Eliza's Band =
Sean Foley - keyboard,
Mike Alexander - upright bass,
Jon Corbin, guitar,
Mike Rhodes - drums,
Jill Fromewick - harmonica and
Eliza Lynn- vocals, guitar, banjo **********
Grit Pixies:
Jill Fromewick - harmonica, washboard, vocals and
Eliza Lynn - vocals and guitar **********
Influences
There are so many kinds of influences on my music. There are the names that people would recognize like Hoagy Carmichael, Sweet Honey in the Rock, Billie Holiday, Mississippi John Hurt, Dolly Parton, Precious Bryant, Tracy Chapman, Loretta Lynn, Paul Simon, Lyle Lovett, Ali Farka Toure, Gene Harris, Reverand Gary Davis, Merle Haggard and so many others. But those folks are only partially responsible for the way I sound. I am more influenced by the people who have been in my life, who I sing with, who are friends or family members. Singing with my parents and brother, in the car, with the lanterns lit when the electricity was out, at church. Singing the same Merle Haggard song over and over again in the car, teaching it to the gymnastic carpool when I was little. Suddenly it seemed like the whole gymnastics team was singing "Mama Tried." Or being in the stairwell at Warren Wilson College, belting spirituals, trying to sing harmony, being buoyed by the strength of my voice in the echo. When I've traveled to foreign countries, I've learned new songs and found a depth to my understanding of myself and my own culture in sharing songs. In Lesotho, in Southern Africa, in a home stay, my family told me that I sounded like Dolly Parton. I sang for them, they taught me beautiful songs that still sit easy in my heart. In a small dirt floored kitchen in India, a young boy sang with such beauty as a friend and I ate chapattis, rain on the roof overhead. I am influenced by the weirdness of being a person who sings wherever she goes. I know it is not normal, and there's no other way I'd rather be.
Sounds Like
People seem to think I sound like Janis Joplin, or remind them of Tracy Chapman. They might compare my voice to Norah Jones or Bonnie Raitt. Lord knows. I hope I sound like Eliza Lynn.
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"Enormous talent" proclaims Putumayo World Music of Eliza Lynn, who most recently has recorded at Abbey Road Studios in London for XM/Worldspace's live worldwide broadcast. Eliza sings with a "big, room-filling voice - think Peggy Lee meets Bonnie Raitt - [and] wields her guitar and banjo against a sensual, sassy backdrop of jazz-flavored blues, old-time country folk and classic Memphis soul." (Harp Magazine)
Eliza - voted best singer/songwriter in the 2007 and 2006 Asheville Mountain Xpress Reader's Poll - released her debut CD, Frisky or Fair, in 2005 to critical acclaim. It showcases Eliza's "near-perfect blend of honesty and integrity in songwriting... music that envelops you like wisps of smoke." (The Beat, SC) Eliza plays clawhammer banjo and Piedmont blues guitar influenced by respected blues guitarist John Cephas.
In early 2007, Eliza was invited by the prestigious Putumayo World Music to contribute her track "Sing a New Song" to their July 2007 release "Americana." The album featured songs from some of the biggest names of the genre including Tim O'Brien, Robert Earl Keen, Old Crow Medicine Show and The Little Willies (Norah Jones), but it was newcomer Eliza Lynn’s track that received constant media attention.
"The Weary Wake Up", released in October of 2007, has spread Eliza’s music even further, thanks especially to the influence of co-producers Danny Kadar (My Morning Jacket, The Avett Brothers) and Mike Alexander.
SING OUT! Magazine: “Eliza Lynn packs a saucy kick both as writer and performer. One listen to Eliza Lynn and you won't soon forget her distinctive voice and musical attack.” – Michael Tearson, Spring 08
POPMATTERS: “This girl’s ready to take on the world.” - Michael Keefe, January 08
ABOUT.COM: Folk Music: “Artists to Watch in 2008: If I were you, I'd keep an eye on Eilen Jewell, Eliza Lynn, The Avett Brothers, Horse Feathers, and Chatham County Line. This may be the time to see these folks before they start selling out larger venues." – Kim Ruehl
Eliza just returned from recording live at the legendary Abbey Road Studios in London for Worldspace and XM satellite radio. Invited by Ted Kelly of UPOP, Eliza thrilled the studio audience of musicians and industry folks with her gutsy solo performance. This incredible opportunity was followed by an appearance at the Belfast Nashville Songwriting Festival in Belfast, Ireland.
After such an inspiring trip, Miss Lynn is temporarily moving to Nashville to pursue her career. "Asheville is my home, but after making such wonderful connections, it's time to follow up and dive into this music thing head on."
Please see Eliza's Website:
www.elizalynn.com
to purchase CDs and for more information. Thanks for visiting!!
We have finally launched our new web site and would love to have you guys check us out and let us know what you think. Make sure to register for our free monthly drawing. Thanks for all of your support. www. greenonlydistributors. com Kim & Gina
Greetings! The WIYOS are very happy to be back on tour in North Carolina and Tennessee this week. We have been busy writing new music, working, and traveling. We would love to see you while we are here! If you absolutely can't make it out to see us in person, we are getting ready to launch a new website and update all our news, photos, music and blogs on the space so please stay in touch!
-The WIYOS
Wednesday May 28th - The Grey Eagle in Asheville, NC
Thursday May 29th - The Berkely Cafe in Raleigh, NC
Friday May 30th - Music on the Square Jonesborough, TN
Saturday May 31st - Bareley's Taproom Knoxville, TN
Hi, Eliza! I hadn't seen your photos from the Abbey Road recording session. Wow! That must have been quite an experience. It is wonderful to see you having such deserved success.
Wednesday May 28th - The Grey Eagle in Asheville, NC
Thursday May 29th - The Berkely Cafe in Raleigh, NC
Friday May 30th - Music on the Square Jonesborough, TN
Saturday May 31st - Bareley's Taproom Knoxville, TN
