Psyko Steve Presents
CORY BRANAN
AUDRA MAE, MR. MUDD & MR. GOLD
Wed, July 11, 2012
Doors: 7:30 pm / Show: 8:00 pm
The Rhythm Room
Phoenix, AZ
$10.00 - $12.00
Tickets
This event is 21 and over
http://www.psykosteve.com/event/116173/
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CORY BRANAN
Honest, sometimes a little dark, and riddled with self-deprecating humor – traits that led themselves well to his songs. Songs that, like Cory, are original and unpredictable, prompting one music critic to note that "...he writes serious music without taking himself too seriously, without being afraid to smash a guitar, throw in a line about Miami Vice, or smack his audience in the head every once in awhile – figuratively, of course." "I never play a song the same way twice," says Cory. "It's the only way I've found for me to keep the music honest and immediate and, more importantly, to keep my self amused."
A young Branan played Death Metal before moving on to a Black Sabbath cover band, but it wasn't until someone handed him a John Prine album that things began to fall into place. Discovering songs with intelligence, humor and edge inspired Cory to strike out with his own unique songwriting style. Aside from "recreational destruction and the lamentations of the women," Cory's influences change daily, but could typically include "Henry Miller, Tom Waits, Federico Garcia Lorca, my little brother, Dark Lord Satan, the girl from last Thursday..."
With immeasurable talent and the freedom to follow his muse, Cory Branan is poised for greatness. His gift as a song-writer and performer made him a staple of the lauded Memphis music scene and brought him national recognition with the release of his debut album, The Hell You Say. A full page feature in Rolling Stone's Hot issue, a year's-top-ten-honor in Billboard magazine and an appearance on the late show with David Letterman represent just a sample of the attention this breakthrough record garnered. Despite the success of The Hell You Say, it took four years for Cory to release 2006's 12 Songs. Although, as Blender magazine noted, "Branan banked the praise and laid low...12 Songs justifies the sabbatical." In a music review of the newer album for Playboy, famed music critic and author of It Came From Memphis, Robert Gordon, said it best when he said of Cory, "A new voice emerges to run with the greats."
A young Branan played Death Metal before moving on to a Black Sabbath cover band, but it wasn't until someone handed him a John Prine album that things began to fall into place. Discovering songs with intelligence, humor and edge inspired Cory to strike out with his own unique songwriting style. Aside from "recreational destruction and the lamentations of the women," Cory's influences change daily, but could typically include "Henry Miller, Tom Waits, Federico Garcia Lorca, my little brother, Dark Lord Satan, the girl from last Thursday..."
With immeasurable talent and the freedom to follow his muse, Cory Branan is poised for greatness. His gift as a song-writer and performer made him a staple of the lauded Memphis music scene and brought him national recognition with the release of his debut album, The Hell You Say. A full page feature in Rolling Stone's Hot issue, a year's-top-ten-honor in Billboard magazine and an appearance on the late show with David Letterman represent just a sample of the attention this breakthrough record garnered. Despite the success of The Hell You Say, it took four years for Cory to release 2006's 12 Songs. Although, as Blender magazine noted, "Branan banked the praise and laid low...12 Songs justifies the sabbatical." In a music review of the newer album for Playboy, famed music critic and author of It Came From Memphis, Robert Gordon, said it best when he said of Cory, "A new voice emerges to run with the greats."
AUDRA MAE
Growing up, show business was in Audra Mae's blood. Her great grandmother, Virginia, was a member of the Gumm Sisters, whose youngest member, Francis Ethel Gumm, grew up to be Judy Garland. Her paternal grandmother turned her on to country and folk artists like Patsy Cline, Dolly Parton and Woody Guthrie, while her maternal grandfather introduced her to jazz.
Since arriving in California seven years ago, on Elvis Presley's birthday no less, with the proverbial $20 in her pocket, Audra Mae has done alright for herself. She landed a publishing deal with Warner/Chappell, a TV placement singing Bob Dylan's "Forever Young" on the hit F/X series, Sons of Anarchy, and in 2009, wrote the lyrics to "Why I Was Born to Die," the only original track on Susan Boyle's chart-topping, 9 million-selling I Dreamed a Dream album.
And now Audra Mae is about to see her own dream come true.
Since her acclaimed SideOneDummy Records debut, The Happiest Lamb, in May 2010, Oklahoma-born singer/songwriter Audra Mae has undergone quite a transformation. Her band, The Almighty Sound, including stand-up bassist Joe Ginsberg, guitarist Jarrad Kritzstein, pianist Frank Pedano and drummer Kiel Feher, who have played live with her in a series of residencies around the L.A. area, came together in early 2011 as a close group of friends with no official name. Not even a year later, they've completed a new record with a new name, a new look and an Almighty Sound.
"It's sort of like the chicken and the egg," explains Audra about the development of Audra Mae & The Almighty Sound, also the title of the full-length record to be released Valentine's Day, 2012. "It's hard to tell which came first; the band or the new record. These musicians are my best friends. They're so talented and they have my back, which is what you want in a band...that they care about you and your music."
The album's genesis took place in the acoustic live shows Audra Mae did with bassist Joe Ginsberg, who tour managed and played upright bass for Audra before moving to L.A. from Denver and helping her form the new band.
"I started this album before the label even wanted another record," says Audra. "I just wanted to capture what was happening naturally, rather than interpret someone else's vision of what I am."
Guitarist/ filmmaker/editor Jarrad Kritzstein, dubbed "The Octopus" ("Because he does everything well," claims Audra), worked with her and the band in his home studio, laying down the blueprints and homespun percussive elements for a little over a month prior to the official start of recording.
Deana Carter, a country star in her own right, whose debut album, Did I Shave My Legs for This? sold 5 million in the U.S., and has had three #1 country singles in "Strawberry Wine," "We Danced Anyway" and "How Do I Get There," came aboard to co-produce after seeing Audra Mae and the band perform a gig in Santa Monica. "Deana was our fearless captain," says Audra.
While The Happiest Lamb showcased Audra Mae's darker, more dramatic and melancholy side, Audra Mae & The Almighty Sound is a celebration of her own blossoming as a performer, the perfect storm of all her influences, spiked with the energy of a group who honed their chops in live situation.
The album highlights include the belting blues of "The Real Thing," written with Bravo's Platinum Hit contestant Jackie Tohn; "My Friend the Devil," an urgent country ballad penned with Dan Wilson; the rockabilly/hip-hop nursery rhyme chant of "Little Red Wagon," with its reference to Audra Mae's own gold Dodge Dart classic; and the rumbling "Smokin' the Boys," a rollicking, cheeky ode to female self-empowerment co-written with Carter. The delta plaint of "Ne'er Do Wells" is described by Audra as a "union song," co-written with guitarist Kritzstein, a tribute to the builders of our railroads and homes, dedicated to her father. The final "Two Melodies," a collaboration with R&B singer/songwriter Allen Stone, is a prayerful benediction, tying up the album with a bow of humility, an anti-materialistic ode to being grateful for whatever you have.
Recorded live, including vocals, in one week at Hollywood Sound, Audra Mae & The Almighty Sound genuinely captures the band's electric performances.
A five-song EP, including covers of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers' "Breakdown" and The Black Keys' "Ten Cent Pistol," due out Nov 22, 2011, will precede the release of the full-length album in 2012.
"This album is the closest I've come to putting my soul to music the way I wanted to," she says. "I'm really happy with it. I feel like I'm on the right track.
"Life gives you what it wants you to have. I try to stay in that constant state of being grateful for where I am, and have faith that it's just a matter of time to get these messages out to more and more people every day. I'm just trying to trust that this is the life I'm supposed to have, this is where I'm supposed to be."
Audra Mae & The Almighty Sound are here…and not a moment too soon.
Since arriving in California seven years ago, on Elvis Presley's birthday no less, with the proverbial $20 in her pocket, Audra Mae has done alright for herself. She landed a publishing deal with Warner/Chappell, a TV placement singing Bob Dylan's "Forever Young" on the hit F/X series, Sons of Anarchy, and in 2009, wrote the lyrics to "Why I Was Born to Die," the only original track on Susan Boyle's chart-topping, 9 million-selling I Dreamed a Dream album.
And now Audra Mae is about to see her own dream come true.
Since her acclaimed SideOneDummy Records debut, The Happiest Lamb, in May 2010, Oklahoma-born singer/songwriter Audra Mae has undergone quite a transformation. Her band, The Almighty Sound, including stand-up bassist Joe Ginsberg, guitarist Jarrad Kritzstein, pianist Frank Pedano and drummer Kiel Feher, who have played live with her in a series of residencies around the L.A. area, came together in early 2011 as a close group of friends with no official name. Not even a year later, they've completed a new record with a new name, a new look and an Almighty Sound.
"It's sort of like the chicken and the egg," explains Audra about the development of Audra Mae & The Almighty Sound, also the title of the full-length record to be released Valentine's Day, 2012. "It's hard to tell which came first; the band or the new record. These musicians are my best friends. They're so talented and they have my back, which is what you want in a band...that they care about you and your music."
The album's genesis took place in the acoustic live shows Audra Mae did with bassist Joe Ginsberg, who tour managed and played upright bass for Audra before moving to L.A. from Denver and helping her form the new band.
"I started this album before the label even wanted another record," says Audra. "I just wanted to capture what was happening naturally, rather than interpret someone else's vision of what I am."
Guitarist/ filmmaker/editor Jarrad Kritzstein, dubbed "The Octopus" ("Because he does everything well," claims Audra), worked with her and the band in his home studio, laying down the blueprints and homespun percussive elements for a little over a month prior to the official start of recording.
Deana Carter, a country star in her own right, whose debut album, Did I Shave My Legs for This? sold 5 million in the U.S., and has had three #1 country singles in "Strawberry Wine," "We Danced Anyway" and "How Do I Get There," came aboard to co-produce after seeing Audra Mae and the band perform a gig in Santa Monica. "Deana was our fearless captain," says Audra.
While The Happiest Lamb showcased Audra Mae's darker, more dramatic and melancholy side, Audra Mae & The Almighty Sound is a celebration of her own blossoming as a performer, the perfect storm of all her influences, spiked with the energy of a group who honed their chops in live situation.
The album highlights include the belting blues of "The Real Thing," written with Bravo's Platinum Hit contestant Jackie Tohn; "My Friend the Devil," an urgent country ballad penned with Dan Wilson; the rockabilly/hip-hop nursery rhyme chant of "Little Red Wagon," with its reference to Audra Mae's own gold Dodge Dart classic; and the rumbling "Smokin' the Boys," a rollicking, cheeky ode to female self-empowerment co-written with Carter. The delta plaint of "Ne'er Do Wells" is described by Audra as a "union song," co-written with guitarist Kritzstein, a tribute to the builders of our railroads and homes, dedicated to her father. The final "Two Melodies," a collaboration with R&B singer/songwriter Allen Stone, is a prayerful benediction, tying up the album with a bow of humility, an anti-materialistic ode to being grateful for whatever you have.
Recorded live, including vocals, in one week at Hollywood Sound, Audra Mae & The Almighty Sound genuinely captures the band's electric performances.
A five-song EP, including covers of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers' "Breakdown" and The Black Keys' "Ten Cent Pistol," due out Nov 22, 2011, will precede the release of the full-length album in 2012.
"This album is the closest I've come to putting my soul to music the way I wanted to," she says. "I'm really happy with it. I feel like I'm on the right track.
"Life gives you what it wants you to have. I try to stay in that constant state of being grateful for where I am, and have faith that it's just a matter of time to get these messages out to more and more people every day. I'm just trying to trust that this is the life I'm supposed to have, this is where I'm supposed to be."
Audra Mae & The Almighty Sound are here…and not a moment too soon.
MR. MUDD & MR. GOLD
Mr. Mudd and Mr. Gold were born in Phoenix, Arizona during the Great Dust Storm of 2011. From the dust and wreckage emerged a bastard child of country, blues, Appalachia, bluegrass, and rockabilly that wanted nothing more than to kick your ass. You like getting your ass kicked, don't you? Then come be friends with Mr. Mudd and Mr. Gold.
Venue Information:
The Rhythm Room
1019 E. Indian School Road
Phoenix, AZ, 85014
http://www.rhythmroom.com/
The Rhythm Room
1019 E. Indian School Road
Phoenix, AZ, 85014
http://www.rhythmroom.com/
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