April 19, 2013
Happy Friday y'all. Spring has been a little crazy for all of us but I wanted to pop in and share some of the great stuff going on. First off, hats off to bandcamp. We've always been happy to be using them as our primary place to sell albums, but they just launched a redesign to make new music easier to find and it's totally made our traffic jump. So to any new fans that are finding their way here via the rad folks at bandcamp - welcome! and thanks for your support. We've gotten some pretty sweet attention from music bloggers as well. A big thank you to our pals at Americana Rock Mix for including us in their most recent episode, along with other amazing bands like Gospel Whiskey Runners, Safe Haven, and Shooter Jennings. You can watch the episode HERE.
We also received some nice words from Popa's Tunes:
Booze-Soaked tales of living hard, loving hard and drinking hard. Rhubarb Whiskey blends punk, country, old timey, a dash of bluegrass, a little blues, gypsy, even some ‘cowboy’ music like the corner bartender blends his version of the mickey. Like the glow of neon of the last open bar 'Same Sad End' (with guest vocals by Carolyn Mark) draws you in with a foot tappin jig, 'Saint of Nothing' wraps it's arms around you like a long lost friend and you settle in with a large draught of beer and a lusty sway. Shadows beckon from dark corners, and a light streams in from a quickly opened back door, 'Gravedigger' spins a dark sexy murder ballad yarn of love gone wrong, 'Bottles' get passed around amongst co-conspirators, a comrade drinking anthem...
Click HERE to read the whole thing and a huge thank you to both blogs for the support.
We also received some nice words from Popa's Tunes:
Booze-Soaked tales of living hard, loving hard and drinking hard. Rhubarb Whiskey blends punk, country, old timey, a dash of bluegrass, a little blues, gypsy, even some ‘cowboy’ music like the corner bartender blends his version of the mickey. Like the glow of neon of the last open bar 'Same Sad End' (with guest vocals by Carolyn Mark) draws you in with a foot tappin jig, 'Saint of Nothing' wraps it's arms around you like a long lost friend and you settle in with a large draught of beer and a lusty sway. Shadows beckon from dark corners, and a light streams in from a quickly opened back door, 'Gravedigger' spins a dark sexy murder ballad yarn of love gone wrong, 'Bottles' get passed around amongst co-conspirators, a comrade drinking anthem...
Click HERE to read the whole thing and a huge thank you to both blogs for the support.
March 14, 2013
Well Happy Pi Day to all of our mathematically minded pals out there. We're still hard at work promoting the album and trying to get it out into the world. In that spirit - imagine how thrilled we were to hear some very nice things from the folks over at AmericanRootsUK.com this morning. Here's a snippet of the review - click HERE to see the whole thing!
"Like many people who write about music I’m always on the lookout for something original and if it happens to be very good as well that’s an added bonus! The problem is that finding albums that comply with both criteria is something that is, whilst not impossible, an event that happens a little too infrequently. It’s heartwarming to report that ‘Rhubarb Whiskey,’ a San Francisco domiciled trio, on this their second album achieve both, and with interest! I’ve listened to the album dozens of times over the last week or two and am still not sure how to describe it [although I will try!]other than to say I love this refreshing blend of punk, country, old timey, a smattering of bluegrass, a little blues, gypsy, even some ‘cowboy’ music and probably more that I’m struggling to discern! The playing is great, the blend of instruments unusual but perfect and never overdone and the vocals, whether of the feminine variety from Emchy or male from Boylamayka (work it out!) are always atmospheric, getting the best out of every song. "
"Like many people who write about music I’m always on the lookout for something original and if it happens to be very good as well that’s an added bonus! The problem is that finding albums that comply with both criteria is something that is, whilst not impossible, an event that happens a little too infrequently. It’s heartwarming to report that ‘Rhubarb Whiskey,’ a San Francisco domiciled trio, on this their second album achieve both, and with interest! I’ve listened to the album dozens of times over the last week or two and am still not sure how to describe it [although I will try!]other than to say I love this refreshing blend of punk, country, old timey, a smattering of bluegrass, a little blues, gypsy, even some ‘cowboy’ music and probably more that I’m struggling to discern! The playing is great, the blend of instruments unusual but perfect and never overdone and the vocals, whether of the feminine variety from Emchy or male from Boylamayka (work it out!) are always atmospheric, getting the best out of every song. "
Feb 28. 2013
Cool things are still afoot my friends. First the final piece of custom song art for the album came in - this lovely poster for our version of St. James Infirmary Blues. Oh thank you Natalie Robles for coming across our strange internet viewing habits and into our lives. We love her.
Also we got reviewed by americana blog from the Netherlands. We've translated it enough to know they say some very nice things - here's the link if you wanna check it out.
If you missed it - here is a link to listen to the podcast of the radio show we did on FCC Free Radio. There is a lot of mimosa inspired hilarity plus a lot of music. And Emchy gets all weird about rhubarb pie. It's a good time.
Time to sign off - Emchy and Sizzle are heading up into the woods with a carnival barker to work on a German opera. We'll tell you more about that later...
Also we got reviewed by americana blog from the Netherlands. We've translated it enough to know they say some very nice things - here's the link if you wanna check it out.
If you missed it - here is a link to listen to the podcast of the radio show we did on FCC Free Radio. There is a lot of mimosa inspired hilarity plus a lot of music. And Emchy gets all weird about rhubarb pie. It's a good time.
Time to sign off - Emchy and Sizzle are heading up into the woods with a carnival barker to work on a German opera. We'll tell you more about that later...
Feb 15, 2013
Wow it's been a whirlwind this last week! Emchy headed out to the Rust Belt so that she and Boylamayka could lay down some new song ideas which turned out great. Sizzle is on board and the pot is stirring for album number three which will be coming way down the road a bit. And then the charming folks over at the Mad Mackerel music blog posted some very nice things about 'Same Sad End' along with an interview where we bare our souls. Click the quote about the album below to read the whole interview.
"A rollicking, unashamedly drunken meander through the flotsam and jetsam of America’s forgotten, tales of murder, deceit, and despair shot through with a boozy camaraderie. Raucous and maudlin, upbeat and down, it has the extraordinary capacity to make you stomp your foot and raise a glass whilst simultaneously weeping into it. Marvellous stuff."
And as if that weren't enough! Our favorite artist Natalie Robles sent over the new art for the 'Saint of Nothing' single and we all just fell in love. You can listen or download the song here.
And lastly - this Sunday we'll be doing our first live on-air radio interview for the album on San Francisco's FCC Free Radio for the Lilycat on Stuff show. All of the details are here but the basics are - Sunday Feb 17 from 12-2pm PST tune into http://FCCFREERADIO.com/ and call us up with questions 415-829-2980.
Now it's Friday - go have some fun.
"A rollicking, unashamedly drunken meander through the flotsam and jetsam of America’s forgotten, tales of murder, deceit, and despair shot through with a boozy camaraderie. Raucous and maudlin, upbeat and down, it has the extraordinary capacity to make you stomp your foot and raise a glass whilst simultaneously weeping into it. Marvellous stuff."
And as if that weren't enough! Our favorite artist Natalie Robles sent over the new art for the 'Saint of Nothing' single and we all just fell in love. You can listen or download the song here.
And lastly - this Sunday we'll be doing our first live on-air radio interview for the album on San Francisco's FCC Free Radio for the Lilycat on Stuff show. All of the details are here but the basics are - Sunday Feb 17 from 12-2pm PST tune into http://FCCFREERADIO.com/ and call us up with questions 415-829-2980.
Now it's Friday - go have some fun.
Feb 4, 2013
Bay area ukulele maestro, graphic artist, and leader of the band The Sweet Trade reviews our new album. Full disclosure - he was also the artist of the illustration on our CD, but we swear that we didn't get him drunk and ask him to say nice things - we swear on a bottle of whiskey! (so you know we're serious)
https://www.facebook.com/llano.blue
In Rhubarb Whiskey’s sophmore effort, Boylamaka, Emchy, and Sizzle, with a host of lovely backing vocalists scattered throughout the album, bring us a collection of songs new and old, usually both at the same time.
The covers are hard to pick out from the familiar quality of the original compositions. Ella, in particular, with its gentle guitar and honky tonk piano makes this original cautionary tale of a songstress down on her luck sound utterly timeless.
My Rifle, My Pony, and Me, an American folk song, conjures beneath you the sway of a good horse clopping across the prairie, and if it weren’t for the crisp audio quality and production, it would sound at home being piped out of a gramaphone.
Cindy, a murder ballad brimming with longing, danger, and reverb, is new to me, but would not be out of place on an old Bad Seeds record.
Rhubarb Whiskey draw on many elements, but as with previous releases from them and related artists (Vagabondage, Oakland Wine Drinkers Union), everything is tied together by a certain mood of joi de vivre found through friends and liquor.
Knock ‘Em Down, with it’s late-night strung out vocals, repetetive percussive guitar and meandering bluesy mandolin slowly entrances you, transporting you to the wee hours of the night where the song will drink you under the table in a basement bar.
And then we have the pop-folk of Bottles with it’s hooky mandolin and irresistably singable “doot doo doo” section. (Plus there’s a great remix bonus track if you get the whole album).
In Gravedigger, you can taste the dirt in your mouth, and it tastes sweet with the catchy jangle of banjo, a hummable accordion melody, and a simple sing-along bridge of “Diggin'! Drinkin'!”
And then we have the title track. Even though it is about a sad end, it is the happy beginning to an album full of treasures. It is the perfect mix of guitar, accordion, and scorching fiddle riffs. Emchy’s smoky voice sounds more assured than ever, and is supported by the lovely timbre of Carolyn Mark.
On Same Sad End, Rhubarb Whiskey are in fine form, showing a prowess for crafting classic-sounding music with careful production. Nothing ever sounds over-produced, just well-rounded with it’s variety of instrumentation and subtle effects. Rather than so many elements giving the album a feeling of disparity, instead it paints a vivid and dimensional picture of a group of musicians who aren’t afraid to do things differently, even when they are paying homage to things that have been done before.
https://www.facebook.com/llano.blue
In Rhubarb Whiskey’s sophmore effort, Boylamaka, Emchy, and Sizzle, with a host of lovely backing vocalists scattered throughout the album, bring us a collection of songs new and old, usually both at the same time.
The covers are hard to pick out from the familiar quality of the original compositions. Ella, in particular, with its gentle guitar and honky tonk piano makes this original cautionary tale of a songstress down on her luck sound utterly timeless.
My Rifle, My Pony, and Me, an American folk song, conjures beneath you the sway of a good horse clopping across the prairie, and if it weren’t for the crisp audio quality and production, it would sound at home being piped out of a gramaphone.
Cindy, a murder ballad brimming with longing, danger, and reverb, is new to me, but would not be out of place on an old Bad Seeds record.
Rhubarb Whiskey draw on many elements, but as with previous releases from them and related artists (Vagabondage, Oakland Wine Drinkers Union), everything is tied together by a certain mood of joi de vivre found through friends and liquor.
Knock ‘Em Down, with it’s late-night strung out vocals, repetetive percussive guitar and meandering bluesy mandolin slowly entrances you, transporting you to the wee hours of the night where the song will drink you under the table in a basement bar.
And then we have the pop-folk of Bottles with it’s hooky mandolin and irresistably singable “doot doo doo” section. (Plus there’s a great remix bonus track if you get the whole album).
In Gravedigger, you can taste the dirt in your mouth, and it tastes sweet with the catchy jangle of banjo, a hummable accordion melody, and a simple sing-along bridge of “Diggin'! Drinkin'!”
And then we have the title track. Even though it is about a sad end, it is the happy beginning to an album full of treasures. It is the perfect mix of guitar, accordion, and scorching fiddle riffs. Emchy’s smoky voice sounds more assured than ever, and is supported by the lovely timbre of Carolyn Mark.
On Same Sad End, Rhubarb Whiskey are in fine form, showing a prowess for crafting classic-sounding music with careful production. Nothing ever sounds over-produced, just well-rounded with it’s variety of instrumentation and subtle effects. Rather than so many elements giving the album a feeling of disparity, instead it paints a vivid and dimensional picture of a group of musicians who aren’t afraid to do things differently, even when they are paying homage to things that have been done before.
Jan 31, 2013
The new poster for our song Gravedigger just arrived - and hooray! Emchy's favorite part is the 'in stereo' bird but we're just lovin' all of it. It was done by artist Natalie Robles, who has some more Rhubarb Whiskey tricks up her sleeve in the next few weeks as well.
Click on the poster to have a listen to the song!
In other news we were super honored to be featured as the Sepiachord Spotlight Artist of the Week on E.V's Underground up in Victoria - here is the link to the podcast: http://cod.ckcufm.com/programs/58/10781.html
Click on the poster to have a listen to the song!
In other news we were super honored to be featured as the Sepiachord Spotlight Artist of the Week on E.V's Underground up in Victoria - here is the link to the podcast: http://cod.ckcufm.com/programs/58/10781.html
Jan 29, 2013
Things with the album keep heating up! Woke up this morning to find out that we're the Sepiachord Spotlight artists of the week on e.V.'s Underground on CKCU_FM, 93.1 up in Canada. How's that for a pre-coffee treat?!? Plus we finished up the interviews with Mad Mackerel and AmericanRootsUK yesterday - so we'll post links to those when we have 'em. The new artwork for Grave Digger is coming soon from the impressive Natalie Robles - we got to see the draft Sunday night and wow. There is just nothing like collaborating with artists that consistently blow you away. The physical copies of the CD arrived yesterday as well - soon they'll be for sale on CDBaby - but anyone who wants to buy directly from us is welcome to - just email us at rhubarbwhiskey.gmail.com - they'll cost $10 but that includes the shipping. Oh and the photo to the right :) - that's Sizzle La Fey trying to play Emchy's junk string contraption after the last Junkstock during the recording sessions for Same Sad End.
Jan 27, 2013
Another sexy review of the new album rolled in, this time from 410Media and then this morning a reviewer from across the pond in the UK sent an ask for information for an upcoming article! Meanwhile we're booked to be on the LilyCat radio show on FCC Free Radio on 2/17 at noon along with the guitarist from SF based country band Bad Bad Bad. It's a good way to start a Sunday. Well that and a little whiskey in the coffee. More details to come on the radio show - but here is the 410Media review.... woo!
"I once called Rhubarb Whiskey the Dresden Dolls of Bluegrass and I stand by it. They are full of over the top showmanship that many bands would not be able to pull off, but they sure can. This is a slowed down meandering and moody album that I think holds up their legacy pretty well. Lots of murder ballads and songs about drinking. ”Cindy” sounds like it could be a Nick Cave song. They also do a version of St. James Infirmary Blues that I swear will get your foot taping so fast you might not be able to stop it for at least five minutes after hearing it." - 410Media.com
"I once called Rhubarb Whiskey the Dresden Dolls of Bluegrass and I stand by it. They are full of over the top showmanship that many bands would not be able to pull off, but they sure can. This is a slowed down meandering and moody album that I think holds up their legacy pretty well. Lots of murder ballads and songs about drinking. ”Cindy” sounds like it could be a Nick Cave song. They also do a version of St. James Infirmary Blues that I swear will get your foot taping so fast you might not be able to stop it for at least five minutes after hearing it." - 410Media.com
Jan 25, 2013
Sometimes someone posts a review or a blog about your music that just 'gets it.' Our fan Nic over on tumblr is clearly one of those people. Posted in its entirety and without editing because - well read it and you'll see why.
"Okay, I know I have been posting a lot about Rhubarb Whiskey and their new album, “Same Sad End”, but please hear me out:
Click on that link. Just listen to the album.
This is by far one of the best albums I’ve heard in a very long time. Rhubarb Whiskey has always intrigued me for their dirty, bluegrass feel and their tightness in how they play, and this album continues the trend. Emchy’s voice is somehow smokey and smooth at the same time; so full of soul and touching in a way that makes it feel like she’s singing just for you. To her, Sazerac’s vocals are the perfect counterpoint, rough, gritty, and almost Waits-like at times, all of which is punctuated by the skillfully played mandolin, banjo, guitar, bass, and piano that you’d expect from the best of junkyard ensembles.
Come to think of it, there are a number of beautiful Tom Waits like moments on this album, which may be one of the reasons I love it so much. Emchy’s writing dances on the line of bluegrass and folk punk, weaving between energetic reels, sultry and dirty murder ballads, and syncopated visceral talking blues pieces… It’s impossible to get bored listening to this.
I know I’m not doing justice to how awesome this album is. Please, if you like folk, bluegrass, folk punk, Tom Waits, Soda and his Million Piece Band, or anything of the like, do yourself a favor and just listen.
I know you’ll love it. I do."- gentlemanwolfypunk
"Okay, I know I have been posting a lot about Rhubarb Whiskey and their new album, “Same Sad End”, but please hear me out:
Click on that link. Just listen to the album.
This is by far one of the best albums I’ve heard in a very long time. Rhubarb Whiskey has always intrigued me for their dirty, bluegrass feel and their tightness in how they play, and this album continues the trend. Emchy’s voice is somehow smokey and smooth at the same time; so full of soul and touching in a way that makes it feel like she’s singing just for you. To her, Sazerac’s vocals are the perfect counterpoint, rough, gritty, and almost Waits-like at times, all of which is punctuated by the skillfully played mandolin, banjo, guitar, bass, and piano that you’d expect from the best of junkyard ensembles.
Come to think of it, there are a number of beautiful Tom Waits like moments on this album, which may be one of the reasons I love it so much. Emchy’s writing dances on the line of bluegrass and folk punk, weaving between energetic reels, sultry and dirty murder ballads, and syncopated visceral talking blues pieces… It’s impossible to get bored listening to this.
I know I’m not doing justice to how awesome this album is. Please, if you like folk, bluegrass, folk punk, Tom Waits, Soda and his Million Piece Band, or anything of the like, do yourself a favor and just listen.
I know you’ll love it. I do."- gentlemanwolfypunk
Jan 23, 2013
Woo! All new blog, all new album. Today was the big fancy online release of Same Sad End, and you know we just couldn't be prouder. To celebrate we enlisted amazing artist Natalie Robles to come up with a promo poster for us, and we're kind of in love with it, plus it's pretty much how we looked once we were done recording. The response to the album has been great so far, getting compared to Nick Cave, the Dresden Dolls, and this gem which we can't stop saying "Hellbilly heartrock ferocious folkpunk anarchistic Ameridrunkicana." Plus with the release we've shot up to #10 on the ReverbNation folk charts for Oakland, have a whole passle of new twitter fans (@rhubarbwhiskey), and have just a whole ton of listens on the bandcamp page. We're pretty overwhelmed by y'all. Thanks for listening - and more coming soon!
Nov 15, 2013
Art art art. It's a shame we hadn't started the blog during recording or all of this would be late-night whiskey posts with hilarious pictures. Well... there might be some of that soon anyway... but we just finalized the art for the CD itself. It's by SF artist / illustrator Llano Blue - and was inspired by the song Gravedigger off of the upcoming record. Thanks Llano - it's fucking great!
October 1, 2012
Well the album art is done, the track order is set, and we're into the final mixdown. Hoping for a Dec / Jan release and just so excited. Sizzle is hard at work on some crazy mashup secret track, while Boylamayka and Emchy are still looking mischievous about the crazy thing they recorded last year in Wisconsin. Just waiting for a few more little touches and the album will see the sun. Cannot wait.
