since founding his independent record label, wollenberg records, in the fall of 2004, folk rocker richard cortez has been taking the indie music scene by the balls one busted guitar string at a time. for more information about current and upcoming projects, band merchandise, tour info and free downloads of unreleased richard cortez songs, please visit the official wollenberg records homepage!
known mostly for his infamous first single, craving something beautiful, (or, "the 'smoking pot and watching cartoons' song"), which appeared on cortez's first full-length studio album, it was clear from the get-go that richard cortez was not your average recording artist. the record, appropriately entitled "craving something beautiful," started appearing for sale online and in small gay retail shops in the summer of '05, and has become somewhat of a gay folk cult classic. lyrically raw and uncensored, the album showcases the voice of a heartbroken but determined cortez striving to find meaning in the crowded streets of new york city as he leaves the only love hes ever known. from its catchy title track to the intricate string arrangements written by cortez himself, craving something beautiful was a major success and helped put both richard cortez and wollenberg records on the map.
almost immediately after releasing his debut musical effort, richard embarked on his first tour with friend and cellist greg bortnichak of sparta philharmonic. the tour consisted of an intimate array of coffee houses and dive bars along the east coast. it was this high level of intimacy and performance quality that brought to the table the idea of recording a live album similar to the likes of these shows. on june 16th, 2005, in a room filled with only his closest friends, richard cortez recorded his sophomore record, live @ the red room. this personal and musically profound follow up to his debut record showcases new and improved renditions of pre-wollenberg records compositions, songs off craving something beautiful, and raw first takes of songs off "he loves me not." with material spanning his entire career as a writer and musical arrangements that will leave you breathless, this high-energy album is the perfect introduction to what richard cortez really has to offer as a live performer.
recently, the folks at wollenberg rediscovered tracks from a five-song EP entitled he loves me not, which was shelved due to a loss of essential music files. a burned cd of the five songs in their rawest form luckily resurfaced and the low-fi tracks were released as a free download—a "gift" to all of richard's loyal fan base. we are proud to announce that hundreds of people have downloaded the album all over the world and the album is still receiving extremely positive feedback. download your copy now!
this summer richard cortez boldly traveled outside of the "gayborhood" of ft. lauderdale, florida, where he spent most of 2007 playing live shows, to record his latest cycle of songs entitled "sleeping with strangers." in his "do it yourself" fashion, richard and the wollenberg records staff have built his very first recording studio and has spent recent months preparing arrangements with local musicians and conceptualizing the record as a whole.
in the meantime you can keep up with the inner workings of the record as well as see richard showcase new songs, innovative covers and classic originals on his youtube song blog!
We have this amazing new 21+ venue called CLUB 900. Cheap beer/amazing PA system and a hella amount of promotion. We have a lot of dates available...some with bands on them....some not. Dates with know bands gives you a chance to put you and your friend's bands together. Please help us book these ASAP. OPEN DATES Nov.15 - open Nov.18th - 2 slots open Nov. 19th - 2 slots open Nov. 22 - open Nov. 25th - open Nov. 26th - 2 slots open Nov. 29th - open Dec. 2nd - open Dec 6th -1 slot open Dec. 9th - open Dec. 13th - open Dec. 16th - open
Hurry as it is first come/first serve. Christian and Epic booking
Hey i just wanted to tell you that we just signed Martha Beck!! Out of the UK I thought you might like them so come to my page listen and comment me. I haven't heard from you well........EVER lol Come be friends! Tyler Choke EM!! Records Hit me up on AIM - Kingtylerlee
we were only 17 when we fell in love. Who would have known that we both would have advanced so far in the music world. Please come to New York and record with one of my producers at Normrex (best in the world). I want to see you anyway and ofcourse this would be complimentary and licensed to you only. Take me up on my offer and I'll have a ticket to you tomorrow.
I wanna write you a sad sad punk song I'll only use 2 chords, it'll be 4 minutes loong I wanna write you a sad sad punk song just tell you that I'm sorry for my stupid mouth because I looove you
I wanna sit outside your house at 3am watch random cars go boy and miss you once again sit by your potted plants and try to breathe you in because I miss the smell of ginger bread, a hard days work and baby's breathe because I looove you
I wanna buy an old car and drive us out to the country side we can sit on my trunk drinking beers getting starry eyed sitting in the back seat watching both of our worlds collide just to wake up to your morning breathe lose myself in your sleepy eyes
I wanna tattoo your name across my chest lie in bed with you, wrapped up in your caress count your freckles while you try to get some rest and whisper sweet nothings into your ear and match your breath because I looove you
I wanna buy an old car and drive us out to the country side we can sit on my trunk drinking beers getting starry eyed sitting in the back seat watching both of our worlds collide just to wake up to your morning breathe lose myself in your sleepy eyes
It doesn't matter where we goo.. just as long as we're going..oooh and I just wanted you to knooow that I'm still knowing.. ... I assume theres nothing left to show for all those things that we said, all those things that we did.. all those nights in my bed when you...
I wanna write you a sad sad punk song I'll only use 2 chords, it'll be 4 minutes loong I just wanna write you that sad sad punk song just tell you that I'm sorry for my stupid mouth because just tell you that I'm sorry for my stupid mouth because just tell you that I'm sorry for my stupid mouth .... because because I looove you because I looove you because I looove you i love you i love you
Hey! What’s good? Thank you for accepting our friend request! If you have a minute, check out my clothing line, After Eleven Apparel. Please let us know what you think! Thanks, <3 After Eleven
We have a bunch of dates open at the new 900 Club (76south/900west, SLC). OPEN DATES Nov. 11th -1 slot open Nov.15-18th - 2 slots open Nov. 19th - 1 slot open Nov. 22-25th - 2 slots open Nov. 26th - 1 slot open Nov. 29-30 - 2 slots open Dec. 1-2nd - 2 slots open Dec 6th -1 slot open Dec. 7-9th - 2 slots open Dec. 17th -1 slot open
We promise hella promotion...but come show us what you got.Bring on another band too.
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