Tag Archive for: Kristen Englenz

“Wild Horses” (Rolling Stone’s cover) by Kristen Englenz

Kristen Englenz Releases Stone’s Cover “Wild Horses” on Its 50th Anniversary

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Wild Horses (Rolling Stones cover), Kristen Englenz, 2021

East Nashville Americana singer-songwriter, Kristen Englenz, is releasing a cover of the Rolling Stones’ classic “Wild Horses” on its 50th anniversary, recorded at historic FAME Studios in Muscle Shoals, Alabama. 

The original single was dropped on June 12, 1971 and was also recorded in Muscle Shoals at Muscle Shoals Sound Studio. The track appeared on Sticky Fingers, the Stones’ first album on their own label and the first use of their iconic tongue and lips logo.f

A self-described superfan of the Stones, Englenz recalls that “Wild Horses” was the first song she learned to play on guitar and was the first she played in front of a live audience. Englenz was at FAME Studios to track her 2020 International Songwriting Finalist song, “Pray for Rain” with the five-time Grammy Award winning gospel group Blind Boys of Alabama, which appears on her debut album, ingénue. It occurred to Englenz to cover the song. Producer Ken Coomer (Uncle Tupelo, Wilco) was on-board, and Englenz made the live one-take recording in the town in which it was born.

Englenz spoke of her experience saying, “There’s a button on the board at FAME Studios that says ‘fairy dust,’ which seems appropriate, because the best word I can use to describe my entire experience at FAME is magical. Having the honor to work with the legends Blind Boys of Alabama on my song and then recording the Stones’ “Wild Horses” is the stuff that dreams are made of.” 

Englenz went a step further in her homage to this piece of The Rolling Stones’ history by creating her version’s cover graphic in a style reminiscent of Sticky Fingers album designer, Andy Warhol.

The track includes Nashville musicians Irakli Gabriel on guitar and Ken Coomer on drums and bass. It is available for streaming on June 12, 2021 on all platforms.

”Wild Horses“ is now streaming on Spotify, Amazon Music, and Apple Music.

Pray for Rain, Kristen Englenz

Kristen Englenz’s “Pray For Rain” selected finalist in 2020 International Songwriting Competition

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“Pray for Rain” by Kristen Englenz, featuring Blind Boys of Alabama
Pray for Rain (single), Kristen Englenz, featuring Blind Boys of Alabama, 2020

Nashville singer-songwriter, Kristen Englenz’s song, Pray for Rain, is a finalist in the 2020 International Songwriting Competition. Recorded at FAME Studios in Muscle Shoals, Alabama, the hit song features the three-time Grammy winning gospel group, Blind Boys of Alabama.

Voting in the People’s Choice section continues until April 7th, 2021.

Englenz recorded the song at FAME Studios in Muscle Shoals, Alabama. Produced by Ken Coomer, former drummer for Wilco, the song is the featured track on Englenz’s 2020 debut full length album, ingénue.

”Shelf Life“ - Kristen Englenz

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

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”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)

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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

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”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

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”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.”

Kristen Englenz video still in Pray for Rain music video

Vevo Premieres “Pray for Rain” Official Video Featuring The Blind Boys of Alabama

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Like the timeless classic Bob Dylan’s “Blowing in the Wind”, Kristen Englenz’s “Pray For Rain” featuring the Blind Boys of Alabama searches for answers by questioning. Englenz’s hypnotic plea for understanding of an everchanging world finds solace in the warm, time-weathered voices of the Blind Boys answer of inspiration and uplifting prayer.

The video features the Blind Boys of Alabama recording in legendary FAME Studios in Muscle Shoals, Alabama. Especially poignant are footage of Jimmy Carter, the sole remaining survivor of the original Blind Boys, singing spontaneous riffs.  Ken Coomer, who produced the recording, felt these moments were so special, they did not need instrumentation behind it. The single has become an instant favorite and as SoundBites Kristopher Weiss says, deserves to be on repeat.

Paste Studio with Kristen Englenz and Blind Boys of Alabama

Englenz Featured on Paste Live Studio Sessions Joined by Blind Boys of Alabama for Live Rendition of “Pray For Rain”

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Paste Studios Atlanta was the site for the first live performance of Kristen Englenz’s new single, “Pray For Rain” featuring the Blind Boys of Alabama. Englenz started the three-song set with “Got Me With Goodbye” the first single released from her upcoming debut album, ingénue. A slapping version of the soon-to-be-released single, “Rebound” followed. Englenz was joined by band members Colin Agnew on drums, Robbie Handley on bass and Trevor Woodward on electric. Paste’s Andy Coombs conducted between-song interviews with Englenz. A surprise visit by guests Blind Boys of Alabama ended the set with a soulful “Pray For Rain” live rendition. The entire 18-minute interview can be seen here. Each song has been placed on Daytrotter and can be viewed here.  If you are a fan (and how could you not be!) here is the full 18-minute session. Less time than it takes to get a Popeye Chicken Sandwich.

Listen to the Paste Podcast featuring the 10 best albums of 2019.

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

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“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

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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