Laura Berman

Originally hailing from the NYC music scene, Laura Berman tours extensively nationwide and has reached acclaim for her soul-touching vocal power and accessible yet poetic songwriting style. Laura has been compared to the likes of Carole King, Sara Bareilles and the legendary Janis Joplin, and has performed alongside best-selling authors Neale Donald Walsch and Marianne Williamson as well as at the renowned Agape International Spiritual Center in Los Angeles. While in NYC, Laura was a session singer as well as a touring singer/songwriter, and was a featured vocalist in the children's feature film release, "Clifford's Really Big Movie" and accompanying Soundtrack.  Now residing in Portland, Oregon, Laura has just released her 4th CD, "Everything in Between" and will be touring in 2014 in support of its release.

Website:

http://www.laurabermanmusic.com/

Robert Richter

Guitarist / songwriter

Portland native Robert Richter taught himself guitar at the age of 12 after he purchased a Sears "Silvertone" guitar from a neighbor for $5 and the promise to mow his lawn for a month. (He still has the guitar.) Over the years Richter has become known as a versatile guitarist and songwriter known for his ability to perform a variety of styles from acoustic to electric to blues to folk. His emotional slide guitar playing often works his audiences into frenzy. With a strong powerful voice, Richter is electrifying with his energy, enthusiasm, sense of humor and most of all his innate ability to "connect with people." His original songs range from the up-tempo rock-a-billy blues style originated at the legendary Sun Records Studio in Memphis to Dylan-influenced songs about life and love. In 2007 as a member of the folk rock band "Blue Lightning" Richter performed on the nationally syndicated program "River City Folk." Hosted by folk singer Tom May the program is carried on more than 250 public radio stations and NPR affiliates across the United States. In addition, the band's music was played on the "Bob Dylan Radio Hour" heard on the Sirius Satellite Network and on KUSF-FM in San Francisco. Richter has performed locally at Portland's Aladdin Theater and Waterfront Park and other well known venues and festivals around the country. His new EP of original songs titled "Live" displays what Richter calls "a dirty folk rock blues sound" fueled with fire and emotion both lyrically and musically. "If I don't believe it I can't sing it or play it!" says Richter. "Robert Richter is a charismatic entertainer that gives it his all every time he performs. He not only pours everything into his songs but he also plays a mean slide guitar." Morry Feldman, WQED-FM Pittsburgh, PA. www.myspace.com/robertrichter1

myspace:

http://www.myspace.com/robertrichter1

The Moaning Lorries

Bar band

The Moaning Lorries deploy guitar based American music in the tradition of Wilco, Ryan Adams and The Faces. They began as a softer side project of Ryan White (The Dirty Channel). "You'd be surprised how many people in town are looking for church musicians or metal heads. I was pretty close to joining the mariachi band down the hall to stay at the practice space. " The band went through a number of auditions before finding bass player Todd Tschida, drummer Michael Cathcart and singer/songwriter Sam Greencart. "So I had some tunes and Todd had some great ones. Todd's the sweetest dude I've ever met. Sam and Mike had a buttload of dope songs from their previous two-piece The Greencarts and that was it. You know how many loads are in a buttload? That's like 3 hours of material."

In order to develop their sound, they went to the oldest library in Portland and conducted an exhaustive search of popular music. "We saw this super dusty magazine curated by cavemen a long, long time ago. Inside of it there were people who would dance, drink, laugh, smoke and sing along to guitar based music. Rolling stone I think it was called. We love the stuff we hear on the radio, you know...mediocre rapping with farting robots, auto-tuned perpetually victimized singers or inoffensive wallpaper background ambience. But we suck at that stuff and already bothered to learn how to play instruments." After going down to the crossroads, they tried to make a deal with the devil but he didn't have venmo and sentenced them to play music they love. "We'll play til the last rock bar in town gets chased out by a herd of laptop riding deejays." 8 months and a handful of shows later, The Moaning Lorries released their debut 7 song EP "Me or the Alcohol" which they are promoting all summer with shows booked all July and August. With buttloads more to come.

Video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=meYETeLTfy4

Soundcloud:

https://soundcloud.com/themoaninglorries

ReverbNation:

https://www.reverbnation.com/themoaninglorries/

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/themoaninglorries/

Tara Velarde

Diva Folk

Diva Folk artist Tara Velarde combines commanding vocals and thought-provoking lyrics into a genre distinctly her own. Part soul, part singer-songwriter, part blues-rock, and with a splash of the theater, Velarde takes the stage with charm, sass, and a quest to find the far reaches of her vocal abilities.

Listeners liken her performance to Adele, Brandi Carlile, and Carole King - great female powerhouses with a lot to say. Glide Magazine says: "While rooted in folk and pop, the [new] album finds Tara tapping into a more soulful sound, which suits her well as she definitely has the vocal chops. It also displays a young artist with a soaring sense of confidence who isn't afraid to step outside her musical comfort zone and take risks for the sake of the song."

With the recent release of "Rise" (EP, 2019) following her freshman “Get Out and Walk” (LP, 2016), Velarde stays active on the road and in the studio. She tours both solo and with her full band throughout the Western US, and in 2018 made her European debut with a 3 week tour of Italy.

VIDEOS:

"Feel Like a Human" Live (2018)

"Touch You" Live (2018)

"Such an Island" Live (2017)

PRESS

“Tara Velarde embodies that elusive combination of swagger and sensitivity. She writes songs with a sharp sense of poetics and vulnerability, and then steps up to the mic to her deliver words and vocal melodies with powerhouse pipes.” — Screams Media

Website:

http://taravelardemusic.com

Facebook:

http://facebook.com/taravelardemusic

YouTube:

http://youtube.com/taravelarde

Ronnie Carrier

Singer/Songwriter

Ronnie Carrier is rock songwriter from the West Coast whose lyrical music is raw and unfiltered. Her music has been described as "organic," "foot stompin' . . . filled with literary depths" and a "cross between Nirvana and Sarah McLachlan". Her influences come from wide variety of music and musicians, from rock artists like Relient K or Muse, to folk singers like Feist The Weepies, and even choral music in the likes of Eric Whitacre or Morten Lauridsen.?

In April 2017, Ronnie released her first full-length album, "Lost In The Eclectic" which tells the story of a lost soul travelling through a fictional town called The Eclectic. The album is rich with diverse influences, with hints of vintage southwestern rock, choir-like vocals, ranchera, and more.

While growing up in an old industrial town in Southern California called Orange, Ronnie began writing songs as a young child after discovering her mom's unused guitars under the staircase. When her parents saw her interest pique in music, they sent her to guitar lessons with the music minister at her local church. Growing up, she played both solo and with her church's youth bands, and in middle school she began a 10 year stint singing in advanced choirs.

After moving to San Francisco in 2009 to earn her degree in English Literature from San Francisco State University, Ronnie spent her summers between semesters as the Recording Specialist at Steve & Kate's Camp. Her teachings covered basic recording techniques and equipment, as well as music history and performance (including a Glee Club and other camper performances). She was also the lead songwriter for the musical outfit, RonDre., a self-described rockoustic duo from 2010-2014. They released an EP called "Grow" in 2013.

Ronnie balanced her music career with her bookselling career, specifically at Green Apple Books, where she facilitated in store performances and open mics with local musicians among the stacks of books.

Shortly after relocating to Portland, OR in 2015, Ronnie released first solo EP "The Story Goes", while in the midst of hosting a local music showcased called "Emerald Evenings" each month.

Currently based in Portland, OR, Ronnie is focusing on playing live shows, sharing her new album, "Lost In The Eclectic", and writing new material for her next release.

Website:

https://www.ronniecarrier.com

Chasing Ebenezer

Tribal Folk Rock

Tribal folk rock band Chasing Ebenezer is based in Portland, Oregon and released their first album Outcasts & Refugees in March 2017. The project is a culmination of two years of recording. Through a fusion of folk, rock, blues, and world music percussion and progressions, this record explores the figurative way we are all displaced people and challenges listeners to care for the literal outcasts and refugees of society.

Benjamin and Heidi Beth Sadler met in college in Virginia and matured their sound after moving to Portland in 2007. After playing under another name for a few years, they relaunched as Chasing Ebenezer in 2013. In May 2016, they released "Slavery," a song written from the perspective of an enslaved sex worker. They released a new music video and single called "Say" in April 2018.The band has played at White Eagle Saloon, Mississippi Pizza Pub, Northwest Folklife, Operation Overcoat, Taste of Parkrose, and Gresham Farmers' Market. They have been covered by Oregon Music News and The Gresham Outlook. They have also played in support of many non-profit organizations and partner with people and groups blessing the community. Their songs have been featured by Portland Radio Project 99.1 FM, Local Roots Music NW 100.7 FM in Salem, Portland Metro Records' Fire Mondays, and the Indie Music Lives Here Podcast

The band plays with a full-on rock sound and a folk sensibility borrowing from traditions all around the world. Heidi learned to play classical violin in Romania before honing her folk singing and bohemian violin style. Ben utilizes four different guitars, Dobro, and ukulele to give each song its own sound. He finger picks melodies and draws from Spanish and Irish guitar playing and Eddie Vedderesque vocals. Ryan Souders (drum kit) and David Skones (guitar, bass, cello) crank the rock 'n roll to the next level while Bryan Atkinson adds spice on djembe, congas, and bongos.

YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_2ZUVj7QtkQ

Twitter:

twitter.com/chasingebenzer

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/chasingebenezer/

Instagram:

Instagram.com/chasingebenezer

Website:

http://chasingebenezer.com/

Syco Billy's String Band

Upbeat Folk Rock/Newgrass

When Glen's son Brian was diagnosed with ALS, Glen wanted Brian to see him play music with Brian's sons Branden and Brad. They started hosting a weekly BBQ and Jams dinner night which continued to grow as more family and friends attended and joined the jam. With many thanks to Brian and his love of music, the Syco Billy's String Band was formed in 2015 with the original members; Glen Damewood (Banjo, Dojo) Kenny Peters (Guitar) Don Baker (Mandolin) and Beningo Chavez (Bass) Shortly after Luc Dauvin joined adding the fun touch of the fiddle. The Syco Billy's have been playing at local festivals, pubs, and private parties ever since. In 2016 Benny decided to take other opportunities and Bruce Carnine took his place on the Bass.

Video:

https://www.reverbnation.com/artist/video/14945793

ReverbNation:

https://www.reverbnation.com/sycobillys?profile_view_source=profile_box

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/Syco-Billys-1375351179457954/

Website:

www.sycobillys.com