"Motobunny is a brand new, Icona-Pop-Meets-Iggy-Pop, American rock n’ roll band with two dynamic frontwomen and a debut album poised for a May 12th release on Rusty Knuckles Music. With tracks already spinning around the country on stations like Sirius/XM, KROQ (LA), KEXP (Seattle), WFMU (NJ) and WRUR (New York), momentum is building and plans are being laid for release parties in their hometowns of Phoenix and Los Angeles. Led by dual singers Christa Collins and Nicole Laurrene, the band’s aesthetic has as much to do with Laurrene’s Michigan rock roots as the surf sounds and pounding percussion of LA’s punk and garage scenes. Rarely does a rock band present with two such well-matched, intense vocalists, but the rest of Motobunny keep up easily, ripping through songs straight out of a Tarantino film..." Read the full article from Rusty Knuckles here: http://rustyknuckles.blogspot.com/2015/04/motobunny-roars-into-action-with-their.html
"Recently Amazing’s Head of Amazing Artists USA, caught up with Sonnet Noel and Kerry Brown for a chat. Sonnet is the lead singer and songwriter from INANNA, a band that’s setting Los Angeles on fire and Kerry is a record producer who has worked on everySmashing Pumpkins record since Gish. He also produced INANNA’s debut album."
"L.A. duo the Cold and Lovely made a huge statement with 2013′s 'Ellis Bell,' an EP that embraced the arena-sized alt-rock of the 1990s and was embraced by many who remember it. Singer-guitarist Meghan Toohey (who counts the Weepies, Lenka, Schuyler Fisk on her resumé) and bassist Nicole Fiorentino (Smashing Pumpkins, Veruca Salt, Spinnerette) have returned with the fan-funded 'What Will I Become,' an eight-song album of lush, driving dream-pop featuring the oceanic reverb employed by artists such as My Bloody Valentine, Lush, Pale Saints and Curve, with a few added twists as well. The new single 'Lost All Control' boasts the big, surging sonics of Silversun Pickups (à la their single 'The Pit'), perfect for rock radio. The new collection featured guest vocals from Louise Post of Veruca Salt and John O’Reilly Jr. on drums, and was engineered by Bryan Cook." - Buzz Bands LA
The Cold and Lovely is the brainchild of Meghan Toohey (The Weepies, Lenka, Schuyler Fisk), and Nicole Fiorentino (The Smashing Pumpkins, Veruca Salt, Spinnerette). After several years as a producer and session player, Toohey returned to her roots as a songstress, writing the band’s eponymous debut album. When her songs began achieving placements on television shows such as Gossip Girl, Grimm, Chasing Life and Vampire Diaries, she knew she was on the right path. The band's sophomore album, Ellis Bell, is an E.P. recorded primarily in their home studio and mixed/mastered by Dave Cooley (Silversun Pickups/M83). After a very successful Pledge Music Campaign to support their third record, The Cold and Lovely are releasing the full length "What Will I Become" mixed by Bryan Cook (One Republic, Train, Autolux) on January 20th, 2015.
Reflecting on the band's work, Toohey says: “With the first record, we were just getting our feet wet. Working together over past few years has matured our relationship, and I wanted our future records to reflect this growth. I dug deep into albums that changed my life, such as My Bloody Valentine's Loveless, PJ Harvey’s entire catalog, and the work of bands like The Cure and U2. But it was Nicole who really helped me shake out the sounds and pinpoint what I loved about the guitar tones and production. We wanted more grit on these records and the result is, for us, incredibly fresh and exciting. The songs are dark and brooding but at the same time joyful."
Toohey and Fiorentino are both staunch believers in empowering young women and girls through music education. Both are volunteers and supporters of Rock N' Roll Camp For Girls in Los Angeles.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE INTRODUCING: THE TOWNSEND Cocktail Bar and Performance Venue at 718 Congress Avenue
AUSTIN, TX-- An exciting addition to the revitalized arts and entertainment district
downtown will open its doors in Spring 2015: The Townsend, an elegant high-end
cocktail bar and performance venue. Located in a stunningly remodeled 3,400 square
foot space in the Townsend-Thompson Building, an historical landmark, the Townsend
offers exceptional cocktails and tasty food options along with creative performances in an
acoustically dynamic setting. The Townsend’s visionary group of owners and their
design team have worked closely to develop a unique concept that promises quickly to be
a fixture in the downtown scene unlike any other in Austin.
“We hope the Townsend will become a special place in the downtown Arts district that is
as beautiful and inspiring as our city — great drinks, food, music, and art in an elegant
space,” says Steven Weisburd, the primary owner and visionary behind the Townsend.
Weisburd’s partners in the Townsend include acoustics expert Scott Samson, Austin
music hall of fame member Kathy Valentine, music industry veteran Roger Sandau,
music, film, and television producer Kerry Brown, and film and television producer
Stacey Sher.
Design
Guests entering the Townsend are greeted by a parlor room’s glimmering chandelier, an
Italian black tile mosaic floor, coffered ceilings, warm furnishings, and an impressive
view of the Paramount Theatre and downtown Congress Avenue. The parlor’s 13-foot
antiqued custom mirror adds a dynamic element, reinforcing the theme that the
Townsend reflects Austin, and its inhabitants. Adjoining the parlor is a 32-foot restored
bar, along with a series of charcoal banquettes and designer bookshelves lined with
leather books and city relics, combining Austin tradition with clean-lined architectural
modernity. Stylish slate-colored walls hold framed 65-inch UHD 4K televisions
exhibiting a rotating display of artwork. At the end of the lounge, guests will find an
impressive boxed skylight feature lit in soft colors, and the fresh flowers throughout the
Townsend confirm its design as the epitome of understated sophistication with a
beguiling air of fun and class.
Cocktail Program
The Townsend’s cocktail program is designed by Justin Elliott, winner of 2014’s Eater
award for his cocktail work at Qui. “It’s super important to me, especially for a place as
elegant as the Townsend, that the drinks themselves show a light touch and a playfulness.
There’s a sweet spot there: balancing creativity with something classic and well-refined.
And that’s the goal with everything in the Townsend, isn’t it? Creating a place that seems
like it should have been here all along,” says Elliott. With additions like the delicate and
floral gin-based “Blush of Youth,” the robust rye-featured “McKibbon,” and signature
variations on a Pimm’s Cup, the Townsend’s diverse bar menu features a broad scope of
locally sourced ingredients, premium spirits, select wines, and Austin-brewed beers. The
Townsend’s management has also created an innovative royalty program that will feature
select cocktails created by some of Austin’s top bartenders who will receive royalty
payments for each drink sold. In addition, the Townsend will offer food on an expanding
basis, starting with cheese and charcuterie plates along with other tasteful options to
complement its cocktail program. Performance
At the back of the Townsend is a live-music, private event performance space created
with artists in mind. The Townsend’s performance space offers exceptionally high
quality sound designed by acoustician Scott Samson. The room has 17-foot ceilings and
features dramatically lit black curtains, a custom built stage, and stained concrete
floors. This acoustically adjustable live music venue can accommodate over 120 people
standing, and will offer adaptable seating arrangements for events and certain
performances. As Samson highlights, “Whether we have a single person on stage
speaking, a solo guitarist singer songwriter, or a full rock band, the Townsend
performance space will be adjusted acoustically to match the performance on stage.”
Kathy Valentine has agreed to help direct the Townsend’s performance programs. “As
an Austin native, I have watched the city grow and change over the years,” says
Valentine. “I’m thrilled that the Townsend provides the opportunity to combine the
things I love: music, my city, and bringing people together.”
The Townsend will house several exciting musical lineups during SXSW, then will
officially begin its legacy with a bang by hosting a formal Grand Opening party in April.
Partygoers will be invited to partake in complimentary drinks and experience the
exemplary sound system with special performances by friends of the Townsend.
Austinites are encouraged to come in and take a tour of the space and sample the
Townsend’s signature cocktail menu at a reduced rate during their daily Happy Hour
from 4pm to 6pm. Events and performances — from live music, to comedy, to spoken
word readings, to short plays — will be posted on the Townsend’s website and social
media accounts.
The Townsend is the first Austin-based public project developed and managed by
Penumbral Strategic Ventures, LLC. Please direct all general, media, and booking
inquiries to Elizabeth.Campbell@PenumbralAustin.com.
