Rachel Stevenson
Jeff Stevenson
Ajax Green
Carrie Bradley
Dee Kesler
Nathan Petty
Joshua Housh
Larry Yes
Anne Costanza
David Costanza
Marc Capelle
Dylan Hinkley
Peter Halter
After releasing eight critically acclaimed albums over more than a decade, San Francisco’s Granfaloon Bus ‘parked’ forever in 2003. Eager to continue making music, front man and songwriter Felix Costanza turned his attentions to a new solo project, which he called ‘Okie Rosette’
Writing and recording progressed slowly, but eventually the new songs took shape, and the album ‘Leap Second’ was brought to life with the help of various accomplices.
The recruitment of Rachel Stevenson on vocals created the perfect pairing for Costanza’s world-weary vocals. Thee More Shallows’ Dee Kesler lent his recording expertise and sonic wizardry to some of the tracks and played several instruments. Carrie Bradley (The Breeders, 100 Watt Smile) contributed violin parts, and ex-Granfaloon Bus members Jeff Stevenson (bass) and Ajax Green (guitar) found themselves unable to resist the opportunity to record with their old friend and bandmate again. Others joined in the fray, contributing various embellishments, including horns, organ, tambourine, handclaps, etc.
As with his previous work in Granfaloon Bus, Costanza’s lyrical mastery is again evident, managing to be at once both accessible and enigmatic.
A description once used by a journalist to describe the music of Granfaloon Bus – ‘slanted folk-pop’ – still applies as an apt description of this mixture of folk /melodic pop/Americana stylings, further tweaked with distorted samples, electronic beats, loops and skewed lyrics.
It all adds up to a stunning album – the best work yet by Felix Costanza.
Okie Rosette will be on tour in Europe in October 2008...
For booking in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, contact: mario{at}kumpelsandfriends{dot}com
All other bookings, contact: tours{at}monotremerecords{dot}com
I was invited by local (Brighton, UK) roots/americana radio show, Songs From The Ark, to select my Top Ten albums for 2008. Although the show was only broadcast on local FM radio, I thought you’d be pleased to hear that you were on the list.
Here’s how it looks…
1 WILLARD GRANT CONSPIRACY - Pilgrim Road (Loose) 2 CARRIE ELKIN - The Jeopardy of Circumstance (www. carrieelkin. com) 3 THE DONKEYS - Living On The Other Side (Dead Oceans) 4 THE SPOOK OF THE THIRTEENTH LOCK - The Spook Of The Thirteenth Lock (Transduction) 5 CHATHAM COUNTY LINE – IV (Yep Roc) 6 CHUCK RAGAN & AUSTIN LUCAS - Bristle Ridge (Ten Four) 7 OKIE ROSETTE – Leap Second (Monotreme) 8 JAMES BLACKSHAW Litany Of Echoes (Tompkins Square) 9 BOWERBIRDS – Hymns For A Dark Horse (Dead Oceans) 10 TODD SNIDER - Peace Queer (Aimless)
Delighted that 6 Music have caught on: sorry to hear Euro dates were cancelled. More Okie Rosette on this week's show. Hope you can make it here next year and we are able to be involved.
Thanks for befriending my music page! Enjoy the tunes and check back for updated blogs, tour info, etc. And feel free to comment or msg me whenever. I love getting feedback from new friends and fans! Also, my debut album is coming out at the beginning of Oct! xoxo alyssa suede =)
Okie Rosette are featured on this week’s Gilded Palace radio show online at Totally Radio. The show streams on demand, and will be available until Friday 19th September.
Okie Rosette are featured on this week’s Gilded Palace radio show online at Totally Radio. The show streams on demand, and will be available until Friday 4th April. Absolutely LOVE the album!
