Gretchen Pleuss
Akron, OH | Established. Jan 01, 2003 | INDIE
Music
Press
New years are often bookended on either side by introspection as much as they are celebration. So, even while 2019’s inaugural champagne is still bubbling, it makes sense to sit back with the reflections of Gretchen Pleuss’ ‘If You Saw Me Now’. It’s the singer-songwriter’s second single from off of her hotly anticipated album, Daughter of the Brighter Skies. Herein, Pleuss’ warm vocals stand center amidst gentle guitar tones as the song, in her own words, “…chronicles the process of finding one’s self again after experiencing loss.” - For Folk's Sake
Gretchen Pleuss may be the new kid on the block in the national folk scene, but don’t let this deter you. Having grown a loyal following throughout her home state of Ohio, Pleuss has been travelling and playing shows wherever she can for as long as she could remember. With a simple yet evocative songwriting ability, Pleuss’ soft vocals accentuate the poignant lyrics that run throughout her latest single, “Everybody’s Pretty”. - Substream Magazine
We’re dyed in the wool Midwesterner’s here at MWA but we can still appreciate a beautifully written song about New York City. Ohio native Gretchen Pleuss has penned an elegant and bittersweet ode to NYC in the form of “Everybody’s Pretty”—the first single off her new album, Daughter of The Broader Skies.
The song explores concepts of mental health, loneliness, and love through soft vocals and light-hearted lyrics that accentuate the movement of the city that never sleeps. Her vocal delivery and skillful finger picking call to mind the folk singers who graced the stage of the Gaslight Cafe during the ’60s Greenwich Village folk renaissance. Fans of Joni Mitchell, Nick Drake, and other folk luminaries will appreciate Gretchen’s gorgeous arrangements and thought-provoking songwriting. - Midwest Action!
A college graduate with a degree in anthropology, Pleuss has been writing songs since the age of 12 and rounded out her education with classical guitar and piano courses. Last fall, she moved from the rural farmlands of Wooster, Ohio to Akron not only to be closer to performance spaces, but also to surround herself with creative professionals and artists. She works what she refers to as "odds and ends"-- assorted jobs like waitressing and seasonal freight shipping-- while focusing on her musical path. Her influences include the phrasing, jazz rhythms, and songwriting style of Joni Mitchell as well as genre-bending women songwriters from the 90's. Her 2016 release From Birth to Breath to Bone was a self-produced labor of love cut to vinyl and CD. Several musicians lent a hand, recording layers of sound to support Pleuss' sweet vocals. She wrote the signature track "Waves Like Drums" after she returned from a two-week tour of Ireland, while she was still reminiscing about the natural landscapes and folklore.The song captures her finger-picking style as well as her tuned-down guitar within an experimental composition. She's planning a more stripped-down album highlighting her guitar and vocal work later this year. - No Depression
With two EP's and three full albums out, Pleuss is building her reputation as a musician of the ages. Her recent release, "From Birth, to Breath, to Bone," features light melodies and whimsical vocals.
"The Unknown" is the beginning track, and set's the project's tone. The heavy drums paired with a fast-paced guitar and accompanying bass allows the beat to push forward through the song and your foot to bop or your head to bob. Each song from the album was written and produced by Pleuss, in accompaniment with Matt Shultzman on production.
The release contains a total of nine tracks, each showing a different range from Pleuss. The closing song, "Floating," is opposite of the opening track's sound. "Floating" is slower, paired with a modular synth which gives it that dream-like feel. Pleuss coats the beat with her euphonious vocals, and it feels like you're entering a new universe. Close your eyes, and her voice will take you away to a new land, one where you feel you may meet Lucy, in the sky with diamonds. - The Devil Strip
I fell in love with Gretchen Pleuss‘s music when I happened upon her song “Covered Windows”. Who was this person singing like this and calling Akron home? I instantly reached out to her, and I met a talented young lady who was making brilliant music. She lists Joni Mitchell, Shawn Colvin, and Paul Simon among her biggest influences. Her lyrics paint vivid images and scenarios, telling stories that any listener can follow and relate with.
Gretchen is currently competing in NPR’s Tiny Desk contest with her song “Desperations”. She is also preparing to release her third full length album, "From Birth To Breath To Bone" on March 4th. Keep an eye on her Facebook page to learn how you can buy the new album. - Unbox Akron
Do not be surprised if you see Gretchen's name over and over and over again this year. Her music draws upon Joni Mitchell, Shawn Colvin, and Paul Simon for inspiration and it is about to be showcased on a new album, so the talk is only going to get louder. Make it out to one of these early shows so you can tell people you knew her way back when. - The Devil Strip
WOOSTER, Ohio -- Two years ago, Gretchen Pleuss went to the bank and found she had only $2.50 in her account. There was going to be no money coming in for another two days. And at that moment, she said, she decided, "I didn't want to do music anymore. It's scary and unpredictable..." - The Daily Record
As with some of her proudly stated musical heroes, which include Nick Drake, Joni Mitchell, Paul Simon, and Ani Difranco, Pleuss keeps the music above the standard, three-chord, coffee-house troubadour sound with some cool chord progressions (a la Mitchell) and grooves underneath layered vocal harmonies. Pleuss also trusts her lilting melodies enough to use her quiet, emotive alto to sell her lyrics (i.e. there's not a log of manic melisma trying to tear your eardrums off). - Akron Beacon Journal
Gretchen Pleuss opened up the evening, a young American singer/songwriter from Ohio, with a line in slightly jazzy tunes and with a slight nod in the direction of Joni Mitchell. The opening song was from her forthcoming to be recorded album "Love Is Fickle and Strange". It was followed with "Heaven Is Free" about Wall Street which had a folky feel to it, and detailed the evils of capitalism.
She had only been in London for a couple of hours having arrived from Manchester and had mastered the tube to arrive in time for the sound check. Next came a song about her trip to Ireland the previous year, "Waves Like Drums" with a hypnotic howling that was so subtle at the very end that we were not sure that it had finished! "Restless Hearts" followed which had a slightly jazzy feel to it, this again came with a trick ending, where Gretchen stepped back only to step forward and say "Thank you" to indicate it had finished. Closing with "Ceremony or Speak" which changed tune about half way through, 25 minutes flew by.
There is a free EP on her website should you wish to investigate further http://www.gretchenpleuss.com/ - W21Music
Folk singer/songwriter Gretchen Pleuss, who started writing songs based on the instruction long-time guitarist Willy Porter gave her at age 12, has a broad perspective about the whole thing. At 24, and with two full-length albums to her name, Gretchen’s insight and drive far surpass her age:
“In Akron, you’re well rounded to accept that things aren’t always given; you have to work harder when you live in a place like this—stamina and motivation. I could move to New York City and possibly have more opportunities, but there’s something about working from the ground up, where you know people and where people support you. I know a lot of humble artists and musicians that come out of Akron.”
“There have been times where it’s been more of a competition than it needs to be. I’ve come to know myself and I know what I’m trying to do. All of us [female musicians] are going in the same direction but have different avenues of getting there. We all wanna be able to do this full time and make enough money to survive. But in order to get there, there has to be a shift in thought, which is: to help each other rather than competing to get to the finish line. It doesn’t mean that only one of us can get there, just because we’re from the same area.” - Maria Varonis, The Devil Strip
Gretchen Pleuss from Ohio had a confident, natural vibe to her acoustic set and shared some fine songs. This young lady plays and sings with a lot of skill and makes it look easy. - Samuel Campbell
'She's 20 years old, an Ohio artist. She's a great singer songwriter. I've known her and heard about her for a while now. I want her to sing a song or two with me and I will back her up on one of her tunes as well,' Bill Payne of Little Feat - Kelly Maile
Local folk singer Gretchen Pleuss gains national recognition with original song. - Lydia Gehring
We’re dyed in the wool Midwesterner’s here at MWA but we can still appreciate a beautifully written song about New York City. Ohio native Gretchen Pleuss has penned an elegant and bittersweet ode to NYC in the form of “Everybody’s Pretty”—the first single off her new album, Daughter of The Broader Skies.
The song explores concepts of mental health, loneliness, and love through soft vocals and light-hearted lyrics that accentuate the movement of the city that never sleeps. Her vocal delivery and skillful finger picking call to mind the folk singers who graced the stage of the Gaslight Cafe during the ’60s Greenwich Village folk renaissance. Fans of Joni Mitchell, Nick Drake, and other folk luminaries will appreciate Gretchen’s gorgeous arrangements and thought-provoking songwriting. - Midwest Action
Discography
"Out of Dreams" 10 tracks. 2013.
"Other Couples EP" 3 tracks. 2015.
"From Birth to Breath to Bone" 9 tracks. 2016.
Photos
Bio
"As with some of her proudly stated musical heroes, which include Nick Drake, Joni Mitchell, Paul Simon, and Ani Difranco, Pleuss keeps the music above the standard, three-chord, coffee-house troubadour sound with some cool chord progressions (a la Mitchell) and grooves. Pleuss also trusts her lilting melodies enough to use her quiet, emotive alto to sell her lyrics." - Malcolm X Abram, The Akron Beacon Journal
To date, Pleuss has played at an array of prominent venues and festivals throughout the United States, Europe, and Canada, including but not limited to Indie Week Europe, 30A Songwriters Festival, Burning River Fest, and The Kent State Folk Festival. In recent years, she has shared the stage with prominent songwriters such as Lisa Loeb, Chely Wright, Glen Phillips (Toad the Wet Sprocket) Loudon Wainwright, Damien Jurado, and Bill Payne (Little Feat). Pleuss' discography includes two L.P.'s. Her third will be released March, 2019 on Sun Pedal Recordings.
Band Members
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