Cora Entertainment Presents: Women that Rock Festival 2

Rudyard’s presents Cora Entertainment Presents: Women that Rock Festival 2.

Line-up:
8:45 Mystery Loves Company
8:00 Grifters & Shills
7:15 Charity Ann Music
6:30 Gwen & Kelsie
5:45 Sherita Perez Music
5:00 Leslie Krafka
4:15 Wild Rabbit Salad
*40% of ticket sales will be donated to The Women’s Resource of Greater Houston.

Mystery Loves Company (Houstopn, TX)
http://www.mysteryloves.com/
Mystery Loves Company is the result of an open mic meeting between Madeline (Maddy) Herdeman and Carlos A Machado at the legendary Mucky Duck in Houston, Texas.

Maddy, a conservatory-trained cellist, was in search of an activity in which she could put to use her years of cello training and love for singing, without the often limiting and stressful options of an orchestra or choir.  A friend who was visiting from out of town convinced her to arrange and perform some pop tunes together, assuring her that people would get a kick out of two girls singing with a cello.  Carlos, a self-taught guitarist and songwriter, had been playing open mics for a few months, also at the encouragement of a friend, after a serious relationship had fallen apart and many of his former fears (like the fear of singing in public!) seemed less significant.  He was becoming interested in finding a writing partner, and preferably a cellist (though he figured he’d have to settle for a violinist because they were easier to find).

After seeing Maddy’s performance at the open mic, Carlos quickly offered to co-write something if she was interested, knowing that it’s not every day a cello walks into a bar.  A couple of weeks later they performed at the JP Hops House open mic, and the following night back at the Mucky Duck.  It was obvious then that the resulting sound, which has been called “beguiling acoustic pop” (Cris Gray, Houston Press), and which they call Chamber Rock, could be something special.

A number of Musicians have come to comprise the Mystery Loves Company line-up since.  Most notably, Alauna Rubin (clarinet), Jeremy Dudman (bass), and Danny Patterson (drums) have been major contributors in studio recordings and live events, though from one night to the next the ensemble and songs themselves can be quite different.  Mystery Loves Company tours regularly in Texas and yearly around the Midwest, and plans are always underway for new venues and locations!

Grifters & Shills (Houston, TX)
http://griftersandshills.com/
His was hard rock and heavy metal. Hers was the classic sound of the East Texas piney woods. Theirs was a fiery collision, bearing forth a sound that was at once novel and instantly familiar–nodding to roots seated deep in high lonesome harmonies and back porch blues, while peering out at a scorched path bound by modern assertions and contemporary commentary. This two-person, dozen-instrument act provides a show full of sound a fury, punctuated with raw, quiet vulnerability. Come welcome them as they bring you back home.

Charity Ann (Houston, TX)
https://www.facebook.com/CharityAnnMusic/
Charity’s talents are unique, and in the past few years, she has composed some of her best material. She is a versatile performer with an eclectic style, and the passion with which she expresses her “soundtrack to life” is breathtaking and mesmerizing. Her music is edgy yet timeless, bold yet tactful, and suited for audiences both young and old. This girl is truly the entire package! Not only is she a gifted singer/songwriter but also someone who uses her talents to help others. She believes the most influential people in this world are those who realize that the importance of their gifts lies not in personal gain but in the ability to help those in need. Without a doubt, you will fall in love with her both on and off the stage. It is astounding to think that this young performer has already acquired over ten years of experience in her craft. There are certainly wonderful things around the corner for Charity Ann

Gwen & Kelsie (Houston, TX)
http://gwenandkelsie.strikingly.com/
Gwen Doll & Kelsie Moody are a musical duet in Houston, TX who play simple, heartfelt, & catchy tunes featuring harmonized vocal arrangements & ukulele.  What started out as a few jam sessions quickly developed into a full functioning band. Originally known as The Somethin Somethins, Gwen and Kelsie have remained the core of this musical collaboration and have been fortunate to have played at various venues in the Houston area such as Rudyard’s, Last Concert Cafe, & Super Happy Fun Land, among other various restaurants and bars.

Sherita Perez (Houston, TX)
http://sheritaperez.com/
Sherita Perez is the most diverse singer and Indie musician from the Texas Gulf Coast yet. She is naturally composed at all times making her easy to work with but don’t take her for granted, she does have a capricious side and warns the world that she can be loud and Houston proud when necessary.

She cites a wide variety of musical influences such as The Deer, Rickie Lee Jones, Janis Joplin, and The Doors. Listening to these greats has helped Sherita develop a talent for crossing genres easily. When asked what’s on her playlist right now she’ll tell you, “…anything before 1978 because I like the sound of older recordings. The lyrics were more emotional and well structured.”  Able to jump from solo act to full band performance with the snap of her fingers, Sherita brings a sultry attitude and a stage presence that fills any room. In fact, she’s performed at the legendary CBGB’s and she’s delighted audiences at festivals and clubs across North America.

One of her favorite words is sustainability. One of her favorite phrases is, “Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle.” Her other favorite is, “Don’t mess with Texas.” She’s into DIY; she’s also worked on an organic farm. She believes in Forgiveness, Tolerance, and Manifestation. As you may have guessed, she’s also drawn to strong women.  She’s been featured in multiple publications including the Houston Press, Scene Magazine, and Free Press Houston. She has also recorded with famed producers Chris “Frenchie” Smith and Josh Applebee. She’s also been featured on major market radio. Sherita is currently finishing up a new album which is being recorded at the legendary SugarHill Recording Studios in Houston. She’ll soon be touring throughout Europe. You can hear her solo work on Soundcloud and watch her videos on her YouTube channel now.

Leslie Krafka (Houston, TX)
http://www.lesliekrafka.com/
Onward, her second album, is where Krafka really arrives. Produced by Maines and Hendrix, the whole record sounds fantastic, crisp and full (but never cluttered)…But Krafka, despite being a rookie separated by that formidable bunch by decades of collective experience, holds her own all the way through with conviction to spare. Her voice alone is a real find: sweet but assertive and ribboned with color, it glistens through “Beauty,” swaggers sassily through “Whiskey High,” and settles like a golden-red sunset over the river of pedal steel on “South Texas Fall.” Her songs are real winners, too, full of buoyant melodies that never sag or drag and lyrics that convey both maturity and a young-at-heart spirit that’s playful but never fluffy. Best of all, though, is the way she handles herself on the album’s one cover, “Drunken Poet’s Dream.” Memo to Ray Wylie Hubbard and Hayes Carll: hate to tell you this, boys, but while you were sleeping, that woman done stole your song.—Richard Skanse, Lone Star Music Magazine

Leslie Krafka is a genuine songwriter that writes about topics ranging from storytelling to matters of the heart. She’s never trite and always seeking truth in her lyrics with a style all her own. A little bit of twang with a saucy spice of city slicker. It makes for an intoxicating mix that leaves the listener wanting more.—Terri Hendrix, Singer Songwriter, Author, Musician & Producer

All in all I was quite pleased that I had been “blind sided” by this performer and look forward to following her progression down the musical road of life.—Eddie “Edge” Feranti, Houston Music Review

Don’t try to predict what direction singer and songwriter Leslie Krafka is going to head. If you do, you’ll just embarrass yourself. With her new album, “on.ward,” Krafka mixes tough and tender with a heavy dose of audacity. She does true love (“Stay With Me”) and heartache (“The Pain of Losing You”) exceedingly well. But Krafka is not afraid to call out a two-legged skunk on “Wine, Women and Song” or throw down a few too many (“Whiskey High”). And she has the guts, chops, confidence and yes, audacity, to cover the gritty Ray Wylie Hubbard/Hayes Carll song “Drunken Poet’s Dream.” If that’s not enough to grab your interest, and your ears, “on.ward,” produced by Lloyd Maines and Terri Hendrix, features an all-star cast of Texas players and just sounds great.—Jim Beal, Jr., Third Coast Music Network

Having the opportunity to have seen the maturity of Leslie Krafka’s music from the listener and the on air host side I can without reservation recommend her new CD “onward”. The title itself frees Ms. Krafka’s writing and opens a new chapter for her and the music, with full respect to the process of story writing “Onward” is a complete musical novel. Ms. Krafka’s cover of Hayes Carll’s & Ray Wylie Hubbard’s – Drunken Poets Dream should appease the feminist and bring a smile to the opposing view of the song.—Rick Heysqueirdo, KPFT’s Lone Star Jukebox

Wild Rabbit Salad (Houston, TX)
http://www.wildrabbitsalad.com/
Wild Rabbit Salad hails from Houston, Texas. Each member paid dues individually in years of experience in bands and recordings and now they come together in intoxicating cocktail of blues and rock with at taste of red dirt Americana. After 8 years they are ready to pop. Smoking originals you’re gonna love. Toe tapping, booty shaking, dance inspiring rhythms with intricate melodies and insightful lyrics. A sure fire entertainment package. A raucous eclectic blend of rock, blues, country, rock and Americana. Look forward to their NEW EP this Spring!