Crow Follow continue a journey soundtracked by their ‘Red Velvet Radio’
Massachusetts urban cabaret and velvet shaman swamp rock project unveil long-awaited debut album on Friday, September 30
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Record release party September 30 at The Square Root in Boston
WATCH: ‘Indiana Line’ video is now playing on YouTube
Photo Credit: Kelly Davidson Studio
BOSTON, MA [September 30, 2022] –There’s a moment midway through Red Velvet Radio, the debut album from Boston urban cabaret and velvet shaman swamp rock brigade Crow Follow, where things slow down for just a moment. The music takes on a reflective and somber tone, as if the band collectively stopped looking outside the window on the long journey that is life and suddenly turned and peered within. That moment arrives across five moody psychedelic minutes during the appropriately titled “Ride of Our Lives,” and surfaces squarely in the middle of the record – a dividing line for a collection of 10 songs that show off a sound less concerned with any destination but rather with the journey it took to get there.
Because what comes before and after that track are two sides, not necessarily in any order, that display the creativity and craftsmanship behind an eclectic, weathered album set for CD and streaming release on Friday, September 30. That same night Crow Follow will present it to the masses live from the stage at The Square Root in the Roslindale neighborhood of Boston.
To find a place like Rozzie, as the locals call it, one has to know where to look. And to understand how Crow Follow got to the point of Red Velvet Radio’s long awaited release, one has to look in several places all at once, and to the core of a songwriting partnership of co-conspirators Tim Sprague and Agent Judy.
“Looking at Red Velvet Radio as a whole, in the lyrics I can sense the vibe of journeying, seeking out the magical spaces where the joys of camaraderie and discovery are nestled,” says vocalist, guitarist and co-founder Sprague. “Sometimes that journey is stark, and requires some courage. Musically, there’s a loping, slow spine swaying groove to the tunes. We also try to leave enough air in the arrangements so the listener can breathe into the music.”
Those qualities shine through on the album’s batch of singles, which began to see the light of day before the pandemic made our lives stand still. From the bone-rattling railroad run of “Indiana Line” to the smoky low-end groove of music scene-seeking “Iron Bottom Sound” to the infectiously frantic joyride of Linnea’s Garden collaboration “DOOM BUGGY!”, the previously-released Crow Follow tracks dance intertwined with new compositions; a campfire crackle called “Brambles,” a ghostly sidewinder in “Copper Flowers,” and the aforementioned “Ride of Our Lives.”
“The album carries messages of the times we’ve shared and illustrates our experiences and thoughts in art and sound,” says vocalist, guitarist, percussionist and co-founder Judy. “That’s the theoretical view. The practicality of that involves grinding out tracks, one by one, and keeping each true to the essence and then blending them without mercy until the potion is mixed.”
Together, these 10 tracks portray a journey that’s still ongoing, a process that began before the pandemic and still shakes out across stages. To document Crow Follow’s current standing in their own sonic forest, Red Velvet Radio reflects a broader snapshot of creativity and collaboration, one that has seen the pair of songwriters open their melodic vaults to others, a band rounded out by integral players that act as glue between Tim and Judy: John Keegan on baritone saxophone (a defining force in “Iron Bottom Sound”); L. Ramona Herboldsheimer: on drums (whose addition solidified and elevated the project’s focus); and Carolyn Jean Corella on bass (locking in a low-end groove that permeates through every track). Beyond that, additional contributions make Crow Follow more of a living, breathing force than simply a band: Amy Gee on bass and vocals; Ruby Viens providing a vocal counterpunch on “Indiana Line”; Linnea Herzog on guitar and vocals; Peter Danilchuk on the esteemed Fender Rhodes; and Rich Gilbert on Hammond Organ.
“Red Velvet Radio is an assemblage of work representing Crow Follow’s cumulative growth over a block of time,” reflects Judy. “It’s a weaving of early compositions pushed through filters of current ideas and new compositions, exploring those ideas more directly and with greater capacity along the way. I can't seem to identify a hard line between the songs we recorded before Covid and the others after. Songs are living things. A recording grabs a snippet of that life, but it was different before and will continue to evolve through live performances and new ways of listening. It’s never the same twice unless it’s a recording. So those songs have continued to mature. An album is a snapshot of a creation in motion.”
The title Red Velvet Radio refers to a magical feeling connected to darkness and music, a throwback to a time when music had to be sought out, and when found, comforted the soul as a direct line from a radio DJ to the listener. Each track on Red Velvet Radio tends to evoke a certain type of picture, story, and vibe that has the ability to transport and transcend.
The album’s artwork, designed by Judy, furthers this notion – a blend of grit and tech that represents the Crow Follow sound and character. She assembled it based on an actual radio bought off eBay, then copied in foam core, red velvet, and glue, photographed and edited with layers of images in Illustrator. Judy calls it an “amalgam of the material and digital worlds,” and it’s a portal into the music cased inside.
“Our lyrics often include observations of the landscape of our lives as we travel through,” Judy says. “Themes of urban undergrounds, industrial wastelands, and natural wonders abound. The ephemera of a society in flux can make great lyrics, just look around, the things you see. Busted porcelain, spilled ink; mundane objects signal culture and settings. As lyricists, Tim and I share a penchant for sideways descriptions of experiences and emotions via environmental evidence. There are consistent themes of gatherings, of the places where people gather, of nature and corruption, of dismay and determination, of dedication, action, scratching for hope, the power of creativity, and, of course, love.”
Sprague agrees, with the understanding that the release of this album is similar to a stop along the way to some place greater, somewhere else, as yet undefined and undiscovered, off on the horizon. This is a snapshot of a moment, encased in 10 songs. One chapter ends, and another begins.
“We are still pushing the vibe and intention that Crow Follow started with,” Sprague adds. “‘Follow the Crow’: As the crow flies into the heart of the forest, where our deepest memories and feelings dwell, we strive to have the courage to follow and bring back the songs that are a bit harder to write, and a little scarier to perform. Not because they are spooky, but because they are linked to those deep feelings that we all share. After the struggle with Covid, I feel we were even more committed to bring these tunes to life.”
Media Contact: Please direct all press inquiries to Crow Follow at crowfollowmusic@gmail.com or Michael Marotta at michael@publisist.co.
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Crow Follow short bio:
Crow Follow brings a glowing brightness to the darkest tunes. Risen from the vibe of a diverse and energetic music scene in Boston MA, Crow Follow celebrates and transcends it. Their DNA is from the art-rock, low-rock, and post-punk scenes of the late 20th century, filtered through the usual smoldering warehouses and sketchy sugar shacks of the American Hinterland. Debut album Red Velvet Radio streams everywhere on September 30, with a release party that night at The Square Root in Roslindale.
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Crow Follow is:
Tim Sprague: Vocals, Guitar, Trumpet
Agent Judy: Vocals, Percussion, Guitar
John Keegan: Baritone Saxophone
L. Ramona Herboldsheimer: Drums & Vocals
Carolyn Jean Corella: Bass
‘Red Velvet Radio’ album artwork:
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‘Red Velvet Radio’ production credits:
Additional Musicians:
Amy Gee: Bass & Vocals
Ruby Viens: Vocal Counterpunch
Linnea Herzog: Guitar & Vocals
Peter Danilchuk: Fender Rhodes
Rich Gilbert: Hammond Organ
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Produced by Tim Sprague & Crow Follow
Recorded & Mixed at New Alliance Studios, Somerville MA
Engineered by Ethan Dussault
Mastered by Pete Weiss
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Cover Art & Design: Agent Judy
Front Cover Photography: Coleman Rogers
Inside cover Photography: Kelly Davidson Studio
Graphic Art & Production: DWJ Creative
Crow Art: Lily Fae Grogan
Starfield: NASA
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The music of Crow Follow has been heard on:
5GTR, Aggie Radio, Alt Rock Radio, Alternative Revolution (Blue Torch Radio), Banks Radio Australia, Bay State Rock, Belter Radio, Bill Kelly (Sirius XM), Bombshell Radio, Boston Groupie News, BumbleBee Radio, CDNX, Café Nacional FM, Cape Cod Wave, Castledown, Chasing The Essential, Christian’s Cosmic Corner (Mark Skin Radio), Code Zero Radio, DM Pulse, Dandelio, Dublin City FM, EDA, EN5, FM4, FONR, Flatlines Radio, Future Radio, Good Music Radio UK, Hanks Alternative Radio, IC Radio, IPO Radio, Indie Radio YFM, Island 92 FM, KCC Live, KONR, KOR Radio, KZFR, KZUU, KZUU, Krux, LSR Leeds, Late Risers Club (WMBR), Les Monstres Sacrés, Lonely Oak, Love FM, Lucky Star Radio, Lux Radio, Marc’s Alt Rock Playground (Mark Skin Radio), Merseyland, Mike Rogers Show, Mike on the Mic (WMFO), Military Veterans Network, Narradio 95.3, New Visions Radio Network, Oban FM, Original Music Showcase (Mark Skin Radio), Perfumed Allotment, PopRadioUK, ROCK Radio, Radio Ara, Radio Candy Radio, Radio Caroline, Radio Pepito, Radio Saltire, Radio Skye, Radio Sotra, Radio VGR, Radio Wey, Redwall Radio Camglen Radio, Rising with Skybar (WMFO), Rock Radio Northern Ireland, Secret Weapon, Somer Valley, Sunshine Music iRadio, The Attic Show (KPISS), The Menace's House of Music (Fun Rock Radio UK), The Music Authority, UK Independent, Valley FM 89.5, WITR, WMPG, WMPG, WORT, Wolfman Radio, Woody Radio, and other fine shows and stations…
Media praise for Crow Follow:
“Imagine a sweaty bar with sweaty people movin’ and groovin’ to the heated beats in the early hours of a long night out. There’s a big chance you’ll see/hear Crow Follow taking care of the vibrant vibes.” – Turn Up The Volume
“[‘Indiana Line’] is just excellent.” – Monstres Sacrés
“It’s Crow Follow so of course it’s midnight, smokey and there’s a rumble in the air. That’s the scene in ‘Iron Bottom Sound’, Crow Follow’s latest song release. It could be about a real place but it comes across as a mythological locale that promises ‘big fun’. We're used to the low sound with Crow Follow but they defy expectations with some trumpet fills which lend an even more jazzy tone to the song.” – Boston Groupie News
“‘Indiana Line’ is rooted in rock 'n' roll and the kind of rockabilly infused punk that bands like X created. It's a raucous and groove filled track that also leans into the sound of someone like The B-52's. ‘Indiana Line’ is a party waiting to happen, but it also seems to have a level of darkness hidden deep within. This is a great song if you're looking for weirdo rock and punk based party music that won't scare the normies... too much.” – If It’s Too Loud
“Growth amidst decay.” – 1st 3 Magazine
"We think 'Indiana Line' by Crow Follow was their best effort yet. The song careens like an out of control rig. A scratchy radio transmission in the beginning is haunting. They do a lot of tricks to depict this visually. There’s ample use of animated chalk drawings that add a primitive touch.” – Boston Groupie News
“...great new video for ‘Indiana Line’” – Rising with Skybar on WMFO
“And then there was Crow Follow, a band that I loved... they put out some angry original rock and roll that was great.” – Cape Cod Wave
Press Contact: michael@publisist.co or crowfollowmusic@gmail.com
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