Tag Archive for: Grammy Producer

”Shelf Life“ - Kristen Englenz

Saturn 5 Records Releases the New Single “Shelf Life” by Americana artist Kristen Englenz

”Shelf Life“  Kristen Englenz cover art

Saturn 5 Records announces the release of Nashville-based Americana Artist Kristen Englenz’s new single “Shelf Life”. The single drops June 19, 2020. The song was recorded in Nashville by three-time Grammy nominee and producer Ken Coomer, former drummer for Wilco during the studio sessions for Englenz highly regarded debut full length album, ingénue.

“Shelf Life” features Englenz performing vocals and acoustic guitar, Coomer on drums and Nashville session musicians Ted Pecchio on electric bass and Joe Garcia on electric guitar. It’s meditative tone underscores the lyrical imagery of being frozen in place after a “break up”. It seems to have even more impact as the recent pandemic has left the world feeling immovable and disconnected. 

The East Nashvillian called Englenz’s debut album “a sonic wonderland” and Creative Loafing says, “Kristen Englenz shines…with a strong opening salvo.” Stomp and Stammer comments that “ingénue features strong lyrics delivered by an emotive storyteller…a talent with the drive to work as an equal with roots music legends.

ingénue, Kristen Englenz, 2020

Kristen Englenz Releases Full-length Album, ”ingénue,“ Produced by Grammy Nominated Ken Coomer (Wilco)

ingénue, Kristen Englenz, 2020
ingénue, Kristen Englenz, 2020

Saturn 5 Records announces the release of the Americana album “ingénue” by Nashville singer-songwriter Kristen Englenz. The album drops on all platforms February 28, 2020.

Three-time Grammy nominee and former Wilco drummer Ken Coomer produced the full-length debut album recorded at Cartoon Moon Studios in Nashville.

The nine-song collection floats through a mosaic of genres while embracing each in an Americana vibe. The tongue-in-cheek wittiness of folk-pop “Got Me With Goodbye,” the electrified bluesy rocker “Rebound,” and the Tom Waits-like ballad “Oh, Evenin’ Star,” each accompanies Englenz on her journey to unravel the complexity of modern life. Her Dylanesque gospel-like “Pray for Rain” features the five-time Grammy-winning Blind Boys of Alabama.

Throughout, there is a feel of uncertain innocence which Coomer’s artful production teases out of Englenz’s subtle Southern twang. It is an album best heard in its entirety. Coomer’s intuitive drumming supports the narrative in each track from the soft jazzy feel of “Georgia Peach” to the rock and roll beat of “Yeah, Yeah, Yeah” to the defiant snare in “Rebound.” Nashville’s finest session musicians, Ted Pecchio, Jason “Slim” Gambill, Robbie Crowell, and Joe Garcia, provide inspired musical interpretations song-to-song.

“Globe in My Room,” the evocative final track of ingénue features Englenz performing bird calls. Englenz attributes her melodies as partly inspired by the natural world, which she combines with her interest in environmental activism in her popular web series “Caterwauling with Kristen” where she mimics birdcalls and teaches about avian species.

Englenz appeared live on Paste Studio Atlanta performing three songs from the new album. She frequently plays at multiple Nashville venues including The 5 Spot, The Basement, and The Bowery Vault as well as at the famed Eddie’s Attic in her hometown of Decatur, Georgia. She has opened for the Blind Boys of Alabama. Her songs have appeared on compilation albums for Amplify My Community, a nonprofit organization using music to defeat homelessness, along with those of R.E.M., Drive-By Truckers, Widespread Panic and many more.

Englenz was recently signed by Atlanta, Georgia-based indie label, Saturn 5 Records. Her tour in support of the album begins February 29, 2020, at Bowery Vault in Nashville. KristenEnglenz.com for dates, times and more information.

Shot of Kristen Englenz in her music video of Rebound

Saturn 5 Records Releases Single “Rebound” by Nashville Artist Kristen Englenz

”Rebound“ by Kristen Englenz
Rebound (single), Kristen Englenz

Saturn 5 Records announces the release of Kristen Englenz’s newest video, “Rebound”. The sweet revenge, bluesy rocker comes on the heels of Englenz’s release of videos for two other singles from her upcoming album, ingénue.

The video is directed and produced by Eric Englert who has camera credits on popular series such as Queer Eye, Married to Jonas, Bridezilla, and Man vs. Food, among others.  Englert also directed Kristen’s first video, “Got Me With Goodbye”. Englenz and Englert have something in common-they are siblings.

“It was really very special working with my brother on these projects. He knows me as well as anyone else and in particular, what these songs mean to me. And we had a blast!” says Englenz.

The one, continuous shot video also features Atlanta musicians who have played with Englenz: Colin Agnew, Matthew Pendrick and Robby Handley.

“I love the tongue in cheek ending,” says Englenz. “We go into relationships thinking they are the real thing. When you are the rebound, you suddenly understand, it wasn’t. The ending chuckles at that ‘seeing is believing’ concept as bit!”

Watch the video here and see for yourself! 

Rebound, Kristen Englenz

Saturn 5 Records Releases Single “Rebound” by Nashville Artist Kristen Englenz

”Rebound“ by Kristen Englenz
Rebound (single), Kristen Englenz

Saturn 5 Records announces the release of the single “Rebound” by Nashville singer-songwriter Kristen Englenz. “Rebound drops on all platforms January 31, 2020. It comes on the heels of Englenz’s positively received single “Pray For Rain,” featuring five-time Grammy winners the Blind Boys of Alabama.

Three time Grammy nominee and former Wilco drummer Ken Coomer, produced the new single and Englenz’s upcoming full-length debut album, ingénue. The album drops February 28, 2020.

“Rebound” unravels the raw emotions one experiences after realizing a new relationship is nothing more than a band-aid for a previous lover. Englenz’s passionate vocals transports one through the intensifying stages of betrayal. The stinging lyrics are underscored by Nashville musicians Jason “Slim” Gambill and Joe Garcia’s powerful guitars and Coomer’s heavy rock drums. The listener is left on the hook as much as the lover.  The lilith track also features Englenz on electric guitar and Ted Pecchio’s punchy electric bass.

Roots music journal No Depression called Englenz’s music “stream of consciousness Beat poetry imbued with good-down-home Southern sensibility.” And Stomp and Stammer said, “There is a stirring intimacy to these performances that holds you in their grasp.”

Michael Killeen headshot

Mike Killeen’s Latest Album “Ghost” Receives Rave Reviews

Ghost, Mike Killeen, 2019
Ghost, Mike Killeen, 2019

May 2019 marked the release of Mike Killeen’s fifth studio album, GhostProduced by three-time Grammy-nominated drummer, Ken Coomer (Wilco/Uncle Tupelo) in his Cartoon Moon Studios in Nashville, the nine-song album has received praise and kudos from music reviewers. Jeff Clark’s Stomp and Stammer remarked that this album served to showcase Killeen’s smooth vocals with a rootsy rock vibe. In a song by song review, Atlanta Music Grapevine extolled the virtues of the album’s musical structure and integrity. “It is not necessary to know much about Mike or already be invested in his music to immediately take a shine to this record. The song structure philosophy Mike and Ken chose — serving each song over soloing and pushing melody over unnecessary adornment — still has a focus on sonic depth, with interesting layers in every song. The overall effect is one of great balance, a cohesive mix, with music and words upfront rather than any detours focused on any one player. Across much of the album, there is a gentle wash of delay, reverb, and tremolo, giving it an atmospheric, ethereal quality and vocals that feel both big yet intimate.”

Chicago Crowd Surfer may have summed Ghost up best as a “luminescent record.”

Killeen is on tour and writing new songs. Tour schedule can be found at MikeKilleen.com. The Ghost album, in CD and vinyl can be purchased at Saturn 5 Record’s online store or on your favorite music platform.

Kristen Englenz with the Blind Boys of Alabama

Saturn 5 Records is Proud to Announce the Single “Pray For Rain” by Kristen Englenz Featuring the Blind Boys of Alabama Is Released Today

“Pray for Rain” by Kristen Englenz, featuring Blind Boys of Alabama
Pray for Rain (single), Kristen Englenz, featuring Blind Boys of Alabama

Saturn 5 Records announces the release of the single “Pray For Rain” by Nashville singer-songwriter Kristen Englenz performed with the Blind Boys of Alabama. The single drops TODAY on all platforms November 15, 2019. The single and Englenz’s upcoming full length debut album, ingénue, were recorded by Grammy nominee and producer Ken Coomer, former drummer of Wilco. The album is slated for release February 28, 2020.

Roots music journal No Depression called Englenz’s music “stream of consciousness Beat poetry imbued with good-down-home Southern sensibility.” And Stomp and Stammer said, “There is a stirring intimacy to these performances that holds you in their  grasp.”

Recorded at FAME Studios in Muscle Shoals, Alabama, “Pray For Rain” features Englenz’s soulful melody accompanied by moving vocals of five-time Grammy-winning Blind Boys of Alabama. Their voices blend in an awe-inspiring juxtaposition of youth searching for wisdom which only comes with time.

Coomer feels that “Pray For Rain” is a song that needs to be heard. He said, “like Michael Stipe letting everyone figure out what your songs are about, the song is for individual interpretation. It’s genius.” For Coomer, the lyrics encourage one to not be stuck, to find the light at the end of the darkness. “This song speaks to me to keep moving, keep trying to make things better.”

For Englenz, recording with the Blind Boys was a dream come true. “Recording at FAME with its history and iconic music legends felt like an unworldly experience,” relates Englenz. “The ending is so special. It’s like a prayer!”

Besides Englenz on acoustic guitar and vocals, Coomer plays percussion on the track. Ted Pecchio plays electric bass, Jason “Slim” Gambill and Joe Garcia play electric guitar and Robbie Crowell rounds out some of Nashville’s finest session musicians with his keyboard work.

Blind Boys of Alabama band

Kristen Englenz to Open for Blind Boys of Alabama Christmas Show at Eddie’s Attic in Decatur

The five-time Grammy-winning Blind Boys of Alabama are on the road with their beloved Christmas tour and it kicks off in famed Eddie’s Attic in Decatur, Georgia on November 26, 2019. Kristen Englenz opens. 

The Blind Boys provided moving vocals on Kristen Englenz’s single “Pray For Rain” to be released on November 15th.  Recorded at FAME Studios in Muscle Shoals, Alabama and produced by Grammy nominee Ken Coomer (Wilco), “Pray For Rain”  Englenz’s and the Blind Boys voices blend in an awe-inspiring juxtaposition of youth searching for wisdom which only comes with time. 

Coomer feels that “Pray For Rain” is a song that needs to be heard. He said, “like Michael Stipe letting everyone figure out what your songs are about, the song is for individual interpretation. It’s genius.” For Coomer, the lyrics encourage one to not be stuck, to find the light at the end of the darkness. “This song speaks to me to keep moving, keep trying to make things better.”

For Englenz, recording with the Blind Boys was a dream come true. “Recording at FAME with its history and iconic music legends felt like an unworldly experience,” relates Englenz. “The ending is so special. It’s like a prayer!”

Doors at 7 pm. Show at 8 p.m. Tickets are $50. November 26, 2019. Eddie’s Attic, Decatur, Georgia.

For tickets

Pray for Rain, Kristen Englenz

Saturn 5 Records Announces Single Release “Pray For Rain” by Singer-Songwriter, Kristen Englenz Recorded with the Blind Boys of Alabama and Produced By Grammy Nominee and Producer Ken Coomer (Wilco)

Saturn 5 Records announces the release of the single “Pray For Rain” by Nashville singer-songwriter Kristen Englenz performed with the Blind Boys of Alabama. The single drops on all platforms November 15, 2019. Grammy nominee and producer Ken Coomer, former drummer of Wilco, recorded the single and Englenz’s upcoming full-length debut album, ingénue. The album is slated for release February 28, 2020.

Recorded at FAME Studios in Muscle Shoals, Alabama, “Pray For Rain” features Englenz’s soulful melody accompanied by the moving vocals of five-time Grammy winning Blind Boys of Alabama, combining the hopes of youth with the wisdom of experience. Coomer relates that “if I had a crystal ball and you said that in 10 years, 15 years, three years, you’ll be at FAME in Muscle Shoals recording with the Blind Boys of Alabama, I would have said ‘That isn’t my crystal ball!’ ”

For Englenz, recording with the Blind Boys was a dream come true. “One of my executive producers on the album, Willie “Chuck” Shivers, is a great friend. I’ve hung out with Ricky McKinnie and have listened to everything the Blind Boys have done. For this to all come together and have them sing on my first album is just unbelievable.” Englenz adds, “Recording at FAME with its history and iconic music legends felt like an unworldly experience. It felt like magic when the Blind Boys walked in. And then the end of the track is so special. Ken knew exactly what to do. It’s like a prayer!”

Coomer feels that “Pray For Rain” is a song that needs to be heard. He said, “like Michael Stipe letting everyone figure out what your songs are about, the song is for individual interpretation as to meaning. It’s genius.” For Coomer, the lyrics encourage one to not be stuck, to find the light at the end of the darkness. “With what’s going on in the world with climate change and the Amazon being in a crucial critical state, this song speaks to me to keep moving, keep trying to make things better.”

Besides Englenz on acoustic guitar and vocals, Coomer plays percussion on the track. Ted Pecchio plays electric bass, Jason “Slim” Gambill and Joe Garcia play electric guitar, and Robbie Crowell rounds out some of Nashville’s finest session musicians with his keyboard work.

Roots music journal No Depression called Englenz’s music “stream of consciousness Beat poetry imbued with good-down-home Southern sensibility.” And Stomp and Stammer said, “There is a stirring intimacy to these performances that holds you in their grasp.”

A fast-rising fixture of the East Nashville music scene, Englenz sings stories of loss and heartache with a soulful sensibility both intimately aching and defiant with hope. A classically trained pianist and acoustic guitarist, Englenz also plays French horn on several tracks on the album. With a voice both virtuosic and vulnerable, her music is fragrant with Americana notes and a modern indie vibe.

“Pray for Rain” follows the first single from the Coomer-produced album, “Got Me With Goodbye,” which included a video track that has been garnering attention.

Englenz attributes her melodies as partly inspired by the natural world, which she combines with her interest in environmental activism in her popular web series “Caterwauling with Kristen” where she mimics birdcalls and teaches about avian species.

Englenz frequently performs at multiple Nashville venues including The 5 Spot, The Basement, and The Bowery Vault as well as at the famed Eddie’s Attic in her hometown of Decatur, Georgia. Her songs have appeared on compilation albums for Amplify My Community, a nonprofit organization using music to defeat homelessness, along with those of R.E.M., Drive By Truckers, Widespread Panic and many more.

Englenz was recently signed by Atlanta, Georgia-based indie label, Saturn 5 Records.

Ken Coomer in studio

Saturn 5 Records Collaborates with Nashville Producer and Grammy Nominee, Ken Coomer

Saturn 5 Records recently collaborated with Nashville producer Ken Coomer on another joint recording project.  Three-time Grammy nominated Coomer has drummed with Wilco and Uncle Tupelo as well as many other artists such Al Green, Wilco, Steve Earle, Emmylou Harris. As a producer, he has created several gold and platinum recordings, including Mexican rock star Chetes’ recent release “Vaquero”.

Ken Coomer with Kristin Englenz at studio

Coomer completed production on Mike Killeen’s full-length album “Ghost” in early 2019. Saturn 5’s latest signed artist, Nashville singer-songwriter Kristen Englenz, just completed her debut album with Coomer. It is slated for release in early 2020. Label president Richard J. Lenz and Willie “Chuck” Shivers served as co-executive producers on the album.

Coomer traveled to FAME studios in Muscle Shoals, Alabama where he directed production of Englenz’s song “Pray For Rain”. The track features Englenz’s soul searching melody accompanied by the moving vocals of five-time Grammy winning Blind Boys of Alabama. Coomer relates that “If I had a crystal ball and you said that in ten years, fifteen years, three years, you’ll be at FAME in Muscle Shoals recording with the Blind Boys of Alabama. I would have said that isn’t my crystal ball!”

Besides Coomer, Saturn 5 Records has had the privilege of working with several award winning producers including multiple Grammy winner, Dave Cobb (Jason Isbell, Chris Stapleton, Sturgill Simpson, The Highwomen).

Producer Dave Cobb with Performer Eliot Bronson

Dave Cobb Nominated for Grammy

Dave Cobb, Producer of Eliot Bronson’s Self-Titled Album, Is Nominated for Grammy’s Producer of the Year

Eliot Bronson, Eliot Bronson, 2014
Dave Cobb produced self-titled album available on Saturn 5 Records

Cobb produced country music sensation Chris Stapleton’s latest album, “Traveller.” Cobb was instrumental in creating the sound for the critically acclaimed “Eliot Bronson.” His fresh perspective on the recording has him dubbed as the savior of country music and the new zeitgeist of Americana. Cobb has been nominated for several Grammy’s this year in the Americana field. Good luck, Dave!