ROBINELLA

The Album
Solace For The Lonely

The Track
"Break it Down, Baby"

The Label
Dualtone

Liner Notes
Produced by Doug Lancio, (Patty Griffin, Nanci Griffith, Mathew Ryan and Carter Wood), Solace For The Lonely is her first release for Dualtone. Robinella is Tennessee-based Robin Ella Contreras, veteran of Robinella and the CC Stringband, a band she formed with her husband Cruz Contreras six years ago. Robinella's background as the daughter of a Baptist deacon choir leader and Cruzs' jazz leanings fuse together uncommon elements to yield enjoyable results in what is ultimately a more mainstream-sounding album than her 2003 self-titled major label (Columbia) debut. The lyrics of the 12 original songs are in a narrative story telling style, personal and revealing. Included is one cover—a playful rendition of Melanie's "Brand New Key". 

From the sultry devotion of the focus track, "Break it Down Baby," to the spiritual hopefulness of "Press On" and "Whippin Wind," to the Appalachian innocence of "Down the Mountain," to the chill jazz vibe of "All I've Given" (the possible sleeper hit of the album), Robinella's voice meanders from spartan to smoky to sensational on Solace. Tinged with a touch of Billy Holliday, juiced with a bit of Janis Joplin and blessed with no small bit of bluegrass, Robinella sings with a genuine unreserved personal passion. This honest expression will travel miles with Triple A folks keen enough to discover or rediscover this talented artist. Early believers include WFUV Bronx-New York and KGSR and KUT in Austin.

The Musicians
Robin Ella Contreras, vocals, acoustic guitar; Cruz Contreras, mandolin; rhodes, piano, acoustic guitar; Billy Contreras, Fiddle, rhodes; Jay Clark, harmony vocals; John Deaderick, keyboards; Hans Holzen, electric guitar; Daryl Johnson, drums and percussion; Victor Krauss, bass; Doug Lancio, drums and percussion; David Peeples, bass; Dave Roe, bass; Kirby Shellsted, percussion; Craig Wright, drums and persussion

Site
www.robinella.com
www.dualtone.com

On
WFUV Bronx-New York
WUMB Boston
WNRN Annapolis/Baltimore
KCUV Denver
KGSR Austin
KUT Austin
KTBG (The Bridge) Kansas City
WCBE Columbus
WYSO Yellow Springs-Dayton
WNCW Spindale-Asheville/Charlotte NC/Greenville/Spartanburg SC
WFHB Bloomington
WUIN (The Carolina Penguin) Wilmington NC
WYCE Grand Rapids
KXCI Tucson
KRVM Eugene
WNKU Cincinnati
KRSH (The Krush) Santa Rosa
KNBA Anchorage
WHRV Norfolk
WFIV Knoxville
ACCA
DMX
WDIY Allentown
KTAO Taos
MSPR Minnesota
KDNK Carbondale/Aspen
WUTC Chattanooga
WSGE Dallas NC
WUKY Lexington
MPB Maine
KAXE Grand Rapids MN
KSUT Ignacio-Durango
KVNF Paonia CO
WGWG Boiling Springs-West Charlotte
KUWR Laramie/Caspar/Cheyenne WY
KMTN Jackson WY
WKZE Sharon CT

Tours/Appearances
February 21  Austin, the Cactus Café 
February 22  Nashville, the Mercy Lounge
February 24  Birmingham, the WorkPlay Theatre
February 25  Atlanta, the Red Light Cafe
More dates to be announced.

Retail
Solace For The Lonely is in stores February 21st.

Contact
Lori Kampa, Dualtone Records, 615.320.0620