SPOONER OLDHAM, SARA WATKINS, GREG LEISZ, AND YEP ROC ARTIST JONAH TOLCHIN AMONG GUESTS ON REMARKABLE DEBUT ALBUM
‘Bound To Meet the Devil’ (February 26, 2016)
marks the arrival of a powerhouse new vocalist on the Americana scene:
Julie Rhodes. Just two years ago, she hadn’t yet graced the stage,
though she was an ardent fan and working at an ice cream parlor. Yep Roc
Records artist Jonah Tolchin heard her singing along to one of his
songs in the audience; after the show, they talked and Tolchin was
shocked to learn that Julie wasn’t (yet) an artist with the vocal
talents that she possessed. Less than a year later, Tochin was
co-producing and playing guitar on ‘Bound To Meet the Devil.’
Already, she’s earned a northeast fanbase, has performed at venues like
NYC’s Baby’s All Right, and has played CMJ. Counting Crows’ Adam Duritz
said, “Get ready to be amazed by Julie Rhodes.”
Recorded in her native New England as well as at FAME Studios in Muscle
Shoals, AL, the 11-song full-length studio LP also includes heavy
hitters such as Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee Spooner Oldham,
Nickel Creek's Sara Watkins, and Greg Leisz (Paul Westerberg, Dave
Alvin, Lucinda Williams). It was mixed by Grammy Award-winner Sheldon
Gomberg and mastered by 1809 Studios.
The resulting album has an immediate, visceral impact from first listen
onwards, bearing the influences of singers like Irma Thomas, Shovels
& Rope, Etta James, and Bonnie Raitt. The longing of album opener
“In Your Garden” to her knowing vocals over the Muscle Shoals groove of
“Collector Man.” The band provides ample support behind her, from the
relaxed behind-the-beat “Hey Stranger” to the pure soul of “Hurricane.”
Though the writing is uniformly strong, one of the album’s highlights is
a spine-tingling cover of Son House’s “Grinnin’ In Your Face.”
Look out for concert announcements coming soon.
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