GRETCHEN WITT: lead vocals, piano, guitar. IAN RIGGS: upright bass, electric bass. CHRIS BENELLI: drums, percussion. MARCUS WOLF: album production, lead guitar at live shows. RICH HINMAN: guitar at live shows ANN KLEIN: guitar at live shows JOSH ROY BROWN: lap steel, electric guitar. DAVE EGGAR: cello GILAD DOBRECKY: percussion. JENNIFER HAASE: backing vocals
Influences
Nina Simone, 10,000 Maniacs, Patty Griffin, Neko Case, Elton John ('70s material), Joni Mitchell, Otis Redding, Ray Lamontagne, Tracy Chapman, early Bonnie Raitt, Cheryl Wheeler, Ron Sexsmith, Etta James, Deb Talan, The Weepies, Allison Krauss & Union Station, Joe Cocker, Lizz Wright, Iris DeMent, Indigo Girls, Tori Amos, Sons of the Never Wrong, Richie Havens, Fleetwood Mac, John Gorka, Norah Jones, Sam Cooke, Norman Blake, Doc Watson, Nick Drake, Sam & Dave, Melissa Etheridge, Pete Seeger, Tom Paxton, Phil Ochs, Joan Baez, Loreena McKennitt, John Prine, Lucinda Williams, Mindy Smith, Dolly Parton, John Mellencamp, Chris Smither, The Cranberries, Tom Waits, Nanci Griffith, Ani DiFranco, Stevie Wonder, Cat Stevens, Ray Charles, Aretha Franklin, Billy Joel, Aimee Mann, Phil Collins, Peter Gabriel, Tim O'Brien, Richard Shindell, Mark Erelli, Dixie Chicks, Kate Bush, Dido, Maura O'Connell, Led Zeppelin, The Rolling Stones, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Crosby Stills Nash & Young, Tim Buckley, Judy Garland, Erasure, The Killers, any woman who sings...
Sounds Like
*from Discovering Artists (www.discoveringartists.com):
“Whatever she does, she should keep on doing it because this album is acoustic rock magic. Splashed with the thought-provoking lyrics that exude femininity and edge, catchy rhythms and a pure voice, Gretchen Witt has captured my attention. She's got the flair of Mindy Smith and Alison Krauss mixed with a little Catie Curtis and Jewel. "Smiling for Me" has some quaint piano mixed in with a dainty side, while she heats up with some acoustic rock riffs in "Criminal". Her jazzy track "Over and Done" left me bewildered because of the deep bass sounds and blues vibe. Is there anything this woman can't do musically? I doubt it.”
*from Melodic.net (www.melodic.net):
“A soft voice and a beautiful and naked guitar is what meet the ear when you put on this 5 track EP with a new discovery for us here at Melodic.Net. And she is well worth your attention if you like Eva Cassidy with a little Linda Ronstadt-twist here and there (at her soft moments), The opening “So Called Bliss” is a nice appetizer and third out “Say So” is another favourite. That is such a soft and beautiful tune with Gretchen’s spread voice; an acoustic guitar and a sweeping slide-guitar painting the landscape. Without a doubt the best moment on the E.P and this song is worth the dollars you have to spend on the album at CD BABY if you like the softer school of female singer songwriters.”
*from Ear Candy (http://earcandy_mag.tripod.com):
“Her voice is both angelic and powerful: this is top of the line.”
*from Red Is All the Rage (www.redisalltherage.com): "I was blown away with how impressive the album was. New York by way of Ohio singer-songwriter Gretchen Witt is skilled...melding elements of rock, folk, country, and even the blue into skillfully crafted pieces topped with mature and sultry vocals in the vein of country great Neko Case (minus the twang) or folk singer Dar Williams. Still, Witt’s voice is her own and her style distinctly unique..neither formulaic nor contrived. And it’s this unique style that allows her to imbue what may have been otherwise cringe-inducing love songs such as "So Called Bliss" and "Say So" with a real meaning that many aspiring singer-songwriters can only hope to accomplish. It’s worth catching her play at one of her favorite spots to see for yourself; This woman deserves a following."
You can purchase the latest disc, SIX, at these sites: www.cdbaby.com/gretchenwitt2 & www.iTunes.com, as well as on many other digital distribution sites which can be found by simply Google-searching for "Gretchen Witt".
Singer/Songwriter Gretchen Witt uses threads of folk, country, and pop to weave a sound ripe with femininity and edge. She was selected as a Finalist in the Kerrville Folk Festival’s New Folk Competition, as a Top 5 Finalist in the Telluride Bluegrass Festival’s Troubadour Competition, and has received multiple awards from the Mid Atlantic Song Contest (2006 and 2007). She plays regularly in New York City with her band at venues such as The Living Room, Makor, and The Bitter End, and at festivals across the country including SXSW, NEMO (Boston), The Heart of Texas Rock Festival, The Dewey Beach Festivals, and The Black Potato Music Festival (NJ). She recently opened for Pete Seeger at The Beacon Sloop Club's Alternative Energy Festival (Beacon, NY). Other venues of interest where she has performed include The Stanhope House (NJ), World Cafe Live (Philadelphia), Uncommon Ground (Chicago, IL), Flipnotics (Austin, TX), and Club Passim (Boston). Visit www.gretchenwitt.com or befriend her on MySpace.com for upcoming show dates and information. Reviewers have quipped; “Whatever she does, she should keep on doing it, because this is acoustic rock magic," (Discovering Artists.com).
Website: www.gretchenwitt.com
MySpace: www.myspace.com/gretchenwitt
Sonicbids EPK: www.sonicbids.com/gretchenwitt -more reviews available here, click "Press" icon
Gretchen-Thanks for joining us! I was just listening to your playlist....Wow! You have impressed me! Beautiful voice, too...! I see you are going to play Kerrville. I know that town. Pretty hill country and nice, down to earth folks. I think you will have a great time there. Once they hear you play and sing, they will probably give you the keys to the city! Kudos to the musicians backing you as well. To say they are seriously talented is an understatement!
Hello Gretchen Witt, Your songs are comin' over, like a fresh breeze of summer. Thank you for being friends. Stay well and take care. Greetings from Last Waterhole, Dirt Farm/Austria.
i moved to Woodstock and i'm opening a very cool new venue called Alchemy of Woodstock...it's in my top friends...take a look and send a request...we've got a great line up of talent
Hello Gretchen, thanks for adding me to your Myspace circle of friends. You song samples are great examples as to why you have so many upcoming shows. Have fun on the road. -John
Hey Gretchen! I love "Buried Alive!" What a great and dark song. Makes me think of Poe. I really like that pic of you singing in the bathtub to. That was awesome. Hey, I hope you are well and that you enjoy the new music posted on my page! Take care.
Hey Gretchen! We're really excited about having you in again tomorrow night (3/6/09)! All you Gretchen Witt fans out there... if you're within driving distance come see this show! It will be well worth it! -Cheers, Mocha Maya's Coffee House & Espresso Bar
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