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(if you haven’t heard them before, you MUST listen – they are just wonderful, wonderful, wonderful…)

Once again, I’m on the wrong friggin’ coast. Rocco DeLuca at Spaceland for a free show tonight. If you’re in L.A. and happen to see this, sekrit password is “Hello Beautiful.”

In other Ironworks news, check out this awesome video from Billy Boy on Poison, for “Happy Valentines Day”.

Oh, to live in L.A…. Or even California. I’d settle for west of Kansas. But I think these Ironworks artists will soon be on tour around the country (and probably the rest of the world as well), so a little patience is in order. For now, if you’re in their parts or plan to be in San Diego on the 3rd, check ‘em out!

Here’s the full info:
Saturday, May 3rd 2008
Unwritten Law, The Vandals, Hot Water Music, Authority Zero, Billy Boy on Poison, Republic of Letters

Venue: Viejas Concerts in the Park
(619) 659-1996 | Venue Website

Time: Doors 5:00 PM, Show 6:00 PM
Age Limit: All Ages
Cost: $25, $27.50 DOS

Sophisticated… seductive… sexy…
A cornucopia of musical delights.

Wow… what a first release. Suzanne’s wistful, dreamy vocals slide inside, outside and all around Ben’s beautiful folksy guitar work, balanced out in just the right places to a fuller sound with the addition of Sean Johnson and Wendy Wang on drums and bass.

I had the great pleasure of seeing Ben & Suzanne when they were still just a duo, as support for Lifehouse at Hampton Beach Casino, and I had some concerns about the addition of more instruments, being the purist that I am and enjoying my music (and my scotch) straight up. However, nothing has been sacrificed and much has been gained in the way of a richer sound and more musical possibilities. The emphasis is still on Suzanne’s amazing voice, Ben’s great guitar playing, and the powerful chemistry between the two, as it should be.

Their influences are all over the place, from Nina Simone to Ralph Stanley, Frank Sinatra to Nirvana, The Beatles to Leonard Cohen… folk, rock, bluegrass, jazz, old-timey… But their sound is uniquely theirs, and their enthusiasm for a wide variety of musical styles is wildly contagious.

I was surprised to read that Ben wrote the songs on this first release, because Suzanne really makes them her own. It’s the style of her delivery – so open and honest – that makes it feel very personal.

Quick thoughts on the tracks…

Little Toy Gun…jazzy, bluesy, seductive, and unbelievably gorgeous vocals. Don’t even try to define the style of this song; I even hear a little klezmer in there! Warning: this one especially gets stuck in your head and refuses to leave.

Give Yourself to Me… Seriously rocking and rollicking, gypsy bluegrass fun.

Bouncing Ball… Where it all began with the two of them in that tiny hotel room (the video of which won them the Rockstar987 contest and got them signed to Ironworks). A melancholy, wistful, beautiful, unashamedly romantic story of a road trip to self-discovery.

Thursday Night… Threatening to overtake Bouncing Ball as my favorite track, just ‘cuz Suzanne is so deliciously saucy, cheeky, naughty, and several other things not appropriate to discuss around small children.

David… beautiful lyrics; sung in such a way that you can hear her sadness, frustration, and regret. Lovely piano on here that works with the vocals just perfectly.

The only downside to this first release from HoneyHoney… not nearly long enough! I’m greatly looking forward to a lot more from them. As soon as humanly possible.