Band lead vocal
recording debut on this album and it marks the arrival of a fiery new vocal and
guitar talent. Ledbetter is a descendent of the legendary Lead Belly.
Previously, The Nick Moss Band rocketed to #2 on the
Relix/Jamband Radio Charts in 2012 with 'Here I Am.'
To hear funky roots rock single "Was I Ever
Heard," please click here.
'Time Ain't Free' track listing
- She Wants It
- Was I Ever Heard
- Light It Up
- Fare The Well
- Time Ain't Free
- Been Gone So Long
- Tell You Somethin' 'Bout Yourself
- I Want The World To Know
- Death Letter Blues (written by Eddie J. House, Jr.)
- No Reason
- EZ Bree Zee
- Walkin' On A Ledge
- Bad 'n Ruin (written by Rod Stewart & Ian McLagan)
- (Big Mike's) Sweet Potato Pie
Wednesday, January 8, 2014
Thursday, January 2, 2014
LEYLA MCCALLA ANNOUNCES NORTHEAST TOUR, ETOWN TAPING AS PRE-RELEASE UK, US PLAUDITS ADD UP
"UNFORGETTABLE… TRIUMPH" (THE SUNDAY TIMES, UK) 'VARI-COLORED SONGS: A TRIBUTE TO LANGSTON HUGHES' OUT FEB 4 ON MUSIC MAKER RELIEF FOUNDATION
Leyla McCalla – whose solo tribute to Langston Hughes comes out February 4, three days after his birthday – will tour the northeast United States in January and February. The announcement, which includes three stops in NYC, the first during APAP, comes on the heels of incredible reviews in the UK and US and an opening slot for Mavis Staples. In February, she will tape syndicated national radio show eTown, located in Boulder, CO.
The Sunday Times called it an "unforgettable… triumph."
The UK's R2 gave it four stars, calling it "a labour of love, beautifully consummated."
UNCUT gave it an 8/10, heralding its "magic."
New Orleans' Offbeat Magazine tabbed it "ambitious, deep and gorgeous."
The Wall Street Journal premiered a track as well.
Leyla McCalla Northeast 2014 Tour Dates:
January 10 – New York, NY – City Winery
February 4 – Durham, NC – The Pinhook
February 5 – Washington, D.C. – The Hamilton
February 7 – Bayport, NY – Grey Horse Tavern
February 8 – Philadelphia, PA – Tin Angel
February 9 – Lewiston, ME - Bates College
February 11 – Brooklyn, NY – BRIC House
February 13 – New York, NY – Rockwood Music Hall Stage 3
February 14 – Cambridge, MA – Club Passim
February 15 – New Haven, CT – Café Nine
February 17 – Providence, RI – Fete Lounge
February 19 – Northampton, MA – Iron Horse
February 20 – Brownfield, MA – Stone Mountain Arts Center
February 25 – Boulder, CO – eTown
July 11 – Courtenay, BC – Vancouver Island MusicFest
Leyla McCalla – whose solo tribute to Langston Hughes comes out February 4, three days after his birthday – will tour the northeast United States in January and February. The announcement, which includes three stops in NYC, the first during APAP, comes on the heels of incredible reviews in the UK and US and an opening slot for Mavis Staples. In February, she will tape syndicated national radio show eTown, located in Boulder, CO.
The Sunday Times called it an "unforgettable… triumph."
The UK's R2 gave it four stars, calling it "a labour of love, beautifully consummated."
UNCUT gave it an 8/10, heralding its "magic."
New Orleans' Offbeat Magazine tabbed it "ambitious, deep and gorgeous."
The Wall Street Journal premiered a track as well.
Leyla McCalla Northeast 2014 Tour Dates:
January 10 – New York, NY – City Winery
February 4 – Durham, NC – The Pinhook
February 5 – Washington, D.C. – The Hamilton
February 7 – Bayport, NY – Grey Horse Tavern
February 8 – Philadelphia, PA – Tin Angel
February 9 – Lewiston, ME - Bates College
February 11 – Brooklyn, NY – BRIC House
February 13 – New York, NY – Rockwood Music Hall Stage 3
February 14 – Cambridge, MA – Club Passim
February 15 – New Haven, CT – Café Nine
February 17 – Providence, RI – Fete Lounge
February 19 – Northampton, MA – Iron Horse
February 20 – Brownfield, MA – Stone Mountain Arts Center
February 25 – Boulder, CO – eTown
July 11 – Courtenay, BC – Vancouver Island MusicFest
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