Tag Archive for: News Release

“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.

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.

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)

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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.

Got Me with Goodbye, Kristen Englenz

Saturn 5 Records Announces Single Release “Got Me With Goodbye” by Singer-Songwriter Kristen Englenz

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Saturn 5 Records announces the release of “Got Me With Goodbye” by Nashville singer-songwriter Kristen Englenz. The single drops on all platforms October 18, 2019. The single and the full-length debut album, ingénue, were recorded by three-time Grammy nominee and producer Ken Coomer, former drummer for Wilco. The album is slated for release February 28, 2020.

Got Me With Goodbye by Kristen Englenz

In “Got Me With Goodbye”, Englenz ruefully ponders modern relationships, particularly the miscues and misleading meanings that arise when initial introductions are virtual instead of face-to-face. “Your words sound so good now, echoing in my head, louder than the words that you said.”  Two of Nashville’s finest session musicians, Ted Pecchio on electric bass and Jason “Slim” Gambill on electric guitar augment Englenz’s vocal, acoustic guitar and French horn contributions. Coomer’s inspired drumming and percussive rhythm drive the melody to a toe-tapping indie rock beat.

When asked about working with Englenz, producer Coomer noted that he loved her voice and believed she needed some coaxing out of her “safe zone.” He knew she had been through some personal struggles and could hear that pain infused with her hope in the lyrics. “I felt she needed to be pushed to go inside the special dark sad moments where every artist needs to go. She rallied and flew the flag of women surviving and conquering. She nailed it.”

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

Listen On Apple Music

www.kristenenglenz.com

Ken Coomer in studio

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

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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).

Kristen Englenz

Saturn 5 Records Signs Singer-Songwriter Kristen Englenz

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Saturn 5 Records, an indie record label located in Atlanta, Georgia announced that it has reached an agreement with emerging singer-songwriter, Kristen Englenz. The agreement assists the artist in production, distribution, and promotion of her soon-to-be released, full-length album, ingénue.

In making the announcement, label president Richard J. Lenz said, “Saturn 5 Records’ mission has been to identify rising artists and help promote their songs and their stories. We are very pleased that Kristen has joined our roster. We have enjoyed watching her develop as a songwriter and performing artist. It is very rewarding to be part of her team.”

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.”

The company has worked with producers such as multiple Grammy winning producer Dave Cobb (Jason Isbell, Chris Stapleton, Sturgill Simpson, The Highwomen) and Grammy nominee, drummer, and producer Ken Coomer, who has performed with Al Green, Wilco, Steve Earle, Emmylou Harris and many other artists. Artists that have appeared on the label include Eliot Bronson, Mike Killeen and Nathan Beaver.

Five-time Grammy winning gospel and soul legends, The Blind Boys of Alabama, appear on Englenz’s debut album on the track “Pray for Rain” recorded at FAME Sudios in Muscle Shoals, Alabama. Lenz, co-executive producer on the album along with Willie “Chuck” Shivers said, “FAME Studios has produced some of the greatest American hits in recorded music history and it was thrilling to work there with the Blind Boys.”

A fast-rising fixture of the East Nashville music scene, Kristen 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 plays both, along with French horn on the album.

With a voice both virtuosic and vulnerable, her music is fragrant with Americana notes and a modern indie vibe. Englenz attributes her melodies to be partially inspired by the natural world. She shares 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 the famed Eddie’s Attic in her hometown of Decatur, Georgia. Her songs have appeared on compilation albums for Amplify My Community.

About Saturn 5 Records

Dedicated to the production, promotion, and preservation of music that matters, Saturn 5 Records promotes and supports emerging artists who painstakingly create their music. Our artists write their songs, sing their songs, and play their instruments. Each has a uniquely moving, beautiful, and artistic creation to share through their songs, their voices, their fearlessness and truth.