Motor City Americana born of an excess of beverages, Poor Player is a five piece band that takes to the stage with barrel house rambles, neo Dustbowl yodels, Tecumseh strums, and a hopped up grab bag of American riddles and laments. Saluting the guy flying a sign beside the highway exit, zigzagging through the post-industrial prairie, Poor Player is all about finding the roots beneath the rubble, the green beneath the ruin, the country blues in the pothole concrete, the folk in the f***d up, and the beauty in the city gone to seed. Always bring a flask to Poor Player shows and spill some firewater for the brothers passed and who are passing. Missing Poor Player one place search another, they play on some stage waiting for you.

Shook, the debut full length from Everett, WA’s TELLERS, is a record of both wide-open spaces and quiet moments, its eleven tracks drawing from the windswept and rain-soaked sonic heritage of their Northwest home. Shimmering guitars build to grand melody as percussion tumbles forward, all anchored by Sarah Feinberg’s stunning, arresting voice; soaring and plaintive, worn in all the best ways and glowing like polished brass. With bursting melodic fireworks, the songs fall back into themselves like drifting embers. Shook is the rare record that heralds the arrival of an undeniable songwriting force.
Feinberg grew up in a musical household nestled in the foothills of the Cascade mountains. Her mother taught her and her three siblings to play guitar, and she wrote her first song at eleven. At eighteen, she made fast friends with Brad Heyne, and the first seed of TELLERS was sewn. They drifted apart as sometimes happens, until a few years later when they found themselves back in the same city at the same time. “I asked Brad and another friend to accompany me to a solo gig at a local pub,” says Feinberg. “The gig went well, and afterwards, Brad asked, “So when is our next practice?” TELLERS was born. With the addition of close friends Tyler Chism on lead guitar and Isaac Melum on bass, the TELLERS family was complete. Together they have grown as both people and musicians, and the bond within the band is true and deep.
In 2016, the band released their debut EP Walking Blind, crafted in weekly basement rehearsal sessions where the band stood facing each other in a circle hashing out tunes. Their music spoke of a place and time, and the band soon found themselves performing with local luminaries such as Damian Jurado, Shelby Earl, Cataldo, Sisters, and more.
The bones of Shook were laid in fleeting moments of inspiration. “Most of the songs were written in my car,” laughs Feinberg, “quickly jotting down lyrics at a stop light or in a grocery store.” These slips of potential were hashed out late night in a hushed quiet as the house slept. “Often I am struck by a small phrase that just burrows in,” explains Heyne. “I let the words sit, sometimes for weeks, before I add music to the lyrics and then I lightly arrange.” When a song is nearly complete, it’s presented to and completed by the full band in their sacred creative space; the basement of Feinberg’s 1919 North Everett home.
Recorded at Red Room Studios in Seattle with producer and engineer Ryan Leyva and mastered by Ed Brooks at RFI (Resonant Mastering) in Seattle, Shook is a flush, grand record, layered in organ and guitar. Steven Barci was brought in to handle drums. Bryan Bradley (I Will Keep Your Ghost) helped arrange “Hollow” and Simon Nicol (Leava) helped arrange “West,” “Ground,” and “Walking Blind.”
Lyrically, the record is a meditation on death in a myriad of forms: of loved ones, of relationships, and of ideals. Yet the record is laced throughout with moments of childlike innocence. This lends the record a palpable internal tension: an acknowledgement of a dark world, apocalyptic even, where the search for truth and goodness is urgent and necessary. ”Shook is about coming to the hard realities of life and losing the innocence we often take for granted,” says Feinberg. “In a strange way, I hope people get comfort from this album, and that they feel a little less alone.” Heyne continues, “Each of us endure the brunt of our own story. By telling ours, we connect to the stories of others. The collective narrative; all of our stories are one story.”
At turns, grand and intimate, suffused with fearless honesty, Shook flickers in the dark with a warm orange glow. The road we all walk might meander between triumph and tragedy, but TELLERS reminds us that we do not walk that road alone.
“I’m walking blind... I see you’re giving me some light...”

Hey everyone, my name is Joe Trudell. I'm from Fort Worth, Texas. I traveled up to Iowa/Nebraska. I experienced so many different things from good to bad. This was the seed of inspiration that grew into who I am now. I began my search for answers that I never knew were right in front of me the whole time. I then became to realize that I am right where I need to be and that the universe has it's plans for me. I then knew that everything will fall into place when it's meant to. This knowledge then brought out a whole new prospective on life, which is what gave me the fuel to begin writing music to be able to help cure people and rid them of their pain and begin a road to recovery. It's a long journey and I am extremely thankful for all of my supporters who help pave the way. Each person who supports me, brings me much more closer to reach my goals and dreams. Thank all of you! 
- Joe Trudell

Hey!
First of all, thank you for stopping in and being a fellow musical being. The fact that you are in search of something to satisfy your craving for new tunes shows how adventurous, determined, and artistic you are. 
"Then's Whenever" was home-grown in Nashville, Tennessee and consists of three musicians, Dillon Courtright, Taylor Goyette, and Jacob Smith. In 2015 the seed was planted and the writing, performing, recording, mixing, mastering, producing, and publishing of this album was executed by their own hands, all six of them. Now in 2016, it's time for harvest and "Now is Then's Whenever" is ready to be heard and understood. The album has influences from every genre and style of music. From acoustic to electronic, from rock and roll and all the way back to jazz, the album is pleasurable to all ears. Much time and passionate determination was spent in hopes that these songs would change the lives and touch the hearts of all who listen (That's You!).
Jacob Smith pulses out rhythms of soul, while Taylor Goyette keeps the low end grooving and dishes out some powerful lead and background vocals, as Dillon Courtright plucks your heart strings and sings the chronic melodies that are soon to be stuck in your head. Get ready to cut a rug people! The music is that of an American rock band influenced from all parts of the world. While keeping you on your toes with unexpected changes, ups, and downs, the music itself resembles human life. The lyrics poetically summarize philosophical thought of the collective human experience. The tracks express ambition and perseverance, loss and heartache, thoughts, beliefs, and surprises, all accomplished in the reality and topic of space/time. 
So please, enjoy this compilation of feelings, stories, and accounts from our artistic point of view that has been manifested in the form of the dankest music available . Be sure to 'like' us on Facebook or check out our website and share with us any positive feedback. Thank you, for your time and we hope it was as good for you as it was for us. 


Much love,
T.W.

The Loosehounds were formed in 1995, consisting of band members:

Marc Heywood– Guitar, Vocals

Richard Davies Jones Bass, Vocals

Richie Doug Jones Drums Vocals

Bruce Drummond– Lead Guitar

Jon Storey – Lead Guitar.

We the Loosehounds first got together in the early 90s as 3 friends jamming in a commune, simply for no other reason than “it just happened” 
 To this day we still don’t know why?

We were surrounded by many creative and talented people who were in search of respite from the trappings of their jobs, and existence in a materialistic world which obviously gave many no happiness within .
The time at this wonderful environment was spent writing, and playing, and many new experiences which had sowed a seed, which we can never forget. 
This helped inspire a huge range of songs and learned knowledge that highlighted the issues of the world as we now see it. This was a very special creative time for us.

Many heard us playing through the corridors of this amazing happy place, which led to us playing at many parties.
   Followed by invites to play at even more parties and smaller venues, by the end of the year, we had played at Clapham Common Festival, recorded an ep, and finished our first year by being invited to play at Glastonbury Festival.

With this momentum and critical acclaim, we set about recording our first album, 
“Hard to be Human”  in Monmouth  under the watchful eye of Ron Rogers of T’Pau.
 
This album was a mix of eco political love songs that saw many wrongs of the world through our Loosehound eyes.

 After punting a whole load of cassettes to the business, our album was picked up by  “RoughTrade”.

The gigs rolled in, The Borderline, The Swan at Stockwell;, The Mean Fiddler and Edinburgh Fringe, and other top venues .
With this momentum, it was time to record album number 2 .....Takista.

With a slight change in band line-up, a new musical direction evolved.

We were then invited to play at MIDEM at the Cannes Music Festival and more  festival work ensued followed by  many London gigs 

BBC radio legends “Bob Harris” and “Johnnie Walker” took a shine to us, and gave us much airplay on BBC Radio 2 which resulted in national exposure, more work and great reviews in  many music magazines.

With a new bunch of great Musicians and friends joining us, it was time to put down our third album, “Then Suddenly”, with Ron Rogers at the helm once again.

TV appearances followed. Bob Harris and Mark Ellen, presenters of The Old Grey Whistle Test supported us in great style. Then suddenly saw the band evolving towards another musical adventure which still had all our Loosehound traits and originality.



After a long hot summer song writing, playing, and generally having a great time, we now had a bundle of worthwhile material to bring to the table. We were invited to play at the “Acoustic Festival of Britain” and amazingly discovered that these songs could really be rocked up. so with the addition  of Richard Jones, Bruce Drummond, and Jon Storey, it was back to the studio, to record “Privilege of Pleasure” with all of the band returning eagerly to their rock roots. 
It was time to let the beast out!!!

The album was mastered with help from KK Downing (Judas Priest) whose input has been invaluable.

We are currently in rehearsals gearing up for a string of  shows, and heading back into the studio to record our 5th album.


	Not many DJs are lucky enough to be born with a name that so easily and credibly lends itself to the profession.  Born in Vancouver, Canada all Sage Ellie had to do was to drop the last name add those two magical letters to start the mind-blowing journey that has taken him to where he is today.  
 “I dream and think in music, there’s always a beat in my head”.  It’s unknown if that seed that developed into a perpetual cerebral rhythm is the result of his father, who is also a DJ, or his close friends whose ubiquitous presence in the house and tech scene so heavily influenced Sage, but whatever the case it has been and is generating an abundance of triumphs and fame in his musical career.  
His emotional connection to his music and intuitive understanding of his audience turned Sage into one of the top resident DJs in Vancouver. Whether it was Switch Saturdays at the Red Room, Stereotype Fridays at Celebrities or his 5 year stint at Substance Saturdays at Gorg-O-Mish, just to name a few, Sage became a fixture of the west coast music scene.  He sums up the key to his popularity and success succinctly “if I couldn’t dance and sing along with my music, I wouldn’t be playing it…there are only two important things about a DJ, the music and the crowd”.  
Local renown quickly turned into worldwide acclaim as Sage began playing internationally by bringing his unique sound to the US and Mexico, both broadening his horizons as an artist and giving him the extraordinary opportunity to perform alongside such industry icons as The Crystal Method, Paul Oakenfold, Deadmau5, Steve Angello, Gareth Emery, Marcus Schulz, Sharam Jey, Judge Jules, Cedric Gervais, Umek, Adam K, Utah Saints, and Satoshi Tomile, among others.  
With his work and talent recognized and supported by industry greats like Paul Oakenfold, Cosmic Gate, Dubfire, TyDi, Shawn Mitiska, Gai Barone, Flash Brothers, Ashley Walbridge, and Mastiksoul, Sage never looked back.  “I realized that I had what it takes to make it on a world stage”.  He has watched his renown intensify with features on radio shows including “Search of the Sunrise” with Richard Durand, “Solaris International” with Solarstone, and the eminent and reputed Ministry of Sound.  
Not one to rest on his laurels or let go to waste a good opportunity to reach fresh ears with a love for his inimitable sound, Sage has ambitiously taken on his own radio show, “Open House Sessions”.  Available to an international audience via Internet radio stations the show also has a permanent home every Thursday and Saturday night on Thailand’s RadioBee 98.2FM Pattaya as well as on Thursday nights on Athens, Greece’s Trance Radio 102.7.  Always with an eye on new markets and mediums Sage also produces a monthly podcast “Eclipse” which focuses on his passion of deeper house and tech house sounds.  
Even while working on all his side projects Sage still finds time to create new ear candy to keep his masses happy.  His current work on progressive house has culminated in a string of new releases with Black Hole Recordings and Progressive Grooves that have been making waves all their own.  All one needs to do is flip on “A State of Sundays” with Armin Van Buren, “Planet Perfecto” with Paul Oakenfold, or “In Search of Sunrise Radio” with Richard Duran to hear his latest tracks.
That same unstoppable drive has recently taken Sage from his home base in Vancouver to Gran Canaria, Spain, the European heart and sound laboratory for the ever-advancing deep/tech/house scenes.  Having reached a plateau in Vancouver and inspired to confront new challenges, take in the sounds, feelings, and nightlife of a new culture, and to reap the opportunities and experiences of a new market, Sage is pushing himself to grow further as an artist to provide his musical message to the world.  
His latest brainchild is his newly launched label Restricted Recordings.  As 2012 progresses the label has lined up for its fervent fans several forthcoming deep and tech house releases that promise to redefine and evolve the genre to mind-blowing new places.  The label also serves as an outlet where Sage is channeling the more profound and reflective side of his sound, something with “a more sensual groove and feeling, sexy, funky and deeper”.  But not to worry, Sage is still “just as comfortable playing a deep underground set at 5 a.m. as a party with 1000s of people, I’m versatile enough to cater to any crowd”.  Even while exploring his deeper side Sage will actively continue producing and DJing the progressive house he loves.  
Simply stated, why all the blood, sweat, and tears?  Why all the long hours and sleepless nights in the studio?  What exactly is the drive that pushes someone to make, play, and live this music?  “It’s that transfer of energy between the crowd and the DJ—it’s the highest high in the world”.
 




Grapeshot's story dates back to September 2009, Jose (former guitarist Elecktra) and Javi begin to gather ideas; as part of agreeing on who are fed up, they decide to form a metal band. They start alone without a fixed premise, but quickly and naturally arises Grapeshot seed. (Metal old school with an eye on the horizon) 
No boxed into a specific genre are giving way to some issues, until it joins Marcos (ex Terroristars), stuck to his incontestable from the battery to provide the strength necessary for the project to have a solid skeleton on which to work. 
After almost a year without a bassist, and a quintal of topics in the drawer, Humberto in other genres musician, decides to take up the bass and dive right into the metal. 
Days pass and the search for a singer is endless, but that does not undermine the morale of the group still rehearsing and looking for someone to give a voice to the band. In the Christmas 2010, is presented in the audition a man with messiah's beard and six cans of beer, Esteban, whose only experience was a year in a young band called Terror Law. The band doesn't care the experience and 5 minutes to finish the test, They decide to put the icing on this explosive cake with his special voice. 
In March 2011 they recorded their first EP in Headroom Studio, composed of four track, and concerts are happening, especially in Madrid, leaving a very good feeling in the audience. 
In September 2012 Humberto left the band to pursue new projects. Luckily, before long he joined as the new bassist Borja, guitarist and singer in Kontra Golpe, who adapts easily to the band apporting large doses of attitude and enthusiasm. 
The tunes begins to work, with a mixture of thrash, death, groove, heavy and even nu metal. 
Hence the name Grapeshot, which could well be defined as a collection of pieces of metal of different nature, being thrown violently for wrapping cannon fire. In 2013 they reach the national final of Wacken Metal Battle and continue writing and acting restless, proving to be an overwhelming direct. 
In September 2014 they released their first full-length album "The Scene", where they give good examples of their variety of styles, always with a strong and aggressive base. 
So begins the story of Grapeshot, but this is just the beginning ... 

Influences: Slayer, Metallica, Machine head, Lamb of God, Sepultura, Pantera, Motorhead, Black Sabbath, Marilyn Manson, Slipknot, System of a Down, Rob Zombie, Mudvayne, Dry Kill Logic, Drowning Pool, Hellyeah, ....
Contacto o contratación: grapeshot.metal@gmail.com 
Tlf: 626 493 384 (Esteban)
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A la edad de 12 años comienza a aflorar mi capacidad creativa, generando la composición, la melodía y la letra de mis propias canciones.

Mis primeros pasos en el mundo del arte, los desarrollé en la "Escuela Experimental de Educación Artística", donde luego aprendí los conocimientos básicos en guitarra, piano y teoría musical.

Entre 1992-1995 estudio "Compositor y Arreglador Musical" en la Escuela de Artes de la Música popular, formada por la SCD, Sociedad Chilena del Derecho de Autor, de la cual formo parte.

De aquí en adelante comienzo a presentarme en una gran cantidad de locales y salas de la capital. También formé parte del "Colectivo de Cantautores", que tuvo como integrantes a Patricio Anabalón, Félix Parraguez, Guillermo "Mito" Sanhueza, Alexis Venegas, Verónica Garay, Juan Pablo Luna, Francisco Villa, etc., agrupación, que junto con mostrar y compartir la esencia musical de cada creador, también se dedicó a generar los espacios para dar a conocer su música. 

Hoy también participo de la propuesta "RENACER" con Cecilia Frigerio, cantante lírica en el plano del canto popular, con temas bien reconocidos por el público y además nuevos; creados por mí. Estas canciones tocan una temática plenamente existencial, valorando al ser humano en plenitud.

Mi primera producción "Más que un Verso", la grabé el año 2001, dándose a conocer en algunas radios de la capital. 

Luego en el 2005, realicé el lanzamiento del CD "Cuando se Encienda la Nieve", producción que se ha difundido en una gran cantidad de radioemisoras de la capital, por ejemplo: Radio Nuevo Mundo, Radio Tierra, Radio Bio-Bio, Radio Universidad de Chile, Radio Universidad de Santiago de Chile, etc., y por intermedio de la SCD, en 50 radioemisoras del norte y sur del país, mostrándose también en el canal 95 TVSenado, de la señal de TV Cable.

El 20 de mayo del 2007, en el local "El Mesón Nerudiano", fue lanzada la placa titulada "Víctor Hugo, Acústico en Vivo 2007", grabación que fue dada a conocer en diversas emisoras de la capital y del resto del país junto a la señal de cable del canal 95 TV Senado.

El 21 de Diciembre de 2012 lancé mi 4° CD: "VIDA", el cual mezcla una trova moderna con ritmos latinos. Fue un memorable concierto en la Sala SCD Plaza Vespucio, Santiago de Chile. Este se realizó en compañía de una gran banda de músicos, compuesta por: José Miguel Rosas Devivo - Teclados, Sebastián Mardones - Guitarra, Miguel Angel Carabantes - Batería, y Patricio Quintana en el Bajo, quien fue el encargado de la dirección musical del CD "VIDA". 

"Estas letras tocan la importancia de nuestro yo interno, su relación con nuestro entorno y la búsqueda del verdadero ser, más allá de los límites de nuestra existencia… la semilla de un Nuevo Amor..."

At 12 years old my creativity begins to appear, generating composition, the melody and lyrics of my own songs.

I developed my first steps into the world of art, at the "Experimental Arts Education School" where then I learned the basics of guitar, piano and music theory.

Between 1992-1995 I studied "Composer and Musical Arranger" at the School of Arts of popular music, created by the SCD, Chilean Society of Copyrights, of wich I am a member.

Then, I start to show up in a lot of scenarios and halls of the capital. I was also part of "Songwriters Collective", which had as members at Patricio Anabalón, Felix Parraguez, Guillermo "Mito" Sanhueza, Alexis Venegas, Veronica Garay, Juan Pablo Luna, Francisco Villa, etc. This group, in addition to show and share the musical essence of each creator, also devoted to generate spaces for their music.

Today I also participate in the "RENACER" proyect with Cecilia Frigerio; opera singer who plays popular songs with me, which are well known, new and created by me. These songs have a fully existential theme, valuing the fully human.

I recorded my first production "Más que un Verso" in 2001, which is broadcast on some radio stations in the capital.

Then in 2005, I released "Cuando se Encienda la Nieve " CD. This production has spread a lot of radio stations in the capital, for example, Radio Nuevo Mundo, Radio Tierra, Radio Bio-Bio, Radio Universidad de Chile, Radio Universidad de Santiago de Chile, etc., and through the SCD, on 50 radio stations in the north and south of the country, also spreading in the 95 TVSenado channel, the Cable TV signal.

On May 20, 2007, at "El Meson Nerudiano" was released the album titled "Victor Hugo, Acústico en Vivo 2007", recording that was shown at various stations in the capital and around the country along with the signal Senate 95TV cable channel.

On December 21, 2012; I released my 4th CD: "VIDA", wich blend a modern Trova with Latin rhythms. It was a memorable concert at the Vespucio Mall SCD Theatre, Santiago, Chile. I was accompanied by a great band: José Miguel Rosas Devivo – Keyboards, Sebastián Mardones – Guitar, Miguel Angel Carabantes – Drums, and Patricio Quintana on Bass, who was in charge of "VIDA" CD Musical Direction. 

"These lyrics talk about the importance of our inner selves, their relationship with our environment and the search for true human being, beyond the limits of our existence ... the seed of a new love ..."

www.reverbnation.com/víctorhugocantautor

www.myspace.com/victorhugocantautor

www.portaldisc.com/victorhugo

Spirited Americana singer/songwriter, recording artist and multi-instrumentalist Joe Farren composes warmly-layered tunes about heartbreak, first love, sacrifices, memories, joy and other realities of humankind. His narrative lyrics and sincere performances reveal life’s extraordinary moments and his own vivid, personal adventures. His creative mission is clear:  “When I’m driving late at night with a thousand concerns going through my head, and a song like ‘The Dance’ or ‘Bridge Over Troubled Water’ comes on the radio, everything just disappears. I strive to write that perfect song that makes the hair on your neck stand up, the goose bumps appear, the tears come out of nowhere – that love song that makes you stop for a minute and brings you back to the beginning. It’s all I’ve ever really wanted to do. It’s a constant calling and a pressure, but I wouldn’t trade it for anything.” Farren grew up in Portland, Maine in a home that vibrated with the harmonious grooves of country, folk, pop and R&B greats like Roy Orbison, Jerry Lee Lewis, Hank Williams, Jr., Elton John, Steve Winwood and Bruce Springsteen. His instinctually-impeccable musical ear allowed him to accurately identify singers on the radio at a young age. Once his fingers began to explore the keyboard and the guitar, he found those 50s rock blues riffs with ease and began to emulate his favorite players. His enthusiasm was also fueled by some unexpected mentors:  “The first song I ever learned on guitar was The Eagles’ ‘Peaceful, Easy Feeling.’ My mother had hired a painter to work on our house when I was about 13. He taught me that song and showed me how to properly tune the guitar I had stolen from my older brother. He also passionately explained to me that music is something no one can take away from you. He told me not to hold back – to just ‘strum that guitar and sing.’” Farren tested the limits of the piano and guitar until his love for rhythm and tone pulled him towards the gravity of percussion. With encouragement from his band teacher, he bought a $40 second-hand drum kit and started lessons, learning quickly to coordinate his different limbs until he was a fast, proficient jazz and rock drummer regularly playing drums, keyboards and guitar in bands throughout New England. During his senior year in high school and for several years afterwards, he played keyboards in the rock group Shufflin’ Tremble, which performed at shows, fairs and clubs and opened for renowned bands including the Mighty Mighty Bosstones, God Smack, Veruca Salt and the Rustic Overtones. The power of exposed, emotional lyrics overtook Farren the first time his heart broke. He started to put his own feelings into poetry and melodies as he soaked up expressive songs by bands like Counting Crows and the Dave Matthews Band. While studying music at the University of Maine, he never fully connected to the classical- and jazz-centric curriculum. So, he continued to learn as much as possible about blues, folk and rock music and taught himself the intricacies of digital recording by capturing recitals, concerts and demos for local musicians and by hanging out in the university’s recording facilities after closing so he could write and record his own material into the wee hours. After his band parted ways, he decided to participate in an exchange program in New Orleans. He sang in the college gospel choir, played on the streets for beer money and sat in with some local bands while soaking in shows by jazz greats like Ellis Marsalis. Farren’s discovery of the thriving local band scene in Portland as well as of alt-country dynamos like Ryan Adams and The Jayhawks and contemporary country artists like Phil Vassar and Keith Urban finally inspired him to believe fully in his own ability to tell relatable stories through beautifully-rendered Americana music:  “When I discovered contemporary country music, I fell in love. I remember the song that did it:  Jason White’s ‘Red Ragtop,’ as recorded by Tim McGraw. I like a lot of the New Folk music artists like Ellis Paul, Patty Griffin, Mark Erelli, etc. But I mostly listen to country music in search of those inspiring, perfectly-crafted songs.” He met Maine-based songwriter Tom Acousti while attending Acousti’s local songwriting workshop in Portland. The two collaborated on Farren’s solo debut album ‘Til the Day in 2007. He toured up and down the East Coast in support of the release, with dates at colleges like University of Massachusetts, Amherst and Bates College, as well as at bars, clubs, coffee shops, and the State Theater in Maine. He was also featured on the Maine Songwriter’s Association songwriter stage at the annual Old Port Festival and received spins on national college radio stations as well as on Portland’s 98.9 WCLZ and on 102.9 WBLM. Since moving to Florida in 2011 Farren has maintained a rigorous gigging schedule, playing at venues including the Ritz in Ybor City, The Hideaway Café, The Vinoy, the Don Vicente and many others while feverishly writing fresh material. He first traveled to Nashville in 2011 in order to get closer to the energetic, expert songwriting in Music City and on return trips has played at Bluebird Café and Douglas Corner Café. It was during that first trip to Nashville that he met hit songwriter Steve Seskin, who motivated him to put together his sophomore album, Open Skies, produced by guitarist Jason Roller (Kelly Pickler, Winona Judd). Acousti along with bass player Lance Hoppen (Orleans) and a slew of talented Nashville studio players also contributed to the recording process. “A good, natural-sounding acoustic guitar, a cup of coffee and a notepad is the way I write best.  I was able to focus more as just a singer and writer on Open Skies than I had on Til the Day, in part because I didn’t have to focus on playing all the instruments as well. Working with these guys in Nashville allowed me the freedom to just strum my guitar, play the piano and sing the songs. They had my back at every corner.” Open Skies offers an animated, imaginative soundtrack to Farren’s spiritual and physical travels during the past several years:  “These songs are universal stories and experiences. ‘Who’s that Standing in my Shoes,’ for example, is about anybody’s first love. I stumbled across my first flame’s wedding pictures on Facebook, and that’s what planted the seed. Through the beauty of the songwriting process, I went from someone just looking at a computer screen from the outside, to a character invited to the wedding.” Open Skies plays like a musical book of character-driven short stories that range from serious, to humorous and wild, to sweet. It provides evidence that Farren has matured into a master at the songwriting craft and a man who freely lives in the moment.

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