Musician | thesofiamagazine

Women Making Music, September 2020

by Peggy Ratusz | Aug 28, 2020 | Asheville, Music, Musician, Women

To piggy, or “Peggy” back (if you will) off the August issue, let’s continue to explore more fantastic “women making music” who reside in Asheville and surrounding towns. I think we can all agree that “low-grade depression” is a real thing. These practitioners of music, without a doubt, contribute to our mental good health as we head into month six of our “Covid crazy” lives.

Each of these artists persist and each of them, inspiring beyond words. These women persevere and in some cases reinvent themselves. To me, they exemplify courage. I am honored to bring to your attention month after month, the female musicians of all ages who continue to pursue their dreams with vitality and creativity, notably within this downturn.

One of my very favorite people on the planet is my song sister friend, Jesse Barry. If you are a live music enthusiast new to town, you’d be wise to seek out and support any of the high powered musical cars Ms. Barry steers or rides along in. She’s the sweet strawberry in Her Rockin’ Blues/70’s & 80’s cover band “Jesse Barry and the Jam” that features astounding players all around: Kelly Jones on guitar, Micah Thomas on drums and Robert Geisler on bass. Her recent collaboration with the premiere outfit “A Social Function,” injects that 6-8 piece special events band with a shot of unparalleled virtuosity. She’s the pied piper for the dance community and their reverence for her explosive and so too, warm and sultry voice is indeed infectious; she’s got the cure for your Covid Blues. facebook.com/JesseBarryAndTheJam/, asocialfunction.com

On the fabulous flip side, is Miss Dulci Ellenberger, crooner sublime! I’d heard her with the all-girl band she writes, co-writes and performs in, “Cowboy Judy.” But my first taste of her intimate sensibility was revealed on her debut solo record, “I Can Feel It” released in 2015. Here are a few phrases I made up to describe her sound: “Nimble Pop” “Modern Retro” “Poet Singer.” Word-couplets to describe her songs and their content: dreamy gaze . . . tangible reflection . . . buoyant charm . . . groove friendly. Whether she’s working alone or with any number of her enormously gifted cohorts, what you’ll experience with Dulci are wistful or happy melodies, intricate chord progressions and pitch perfect harmonies. “Fwuit” is the name of her latest project trio that combines originals that harken to their self-described sound, “retro soul” with carefully selected and arranged covers. It features band members from “Holy Ghost Tent Revival,” Ross Montsinger and Kevin Williams. Check out all things Dulci here:
dulcisings.com

Debrissa McKinney is a singer and saxophonist with a laugh and panache that garners undeniable affection. She puts the “skidoo” in the Grammy-winning kid-hop troupe she performs with, “Secret Agent 23 Skidoo.” I think of McKinney as the Emmylou Harris of Asheville. She’s in high demand in the studio and on stages for her adaptability on backing vocals and sax fills. Sensitive to a number of styles, grooves and genres this self-proclaimed “road dawg” tours with ‘23’, and horn laden Brass/Funk/Rock band, “Empire Strikes Brass” as well as “Dirty Logic” a Steely Dan tribute band. ESB, just dropped their sophomore full length release, “Brassterpiece Theater.” Pre-pandemic, she hosted the renowned “Brown Bag Songwriter Competition” that has for years, helped up and comers and newly transplanted talent launch their brands. This website empirestrikesbrass.com and this website: dirtylogic.band and this facebook link facebook.com/debrissa will keep you in the know about Debrissa!

Mare Carmody, happens to be my next-door neighbor, and happens to be one of my favorite songwriters. A purveyor of Americana Country and Blues music, she works solo and with her trio, Carver Carmody & McIntire, which features Michael Carver on vocals and guitar and Paul McIntire on fiddle. During the corona slow down, she’s been working on new songs. These snapshot moments in time are scenes from reunions over pie and coffee, or a drive to a lake or a woman musing about her lover. With the occasional live stream from her house or driveway as well as a number of outdoor socially-distanced gigs at local wineries, your chances to catch her live continue despite the pandemic. She and her bandmates will continue to host the “Hendo Showcase Brunch,” a once-a month outdoor, Sunday afternoon show featuring collaborations with well-known local musicians, held at Southern Appalachian Brewery. facebook.com/CarverCarmody, sabrewery.com

The reigning queen of Country in Asheville, Rebecca O’Quinn gives everything she does, her all. A ballerina, dance instructor, model, songwriter and guitarist, it’s her fantastic voice when I heard it for the first time that rendered me and those in the audience, transfixed. Yes, yes, she’s pretty for sure for sure. Yes, yes she’s graceful and accomplished. But it’s her natural luminescence that draws me into her performances and our conversations. Her music oozes with genuine care and nourishment. She stays true to the classic in all her classic country covers with her band The Reckoning. A benevolent Captain, OQuinn is competent at the helm. I invite you to set sail on her amphibious craft. Get on board her next excursion by visiting here: facebook.com/rebeccaandthereckoning/ or here: rebeccaoquinnonstage.com/rebecca-and-the-reckoning

Peggy Ratusz is a vocalist, vocal coach and writer. reverbnation.com/peggyratusz

Women Making Music

by Peggy Ratusz | Jul 31, 2020 | Asheville, Musician, Women

By Peggy Ratusz

There’s a lot not going on; but also, there’s more going on every week- concert, gig and show-wise in WNC. Ticketed virtual shows are on the rise. Drive-In style concerts are popping up! Breweries with outdoor spaces are booking small combos of musicians and a limited number of restaurant gigs are up for grabs again!

Artists are still releasing music. Musicians are still practicing; on their own and having social distant rehearsals to keep up their chops. I know it’s been a godsend for me, to meet up with my music pals to play an outdoor live stream or do an outdoor house concert. Venues hosting bands for recorded shows to stream at a later date are becoming more common as well. The creative juices are still flowing in the music industry and our scene at large is no exception.

The women, for sure, are still making music. Here’s a list of just a select few, out of literally hundreds of female, career musicians in our region, who haven’t allowed this Coronavirus to keep them down or out of the spotlight.

April Bennett struts across the hallowed ground of R&B, straddles and rides the rhythm and rhyme of Hip Hop and sails on the wings of Soul. Seamlessly blending her influences into a sound called April B. & the Cool, look for this trendsetting grove ingénue, this guitar slingin’ starlet, this elastic yet deliberate singer with a conscience, on the other side of the Cororna! aprilbmusic.com

Lo Wolf just came out with her debut full-length album she titled, Singe. Some tracks come with a suggested Parental Advisory for their disquieting use of the English language. She’s blunt, honest, unfiltered and extremely personal. This is a singer/songwriter who puts her money where her activism is. 90% of all the proceeds from the album will be endowed to Asheville Survival Program.
lowolfmusic.com
facebook.com/groups
AshevilleSurvivalProgram

Way back in April, local singer/songwriter, Kathryn O’Shea released a debut album too, that she calls January 9th, which is the date her father died in 2014. On her website she elaborates about the album and her father: “….on January 9th 2020, I recorded 10 of my songs in a vocal booth built out of the closet I shared with him in my childhood home. My brother, Michael recorded everything. That day, he sat right around where he used to sit to do homework when this now recording studio was his bedroom.” Follow this link to support this amazing young artist, and purchase her
incredibly raw collection of songs:
kathrynoshea.net

One of the most prolific and sensitive singers and songwriters in our town is one Ms. CaroMia Tiller. She’s a staple in this town for a reason. And the reason is her stunning soul saturated vocals and reflective original songs. Her latest release, Green, is a compendium of a larger collection of her most inspired writings. It’s a project that she recorded at home and produced almost entirely on her own. Before the epidemic, fans and tourists flocked to her solo and ensemble gigs at places like 5 Walnut Wine Bar. If you’re “jonesing” for contemplative lyrics riding on gossamer melodies, this new CD is one for your library. Here’s the link to stream/purchase this new record avl.mx/76s and to view a video of the title track, go here:
youtube.com/watch?v=RjkYrxCdaTc

Kimberly Cann, concert pianist and director of Piano Lab Studios, now called The Music Lab, is a former professor and currently a piano music instructor. Founded in 2010, Kimberly’s concept has thrived and now includes several locations in South Asheville, Hendersonville and Mills River. Cann and her staff have a simple and compelling mission statement: To provide the best quality education for pianists & musicians in the WNC region and beyond. To ensure that ALL students, regardless of age, background or economic status are afforded the opportunities & benefits that a well-rounded music education can bring. Though the crux of students is on hiatus due to Covid 19, the lab offers virtual lessons upon request. For more information, I urge you to visit her website here: pianolabasheville.com/about

Cynthia McDermott is a fabulously innovative and so too, nostalgia-infused creative. She brandishes her mandolin like it was her heart on her sleeve. Open, liberated, unscripted is how I’d describe her playing style! Her singing voice is solid, lilting, twangy, edgy and pitch perfect – whatever the piece she’s interpreting needs, she brings it. The Pimps of Pompe, Miss Cindy & the The Knockin’ Boots, or when she plays “solo Cindy”, she’ll be back on a regular basis after all “this” is said and done. You might catch her on a virtual live stream until then. Just visit her website to find out: mandocynmusic.com/#miss-cindy-section

Viola teacher Anastasia “An Ya” Yarbrough explains her approach: “I talk with the student to assess their interests and playing level. If they are beginners, we start with the feel of the instrument, with posture, and later with hearing the pitches and associating what they hear with the movement of their arms and fingers. Once the student is comfortable with all of this, we move into simple tunes – first by ear, then by notation.” Yarbrough knows what she’s talking about! A sessions, orchestral and ensemble violist and singer, An Ya’s repertoire of accomplishments and collaborations is full and impressive. Reach her through the Asheville Music School. Their live streaming music session’s page is up and running: ashevillemusicschool.org/teachers/anastasia-an-ya-yarbrough

Heidi Holton has made a name for herself in the international Blues community. So much so, that Rory Block produced her sophomore release in 2018 which critics called “a stunning step forward.” Well versed in slide and finger pickin’style guitar, this tom-boy beauty has been touched by the likes of Mississippi John Hurt and Memphis Minnie. Before the state’s stay-at-home mandate was enforced, Heidi was touring regularly. We’re lucky when she schedules a show more close to home. She’ll tour regularly again, I assure you. And when she does, you’ll know it by keeping her website on your rolodex: heidiholton.com/home

Carolina Music Planner was founded by premiere cellist, Megan Leigh Johnson. It’s a one-stop shop for all you grooms and brides, especially, to sample any number of and configuration of stellar string ensembles. Megan’s expertise and experience, booking and performing with her extremely accomplished roster of instrumentalists has elicited a plethora of accolades you can read on her beautiful website. carolinamusicplanner.com/media

Singer Songwriter and guitarist, Ellen Trnka along with her partner, guitarist and vocalist, Howie Johnson, venture out to mostly breweries in and around Hendersonville to play music where social distancing is enforced. Their simpatico is refreshing and familiar, what with a playlist that ranges from folk, to blues to jazz to country. There’s a sweet spattering of original material in there as well. A delightful respite from sitting at home in your pajamas, this duo will bring you out of the dull-drums. Ellen’s facebook page: facebook.com/ellen.trnka

So there are just a few of the fine feathered females who are doin’it to it; helping to keep live music alive in Western North Cacka-lackie. Next month, I’ll delve into a few more, including Rebecca O’Quinn, Jesse Barry, Debrissa McKinney, Kelli Redman, Karen Corn, Melissa and Kayla Mckinney, Dulci Ellenberger and more!

Until then, be safe and support live, local music online or at a safe distance in person!

Peggy Ratusz is a vocal coach, song interpreter, and songwriter.
For vocal coaching email her at [email protected]

Land of the Living

by Peggy Ratusz | Jun 30, 2020 | Asheville, Music, Musician, Women

By Peggy Ratusz

From the Crystal Coast of North Carolina, I spoke to multi-faceted, multi-instrumentalist; multi-talented Eleanor Underhill, where she was visiting her family (social distancing guidelines in place) on Emerald Isle in late May. They all quarantined for weeks before heading to the beach for their annual reunion.

Born and raised in Williamsburg, VA, she moved to WNC to attend Warren Wilson College. A fearless musical explorer, she thrives on going places she’s never been before. Luckily she shares with us her discoveries and treasures via sound, lyric, rhythm and melody.

My first encounter with Eleanor was maybe 12 years ago, where I experienced first-hand her undeniable warmth, talent and easy going demeanor while co-billing with her at a local female artist showcase.

Since then she’s completed countless tours, nationally and internationally, with critically acclaimed Americana band, Underhill Rose; a band she co-created with guitarist, singer songwriting partner, Molly Rose Reed. Eleanor Underhill & Friends is a non-touring project she formed in 2014 with Zack Page on bass and Chris Pyle on drums. While simultaneously and successfully juggling these two endeavors, a solo project has now emerged for this visionary.

‘Navigate the Madness,’ was her first solo release in 2018, garnering praise for its rich tapestry and electronic sounds. Her latest release, ‘Land of the Living’ takes notes from ‘Navigate’ but resumes the journey down a tangent path of more sonic surprises and stylistic souvenirs.

From writing, playing multiple instruments, singing, producing, engineering and editing, ‘Land of the Living’ is in every sense of the word, a solo undertaking. “It was all recorded at home except for the drums, which were tracked locally at Echo Mountain Studio. I really wanted to push this one to a higher fidelity, and getting the drums dialed in professionally was a big part of accomplishing that. I recognize that not a lot of women are on the production side, and this solo project allows me to learn and explore; not only to follow my muse down unknown alleys, but also to push myself in more technical ways.”

“What makes this solo work so different is because I have that technology layer available to me. The real fun part for me is making decisions from a gut-impulse which comes from the multitude of influences that I’ve heard throughout my life. From Doo-Whop to rap to New Age and everything in between, I trust myself as I duck down into that rabbit-hole of sound.” The hardest part of the process she says comes during the editing phase.

While she consulted with knowledgeable friends concerning the mix, and she didn’t fail to mention that she relied on the expertise of Julian Dryer to engineer the drums at the studio, it’s important to note that she drove the bus.

The 13 tracks on ‘Land’ are a compilation and combination of “orphan songs” written over a decade ago, and ones written just this past fall. The production-based and exploratory nature on many of the pieces is fascinatingly evident while others possess a more singer-songwriter vibe.

There are unique and unexpected intros on several tracks. This is true for the first single being released as a video called ‘Strange Chemistry.’ “The intro is me singing acapella. I didn’t notice until the instruments kicked in that I was in the wrong key. But it was a beautiful accident I never planned for but decided to keep. It seemed natural to not squash it, given the sad overtones the song invokes.” Jesse Gentry from The Get Right Band plays a loose, free-flowing bass solo that is a stand-out.

“Run with the Wolves” has “a bit of female rebellion and defiance in it. It reflects how forward-pushing this project was for me. When I listen to it in my car, it makes me drive fast!” With layers of luscious harmonies in the chorus and a solo by Michel Buble’s baritone sax player, Jacob Rodriguez, the song reaches new heights for Underhill, vocally.

“Didn’t We Have Fun” is a statement and a question, sarcastic with “mixed emotions.” Another track, “Gambling” she says is one of the older tunes that got a big “facelift in terms of approach. It’s a metaphor that being a musician and artist is like being a gambler. I was experiencing an unsteady time when I wrote it, and working on it for this record, pushed me to put a modern feel to it.”

“On the Way to Engelhard” is my personal favorite melody and theme, though the rest of the tunes are certainly neck and neck for 2nd place. For me, it conjured a place I used to visit as a child, that like Engelhard, is different to me now that I’m older, not only because the ravages of time have stripped it of its charm, but because I’m different now too.

The title track is sparse with a reggae vibe. Eleanor referred to it as a “revelation” song. “I have absorbed the beliefs of my foremothers and fathers. I have to cast off what is not serving me. By casting off those ghosts I am fully embracing my life with freshness; rather than living in any hand-me-down shadow or burden.” It’s a song she finds particularly relevant now. “We are all experiencing a reckoning. We are all waking-up to a new awareness.”

There is an online album release premiere happening Friday August 7th at 7pm from Eleanor’s facebook timeline page: https://www.facebook.com/eleanor.underhill I invite you to tune in so that we can all watch together in real time!

Connect and stay up to date with all things Eleanor Underhill, by visiting her website: eleanorunderhillmusic.com

Peggy Ratusz is a vocal coach, song interpreter, and songwriter.
For vocal coaching email her at [email protected]

The Practitioners of Feel Good!

by Peggy Ratusz | Jun 5, 2020 | Asheville, Musician, Women, Women Empowerment

When the going gets tough, the creatives get more creative! It’s profoundly evident that artists, musicians and writers are juiced up and acting out the inspirations this pandemic has evoked, by sharing their various talents over social media just to make us feel better during our lockdown. I feel blessed that we dwell among these practitioners of feel-good. It’s as if all of them simultaneously began to brainstorm ways they could bring comfort to our community, as a way to ease fear and boredom that seemed to quickly and firmly take hold. Watching live stream concerts and the like, has now become ‘regular TV viewing.’

Cellist and songwriter sublime, Melissa Hyman and her husband, Ryan the “lion-hearted” Furstenberg, were the first artists I saw performing on “Facebook Live” from their dining room. With playful penguin props and jovial jive, their viewership reached into the hundreds. Others like troubadour extraordinaire Blake Elledge and local music giant Josh Blake collaborated with The Orange Peel to raise money for local musicians by introducing nightly “Quarantine Concerts,” before the “stay home/stay safe” ordinance took effect and the series had to be suspended. Since then, a plethora of musicians including yours truly, have put ourselves out there, offering virtual live stream concerts on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube, as a way to do our best to counterbalance the need to entertain with our need to make money to live on during a time when all of us have lost all our gig dates.

Since bands are no longer able to get together and rehearse much less do shows together, music makers are getting mighty innovative and energized in order to keep up their connections and co-ops. Video sharing platforms are being utilized which allow musicians to video record themselves playing or singing parts of a composition from their home studios and/or computers, and then send those files electronically onto the next person, so they can add their parts. This has become as popular as live stream concerts! Jason DeCristafaro, “Asheville’s Patron Saint of Musicians,” has successfully kept weekly jazz music nights alive by collaborating in this way. Once he marries each track together, he uploads the completed video on social media and YouTube for all who choose to watch. Each musician and vocalist donates their time and talent to benefit the venues that sponsored these showcases and that Jason hopes to resume hosting, very soon!

CaroMia Tiller chooses original songs of other area singer/songwriters, puts her own magic on them, asks others to do the same, and uses the same kind of video recording and sharing app that Jason does, to submit the finished video for the public and the songwriter to view and enjoy. With hundreds of views for each one so far, this concept is well “liked” not only because she’s brilliant, but for the way this lovingly honors her peer songsmiths!

There are couples and soloists who stage live stream concerts from home, as a way to establish their own ‘residencies’ as it were, taking over time slots for weekly or nightly concerts. Caitlin Krisko and her live-in guitarist boyfriend, Aaron Austin from The Broadcast, play each Thursday evening, a 30 minute set starting at 6:30pm called “Jamdemic.” Newcomer, bassist and guitarist Kim Butler plays a weekly happy hour called “Facemask Fridays” where she reminds everyone to BYOB! With my Corona Premier beer and lime within reach, I do my bi-weekly Saturday evening happy hour, called Silver Linings Live Streams, and Nikki Talley does “Porch Sessions” every morning complete with coffee, guitar, banjo, and song!

“Keep Music Live Project” is an online streaming of music featuring Asheville acts and was spearheaded by bassist and Girls Rock Asheville faculty member, and creator of Streamside House Concerts, Sally Sparks. Singer Songwriter, Hannah Kaminer organized a service called “Music for Quarantine.” She designed it so the public can order a personal virtual concert and conversation from a list of participating local music artists, to celebrate a special occasion for a loved one they are unable to be with during this outbreak.

Now, much to our surprise and delight, there are those in our sphere whose hidden talents have suddenly surfaced due to this unforeseen pandemic. Singer Songwriter Leigh Glass, along with Echo Mountain Recording Studio Manager, Jessica Tomasin and vocalist, Kendra Penland, merged to bring us their original character-friends, “Memaw, Granny and Abuela.” They hilariously improv their way through posted video conference calls, and we are laughing all the while. The women-of-a-certain-age they portray, are decked out in full southern regalia, with support hose, wigs, warts, and all. They scuttlebutt through hot topics like religion, pornography and liquor brands, all while giving each other delirious and mad cap, unsolicited advice about love and life.

Ashley Heath, known as the ‘hardest working musician in Asheville,’ compiles videos texted by area musicians telling ‘stupid jokes’ and posts them on her social media profile pages. Heath is now offering singing telegrams too, where she’ll call a recipient of your choice, and sing them a special song for any occasion! Lee Barker, a farmer and charcoal portraitist from Polk County started a group called “Plague Artists 2020” where artists and crafts people can post and share photos of their works as a way to get to know one another. In just a week, Lee had garnered hundreds of members from all over the globe!

As a way to assist and ease the mental strain that this pandemic creates on many levels, singer songwriter, Asher Leigh and others started a group called “Pandemic Expressions.” It’s a place to share art, conversation and opportunity. The intention of this group is creating, celebrating and supporting. It meets an extremely important need in our community.

Finally and notably, I’d like to give a huge shout out to local musician and singer, Pam Jones (The Business, Dirty Logic) as well as accordionist and Gypsy Jazz trobairitz, Sparrow Pants. The two of them have been making protective masks for the community at large as well as health care professionals in our area and in other parts of the country too. Thank you!

In closing I share with you an encouraging quote I meditate on daily that comes from my favorite spiritual guru, Abraham- Hicks: Normal will never be what it was; it’s going to be so much better.

Peggy Ratusz is a vocal coach, song interpreter, and songwriter. For vocal coaching email her at [email protected]

Rachael Waterhouse – The Voice of the Vine

by Peggy Ratusz | Apr 3, 2020 | Asheville, Music, Musician, Women

By Peggy Ratusz

Ten years ago, Rachel Waterhouse and I met for a vocal coaching session. As we greeted one another, I found her to be open and alluring. I knew that we would be acquainted for a long time to come. I sat in my chair as her fingers floated over the keyboard. At once I allowed her voice to take my heart
hostage, as she cast her spell on a Stevie Wonder tune.

I didn’t even try to hide how much I was enjoying this private performance. I felt privileged to witness her virtuosity and expressiveness. When she was through, I told her, “All I can do for you as a new fan, is help you put a band together; as a vocal coach, I should sign up for sessions with you instead.” An emancipated musician and poet, new to town as Ms. Waterhouse was at that time, doesn’t have to play but one open mic, to create enduring synergy.

Rachel and I have collaborated a few times over the years. I find her sensitivity to arrangements and content, even with pastiches, refreshing. This predisposition is a continuation of her aptitude for songwriting. With the “soft-release” of her first full-length recording with her trio “Sister Ivy” wrapped last month to a capacity crowd at The Mothlight, we excavate some of the nooks and crannies of her process.

Your melodies meander fluidly over the chord progressions. Please delve into your process for marrying melodies with chord progressions.

I feel less like I impose melodies and chords and more like I gather them as different ingredients separately, pair them later. Often, I mess around with a theoretical concept and stumble upon a chord progression that I just get absolutely lost in. I write melodies on the fly and record them when appropriate. I write lyrics in random places, and then forget about them. I let all those things sit and mature in the recesses of my mind until they find each other and make sense. It’s kind of like making a collage.

What’s your process for choosing instrumentation for your songs?

I find the part that is missing the most, after that is low end and rhythm, so I commonly play with a bassist and drummer as my core group. It’s simpler to orchestrate that way and it allows the three of us to be free at live performances. If I had my way, I would have a horn section, choir, guitarist, organ and synth, guitarist, and percussionist on every show. For this album, we went all out with guest musicians, creating a fuller, lush sound.

The vivid stories that will be on the new record truly feel like poetry set in motion.

I write a lot of poetry. I was an English major with a professional writing concentration, which I skewed entirely to the creative writing. The vocal ditties that survive audition, plus the triumphant experiments on keyboard are the main ingredients.

Vocally it’s obvious that you’re fearless.

I have ignored every impulse to fit into a particular style of singing. I just try to be really honest about the emotions and experiences that have moved the music. I’m not scared to go in and out of different parts of my range. I don’t feel the need to remain consistent in my range.

Where does inspiration come from?

I swear the textures I want to create come from the scratched Nutcracker album I listened to on repeat when I was no more than six years old. Musically, I grew up listening to and playing a good deal of Classical music: Chopin, Debussy, Tchaikovsky, Mozart, and Bach. My father played a lot of Rush in the house as well, so that progressive element worked its way in nice and early. I spent a good bit of time in choirs and musicals and very nearly went into opera. But for me, writing my own music is more fun than learning Arias. I branched out to discover artists like Regina Spektor, The Gorillaz, Radiohead, Pink Floyd, The Mars Volta, Herbie Hancock, Funkadelic, Galactic, Air, Sly and the Family Stone, Stevie Wonder. The new waves of fusion and neo-soul, like Erykah Badu, Little Dragon, Hiatus Kaiyote, Robert Glasper, Snarky Puppy, Lalah Hathaway, Moonchild, James Blake, and Moses Sumney have been a major influence in the sound on this new record.

Lyrically: What I write precipitates from what I feel and what I feel precipitates from what I experience. Writing is an excellent avenue to process emotional waves. I am an idealist and I pepper in some of my opinions about the state of the world. Much of my inspiration comes from masks of myths, fairy tales or omens, which clothe my emotions and ideals to give them a more concrete presence without being too specific about their personal origin. I prefer to present a channel for the expression of universal emotions even though, at the root, my writing is not dissimilar to journaling.”

Listeners will discover Rachel’s introspective identity within the meditations, reflections and missives inside the new collection. “Sepia Sun” is one of my personal favorites: “Submerge yourself again, beneath the current. You’ll need a warrior’s heart to brave the dark. Or have you been in Oz too long, accustomed to the colors? When you’re living only to consume all, why would you choose a world of grey?”

A pass from the Sister Ivy website’s homepage illuminates:

Sister Ivy is the voice of the vine that weaves in and out of roots and open air. It mixes with the weeds, and climbs to lofty vistas on the limbs of grand trees. A quizzical poet with a voice brimming with turbulent emotion and heartfelt presence, she moves to join the juxtaposed, not only lyrically, but musically, with careful dissonance and timely resolve, blending the mundane with the magical, providing unexpected nourishment and plenty of food for thought. Listen at your own risk. Sister Ivy may attempt to challenge your core beliefs or (gasp) move your feet a little.

Website: sisterivy.com

Meet local Jazz Singer Julie McConnell

by Peggy Ratusz | Feb 28, 2020 | Asheville, Music, Musician, Women

By Peggy Ratusz

For this sensual, intentional and emotive Jazzebelle singer and pianist, Julie McConnell, the music gene dates far back and on both sides of her family tree. Her older brother Jack was a successful classical singer by the time he was 15. Her father played piano and her mom sang in choirs most of her life. Her paternal grandfather played double bass in big bands here in Asheville during the 1930’s and 40’s, and her maternal grandfather was a crooner and played mountain music with his six brothers in Bent Mountain, VA.

How/when did you discover you had the music gene?

“I knew I was meant to be creative and when I was five, it looked like I was to be a dancer. I was quite good. But I longed to learn to play the music I danced to. We had a beat-up, painted-green piano with no bench. I would stand at that piano and pick out melodies. Though I desperately wanted piano lessons, my parents wanted me to stay focused on dance. So, I decided to learn on my own. I found an erasable marker and labeled the keys with numbers one through eight over and over until every key was labeled. After dance class, I’d hit the piano and try to figure out the melody I had heard that day. This led me to writing songs. When my parents realized what I was doing, they had me play some of my pieces, and within two weeks I was taking piano lessons. By ninth grade, I was a musician.”

Talk about your mentors

“Kathy Coe, my piano teacher, the choral and theater director at our church, Marvin Williams, were my early years’ mentors. My brother was in the choir which made me want to be a part of the choir too, but I was only ten years old. So I learned the alto arias from The Messiah and sang them for anyone who would listen. Within a month, Marvin invited me to join the adult choir. I sang with them until I left for college.

By the time I got to high school, following in my brother’s footsteps became very difficult. I realized I wanted to be recognized more for playing the piano. Maggie Hawks, the Junior High and High School Choral & Drama teacher believed in me. I had a freakish ability to learn difficult pieces without being able to “read” that well, and I was a wonderful harmony singer. I might not have been in every choral group in high school without her confidence in my abilities.

Four colleges offered me vocal scholarships, including my Alma Mater Appalachian State University. I was singing professionally by the time I was 17, and I won Vocal Student of the year at my high school. Convinced that voice and singing was my destiny, I’ve never looked back.”

What led you to Jazz music?

“At most colleges in the late 70’s and early 80’s you couldn’t major in any other genre but classical. So after struggling to survive financially being a professional classical singer, I delved into musical theater again with big bands and combo groups, and this soon expanded and changed almost exclusively into Jazz.”

What do you ultimately hope to achieve as an artist?

“It’s important for me to stay relative in the local music scene. My destiny is to sing and help others reach their vocal and musical goals. As long as those two things are my compass, I’m happy. I taught music and choral privately and in public schools, and I found it as rewarding as it was for me to perform. Since moving back to WNC, I teach at Haywood Community college, and my husband and I have a private music studio: McConnell’s Music, in Pisgah Forest.”

Who are your current band members?

“I’m fortunate to have a smokin’ hot four-piece band! They speak my language and can create the space I need to deliver. Bill Gerhardt, piano, Chris Beyt, guitar, Bryan McConnell, my very talented husband is on bass and Justin Watt, drums.”

Please discuss how you interact with and respond to fans.

“I’m down to earth and accessible, but also a private person. I’ve learned how to save some for myself. Everyone likes praise but I’m not driven by the need for “followers.” If what I sing resonates with someone, then I’m happy to hear it. I tell the audience stories about my life and I risk being vulnerable because that’s what makes a song mean something and allows it to be felt by all.”

What advice would you give a female Jazz musician starting out?

“It’s work. You have to know you HAVE to do it. The more honest you are about your strengths and shortcomings, the sooner neither will hold power over you. People attend concerts to feel and to relate. Keep this front and center and your ego in check. Give from your heart, be generous, and you’ll be successful and fulfilled.”

The Julie McConnell Quintet has a show on Saturday, March 7th at the DFR Room in Brevard starting at 8pm. For details, visit her website. And for voice and piano lessons, as well as learning about and registering for the vocal workshops Julie facilitates, visit the website or email her at [email protected]

Website link: mcconnellsmusic.com

Facebook link: facebook.com/profile.php?id=100030654901658

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