-- Eric J. Lawrence, KCRW Music Librarian and DJ
Delta Rae are newcomers; this is an undeniable fact. Their debut album, Carry the Fire, comes less than two years from the point at which they even solidified their now-six-piece line-up. But the music they make resonates with the kinds of sounds that have been echoing throughout the rolling hills of their hometown of Durham, North Carolina for decades.
The core of the band, siblings Ian, Eric and Brittany Holljes, joined by childhood friend Elizabeth Hopkins, all contribute their voices to the mix of the assorted variations on roots music they play. Anchored by the rhythm section of Mike McKee and Grant Emerson, Delta Rae mix folk, pop, gospel, blues and country into a fresh batch of tunes that also betray the influence of their parent’s favorite singer/songwriters, such as James Taylor, Lindsay Buckingham & Stevie Nicks, polished up with a new-millennial production that makes the songs and the singers’ voices truly shine.
The evocative single, “Bottom of the River,” with its equally evocative video, became an instant station favorite earlier this year, so we’re excited to be sharing their entire full-length debut. You can also hear them join Jason Bentley on “Morning Becomes Eclectic” Thursday, June 21 in the 11am hour. And if that weren’t enough, you can see them as part of our Summer Nights series of free concerts this Saturday, June 23 at 7:30pm in the One Colorado courtyard in Pasadena.
Carry the Fire will be available to stream on demand from June 18th through June 25th, 2012.