Caspar, CA (Top40 Charts/ Green Light Go) Gwyneth & Monko will continue their extensive tour this May with 16 shows throughout the U.S., including dates in Nebraska, Indiana, Kentucky, Tennessee, Texas, New Mexico and California. The duo is supporting their recently released self-titled album.
The new record, which was recorded at Old School Studio in Caspar, Calif., will more accurately reflect what the duo sounds like live, which is somewhere between folky acoustic and indie rock. And it's no wonder their new work sounds this way, as they've been on the road for most of 2010, taking weekends here and there to record. Guest artists Scott Southard on bass, Jimmy Gallagher on drums and Matt Cooper Borkenhagen on pedal steel and dobro, join Gwyneth & Monko on their self-titled album.
This record exists in part because of a month of creative exploration. In July, Gwyneth Moreland and Michael Monko spent time honing new songs in a home recording studio. Those sketches came to life in Old School Studio and are filled with new elements: Moreland on banjo, Monko on fiddle and guest artists adding drums and bass. These additions allow Gwyneth & Monko to explore a different dynamic while still keeping the old-timey and Americana influences, songwriting style, Moreland's vocal style and Monko's intricate instrumentation.
Gwyneth & Monko May Tour Dates
5/1/11 The Waiting Room, Omaha, NE
5/3/11 The Progressive, Ames, IA
5/5/11 Mojo's, Davenport, IA
5/6/11 Beatniks Cafe, Marion, IN
5/7/11 Common Grounds Cafe, Lexington, KY
5/9/11 WDVX - Blue Plate Special, Knoxville, TN
5/12/11 The Preservation Pub (Speakeasy), Knoxville, TN
5/13/11 The Acoustic Coffee House, Johnson City, TN
5/14/11 The Basement, Nashville, TN
5/15/11 Chatanooga Farmers Market, Chattanooga, TN
5/19/11 Tantra Coffeehouse, San Marcos, TX
5/21/11 Opening Bell Dallas, Texas
5/26/11 The Buckhorn Saloon And Opera House, Historic Pinos Altos, NM
5/27/11 Old Town Bistro, Socorro, NM
5/30/11 Plush, Tucson, AZ
5/31/11 Villains Tavern, Los Angeles, CA
Praise for Gwyneth & Monko
"An album full of dark and beautiful songs that radiate with the fever
of Appalachian folk tunes yet have the easy going attitude of West
Coast rock. .... Together, the two present a real no-nonsense approach
to playing Folk inspired music that strikes the right balance between
rural roots and urban attitude."
- Tuneraker.com | February 11, 2011
"Gwyneth & Monko ... kinda reminds me sometimes of Nanci Griffith's
wonderful work of the late '80s - if Nanci had been hanging out a lot
with Lucinda Williams. Or maybe I should just say it's as if Lucinda
Williams had Nanci Griffith's voice. Or something highly
complimentary. Aw, hell. What I'm trying to say is this is good stuff."
- Revolution 21's Blog for the People, The Mighty Favog | February 15,
2011
"These days, indie country music is referred to as 'Americana,' rather
than 'country.' And that's what Gwyneth and Monko serve up, good ol'
timey country-folk music, full of fiddle, mandolin, guitar, banjo,
etc. The lyrics on some of the tracks are pretty bleak, such as the
second track, 'Consumption,' about how tuberculosis devastated a
family. Gwyneth's vocals are so beautiful and evocative, more like an
indie band singer than a country band singer. A very cool idea that
they did is on the last track, recording the song, 'Pine Box Sailor,'
to a wax cylinder, giving it a really authentic old sound, full of
hissing and scratchiness. If you're an Americana fan, try this out. I
think you'll enjoy it."
-Paul Silver | Jersey Beat | March 14, 2011
"...a singer with a moving voice and an amazing musician in Michael Monko." -Kevin Gustafson, Blogcritics
"The latter song "Lexington Ballad", which recently received honourable mention at the Woody Guthrie Songwriting competition, showcases Monko's musicianship, as well as Moreland's flair for folk-style storytelling." -Nereida Fernandes, Exclaim
"Being a sucker for traditional-style storytelling, and vocal harmonies, I found myself weak at the knees listening for the first time to the lovely song Pine Box Sailor. It's awash with imagery and longing, driven by it's waltz-like tempo and folksy, universal melody. Gwyneth's vocals and lyrics combine wonderfully in this sad lament. This song is from her solo album, but the killer harmony vocals are from Michael Monko. Lexington Ballad in the standout from the new EP. Great vocals from Moreland, with stellar mandolin lines from Monko. This is very good songwriting from a duo with lots of talent, and, we hope, at least a few more albums to come." -Call It Folk
"'Lexington Ballad' is probably the EP's finest song - a ballad dressed up with flamenco-like guitar and a soaring acoustic melody - where Moreland shines as the song's especially tremendous instrument. It's her voice that serves as that extra instrument on Good Old Horse that calmly raises all of the release's quality; and right now, it looks like a winning combination." -Bryan Sanchez, Delusions of Adequacy
"The folky pair's charming five-song EP (due July 20) is sensitive and sparse, with the youthful-sounding Gwyneth Moreland leading the way as both singer and songwriter." -Chris M. Junior, Medleyville
"From out of the Northern California redwoods on the beautiful Mendocino Coast comes a talent so unique, it makes me want to shout it from the hilltops to the world-wide airwaves."
- DJ Larry Hacken, KZYX
"Steady acoustic guitar, trickling mandolin and pure vocals contribute to a scaled back and earthy folk sound."-The Mad Mackerel Saturday Round-up
"Acoustic guitarist Moreland has a voice with warm power like Neko Case or Jenny Lewis and a writing style reminiscent of Gillian Welch, which is further complemented by Monko's multi-instrumentalist lead skills on mandolin, guitar and fiddle. "
-Blake Hannon, News-Press Now
"The first thing one would notice about this duo is the piercing vocals of Gwyneth, very reminiscent of Allison Krauss and very much so in the same tradition, with country overtones and bluegrassy flavor."
-Samuel Martin, Phish And The Dead
"...explore a different dynamic while still keeping the old-timey and Americana influences, and songwriting style..."
-The Mad Mackerel
"Having had the chance to listen to the new album I can whole heartily agree with the promo that came my way, fans of Lucinda Williams, Jenny Lewis, Patty Griffin should love the new album."
-Beehive Candy
"Gwyneth Moreland and Michael Monko call Northern California home, but they don't seem to spend a ton of time here. With a relentless touring schedule that includes 160 shows in 2010 alone, Gwyneth & Monko have played all over this vast country of ours, and now they're bringing their country-folk caravan to the Plough and Stars on Friday, Dec. 10."
-San Francisco Weekly
Interview "The tunes seem to follow an adapted formula of narrative not unlike one Bob Dylan found success with, and the pair says they have experimented and brought a more complex instrumentation to the album than was on their EP."
-Marie Meyers, Jupiter Index
