MARCH 2004
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Downtown LiveGo To: Cathy Rivers • NotesCathy Rivers’ Western Resonationby Jamie Manser
She hails from Cleveland, but last year’s “Bleached” and the upcoming spring release “Ascensión” lasso the slow bass emanation of a shimmering oasis; the crisp energy of creosote air after a monsoon; the wonder of the desert’s star-studded expanse; and the curse that keeps us here. Rivers’ music captures Tucson’s enigmatic vibe from her twelve years as a resident.
Two of the songs on “Ascensión,” “Western Wind” and “La Llorona”, were inspired by local Native American and Hispanic folklore and the title is influenced by the Dia de los Muertos. “A lot of where this record came from is from the day of the dead, getting the family together with the common thread of missing those people who have gone away…the death of things in a hopeful light. “After my father died, four years ago, I had nothing to say about it. Now, I have tons to say about it.” Some of the album’s inspiration comes from time spent at the San Xavier Mission, hanging out where her mother was a volunteer teacher. At that time her stepfather was diagnosed with cancer. “In dealing with his terminal illness, I had to process my father’s death. I would sit at the mission processing.” Rivers talked about how she sat in the chapel, lighting candles, and watching the visitors at the mission. The experience inspired the song “Soul Sick:” Still I don’t feel more religious The death of her father had a profound impact on her life. She was raised by him after he divorced from her mother when she was 12-years-old. “I made the decision to go live with him. I knew I needed the discipline.” In addition to discipline, he also shared his passion for music with her. Cathy’s first musical memory is of singing in the car with her father. “My dad was way into singer/songwriters. He was a huge Willie Nelson and Harry Chapin fan. He had this box of cassette tapes and would go through them when we were driving. “I remember ducking as my dad was throwing cassette tapes into the back seat!” Rivers was in bands in high school, playing at bars and at parties. Though completion of high school was in question her senior year, Cincinnati’s College Conservatory of Music accepted her on academic probation. She did finish her secondary education and went on to the conservatory, but “after two years I thought, ‘Why am I singing other people’s stuff? What’s cool about that?’” She subsequently went to the Recording Workshop in Chilicothe, OH where she learned to operate a board and run sound. “While I was there, I wrote songs and recorded some demos. That was at the tail end of the 80s.” In 1992, Rivers landed in Tucson. “I was supposed to move to Eugene (Oregon), but I stopped here.” Her mother had vacationed in Tucson and recommended a visit. In classic Old Pueblo style, she fell in love with the weather and the town. Rivers got jobs at the Chicago Store and Tucson Thrift Shop. “I did nothing with music when I first came here,” but the thrift shop ended up launching her back into the musical arena. It was close to Halloween and the thrift shop proprietor was interested in advertising. “Arlene asked me to call radio stations for their advertising rates. “I had written the commercial for the thrift shop and Toni Stanton (the production director for 97.5 KRKN) had me come in and record it. She said that I had a great voice and should get into radio.” Stanton gave her a job as the assistant production director and Rivers was on the air with the show Midday Madness. From there, she went to KFMA – initially with an afternoon spot that led to a morning show and then to 104.1 The Point. During her disk jockey days, Rivers also played in bands Newt and then Brenda’s Never Been. Rivers was singing for BNB in the mid-nineties, but the band dissolved when the bass player was killed in an accident on I-10. “When Sphere died, it fucked me up for awhile.” Rivers eventually founded The Wonder Twins with drummer Noel Desilets in the late nineties. Although The Wonder Twins only lasted a couple of years, it was at one of their shows where her future best friend and husband to be, Kris Kerry, approached the singer afterward. “He came up to me and said, ‘I liked your show.’” Of course he did. Rivers is powerful, poignant, introspective, and reflective. She is an undeniable feminine force whose lyrical and smoky, sultry vocal talents rival that of Tucson’s male-dominated music scene. She writes songs with a pragmatic, soulful and punk rock alt-country attitude that has garnered her debut solo album “Bleached” over 1,000 worldwide online sales. The album is also gaining her much deserved, high-profile gigs. March 2 sees Rivers opening for Neko Case, Caroline Mark and Bloodshot artists Kelly Hogan and John Rauhouse at Solar Culture. On Wednesday, March 3, you can find Rivers at Plush hosting and performing the Patsy Cline Tribute. She plays the California desert getaway-from-LA Pioneertown bar Pappy and Harriet’s, opening for Calexico, on March 11. Late April or early May will see the release of “Ascensión.” Currently, Rivers is recording three additional tracks for the album at Wavelab with a “dream team” of collaborators including Teddy Morgan (guitar), Joey Burns (bass/accordion), Leah Stanley (cello), Jimmy Carr (vibes), Richard Medek (drums) and Eric Haywood (pedal steel) with the tracks mixed by Craig Schumacher. “I’m blown away for Craig to add his magic.” Schumacher has a great base to work from. Even the rough mixes are amazing.
Notesby Jamie Manser Hot Chicks Kicking AssIf sexy ladies on skates and in kneepads kicking each other’s ass piques your interest, you need to check out the Arizona Roller Derby. On Friday, March 12, Vaudeville Cabaret will host a raucous fundraiser that includes a spanking booth, full contact musical chairs and performances by Al Foul, Left for Dead and Waking Dead. A reasonable 5 bones will get you in. Go to www.AZRollerDerby.com for updates, schedules and how to get involved. Speaking of chicks with attitudes…I know nothing about what is cool in the hip-hop/dance music genre, but I was intrigued when I saw that a straight outta Brooklyn group, FannyPack, is scheduled to play Club Congress on the 31. Initial reaction: “FannyPack? The dorky, touristy, another fashion faux pas from the 80s crap holder? Interesting.” Further scrutiny revealed their debut hit single, Camel Toe, to be a fun, catchy dance tune that has garnered the mostly female line-up attention. Listen online at www.FannyPack.org. More Women in MusicTucson DJ Chita from 96.1 KLPX and owner of www.LiveandLocal.net started a non-profit music grant program for Tucson youth. The MAGNETA! (Music Arts Grants and Education Now, Tomorrow, Always!) plans to provide grants to local youth through free lessons, field trips, lectures, presentations and hands on experience from local professionals. Email Chita from the website for more information on the program. For the BoysThe fun of the March music scene is the oodles of bands that transverse through town on their way to or from SXSW. The 88 (www.The88.net) is one such act from LA that was voted best pop/rock band in the LA Weekly last year. The five lads rock and hook in the fashion of the melodic, late sixties British Invaders. Plush will be the host on Tuesday, March 16. It’s always a bummer to lose musicians to other cities, even when you know it’s probably good for them. Best of luck to Teddy Morgan and Richard Medek for a smooth and prosperous move to Nashville, TN! Speaking of Nashville, local artist Troy Olsen recently recorded a song there with Kid Rock. For real. You can find the photographic evidence online at www.TeddyMorgan.com. Joe Peña, front man for Greyhound Soul (www.GreyhoundSoul.com), will be doing a solo tour of Germany through March and April. The band will tour there this fall, traveling to promote their DVD of a European show, along with a new studio record. On March 6 at Plush, Spacefish will immortalize itself by filming the show for an upcoming DVD. Bassist Demetri Enriquez promises costumes and choreographed moves. If you haven’t had the Spacefish experience, this is THE gig to see. Cover? 75¢. |
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t’s hard to believe that Cathy Rivers is a midwestern transplant. 