brad houser::bari sax//bass clarinet
laura scarborough::vibraphones//accordian
suzanna choffel::vocals//guitar
eldridge goins::drums//percussion
johnny vogelsang::bass
Booking::
Roggie Lynn Baer
Agent/ Owner
RajiWorld/ RTC
Booking and Consulting
512 478 0400 fax 512 478 0402
roggie@rajiworld.com
800 West 3rd Street
Suite 2306
Austin, TX 78701 USA
On MySpace At www.myspace.com/rajiworld
stevie wonder made me want to sing.
bob marley made me want to wail.
paul simon made me want to write.
ani difranco made me want to pluck & strum.
the following made me curious about beats, rhymes, rhythm and tone::lauryn hill, fiona apple, erykah badu, joni mitchell, michael jackson, marisa monte, mos def, joan la barbara, wilco, the roots, arto lindsay, zap mama, beck, digable planets & prince.
Sounds Like
*specifically, a meshing of Patty Griffin, Ani Difranco, Mazzy Star, Erykah Badu, Fiona Apple, some say Sting (vocal stylings), also Esthero, Carla Bruni and i've had some Nelly Furtado comparisons, and Sade (which makes me happy).
*metaphorically, the time right before a storm hits...the smell of rain, pressure in the air, warm breezes, electrical skin tingling...sexy.
A native of Austin TX, Suzanna Choffel combines her poetic lyrics and sweet smoky voice with funky urban rhythms to create a fresh and unique sound. She uses her guitar to create staccato rhythms underneath her dazzling soulful vocal melodies, all backed by a pulsing band with unique instrumentation. Her music has been described as “indie pop with urban beats”, and "jazz-infused soul pop" with comparisons ranging from Feist to Nelly Furtado to Norah Jones to Erykah Badu. Since the 2006 release of her debut album, Shudders & Rings, she has been finding her name atop many a music reporter's list as "one worth watching". Her song "Hey Mister" was licensed by the City of Austin for inclusion in the Austin Music Vol. 7 compilation CD (March 2008 release). In April 2008, Suzanna Choffel won the $10,000 Grand Prize in the nationwide Famecast Pop competition. Also in April 2008, she won 1st Prize in Music Videos at Ourstage.com. In June 2008, Suzanna was selected by The State Of Texas to represent contemporary Texas music in Texas On Tour, a large countrywide traveling show promoting Texas tourism. In November 2008 she was the cover story in the Austin Chronicle, "Austin's Next Fun Fearless Female Rock Star", and in March 2009 Suzanna won the "Best Indie Band" prize at the Austin Music Awards-SXSW. In April 2009 she won 2nd Place in the "AAA" category of the prestigious International Songwriting Competition.
Suzanna Choffel's red-hot band creates a fresh and original instrumental backing. The lineup consists of drummer Eldridge Goins (Johnnie Johnson, Carolyn Wonderland, Big Al DuPree, The Heathens), bassist Johnny Vogelsang (Bob Schneider, Soulhat), vibes/accordion/synth player Laura Scarborough (Lila's Medicine, Ohn), and saxophone/clarinet player Brad Houser (New Bohemians, Boombox, Critters Buggin'). The result is a smokin' hot rhythm section that can riff, improv and meander like a jazz band, yet has the stability of her strong pop-soul songs to ground them, resulting in a sensational new sound.
::PRESS::
"Rarely do debut albums sound as rich and mature as Shudders & Rings. Austin native Suzanna Choffel blends her talent and formal training into a jazz-infused folk sound built atop urban rhythms. Despite all the layers swirling beneath her throaty voice, the album shines with its clean melodies and accessible lyrics, all written by Choffel...Choffel's fresh sound stands out in the crowded singer/songwriter genre."
-Ward Lowe, Austin Monthly Magazine
"It sounds cliche to say "watch this one", but don't say you weren't warned."
-Margaret Moser, Austin Chronicle
"Suzanna Choffel deserves a listen because she's among the most rare of artists, a performing songwriter who is based in Austin and was actually born and raised there...Choffel stands out with a clever and imaginative mixture of smart words and music that brings together pop, rock, jazz and more."
-Jim Beal Jr., Music Columnist San Antonio Express-News/Disc Jockey KSYM
TO PURCHASE THE ALBUM SHUDDERS & RINGS GO TO:
http://cdbaby.com/cd/choffel
You have surely heard about the tragic death of a brave young woman who was murdered in Iran just for peacefully protesting with her father on the streets of Teheran.
Just stopping by to show you some support and to thank you for the friendship. I'm really feeling your style. Check out our tracks and let us know what you think. Hit us up if you are ever interested in anything you hear.
