“Just when you thought country-rock’s boundaries were maxed-out, Austin’s Lonesome Heroes added a psychedelic-indie edge. The free-spirited Heroes are a diamond in the saturated buffet of what people are calling country these days.”
Jul 22, 2009
PLANET JACKSON HOLE
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BIO:
It’s a big strange world out there full of beautiful overlooked roadsides, mountains, and people, and The Lonesome Heroes want to find every one.
Proclaimed as "rewriting the rules of alt country" by the Austin Chronicle, The Lonesome Heroes have emerged as a singular talent out of Austin's music scene. Songwriters Rich Russell and Landry McMeans founded the Heroes in 2005, and the pair has cultivated their New York and Texan roots into a unique sound that unites Indie Rock, Folk, and Country.
The Heroes' songs evoke a Western Americana landscape littered with broken hearts, abandoned shopping malls, and crooked highways. Their lyrics have been hailed as rivaling "the best in the country world" (Smother Magazine.) Yet their sound reaches beyond the Country moniker.
McMeans' lilting voice, meshed with Russell's drier vocals sits atop a multilayered nest of acoustic guitar, reverb-laden steel, and atmospheric sounds. The result is a haunting city-meets-country feeling, like a chance meeting between The Silver Jews, The Velvet Underground, and Patsy Cline.
2009 was a busy year for the Heroes with the release of their first Music Video, a full length Live Record recorded at Austin's historic Hole in the Wall, and five months on the Road.
2010 finds the heroes at home in Austin working on their first full length record.
A West Coast tour is planned for February & March 2010 as well a slot at The Flaming Lips NX35 Festival in Denton, TX, and pending SXSW performances.
Check out:
"Don't Play to Lose"
Produced By Framless Films in NYC
Lonesome Heroes "Don't Play to Lose" Music Video from Daniel Stolzman on Vimeo.
Influences:
Beck, The Silver Jews, Johnny Cash, Smog, Leonard Cohen, Bob Dylan, Wilco, The Velvet Underground, Band of Annuals, Graham Parsons, Lil' Cap'n Travis, The Magnetic Fields, Neko Case, Hank Williams, Luna, Jan Bell, Yo La Tengo, The Flaming Lips, The Weary Boys, Patty Griffin, Herman Dune, Galaxie 500, Jolie Holland, Kris Kristoferson, The Darling New Neighbors, Will Oldham, Leo Rondeau, Woody Guthrie, Gillian Welch, Lou Barlow, Iron and Wine, Emmylou Harris, The Flying Burrito Brothers…
THE LONESOME HEROES ARE:
Rich Russell: Vocals, Guitar, & Steel.
Landry McMeans: Vocals, Lap Steel, Dobro, Guitar.
RECORDINGS & TOURING BAND:
Jeff Johnston: Electric Bass & Saw.
Jim DeGregorio: Upright/Electric Bass, Banjo.
Chuck Fleming: Drums.
Sarah Stollak: Fiddle
Kullen Fuchs: Trumpet, Vibraphone, Keys, Accordion, & textures.
TOURING:
The Lonesome Heroes play 150+ shows a year both locally and nationally. Playing listening rooms as a two piece and large clubs and festivals with their 5 piece touring band.
From emerging Indie Rock to established Country acts, The Heroes have shared the stage with a wide variety of acts including:
Thao & The Get Down Stay Down
(Kill Rock Stars)
Black Joe Lewis
(Lost Highway)
Johnny Bush
(RCA)
Jonathan Richman
(Vapor)
Wayne "The Train" Hancock
(Bloodshot Records)
These United States
(United Interest)
Gregory Alan Isakov
Kelly Willis
(Rykodisc)
THE LONESOME HEROES HAVE PLAYED IN 27 STATES.
A FEW FAVORITE VENUES ARE:
Amnesia, San Francisco, CA.
Antone's, Austin, TX.
Basement, Nashville, TN.
Bear Tree Tavern, Centenial, WY.
Brookdale Lodge, Santa Cruz CA.
Buckhorn Bar, Laramie, WY.
Cactus Cafe, Austin TX.
Cinema Bar, Los Angeles, CA.
Continental Club, Austin, TX.
Crepe Place, Santa Cruz, CA.
Duffs, Portland, OR.
Emo's, Austin, TX.
Farm 215, Athens, GA.
Fernwood Lodge, Big Sur, CA.
Fire, Philadelphia, PA.
Granary, Jackson Hole, WY.
Grand Old Echo, Los Angles, CA.
Hotel Utah, San Francisco, CA.
Jambalaya, Arcata, CA.
Knotty Pine, Victor, ID.
Luckenbach, TX.
Luna Lounge, NY, NY.
Makeout Room, San Francisco, CA.
Meadowlark, Denver, CO.
Mucky Duck, Houston, TX.
Northside Taverm, Cincinatti, OH.
Pete's Candy Store, Brooklyn, NY.
Red & The Black, Washington DC.
Reggies, Chicago, IL.
Rocket Room, Colorado Springs, CO.
Rodeo Bar, NY, NY.
Sidewalk Cafe, NY, NY.
Silver Dollar Bar, Jackson Hole, WY.
Springwater Super Club, Nashville, TN.
Stafford, Bryan, TX.
Starlight Theatre, Terlingua, TX.
Stephen Talkhouse, LI, NY.
Stork Club, Oakland CA.
Superfine, Brooklyn, NY.
Swing Station, Ft. Collins, CO.
The Town Pump, Ashville, NC.
Triple Crown, San Marcos, TX.
Ukiha Brewing Co, Ukiha, CA.
Union Pool NY, NY.
Vaudville Muse, Des Moines, IA.
Wind River Brewery, Pinedale, WY.
Zona Rosa, Austin, TX.
RELEASES:
MUSIC:
"Don't Play to Lose" EP, 2006 Floodwater Records, Minneapolis, MN.
"Sunny Eyed Highway," 2007.
"Crooked Highway" EP, 2008.
"Wood Paneled Walls & Worn Cliche" (Live from Austin, TX.) 2009
"Don't Play to Lose" featured on "Indy Route" Compilation 2008.
"Canary" featured on The Austin Sound: STARRY EYES VOL. III
SXSW COMPILATION, 2009.
FILM:
The Lonesome Heroes stared in a Bank of America Commercial aired during the Olympics 2008.
Featured in Austin Film Festival
Cameo & Live Performance in "Straight to the Bone," Directed by Erik Mauk.
Don't Play to Lose, Music Video.
Produced by Framless Films 2009.
Tricks," Element Skateboards Video,
Directed By Michael Kershner, 2003 Element Skate Boards. Features two songs by Rich Russell.
"Count Me In, The Story of a Swing State,"
Directed By Daniel Stolzman, 2004 Frameless Productions.
CONTACT:
(303) 726 9406
thelonesomeheroes@gmail.com
www.thelonesomeheroes.com
www.myspace.com/lonesomeheroes
EPK: www.sonicbids.com/lonesomeheroes
View The Lonesome Heroes's EPK