PIETA BROWN & The TAKEN this band line up will be Liz Draper on bass/ Richard Medek on the drums (he often plays with Erik Koskinen) and featuring Bo Ramsey on electric guitar - this will be special and meaningful to Iowans as Bo is only playing select shows these days!Atmospheric and dreamy, a gifted singer-songwriter…
The daughter of two preacher’s kids, Pieta Brown’s early upbringing in Iowa was in a rural outpost with no furnace, running water, or TV. There, she was exposed to traditional and rural folk music through her father, Greg Brown, the now beloved Midwestern folk singer. But Brown’s parents separated when she was very young and by age 8 she moved to Birmingham, Alabama with her single working mother. Pieta spent a very disjointed childhood living in 17 different residences between Iowa, Minnesota, and Alabama. While living with her mother in Alabama, Brown began writing poetry and composing instrumental songs on piano which planted the seeds for both following the family musical tradition and carving her own fiercely independent path. Continually revealing new layers as both a songwriter and performer, Pieta is being recognized as one of modern Americana’s true gems. In recent years Pieta has released multiple highly critically acclaimed albums, with much attention being paid not only to her distinct sound and style, but also the power of her singing and songwriting, including fan favorite, Paradise Outlaw (2014 Red House, which Bon Iver mastermind, Justin Vernon, called his “favorite recording made at our studio.”) Pieta has toured North America with Mark Knopfler, and toured various regions of the U.S., Australia and Canada with John Prine, Amos Lee, Brandi Carlisle, JJ Cale, Ani DiFranco, Mavis Staples, and Calexico, among others. She has co-written songs with and made recent guest appearances on albums by Calexico, Amos Lee, and Iris DeMent, and was recently invited to be a co-producer on DeMent’s album Workin’ On A World (February 2023). In the last few years Pieta’s songs and music have been heard in various TV Shows and indie films including Everything Will Be Fine (Wim Wenders). With the release of her most recent album Freeway (September 2019, Righteous Babe) co-produced by Bon Iver drummer, S. Carey, followed by multiple experimental collaborations since, with various artists including JT Bates, S. Carey, CARM, and Howe Gelb & The Colorist Orchestra, Pieta’s music and artistry continue to rise.
“…moody, ethereal… I will listen over and over again.”
-NPR’s All Songs Considered
“Driven by her mercurial voice… her latest proves that less really is more”
-Boston Globe
CHASTITY BROWN
Gospel and blues, melodic sensibility, and honest emotion…
Based in Minnesota, but with roots in Tennessee, Chastity Brown grew up surrounded by country and soul music. In the full gospel church of her childhood, she played saxophone and drums and found her singing voice and a passion for music. Her first show was in Knoxville, TN, and then it was on to Minneapolis. Since then, she’s been featured on NPR’s “Favorite Sessions,” CMT, American Songwriter, the London Times, Paste Magazine and others. Chastity has toured the U.S. and abroad, appearing on the U.K.’s Later…with Jools Holland.
“A work of brooding soul eloquence, alt-rock wiriness, atmospheric pop sweetening and folk-infected naturalness.”
– NPR Music
JODY MCGILL
Howdy folks! I'm a singer/songwriter that hails from The nort' country of Minnesota and dances round Galena IL and when really lucky spends time down in "The Fork".
I was fortunate to be raised steeped in the music of John Denver, Johnny Cash, Emmy Lou Harris, Linda Ronstadt and Dolly. My favorite television shows were HeeHaw, Grizzly Adams, Little House on the Prairie and M.A.S.H. You'll find them all somewhere in these songs.
