New York City's The Scooches (formerly Banjo Nickaru & Western Scooches) are likely the only band infusing elements of world rhythms and sonorities with folk traditions, New Orleans influences, and music from the 1920s. Their forthcoming sophomore album, Get Us Out Of Fearland, due June 15, builds upon the multi-cultural exuberance that made their debut, Very Next Thing, a transcendent breath of fresh air. Elmore Magazine championed its “Remarkable musical dexterity with songs that bask in a genuine roots regimen and a sense of timeless tradition,” with revered tastemaker station WFUV adding, This is a band that must be heard to be believed!"

"This powerful and strong influence for our band brings spiritual energy to our shows," says co-founder/musician Nick Russo. "My musical life has always been surrounded by an eclectic combination of unique musicians and scenes. So naturally, this band is a melting pot of many different cultures, genres, instruments, and sounds. My dream is that people of all races and origins live, play and share all our different world musics and cultures together as one united race, without fear…one love!”

While the band’s debut featured a “Unfailingly high-spirited” mix of traditional fare culled from various cultures, the new 9-track opus showcases mostly original material, with the lone cover, a lively rendition of “A Hundred Miles," the rollicking fiddle-fueled train tune from the 1800s. The remaining eight songs were penned by vocalist Betina Hershey, “Songs are always pouring out of me. Some I catch, and some slip out past my lips and float away. With the help of a cast of music mates, these songs linger so beautifully, with textures that I hadn’t even imagined.”

Highlights of Get Us Out Of Fearland include the playful 1920s verve of “I Don’t Need No Glasses,” the warm lilting embrace of “I Wish The World Knew Why,” the organ-driven, gospel-tinged “Dandelion,” featuring special guest singers, Stephanie Rice and Charenee Wade, and “Soar,” an inspirational song filled with optimism, determination, and perseverance. These qualities soar skyward throughout the 25-minute journey but none more so than on the boisterous groundbreaking title track, which features improvisational vocalist Miles Griffith, known for his work with Max Roach, Paul Simon, and Reggie Workman, and percussionist/vocalist, Dr. David Pleasant, a singular talent who has performed with Wynton Marsalis, Cecil Taylor, and Paul Simon. 

To support the lead-up to the release of Fearland, Russo and Hershey, along with accomplished percussionist Emiliano Valerio, who appears on four songs on the album, will play fifteen showcases at the world renown Folk Alliance International Conference, which celebrates its 30th Anniversary, February 14-18, in Kansas City, MO. Last year, the group was a breakthrough act at the conference, receiving a special invitation to open the main stage of the Kansas City Folk Festival.

“Unfailingly high-spirited.” London Times

"This is a band that must be heard to be believed!” WFUV

"Americana music at its purest and most impressive." No Depression

“It's unlike anything most listeners will find elsewhere.” San Diego Troubadour

“Remarkable musical dexterity with songs that bask in a genuine roots regimen and a sense of timeless tradition.” Elmore Magazine

"Get Us Out of Fearland” https://youtu.be/eBjU_0TyBnw
“I Wish The World Knew Why” https://youtu.be/_nUIaxzjoKc
“Soar” https://youtu.be/wPcqoubvUxo

Get Us Out Of Fearland

(4:54) - Folk - FCC Friendly - Lift You Up is all about how good it feels to give. When we give our gifts to others, we lift them up, and this lifts ourselves up, too. Science supports the fact that when you give to others, you feel better for longer, so let’s lift each other up! 

Harvey and Nick started recording by laying down the groove together. Kingston, Jamaica born, Russell Hall tracked electric bass producing a deep reggae feel complimented by Nick’s overdubbed reggae organ bubble and Harvey’s layered percussion. Miles’ island roots shines through and supports Betina uplifting original. 

CHORDS & LYRICS: Lift You Up

D A Cadd9 Bm
Every day when I - wake up I look for the sound of the - hope for the future
Reach so deep, I’m ready to make my way- falling forward - I can’t help looking for

CHORUS: G D A Bm  (2x)    F#m	G	Bb 	(ending C D)
Something to gift
Something to lift
Something to give you, I lift you up
I lift you up		F#m
I lift you u-u-up	G	Bb 	(ending C D)

D A C Bm
Every day when I - notice the - feelings inside me that hurt me and guide me I
Take one moment more - to explore what’s too real, no big deal - you and me always see there’s

CHORUS: G D A Bm  (2x)    	F#m	G	Bb 	(ending C D)
Something to gift
Something to lift
Something to give you, I lift you up
I lift you up		F#m
I lift you u-u-up	G	Bb 	(ending C D)

D / C / Bm / G/A A
It’s a song, it’s a mem’ry, it’s a way forward, it’s rain in the sky
It’s a string, it’s a pedal, it’s a vibration, the glint in your eye
It’s laughter	G  D/F#
It’s allowing myself to cry	Bm E9

CHORUS: G D A Bm  (2x)   	F#m	G	Bb 	(ending C D)
Something to gift
Something to lift
Something to give you, I lift you up
I lift you up		F#m
I lift you u-u-up	G	Bb 	(ending C D)

(solos on a vamp)

D A C Bm
Every day I strum my guitar how I feel something real always shaking - it’s coming
Sweet and clear, I hear what I long for - this song shaking free. Yeah, the music’s in me as...

CHORUS: G D A Bm  (2x)   	F#m	G	Bb 	(ending C D)
Something to gift
Something to lift
Something to give you, I lift you up
I lift you up		F#m
I lift you u-u-up	G	Bb 	(ending C D)

Track 1 on the album Lift You Up.
QZXRQ2300001
Format: Global Folk, Reggae
Length: 4:54

Which Scooches are on the recording:
Betina Hershey, voice, guitar, lyrics/composition
Miles Griffith, voice
Russell Hall, electric bass
Harvey Wirht, drums, percussion
Nick Russo (Banjo Nickaru), guitar, organ, composition, music director, producer

Authors: 
Betina Hershey (music/lyrics)
Nick Russo (music/arrangement)
recorded and shot at Soundtronics in NYC
sound engineer & co-producer, Len Monachello

Lift You Up

Betina (Hershey) wrote I Don't Believe In Love for me (Nick Russo)before we were married and are now including it on our debut album, 'Very Next Thing' by Banjo Nickaru & Western Scooches.

Release date: September 30, 2016

http://banjonickaru.com

I Don't Believe In Love

Opening track of our new album 'Very Next Thing' by Banjo Nickaru & Western Scooches.

Release date: September 30, 2016

Betina Hershey, vocals/guitar
Nick Russo, resonator/slide
Dr. David Pleasant, harmonica/percussion
Mamadou Ba, electric bass

http://www.banjonickaru.com

Freight Train

From our debut album 'Very Next Thing' by Banjo Nickaru & Western Scooches.

Release date: September 30, 2016

Betina Hershey, voice
Miles Griffith, voice
Nick Russo, slide guitar
Dr. David Pleasant, percussion
Mamadou Ba, electric bass

http://banjonickaru.com

Jock-A-Mo

Sweet Georgia Brown composed in 1925 by Ben Bernie & Maceo Pinkard (Kenneth Casey, lyrics).

From our new album 'Very Next Thing' by Banjo Nickaru & Western Scooches.

Release date: September 30, 2016

Features:
Betina Hershey, voice/guitar
Nick Russo, banjo
David Pleasant, percussion

http://www.banjonickaru.com

Sweet Georgia Brown

Anywhere They Go (written by Betina Hershey and Nick Russo)exemplifies Banjo Nickaru & Western Scooches' connection to world music. With "Anywhere They Go" Banjo Nickaru & Western Scooches is fusing Indian Raga influence. This is a brand new song and will be released on our next album in 2017, entitled "Which Country?" Betina wrote this beautiful melody & lyrics. Nick Russo wrote the chords, the arrangement and acted as producer. 
     Here, Banjo Nickaru (Nick Russo) is channeling sitar & raga on 5 string banjo also with help from our guest sitar player, Neel Murgai.  Harvey Wirht is our guest drummer on this recording. Len Monacello, recording engineer; Sara Pettinella, videographer and photographer. Keep an eye open for our soon to come 2017 video premiere for Anywhere They Go!

Anywhere They Go Mix

Betina on Nick

New York City's Banjo Nickaru & Western Scooches are likely the only band infusing elements of world rhythms and sonorities with folk traditions, New Orleans influences, and music from the 1920s. Their forthcoming sophomore album, Get Us Out Of Fearland, due June 15, builds upon the multi-cultural exuberance that made their debut, Very Next Thing, a transcendent breath of fresh air. Elmore Magazine championed its “Remarkable musical dexterity with songs that bask in a genuine roots regimen and a sense of timeless tradition,” with revered tastemaker station WFUV adding, This is a band that must be heard to be believed!"

"This powerful and strong influence for our band brings spiritual energy to our shows," says co-founder/musician Nick Russo. "My musical life has always been surrounded by an eclectic combination of unique musicians and scenes. So naturally, this band is a melting pot of many different cultures, genres, instruments, and sounds. My dream is that people of all races and origins live, play and share all our different world musics and cultures together as one united race, without fear…one love!”

While the band’s debut featured a “Unfailingly high-spirited” mix of traditional fare culled from various cultures, the new 9-track opus showcases mostly original material, with the lone cover, a lively rendition of “A Hundred Miles," the rollicking fiddle-fueled train tune from the 1800s. The remaining eight songs were penned by vocalist Betina Hershey, “Songs are always pouring out of me. Some I catch, and some slip out past my lips and float away. With the help of a cast of music mates, these songs linger so beautifully, with textures that I hadn’t even imagined.”

Highlights of Get Us Out Of Fearland include the playful 1920s verve of “I Don’t Need No Glasses,” the warm lilting embrace of “I Wish The World Knew Why,” the organ-driven, gospel-tinged “Dandelion,” featuring special guest singers, Stephanie Rice and Charenee Wade, and “Soar,” an inspirational song filled with optimism, determination, and perseverance. These qualities soar skyward throughout the 25-minute journey but none more so than on the boisterous groundbreaking title track, which features improvisational vocalist Miles Griffith, known for his work with Max Roach, Paul Simon, and Reggie Workman, and percussionist/vocalist, Dr. David Pleasant, a singular talent who has performed with Wynton Marsalis, Cecil Taylor, and Paul Simon. 

To support the lead-up to the release of Fearland, Russo and Hershey, along with accomplished percussionist Emiliano Valerio, who appears on four songs on the album, will play fifteen showcases at the world renown Folk Alliance International Conference, which celebrates its 30th Anniversary, February 14-18, in Kansas City, MO. Last year, the group was a breakthrough act at the conference, receiving a special invitation to open the main stage of the Kansas City Folk Festival.

“Unfailingly high-spirited.” London Times

"This is a band that must be heard to be believed!” WFUV

"Americana music at its purest and most impressive." No Depression

“It's unlike anything most listeners will find elsewhere.” San Diego Troubadour

“Remarkable musical dexterity with songs that bask in a genuine roots regimen and a sense of timeless tradition.” Elmore Magazine

"Get Us Out of Fearland” https://youtu.be/eBjU_0TyBnw
“I Wish The World Knew Why” https://youtu.be/_nUIaxzjoKc
“Soar” https://youtu.be/wPcqoubvUxo

Dandelion

I Don't Need No Glasses

Get Us Out of Fearland

I Wish The World Knew Why

Soar

NYC-based The Scooches fuses global music with Americana sounds, including folk, roots, New Orleans styles, music of the 1920s, and originals.

"...it's unlike anything most listeners will find elsewhere."
San Diego Troubadour

"Americana music at its purest and most impressive" No Depression 
 
“Unfailingly high-spirited." LONDON TIMES

"It underscores, too, how sounds from another time can be renewed and re-imagined, by creative minds and right hands, in the present moment. (Banjo Nickaru & Western) Scooches are ridiculously fun." Rambles. 

LIFT YOU UP #1 Album - FAI Folk Chart July 2023
GET US OUT OF FEARLAND  #2 Album - FAI Folk Chart April 2018 
THE VERY NEXT THING  #6  Album - FAI Folk Chart September 2016

“Remarkable musical dexterity, with songs that bask in a genuine roots regimen and a sense of timeless tradition.” Elmore Magazine

Led by Betina Hershey and multi-instrumentalist Nick Russo, the Scooches feature standout musicians from New York, Suriname, Mexico, and Sapelo Island, who have performed at Kansas City Folk Festival, Club Passim, Isis Music Hall, Blue Plate Special, WFUV, John Platt's “On Your Radar” and all around the world. Band members have performed with artists such as Paul McCartney, Paul Simon, Willie Nelson, James Taylor, Jerry Garcia, Julia Roberts, and Wynton Marsalis. Plus they have made appearances in movies such as Disney's "Enchanted,” “Mona Lisa Smile,” “Away We Go” and PBS Masterpiece, “The Chaperone.” 


"Fresh and vital" Classical Arts 

“Nick Russo has worked with artists all over the jazz spectrum. His latest release brings a decidedly unorthodox approach.”DOWNBEAT  ⋆⋆⋆⋆

I Wish The World Knew Why

The Scooches

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