Rapid City back to Austin in a dash
Take the red high with you in a cup
so you don't crash
~ Resurrection Buzz, Jana Pochop

Two years ago, round about this time, we got to hear Jana Pochop's The Early Year EP, and it was mentioned that it was to be one in a series of three. Resurrection Buzz is EP number two.  Picking up where The Early Year left off, Resurrection Buzz features the same talents in instrumentation and production, and weaves a modern Americana style tale of life on the road by someone who has truly experienced it.

Right on time
You are right on time
~ Right on Time, Ellis

Fairfield favorite Ellis is returning to Cafe Paradiso on Saturday October 9th celebrate the release of her brand new CD called Right On Time.  I can't tell you how many times the chorus of that title track has been through my head since I first heard it.  I can tell you that each time I hear Ellis' sweet voice and picture her smiling face singing it, I slow down, breathe a little easier, and feel a little better about my day.  The new CD is "Ellis’ seventh full-length recording and it signals a shift towards greater ease and self-assurance with her art."  Read more about Ellis on LyricalVenus.com

Juliana Finch was raised in the South, in an Italian-American family, listening to Irish music. Her songwriting style reflects that bizarre cocktail. She has most recently been compared to Shawn Colvin, Mary Chapin Carpenter, and Natalie Merchant, which flatters her and never fails to make her want to keep it up. Juliana is a professional eavesdropper, a perpetual student, and an amateur chef. Some of her favorite things include scarves, breakfast, handmade stuff, pugs and the color red.

Even at the sideshow they're just trying to sell a lie
Look, you won't believe what you see 
But I know the truth buried way deep down inside 
The freaks are the same as you and me 
~ Wonder Wheel, Lisa Brigantino 

Spend a few minutes perusing Lisa Brigantino's website and links and you'll start to wonder if there is anything this talented musician can't do!  It starts to make sense when you realize she has been steeped in music making since the age of 5, when she started piano lessons.  Now able to play at least 14 instruments, Lisa has garnered a variety of songwriting and performing awards, has toured the world with an all women Led Zeppelin tribute band, shares a musical comedy act with her sister in New York, and still found time to write, record and produce her two solo albums, the newest one to be released June 7th.

If you're feeling useless baby,
all you gotta do is just focus
on the movement of the moon.

~ A Great Notion, Stephanie Nilles

Bored with playing other people's songs, classically trained pianist Stephanie Nilles turned to writing her own.  Tiring of New York City, she hit the road in 2008 and found her way into the indie/folk/coffee house circuit, booking herself about 20 shows a month and playing for tips on nights she didn't have an official show.

Stephanie's music has earned her comparisons to Ella Fitzgerald, Regina Spektor and Tom Waits.  Her subject matter "address issues ranging from drug busts in her neighborhood to the challenges and joys of life on the road."  She is a modern day troubadour, and these are songs that make you pay attention. 

I don't know what I want from you
I pretend that I do
I'm sure you see it in my eyes
I'm sure you feel it in my grip
I'm sure you hear it my voice
I'm sure you're hip
~ I'm Sure You're Hip, The Sweater Set

Friends as teens in a DC church choir, Maureen Andary and Sara Curtin reunited in 2008 when Maureen was selected as a finalist in the Mountain Stage NewSong Contest.  Maureen knew Sara was pretty much the only person she could think of who would be able to do the high harmonies in her songs.

In their short time as a band, the women have been wowing audiences with quirky-smart, self-aware songs, beautifully intertwined soprano voices, and a plethora of musical instruments including guitar, ukulele, flute, glockenspiel and kazoo, to name a few!

Mainframe is calling my name
I can't get out, I'm the one to blame
There's no way out once you're in the flame
We must get out before it's too late
~ Mainframe, Nefertiti & the nefTUNES

When Nefertiti wrote an email of introduction, she described her music as "Acoustic Gangsterism" and went on to explain that the style "is a mix of reggae, hip-hop, folk, rock, soul, and blues. The music comes out sounding like Kanye West and Jill Scott's love child had a love child with Lauryn Hill and Lil' Wayne's love child, all grown-up."  Needless to say, I was intrigued and had to find out more.

I can guarantee there hasn't been an artist like this on Lyrical Venus yet!  Tune in to meet this soulful, creative and independent spirit.

Rose petal moon
In the freckled indigo sky
My red, your white
Come bathe me in your light
Sing me to sleep tonight
~ Undertow, Coyote Grace

Coyote Grace is the Folk/Roots/Grass/Indie/Blues/Left/Love/Yes duo of Joe Stevens and Ingrid Elizabeth.  Energetic and engaging performers, the pair has the seasoned confidence that comes from years of touring, including one solid year back in 2007 on the road in an old RV named Harvey.

Fresh off a whirlwind tour with folk legends the Indigo Girls, Coyote Grace is headed East from their homebase in Northern California and will be arriving in Iowa mid-April for shows in Des Moines (4/17) and Fairfield (4/18).

We talked a long winding road
while I press my ear against the phone
to hear the changes in your face
as we spoke about songs
~ Honey, Jan Smith

Lyrical Venus welcomes back Jan Smith to talk about her upcoming album, as well as getting a sneak preview of some of the new tracks.  Her poetry is arresting, her assured guitar chugs and clickety-clacks like a steam engine, her voice lays bare the heart (hers and yours).  Tune in for this treat!

Loved my baby, ain't that enough?
Why'd you have to go and make a widow of
My Hallelujah
~ My Hallelujah, Sweet Talk Radio

Sweet Talk Radio is the husband and wife team of Kathrin Shorr and Tim Burlingame. With a sound that has been described as alt-folk or americana-pop, the seasoned musicians have that magic chemistry of two people who have each others backs, and are passionate about making music. As they seamlessly trade vocals, guitar riffs and even instruments, they always give their songs room to breathe. The metaphors and imagery in the lyrics paint characters and whole relationships with just a few well chosen words.

Sweet Talk Radio will be at Cafe Paradiso on Saturday March 20th at 8pm.  Previous Lyrical Venus guest Mary McAdams will open that show!

Read more about Sweet Talk Radio over at LyricalVenus.com