Raven (lead vocals, guitar & tunesmith)
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Terry Isachsen (Guitar, bass)
Glen Graham (sax, bass)
Ryan Smith (Guitar)
Kat Smith (Drums)
Rachel (backing vocals & percussion)
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In the UK:
Parsley (keys/backing vocals & van driving)
Matthew Karas (bass)
Emeer Tomos (drums)
James Arben (sax)
Influences
Bruce Springsteen, Cliff Richard & Scott Walker
Sounds Like
"A turbulent cabaret, fueled by angst and driven by desperation"
"The greatest rewards, are those which are hardest to achieve", that's the credo which motivates me and guides me through the daily challenges which life hurls my way. I am an entertainer, 'The Duke of Dark' (coined by my British keyboardist, Parsley). My music is both personal and deeply reactionary, I respond to a world which seems destined to deny itself the obvious, and seek out the myth. My onstage persona is one of aggression, and passion, I attempt to create an asthetic which draws my listeners towards, rather than away. I am influenced by many, most who lend themselves to the unique, but am forever faithfully bound to the following artists who I consider my musical 'Holy Trinity'-Cliff Richard, Bruce Springsteen and Scott Walker. Each of them continue to be relevant in an industry which is built upon the 'weakest' of foundations, and it's their perseverance which truly inspires. That being said, my career path was paved by the 4 lads from Liverpool (need I mention the name?), who not only had a profound effect on music, but pop culture in general, they truly changed the world, not intentionally, but by example.
In 1998, 2 years removed from a 'disharmonius, matromonial nightmare', I decided to document my 4 years of 'un-wedded bliss', in words and music, as a form of excorsism. The result was a huried, yet demonic system release, which produced some deeply personal, yet honest accounts of a failed marriage. My 1st CD release "For better...or for worse", was issued in May of 1999, under the moniker of 'Raven's Personalities', which I began to regret almost immediately. I stand by the material, but not my execution, and consider it nothing more than a learning process.
The wonderful musicians who assited me on my virgin effort, were not available to me for live performance, but just as panic was about to arrive, fate stepped in. While at an after hours party given by the daughter of my then musical boss (60's pop star Bobby Vee-I served as his PA), I was introduced to the gentleman who became my musical security blanket-Terry Isachsen.
Through Terry, I gained access to one Bill Grenke, who was a pro's pro when it came to bass, and through Bill, I had the good fortune of enlisting the services of Bob Philipp, who was a mutual friend, on drums, and our maiden voyage was at a St. Paul establishment called 'The Turf Club', we were off and not quite running (more like briskly strolling).
We did a few local gigs during the Summer in promotion of my initial effort, but the biggest break came when we were asked to act as support for El Vez, at the legendary Minneapolis venue 'First Avenue'. That evening rescued me from self doubt and steady decline, as the show was well recieved, and given the seal of approval from The Mexican Elvis himself. In the Spring of 2002, while vacationing in the UK, I decided to take in a 'Mod' band named The Solar Flares at the Metro Bar on Oxford Street. I was 'blown away by the energetic set that was unleashed on the 'punters. Afterwards while enjoying a beverage at the bar, the groups keyboardist and I struck up a conversation, and I informed him that I was a musician and that I worked for Mr. Vee, and that another 'Solid Gold All American Rock 'N' Roll' (my 3rd) would be invading their shores in the Autumn. I told him I'd like to be able to do some solo shows while there, and he took it upon himself to put together a band which consisted of: Graham Day (The Solar Flares, The Prisoners)-Guitar, Bruce Brand (Holly Glightly, Billy Childish, The Masonics)-Drums, Matthew Karas (Soil, Glass Glue, The Hungry Dog Brand)-Bass. With that, my 1st full band London gig took place at the Legendary 12 Bar Club on November 19th, 2002.
In late 2005, I found myself with a handful of songs that were 'Spiritual' in nature, and decided since I didn't have enough for a proper full length disc, I'd record them, and release them as an 'EP'. 'Awaken' was released in Mid 2006, and although I was quite proud of the material and the execution, it was wrongly percieved as a religous peice, and sales suffered in kind. Nonetheless, it was a job well done.
Later that year I had my 2nd crack at touring the UK, and was fortunate to find myself on some wonderful stages from London to Edinburgh, highlighted by a gig at The Mean Fiddler in support of my mates Art Brut. I did 16 shows in 30 days, and as ever, the UK audiences were the best ever! It was also in this year that Parsley (without intention), donned me 'The Duke of Dark', due to the timbre and nature of my material, and I'll forever owe him, as it's been a Heaven sent in the make up of my audience these days.
It's now 2008, and I'm hoping to get my new material out there, as I'm more proud of it than any I've written or performed in the past, I feel as if I've finally found my place, and it's onward and upward, with world domination in my sights.
I've had the extreme good fortune of opening shows for many popular and diverse acts such as: El Vez, The New Radicals, Robert Gordon, Amy Rigby, The Woggles, Holly Golightly, and The Long Blondes just to name a few, and I'm just gettin' started!!!
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Good Morning !!! todays the last day on this competition, would you plz vote, just click the thingy below, thanks much and have a brilliant day. Judy x x x
hi..life should be back to normal for me now! i'm so ready for this long weekend coming up! i hope to do absolutely nothing except watch fireworks on the beach and celebrate my very own and very new INDEPENDENCE!!! be well ~ ~ xoxoxoxo
You are charming in your ways :) Thank you for the lovely comment. If you know of anyone who works in radio and who could give me a job - help! My contract runs out at the end of September. Thank you for listening...I love it :) xxx
We've had parties catered to all different musical tastes. On Friday, July 4th, were making one night for all. 46 Lounge Invites you to our International Party. 3 DJ's rotate between the Main Room & the Patio. DJ Joey C, Rich Steele & Toro
