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San
Francisco based Rykarda Parasol (\reh-kaer-dah\)
along with her band, The Tower
Ravens play "rock noir" that evokes moody
atmospheres and gin-drenched romanticism. Aptly describing the
sound as underhanded and white-collar criminal, the music draws
comparisons to Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, Nico and
the Velvet Underground, Black Heart Procession, and
Johnny Cash. These cinematic songs tell stories
of bad deeds and
betrayed loves with stark simplicity.
Rykarda
Parasol (her real name) began the first incarnation of her band
after returning to her native San Francisco in 2002 following
some years living in both Los Angeles and Texas. Her experiences
during the next four years became the true-life inspiration
for poignant songs about isolation, detachment, bad love, and
death. Those true-life accounts have a dominant space on the
Three
Ring Records
album “Our Hearts First Meet”,
the follow-up to the well-received EP “Here
She Comes" (Blood of the Young 2003). You
can catch a sample of the songs at MySpace.com.
With
each evolving lineup, Parasol recorded tracks along the way.
Nonetheless she has created a connected and conceptual work.
In the past two years, changes to her lineup have yielded a
very focused and assured presence. The album features performances
by Colleen Browne (ex Pale Saints), Rich Douthit (the Drift),
and Jeffrey Luck Lucas. Along with a production collaboration
with Eric Drew Feldman (Captain Beefheart, PJ Harvey, and Polyphonic
Spree).
New
Album in the works: Rykarda will soon start
work on her next album with Spoon and Trail
of Dead producer, Mike McCarthy in Austin, Texas. This
will be a 10-song album with songs about atheism, heroin, and
lust.
In
the past few years, Parasol and her band have shared the stage
with artists such as Frank Black,
Jason Collett, Jolie Holland, the Trail of Dead, Munly
and the Lee Lewis Harlots, Slim Cessna's Auto Club, 50Foot Wave
(Kirsten Hirsh), Chuck Prophet, Jonette Napolitano
(Concrete Blonde), the Bellmer Dolls, Willard
Grant Conspiracy, American Music Club, and Colin
Hay among others. She and her band have performed at
SXSW, The Hardly Strictly Bluegrass
Festival, The Mission Creek Music Festival,
and Benefit for the Austin Music
Network.
For
information, press kit, and/or booking: contact
us.
"The
songs are moody, vampish noir tales; David Lynch would need
just one listen to Parasol's eerie delivery to draft them as
the house band on his next film project.”
– SplendidEZine.com
Her
6-song EP, "Here She Comes...", originally released
on Blood of the Young records is still receiving strong reviews
and praise. You can check it out right
here.
Rykarda
Parasol: Vocals &
guitar
Zach
Brewer: Bass & vocals
Wymond
Miles: Guitar, organ, and piano
Ryan
Dylla: Drums
...Well
crafted, evocative and poignant music...
Not
enough good things can be said about this band.
-- www.MakeOutClub.com
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