on "shoot the sky" recording:
molly: vocals, violin, piano, guitar, bass, drums, cello, mandolin, moog, hammond organ -
brian harrison: vocals, guitar, bass -
bryan owings: drums -
richard bell: hammond organ -
matthew ryan: vocals, guitar -
mando saenz: vocals -
rowland stebbins: vocals -
jack silverman: guitar -
joe mcmahan: guitar -
brian bequette: bass -
tracy duarte: drums -
peter sternberg: bass -
tina collins: bgv -
charlie thompson: spoken word -
Influences
sam phillips, big star, bonnie raitt, suzanne vega, hubcap thieves, roberta flack, aretha franklin, randy newman, bob dylan, mose allison, tommy womack, will kimbrough, joan baez, tom waits, mississippi delta blues (the list of artists is continuous), dusty springfield, paul westerberg, matthew ryan, todd snider, lucinda williams, leonard cohen, emmylou harris, gram parsons, steve earle, nina simone, big mama thornton, richard & linda thompson, elvis costello, loretta lynn, neil young, ray charles, daniel lanois, sue foley, joni mitchell, johnny cash, patty griffin, the velvet underground, willie nelson
Sounds Like
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“Molly Thomas is unfiltered ‘south.’ She is the feel and the sound of the southern United States. In an America where food chains, homogenized broadcasting and department stores oppress the uniqueness of any time and place, Molly manages to sound untouched and singular in her expression. She's vulnerable and stubborn while she honors the
themes of loneliness, literature and that ethereal humidity that comes with the southern perspective.”- Matthew Ryan
Molly Thomas’ reputation in the music industry speaks for itself. Over the last year, she has spent time in front of millions of Americans appearing on Late Night with David Letterman and the Late Show with Jay Leno, playing violin next to folk icon, Todd Snider. She has also toured extensively playing violin and singing backup for Will Hoge and Matthew Ryan, and is currently one of the featured members of Ryan’s new project “Matthew Ryan vs. the Silver State”. She has been writing with Carnival Records’ Mando Saenz and has completed a string arrangement for Carnival’s Rick Brantley. Thomas has also seen some of the country’s most respected stages, both solo and as a hired gun for some of Nashville’s most sough after performers such as Will Kimbrough, Tommy Womack and K.S. Rhodesto name a few.
With the 2005 release of her first album “Shoot the Sky” however, Molly’s time spent as a studio and side musician is quickly becoming overshadowed by her stand alone talent. In fact, some of the musicians that Thomas stood so faithfully beside are now next to her on stage, taking their turn playing second fiddle, so to speak. The self produced 12 track project features Thomas on vocals, violin, guitar, cello, bass, piano, moog, Hammond organ, mandolin, and assorted percussion instruments, including some wonderful, yet self proclaimed “trashy drumming” on a track or two.
More than just talent, Molly Thomas has staying power and she is proving it over and over again. Her gripping voice, commanding stage presence, eclectic fashion sense and fragile beauty has a way of captivating an audience without overpowering them; leaving them always wanting more.
During her spring tour of Europe, Thomas found herself yet another audience. UK music aficionados were taken with this southern girl. Michael Mee of The Hawick News, (Hawick, UK) said about Thomas, “Molly Thomas is no little lady, bemoaning her trials and tribulations at the hands of the wrong kind of man. There’s a streak of defiance a mile wide in her voice and, as a writer, she kicks where it hurts and with unerring accuracy.” The unexpected attention from abroad landed her a distribution deal with Proper Distribution and some interest from the company’s record label along with a few offers from agents in the UK who are vying to sign the American Southerner.
The coming year promises many new projects for Thomas, including several studio projects for other musicians, but the most exciting news yet may be the release of her second album. She has been busying herself when not on stage or in a studio with writing and perfecting the haunting and beautiful new songs that will be her sophomore release. While it is true that she is an electrifying accompaniment to other acts, it is her addictive and unforgettable solo performances where she truly shines.
MOLLY THOMAS: Shoot the Sky
Edgy and beautiful alternative/indie folk
Molly is featured in this Matthew Ryan VS The Silver State video, "Closing In."
She is a part of MRVSS and the record will be released, April 1st, with tour to follow.
"matthew ryan kindly asked me to be a part of his new project, MRVSS, which stands for Matthew Ryan VS The Silver State. it’s nice to be a part of a band, especially with him, separate from my own career/music. his music is inspiring and hopeful in content/lyric and the music we all make together brings emotion & revitalizes my spirit when performing. i hope you will purchase the cd and listen to the emotion/soulfulness that he always manages to deliver (Matthew Ryan VS The Silver State).... april 1st, 2008." - molly
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