Ephemera

I’m a singer/songwriter and pianist originally from New York. While I have temporarily settled in the Midwest and live on my beloved Starkweather Creek which literally stirs at my back door, I still consider myself a New York-based artist. My work has been categorized as gothic/ethereal, melodramatic pop and heavenly voices, although I particularly love that the wonderful writer/reviewer Craig Gidney, referred to my music as esoteric pop.

Although I am often assumed to be a classically trained pianist, I am completely self taught, discovering that I could write little progressions on the piano at age 8. Listeners often say that my intuitive control of the piano is striking, that I possess a dynamically ethereal vocal range, and that there is a unique depth to my songwriting. I am honored that my music is frequently compared to Kate Bush, Harold Budd and Laura Nyro. My most vivid musical inspirations come from growing up in a very artistic, theatrical home listening to everything from show tunes to opera to the iconic singer/songwriter Cat Stevens whose stirring, fluid chord changes and magnificent orchestrations moved me. Part of the essence of my instinctive emotionally visceral theatrical style may be attributed to my Gypsy lineage, which is perhaps why I started to play the concertina recently. I don’t consider myself a musical story teller, but rather more of a revelatory and referential songwriter.

International label Kalinkaland Records released my album Island worldwide in July 2005, and in addition is now being distributed as well worldwide through Rage In Eden! The album is also available in the U.S. by Sam Rosenthal’s Projekt Records. Island features the incredible work of avant-garde cellist Matt Turner, and my long time friend and drummer/percussionist Linda Mackley.

Since Island’s release I’ve contributed music to various projects. Due out Fall 2008 is Steve Balderson's provocative indie film Watch Out, adapted from Joseph Suglia's best selling novel. I have two songs featured in the film, I am lovely which I wrote specifically for the movie and If Not. Watch Out is already garnering a lot of critical acclaim in select previews world wide and promises to be one of the most memorable cult films of our time. In addition to my music being featured in Balderson's film, I recently contributed a very stark piano score to the Documentary by Film maker/musician Wendy Schneider: CUT: Teens and Self Injury featuring Shirley Manson of Garbage and Tiffany Arbuckle Lee of Plumb. I also contributed a track Siren Lotus to the 17 Pygmies album 13 Blackbirds/13 Lotus released in 2006, which earned praise from Brainwashed’s John Whitney; “Jo’s sparse piano version of Lotus is probably the most striking!” I am also being included in renowned music critic Mick Mercer's Summer 2008 book on notable international gothic artists.

Fools and Orphans, my second release on Kalinkaland Records will be released in fall 2008. While Kalinkaland will release a gothic European version in the wonderful style of 4AD, I released my own limited artist’s version of the album. This version has a very warm and richly intimate stage orchestral vibe reminiscent of the 1970s singer/songwriter sensibility. Fools and Orphans also features a guest vocal appearance by Hannah Fury on “The Habits of Shadows,” as well as the extraordinary work of musicians Linda Mackley on timpani and percussion, Stephanie Rearick on trumpet, Mark Urness on bowed upright bass, and once again the incredible Matt Turner on cello. I consider Fools and Orphans my best work to date and it features some of my most substantively poetic lyrics, and my concertina Ruby (I name everything ) appears on the track “Of Love and Ether.” My artist’s limited release of Fools and Orphans is available exclusively through Ephemera. Since Fools and Orphans release in May 2008, it has received some incredible reviews and is in constant rotation at various radio stations world wide.

Also getting a lot of positive press are my two lo-fi neo-classical releases The Amber Sessions and The Last Drive In which are also available exclusively through Ephemera.

Currently, I am finishing up my next project with an eye on releasing it this Fall 2009. Hunting Down The Ceremony will be a very personal album which is a collection of various songs that have been scattered to the wind. These are songs that have either appeared on compilations, in film or never saw the light of day, having not made it onto feature albums. I've pulled all these works together into one project, which will highlight my very strong singer/songwriter roots.

I'll be going back into the Barn with Tom Blain to master the album sometime in the beginning of the fall 2009 and will release it through Ephemera.