RainPace
Los Angeles, California, United States
Music
Press
from the songs and the rambunctious, witty performances
[PLEASE NOTE: The following press clippings are from our previous trio work as "Changing Lanes" and "Vocal Affair", before we added 'the Mikes' on bass and drums and became RainPace.]
Music gets an hilarious shot in the arm from the songs and the rambunctious, witty performances of Changing Lanes. Kerry Phillips, who writes most of the group's songs is really on top of the words he writes and plays guitar with the same finesse.
Though most of their material is funny and great listening, Changing Lanes also has some touching ballads.
- VARIETY
It's official. The list is in and the judges are unanimous.
Changing Lanes In Concert will be leaping from The Manhattan Punchline to the City Center when the city's Top 10 acts are presented off-Broadway to a nightly audience of almost 3000. They've kept us laughing and tapping our feet for a year and a half now, and it's time to share them with the world. - THE VILLAGE VOICE
take a tub of talent, mix with heaps of originality and spike with a jigger of jazz. Add a brimming cup of laughter and blend in a moving ballad. That's the dish of explosive entertainment served up nightly by Changing Lanes.
- THE NEW YORK POST
presented with an infectious manner that turns it into more than a show: it's also an exercise in sociability and it works extremely well.
To Val Tullous falls the distinction of singing one of the show's best songs, 'City Boys'. She's wisely, uniquely, her own voice, with none of the artifice of customary pop singers. Tullous and Kerry Phillips also delight with two duets 'Obie And July' and 'Romance'.
- THE PLAIN DEALER
Move over Charlie Daniels Band -- you've got company now. Last night, the romance of the South was brought to life in a spectacular show. Wild and woolly, toe-tapping and energetic, versatile and creative -- impressive in every way. Kerry Phillips is as talented vocally as he is on guitar and as a songwriter. Val Tullous' dynamic presence, charm and compassionate voice is an outstanding asset to his music -- she sparkles.
- THE NEWS-HERALD
with laconic grace, maintaining a good-time mood throughout the night. They carry the laughs as far as they will go, and thankfully, no further. They have an infectious sound in any breakdown you care to make: solos, duets, trios -- the musicianship remains fine, indeed. Tullous is an especially bright addition to any number but they form an incredibly complementary ensemble, working marvelously together for the benefit of all -- and that is the key to their success.
...They are talented individually but together they are potent and ingratiating in their comedic ways with songs. The joy is in the ensemble. - SUN LEADER JOURNAL
Sensitive, touching but most of all FUNNY. At times, they almost lean to slapstick but so carefully that it's never overdone. As important as the talent that each of them possesses is their ability to work together: the results were stupendous. Kerry Phillips' material is some of the best to work with, but it takes true talent and great music direction to make it work, and they are to be commended on all three counts.
- NEON/THE CURRENT
but also from being so moved by their touching ballads. Val Tullous and Kerry Phillips bring the house down with their zany hilarity and then put it back together with their tenderness. In a word: superb.
- INNS 'N' OUTS
with their delightful and energetic mix of pop, rock and jazzy bluegrass. They are truly different, with everything from tender ballads to hard-driving guitar, with wacky humor lurking behind every turn. This talented group is going nowhere but up. From Concert to Cabaret, from Floor show to Resort Lounge, we would recommend them for anywhere laughter and music are appropriate.
- CUNARD CRUISE LINES, QUE2
"...musicianship, harmonies, songwriting and humor in an explosive package of songs that you simply can't ignore"
Thursday, August 13, 2009
EASY LABOR opens with "With Your Permission", a quirky folk duet that quickly grows into an ensemble vocal piece with a wicked sense of humor. The musicianship and vocals here are flawless with a down-home Country/Americana flavor that can't miss. "Mood Wonderful Mood" sounds like The Manhattan Transfer singing material from A William Finn musical. The song is incredibly lyrically dense; you almost need to stop the disc from time to time just to keep up with all the thoughts and ideas thrown your way. It's a great listen. "Easy Labor" is a melodic morality tale told ala Greek Chorus about taking the path of least resistance. "I D'Wanna Do It" is an amusing song about life's greatest ambition for someone who's done it all.
"Oliver Thom" renews the William Finn comparison, a biograph in song for a songwriter who never grew into his outlook. It's a charming tune with harmonies that are to die for. "Sittin' Around" sounds like an alternative take on "I D'Wanna Do It" and is probably a great euphemism for the "this is your brain on drugs" commercials from the 1990s. EASY LABOR closes with "At The Big Table", a song about coming home and family with all the quirks and dysfunction that grease the wheels of love. There's a Crosby Stills & Nash feel to the harmonies on this one, and the arrangement is solid Americana. This is perhaps the best song on the disc; I wouldn't be surprised to find this one licensed for films or even better, I wouldn't be surprised to hear this as part of a stage show.
RainPace match musicianship, harmonies, songwriting and humor in an explosive package of songs that you simply can't ignore. There's a high dramatic sense to the music on EASY LABOR; imagine if Shakespeare were still writing his farces in today's vernacular and had a penchant for folksy music. This is the sort of stuff he might come up with. EASY LABOR is going to be a bit hokey to some readers, but it mixes elements of classic old-style family entertainment with strong songwriting and musicianship. You can't go wrong with an album like this.
Rating: 4.5 Stars (Out of 5)
~Wildy Haskell, Wildy's World
http://wildysworld.blogspot.com/2009/08/review-rainpace-easy-labor.html
- Wildy's World
"Very rarely do you hear vocal styles that even come close"
Friday, January 22, 2010
California-based band RainPace steps outside the proverbial box with their album EASY LABOR. At first listen, one might think they are listening to the sound track of a Broadway play, however these guys hit it hard with lyrics that make you second guess what you just heard with a subtle flare of comedy that is sure to leave you quite entertained.
EASY LABOR is full of emotion, fabulous instrumentation and, above all, lyrics that are completely unexpected. RainPace has a jazzy feel that's sure to leave you relaxed. At times some of the songs break into unparalleled harmonies similar to the bridges in the classic rock songs of Queen and Kansas.
Don't be fooled though, this is an album you have to hear to really get it. As a great album for hanging out by the pool or warming up next to the fire, EASY LABOR is sure to surprise and hold your attention without overwhelming.
Probably the most prominent feature this album has to offer is the awesome harmonies. Very rarely do you hear vocal styles that even come close to as moving and pleasing to the ear as RainPace has to offer. There is no question that these guys have their own niche market and surely have taken an off the wall and completely original take on their music.
~J.B. Swift, Swift Reviews
http://swiftreviews.blogspot.com/2010/01/review-rainpace-easy-labor.html - Swift Reviews
"Something of substance that's really interesting ... unique and really well-done ... fun, wacky and clever -- alive."
~Rick Chudacoff, Moondream Music Group - Moondream Music Group
"Notable songwriting achievement ... strong, creative, catchy."
~Mike Pinder's (The Moody Blues) SongWars
http://www.songwars.net - Mike Pinder's (The Moody Blues) SongWars
Discography
As RainPace:
"EASY LABOR"
Recorded at Northgate Studios
Mastered by Sound Bites Dog
Tracks:
1. WITH YOUR PERMISSION
2. MOOD WONDERFUL MOOD
3. EASY LABOR
4. I D'WANNA DO IT
5. OLIVER THOM
6. I GOT NEWS
7. MY, MY
8. SITTIN' AROUND
9. RETRO DANCE CLUB
10. AT THE BIG TABLE
Total Playing Time: 53:33
RainPace:
"Knowledgeable Music Affordable Price"
Recorded at Northgate Studios
Mastered by Sound Bites Dog
Tracks:
1. DARK TRAIN
2. ALWAYS AFTERGLOW
3. DIRT ROAD
4. LAZY DAY
5. MISS LUCY NEEDS A BOYFRIEND
6. I WILL GO THERE
7. BOB
8. I'M A GOOD BOY
9. MUSKOGEE STOMP
Total Playing Time: 48:39
For more information, please visit
http://www.rainpace.com
Or http://www.cdbaby.com/Artist/RainPace
Or http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/easy-labor/id337729070
Or http://www.myspace.com/rainpace
"Hurry up, Cletus! It's about to come a toad-floater!"
Photos
Bio
"An explosive package of songs that you simply can't ignore. The musicianship and vocals are flawless ... with harmonies to die for ... quirky with a wicked sense of humor ... imagine if Shakespeare were still writing his farces in today's vernacular."
"Very rarely do you hear vocal styles that even come close ... unparalleled harmonies ... full of emotion, fabulous instrumentation and, above all, lyrics that are completely unexpected ... off the wall and completely original ... sure to leave you quite entertained."
Click the "Press" tab for more reviews.
Click the "Audio" tab to hear samples from the RainPace CD, "EASY LABOR".
In Los Angeles, RainPace has played the Orange County Fair, UCLA, Gary Mandell's Boulevard Music, McCabe's, the UnUrban, C&D's Welcome Cafe, Karma Coffeehouse, Synergy, the Talking Stick and Club Fais Do-Do. Previously, as Vocal Affair, they regularly appeared at LA's Jazz Bakery as well as Palm Springs venues. As Changing Lanes, they played numerous NYC venues including The Manhattan Punch Line and the New York City Center and toured internationally for 18 months.
KERRY PHILLIPS - Songwriter, Guitars, Keyboards, Harmonica and Vocals
Kerry has performed internationally as an actor and musician. In New York City, Los Angeles, on tour and at sea, Kerry performed with the comedy and bluegrass trio Changing Lanes.
The Village Voice and the Manhattan Punch Line selected Changing Lanes as one of New York City's "Top Ten" acts and presented them off-Broadway at the New York City Center, launching an 18-month tour of the United States and Canada, before they relocated to Los Angeles.
In LA, Kerry continued to write music and began to act on television and in the occasional movie, as well, and was nominated for the "Best Comedy Special" ACE award (the cable Emmys) for his work on Deep Fried TV, presented on Showtime. He also frequently appeared as a featured vocalist at the Jazz Bakery before co-founding RainPace.
For more details, see http://www.rainpace.com/BioKerry.html
ROBERT BRISCOE EVANS - Vocals, Guitar, Keyboards
Bob is the newest addition to RainPace, but has made music with us for years. He started playing piano as soon as he could reach the keys, and soon added guitar, vocals, and songwriting to his resume.
Bob has also acted in theatre and film. He appeared with Mel Gibson (as Lauren Holly's husband) in "What Women Want", and with Dom DeLuise in "Best Little Whorehouse in Texas". His TV work includes "Who's the Boss?", "Malcolm in the Middle", "Ally McBeal", "Becker", "The Smart Guy", "Ellen", "Caroline in the City", "Police Story", and "Silver Spoons".
He has produced over 20 children's theatre shows, most with The Children's Theatre Company of Southern California. Thus, he's taken great advantage of his Bachelor of Arts degree in JOURNALISM from the University of Georgia. ;-)
For more details, see http://www.rainpace.com/BioBob.html
MIKE HUNTER - Bass
Mike has been performing since he was 6 years old, starting as a commercial actor and model for TV. He attended schools of Performing Arts and played gigs with the school's Jazz band, which opened the Playboy Jazz Festival. At 17, he became a session player for A&M Records, playing for a long list of well-known artists over the next 3 years.
He took off on a 2-year US tour with a punk band before returning to the occupation of professional session player. He became a member of the Neo
Jazz/Jazz fusion group SLOWPLAYED, where he met drummer Michael Salas.
Mike was on week 16 of playing solo Bass, when RainPace wound up on the same stage one night. The mutual admiration society expanded exponentially when Hunter brought Salas into the mix.
For more details, see http://www.rainpace.com/BioMikeyH.html
MIKE SALAS - Drums
Mike's first band was Grupo America, playing a mix of Mexican dance music: Oldies, R&B and contemporary Rock. They recorded 3 albums under the "Discos Puerto Vallarta" record label and their singles received airplay on Spanish radio stations throughout California, Washington and Arizona. The 2nd album was released south of the border, which led to a tour of Mexico.
Mike later joined On The Side, and also played gigs with Sabor Latino and Los Sencillos. In the 90s, he joined The Tri Angels and did several studio recordings with songwriter Jesus Hernandez. He then divided his time between Mexican Banda, Grupo Trebol, 818 and The Pirates.
During a recording project, Mike met guitarist Mario Quiroga and joined The Q-Band until Persuasion came along. And now ... RainPace.
For more details, see http://www.rainpace.com/BioMikeS.html
VALERIE TULLOUS - Vocals and the occasional Cabasa, whistling, and odd sound effects
Val began her career in musical comedy, appearing in regional theatres and toured internationally for 3 years.
In New York, she shifted her focus to singing and joined Kerry Phillips in Changing Lanes fo
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