Author Archives Mark Brut

0 Cranford Hollow “Color/Sound/Renew/Revive” review – No Depression

Cranford Hollow – Color/Sound/Renew/Revive
by jchillen75
May 17, 2017

http://nodepression.com/album-review/cranford-hollows-latest-album

Cranford Hollow is one of those bands who are uniquely American in every way. The band originally began life in 2011 as a tradition-minded quartet who revamped classic country and bluegrass sounds into a vibrant modern context, but the band gradually shifted direction over the course of five albums and innumerable live appearances into something much more uniquely their own. Perhaps it was the addition of lead guitarist Yannie Revnecke that propelled them from more retro minded fare towards a broad-based sound that never forsakes the band’s roots. It is, however, unlikely that alone. Instead, Cranford Hollow’s metamorphosis from their aforementioned beginnings into what they are on the latest album Color/Sound/Renew/Revive is the probable result of a band simply developing over time, exploring new textures, and challenging themselves with distinctly different fare than they have on preceding works. The eight songs on Color/Sound/Renew/Revive work because they are well-written, but even well written songs fall flat thanks to the lack of commitment from the performers involved. There’s no lack of commitment here. Cranford Hollow means it.

The languid tempo of “Songfield” should never be mistaken for a lack of urgency. There’s a subtle undercurrent of various emotions lending this song impetus – much of the electric guitar work and underlying acoustic guitar playing seems tense, crackling with unnamed longing. The band’s chief vocalist and songwriter, John Cranford, delivers an engaging performance full of grit and guile. It’s also infused with a sharp poetic edge thanks to his talents as a wordsmith – moreover, it’s a disciplined talent and there’s not a single extraneous word used to make the song’s point. “Long Shadows” doesn’t ramp up the tempo in a noticeable way, but Cranford Hollow show off their penchant for weaving a variety of tempos together into a coherent whole. Eric Reid’s fiddle playing is one of the driving forces behind this track and the band keys much of their focus based on what he’s doing. The guitar work in this song might be mistaken for ornamental, but it’s much more than that. Cranford Hollow isn’t the sort of band who layer tracks with unnecessary parts and the six string songs added here fuel the song with surfeit of color.

“Bury It Down” foregoes the band’s electric edge, for the most part, in favor an acoustic approach thankfully maintaining the same musical intensity. There’s some steel guitar creeping into the track during its second half and fills the arrangement with just the ghostly echoes required by a song so titled. The band’s vocal harmonies are another key component of their success. “And Your, Brutis” opens with some surprising, nearly prog rock, keyboard and synth explorations before settling into a highly individualistic groove. Lead guitarist Yannie Revnecke stands out here with his unique balancing act between guitar heroics and artful restraint. Some of the band’s wont for risk taking comes out on the album’s penultimate cut “Dark Turns” and the rare hybridization of traditional music with a very modern point of view emerges more strongly from this instrumental than any other on the album thus far. Color/Sound/Renew/Revive represents a quantum leap forward for the band’s songwriting and presentation, but it is also a mightily entertaining work and deeply rewarding.

OFFICIAL: http://www.cranfordhollowmusic.com/
FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/cranfordhollow/
INSTAGRAM: http://www.cranfordhollowmusic.com/#tour

VIDEOS: http://www.cranfordhollowmusic.com/#tour

0 DYRTY BYRDS spring 2017 southeast tour

DYRTY BYRDS SPRING 2017 SOUTHEAST TOUR

Rocky Mountain Artists is very pleased to announce a spring southeast tour for the
 DYRTY BYRDS (Denver, CO)

The DYRTY BYRDS out of Denver will be returning to southeast in May for their first tour of the region since spring 2016. The band is touring in support of their excellent newest album “Failure Is Feedback” and will return to several familiar markets while also playing shows in Charlotte, Asheville and Savannah for the first time.

You can check out the DYRTY BYRDS at the following dates:

5/13 (Sat) – Thomas Street Tavern – Charlotte, NC
5/14 (Sun) – Isis – Asheville, NC*
5/15 (Mon) – Georgia Theatre rooftop – Athens, GA
5/16 (Tue) – Pour House – Charleston, SC**
5/17 (Wed) – The Boardroom – Hilton Head Island, SC
5/18 (Thu) – Tiki Hut – Hilton Head Island, SC
5/19 (Fri) – Congress Street Social Club – Savannah, GA
5/20 (Sat) – Clyde’s – Chattanooga, TN

* = with Grace Pettis and The Moon & You
** = with Roxy Roca

http://www.dyrtybyrds.com/

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Leaving a trail of burned up bars and sweat soaked guitars since 2009, the Dyrty Byrds have shown no mercy in their pursuit of original guitar driven rock and roll. Tori Pater, Eric Martinez, Mike “Spanky” McCluer, and Andrew Clapp are a four-piece rock band from Denver, CO that would fit as easily into the 1970’s classic/southern rock scene as they do in modern day American music.

Playing on their love of songwriting and rock & roll, Tori Pater (Polytoxic) and Eric Martinez (Bloodkin) have been playing music together since 2004 and have eased into a prolific songwriting partnership which is deeply solidified on the new Dyrty Byrds release Failure is Feedback, due out March 18, 2016. The vast majority of the new songs were born and flushed out in Tori’s basement with just he and Eric and a couple of acoustic guitars.

Seeing a few different formations after their debut, Dyrty Byrds have worn the tried and true rock & roll recipe of two guitars, bass, and drums as a badge of honor for the better part of their existence. Mike “Spanky” McCluer (Larry) and Andrew Clapp (Forever In Blue Jeans) on Bass and drums (respectively) bring a “freight train through the Rockies” type sound to the band that only Spanky and Andy can produce.

Failure Is Feedback is the Dyrty Byrds’ third release and second album done with Chad “Chadzilla” Johnson at 25 BPM Studios in Denver, CO. Failure touches on outlaw country, a little punk rock, and funk with steady doses of rock & roll through out the record. It takes you to a place where guitars rule, truth is paramount, and the bar is always open.

Dyrty Byrds spring 2017

0 CRANFORD HOLLOW SPRING 2017 COLORADO TOUR

CRANFORD HOLLOW SPRING 2017 COLORADO TOUR

Rocky Mountain Artists is very pleased to announce an early spring Colorado tour for
 CRANFORD HOLLOW (Hilton Head Island, SC)

Cranford Hollow spring 2017 logo press

CRANFORD HOLLOW returns to Colorado for a late ski season tour in late March and early April supporting their outstanding new Swampfire Records release “Color/Sound/Renew/Revive.” The band has toured Colorado regularly since late 2013 and this tour is highlighted by the bands first appearance at the Belly Up in Aspen as well as a return to Fly Me To The Moon in Telluride on the resort closing Sunday.

You can check out CRANFORD HOLLOW at the following dates:

3/23 (Thu) – Blue Canoe – Tupelo, MS
3/24 (Fri) – Hi Tone – Memphis, TN
3/25 (Sat) – Smoke and Barrel – Fayetteville, AR
3/29 (Wed) – Cactus Jack’s – Evergreen, CO
3/30 (Thu) – Schmiggity’s – Steamboat Springs, CO
3/31 (Fri) – Snake River Saloon – Keystone, CO
4/1 (Sat) – Snake River Saloon – Keystone, CO
4/2 (Sun) – The Moon @ O’Bannon’s – Telluride, CO
4/3 (Mon) – Belly Up – Aspen, CO
4/5 (Wed) – Globe Hall – Denver, CO*
4/6 (Thu) – Historic Brown Hotel – Breckenridge, CO
4/7 (Fri) – Black Nugget – Carbondale, CO
4/8 (Sat) – Bohemian Biergarten – Boulder, CO

* = with Augustus

http://www.cranfordhollowmusic.com/

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It’s a boot stomp on a dusty bar floor. It’s the clang of a whiskey bottle at last call. It’s grit. It’s the sounds of the South. It’s Cranford Hollow, a blended mix of Southern Rock, Appalachian Fiddle Music and American Rock and Roll.

The Hilton Head Island quintet, comprised of vocalist and guitarist John Cranford, bass man Phillip Sirmans, drummer Randy Rockalotta, fiddler and vocalist Eric Reid and newest member guitarist Yannie Renencke, have won over thousands of loyal fans with what they call Lowcountry Stomp, a sound that is at once eclectic but uniquely their own. Elements of Blues, Old-Time Country, and Southern Psychedelic Rock come together with ancient mountain melodies in an energetic, engaging musical root bag sprinkled with some Sea Island hoodoo. Since 2011 Cranford Hollow has been playing upwards of 200 shows a year, steadily expanding from the South Carolina Lowcountry to places far afield including multiple western tours. The band’s most recent Swampfire records release “Color/Sound/Renew/Revive” has the band poised to break nationally in 2017 as they tour to support.

0 LOWDOWN BRASS BAND WINTER 2017 COLORADO TOUR

LOWDOWN BRASS BAND WINTER 2017 COLORADO TOUR

Rocky Mountain Artists is very pleased to announce a winter Colorado tour for
 LOWDOWN BRASS BAND (Chicago, IL)

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LOWDOWN BRASS BAND out of Chicago will be coming to Colorado for a ski season tour in late February and early March centered around several ski resort appearances for Mardi Gras and Fat Tuesday.

You can check out LOWDOWN BRASS BAND at the following dates:

2/24 (Fri) – Globe Hall – Denver, CO*
2/25 (Sat) – The Goat – Keystone, CO
2/28 (Tue) – Breckenridge Resort Fat Tuesday celebration – Breckenridge, CO
2/28 (Tue) – Barkley Ballroom – Frisco, CO
3/1 (Wed) – Justice Snow’s – Aspen, CO
3/2 (Thu) – The Moon @ O’Bannon’s – Telluride, CO
3/3 (Fri) – Bohemian Biergarten – Boulder, CO
3/4 (Sat) – Winter Park Resort – Winter Park, CO

* = with Krewe de Groove

https://www.lowdownbrassband.com/

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The Lowdown Brass Band, hailing from Chicago, is a horn-driven tour de force. From street beat to metal, the LDB showcases their unique high-energy style on their latest release “Lowdown Sounds,” which includes their version of Roy Ayers’ R&B classic “Everybody Loves the Sunshine,” featuring the soul legend himself on vocals and vibraphone.

The LDB breaks the barrier between audience and performer with their live show, which features dynamic vocalists, hip-hop MCs, and body movement that gets any wallflower up and on their feet. The Lowdown Brass Band has performed at some of the premier venues and festivals in Chicago, throughout the United States, and across the globe, including: The Metro, Double Door, Lincoln Hall, Schuba’s, House of Blues, Cubby Bear, The Promontory, Hideout, Andyʼs Jazz Club, Cliff Bell’s, Taste of Chicago, Wakarusa, Meijer Gardens, and the Cotai Jazz and Blues Festival. The LDB has had the pleasure of sharing the stage with such artists as: Lake Street Dive, G Love and the Special Sauce, Dumpstaphunk, The Stooges Brass Band, Ricky B, Wycliffe Gordon, Bonerama, JC Brooks & the Uptown Sound, The O’ Myʼs, and The Drastics.

Lowdown press

0 C2 & THE BROTHERS REED winter 2017 Colorado tour

C2 & THE BROTHERS REED WINTER 2017 COLORADO TOUR

Rocky Mountain Artists is very pleased to announce a winter Colorado tour for
 C2 & THE BROTHERS REED (Lexington, KY)

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C2 & THE BROTHERS REED have been doing some great things in the southeastern US and are now coming to Colorado for the first time for a series of shows.  Their single “Stereo” off their most recent record “Weigh Station Exit B” is in the top 30 on the FMQB adult contemporary charts.

You can check out C2 & THE BROTHERS REED at the following dates:

2/15 (Wed) – Knuckleheads – Kansas City, MO*
2/16 (Thu) – Globe Hall – Denver, CO
2/17 (Fri) – Cruiser’s – Grand Junction, CO
2/18 (Sat) – Black Nugget – Carbondale, CO
2/20 (Mon) – Turk’s/Slow Groovin’ BBQ- Snowmass, CO
2/21 (Tue) – Turk’s/Slow Groovin’ BBQ- Snowmass, CO
2/22 (Wed) – Justice Snow’s – Aspen, CO
2/23 (Thu) – Owsley’s Golden Road – Boulder, CO
2/24 (Fri) – Cactus Jack’s – Evergreen, CO
2/25 (Sat) – Star Bar – Denver, CO

* = with Gravy

http://c2andthebrothersreed.com/

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Hailing from the Bluegrass with a sound as unique and smooth as the regions’ beloved bourbon, C2 & The Brothers Reed’s authenticity shines in their studio debut Weigh Station Tour. After the independent release of their first EP “Hot Mess”, along with an extensive tour schedule (250+ shows in 2014-15) traveling mainly in the southern part of the country, they took to the studio less than a year later to cut their new record Weigh Station Tour. Split into sides, ‘Exit A’ ‘Exit B’, Weigh Station Tour explores gritty rock and roll while referencing 60’s and 70’s era soul music, embracing a style that is nearly lost but deeply needed in the surge of modern sound and technology. The band – singer/bassist Cameron Clark, guitarist Kelly Reed, drummer Kody Reed, and keyboardist James Weishar – hide behind nothing on their records, with a ‘realness’ that has been constantly attributed to their live performance.

Since forming in 2013, C2 & The Brothers Reed have made some notable appearances across the board with acts such as Stone Temple Pilots’ Scott Weiland, Moon Taxi, Eddie Money, Warrant, Yo Mama’s Big Fat Booty Band, 23 String Band and jam bands The Werks and Dopapod. “Weigh Station Tour: Exit A” was released in January 2015 and the followup “Exit B” released summer of 2016.

C2 winter tour

0 Cranford Hollow “Color/Sound/Renew/Revive” review – Columbia SC Free Press

CRANFORD HOLLOW

Columbia, SC Free Press review – 2/1/2017

 Cranford Hollow

Cranford Hollow

Color/Sound/Renew/Revive

Find It: cranfordhollow.bandcamp.com

Over its four previous studio albums, the Hilton Head quintet Cranford Hollow refined an all-smiles blend of country twang and acoustic-electric Southern rock, accented by singer/guitarist John Cranford’s gravelly vocals and the mournful fiddle of Jeff Reid. Sounding like some kind of Uncle Tupelo/Drive-By Truckers combo, the band seemed content to continue mining that roots-rock niche. At least until now.

Color/Sound/Renew/Revive is a telling title for an album that sounds like nothing these guys have done. The raw, loose rock ‘n’ roll feel is gone, replaced by infinitely more polished, atmospheric production and more keyboards than the outfit has ever used. On the opening “Songfield,” the rhythm section fashions a tight, slow-rolling pocket, and Reid’s fiddle seems to echo endlessly into the distance. Cranford’s vocals are less ragged, and his delivery is more melodic and focused. The songs in general are longer and more complex, with several moving past six minutes and into jam-band territory.

Rather than simply demoing the songs before heading into the studio as the act normally does, John Cranford made detailed pre-recordings of the songs with a couple of band members, with many of the instrumental arrangements already firmly in place, lending new precision to the group’s work.

It’s certainly a different direction, and it’s not hard to imagine this new keyboards-and-jams version of Cranford Hollow taking aback longtime fans. But the execution is so well-done, and the production (by Cranford and Preston Havill) and mixing (by Howard Willing) are so rich and detailed that it’s hard not to be seduced.

It might not translate so easily live — indeed, Cranford has had to switch almost entirely from guitar to keyboards onstage, and the band has added another guitarist, Yannie Reynecke — but the recorded results are tuneful, expertly played and polished without zapping the group’s energy. — Vincent Harris

0 GRAVY winter 2017 tour

GRAVY WINTER 2016-17 COLORADO TOUR

Rocky Mountain Artists is very pleased to announce a run of winter Colorado and western dates for
 GRAVY out of New Orleans, LA

Gravy logo 2

Gravy will be returning to Colorado as part of their national “Get Busy Living” tour.  In addition to dates in some of Colorado’s major markets, this run also includes dates in Texas, New Mexico, Wyoming, Kansas and Missouri.

You can check out GRAVY at the following dates:

1/27 (Fri) – Last Concert Cafe – Houston, TX*
1/28 (Sat) – LA Music Factory – New Orleans, LA
2/3 (Fri) – Taos Mesa Brewing – Taos, NM
2/4 (Sat) – The Eldo – Crested Butte, CO
2/6 (Mon) – Turk’s/Slow Groovin’ BBQ- Snowmass, CO
2/7 (Tue) – Turk’s/Slow Groovin’ BBQ- Snowmass, CO
2/8 (Wed) – Be On Key – Denver, CO
2/9 (Thu) – Owsley’s Golden Road – Boulder, CO
2/10 (Fri) – Globe Hall – Denver, CO
2/11 (Sat) – Town Square Tavern – Jackson, WY**
2/12 (Sun) – Trap Bar – Alta, WY
2/14 (Tue) – The Bottleneck – Lawrence, KS+
2/15 (Wed) – Knuckleheads – Kansas City, MO
2/17 (Fri) – Broadway Oyster Bar – St. Louis, MO*

* = with Naughty Professor
** = with Kitchen Dwellers
+ = with Brothers Gow

http://www.gravymusic.com/

Gravy has successfully “created their own very original sound with their latest album Get Busy Living – a bit of neo-soul mixed with some indie rock smothered in a whole bunch of New Orleans funk” according to producer of Gravy’s latest album and founding member of Galactic, Robert Mercurio. Inspired by a cultural renaissance and newfound clarity of vision; Gravy preaches the gospel of New Orleans funk while maintaining a creative voice steeped in the time-honored traditions of The Crescent City. Quickly making a name for themselves by paying homage to influences as varied and vast as the city they call home, the four members of Gravy came together as a band of experienced and working musicians hailing from different parts of the country with an unquenchable thirst to make it in the Big Easy.

The ability to express a mastery of style across-the-board is quite possibly the most alluring quality of Gravy. They took their unique blend of influences and artfully crafted an infectious style capable of blending genres and (in a word)”redefining” what is possible for the band, according to co-producer and fellow Galactic member, Ben Ellman.

On the heels of their most formative album to date, Gravy takes the helm on Get Busy Living and navigates within their respective terrain in innovative and exciting ways that make a bold statement about the future of this band. This latest album, now road tested with an added element of spontaneity encouraged by the live setting, has become an artistic achievement that serves as a testament to their hard-work, dedication, and unwavering devotion to their craft. Gravy has elevated their creative vision above the contemporary quagmire and gained a musical perspective that is inspired by ingenuity and fueled by a passionate presentation of their eclectic influences. Excited to pursue a fresh set of tour dates and festival spots, Gravy is on a mission to bring their message to music fans hungry for something that challenges, inspires, and satisfies the soul.

 

0 TRAVERS BROTHERSHIP winter Colorado tour

TRAVERS BROTHERSHIP WINTER 2016-17 COLORADO TOUR

Rocky Mountain Artists is very pleased to announce a run of winter Colorado dates for
 TRAVERS BROTHERSHIP out of Asheville, NC

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Travers Brothership will be touring to Colorado for the first time since summer 2015 for a series of dates to ring in 2017 as part of their national “A Way To Survive” tour. The Colorado run is highlighted by a big New Years Eve show in Winter Park.

You can check out Travers Brothership at the following dates:

12/27 (Tue) – The Bottleneck – Lawrence, KS
12/29 (Thu) – The Lazy Dog – Boulder, CO
12/30 (Fri) – Black Nugget – Carbondale, CO
12/31 (Sat) – Ullr’s Tavern – Winter Park, CO
1/2 (Mon) – Turk’s/Slow Groovin’ BBQ- Snowmass, CO
1/3 (Tue) – Turk’s/Slow Groovin’ BBQ- Snowmass, CO
1/4 (Wed) – Justice Snow’s – Aspen, CO
1/5 (Thu) – Tony P’s – Denver, CO
1/6 (Fri) – The Eldo – Crested Butte, CO
1/7 (Sat) – Cactus Jack’s – Evergreen, CO

http://www.traversbrothership.com/

Twin Brothers, Eric and Kyle Travers, have been brewing soul stew since they first began performing together at 13 years old. In 2012 the brothers formed their latest project, Travers Brothership, a 7-Piece Neo-Soul, Funk, and Rock n’ Roll ensemble based out of Asheville, NC.

Travers Brothership performs a wide variety of music, making each concert a unique experience. Utilizing the the band’s eclectic songwriting, they provide a live atmosphere that turns the audience into a community embracing musical fulfillment. Providing soulful grooves that insist on dancing shoes, Travers Brothership is sure to get you up on your feet to absorb their high energy performance.

In 2013, Travers Brothership released the “I Don’t Mind” EP. It reached the Top 20 spot in Reverb Nation’s National Charts, and peaked at the number 1 spot in the Asheville chart. In support of the EP, Travers Brothership began touring nationally and has since performed 300+ concerts across the United States. The band has shared the stage with many acomplished acts such as: String Cheese Incident, Taj Mahal, Blues Traveler, Robert Randolph, Charles Bradley, Leftover Salmon,Traveling McCourys, Moon Taxi, Pimps of Joytime, Trombone Shorty, Rebirth Brass Band, Dr. John, and many more.

​Over the course of two national tours, the band began to work on a full-length album with Grammy award winning producer, Juan “Pericles” Covaz, in Winter Park, FL, and Grammy nominated engineeer, Matt Willams in Asheville, NC. After deciding to fund the album independently, the band raised $5,000 with a Kickstarter campaign, and finished recording in the winter of 2015.

Travers Brothership’s debut LP, “A Way to Survive”, was released in 2016 on CD, iTunes, Spotify, Amazon, Google Play, and most other online distributors. The album has already received very positive reviews, and instantly recieved airplay on radio stations throughout the Southeast. Travers Brothership is currently touring the U.S. in support of thir debut album “A Way To Survive”.

0 CRANFORD HOLLOW releases “Color/Sound/Renew/Revive”

CRANFORD HOLLOW RELEASES “COLOR/SOUND/RENEW/REVIVE”

Psychedelic low country rock act CRANFORD HOLLOW will be releasing their fifth studio album “COLOR/SOUND/RENEW/REVIVE” on November 18, 2016 with a celebratory album release show on their home turf of Hilton Head, SC.

One of the hardest working bands in the southeast, Cranford Hollow has continued upward momentum nationally and will be touring heavily in 2017 to support their strongest release to date.

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