ODESSA CHEN
guitar & vocals
Odessa Chen's singular musical vision is not easily categorized. She approaches songs of love, longing, and displacement with accomplished lyrics, and unusual song structures. Aspects of folk, classical, and indie rock converge to make music that requires quiet attention.
Described as intelligent, subtle, and haunting, Odessa's pure, ethereal voice and finger-picking guitar style has drawn comparisons to Jeff Buckley, Sigur Ros, Nina Nastasia, and Cat Power.
Her debut One Room Palace (2003) attracted international attention and laid the foundation for her current release The Ballad of Paper Ships, which she wrote, produced, and arranged. She has had the pleasure of collaborating on her recordings with Wilco's Nels Cline, Xiu Xiu's Devin Hoff, The Drift's Rich Douthit, Scott Amendola and Matt Brubeck among others.
Touring internationally, Odessa has been featured on NPR, MTV U and MTV Chi, KRON4, and in independent films, compilations, and on radio stations. She has shared stages from a boat in Paris to the Great American Music Hall with artists such as Jolie Holland, Damien Jurado, Mia Doi Todd, and Vienna Teng amoung others.
Interested in exploring collaborations and alternate settings for her music,
she most recently performed at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts with 23 dancers, string quartet, piano, drums, and bass clarinet. She is currently set to release a new record in 2010.
A former poetry major, she has studied classical voice and cello, and sung in early music choirs. A self-taught guitarist, she grew up in Baltimore, Maryland.
DEVIN HOFF
stand-up & electric bass
As a bassist and bandleader, Devin Hoff has played thousands of shows, including every-thing from benefits to punk clubs to major jazz festivals throughout North America, Europe, and India, as well as contributing to hundreds of recording, television and radio projects.
He has played regularly with the likes of Vijay Iyer, Nels Cline, Graham Connah, Ben Goldberg, Howard Wiley, Carla Kihlstedt, Scott Amendola, Hugh Ragin, and Carla Bozulich.
Currently one-half of Good For Cows (with drummer Ches Smith), one-third of the Nels Cline Singers, and one-fourth of the Devin Hoff Committee, he is also working on a record of solo bass music due out in the spring of 2003.
RICH DOUTHIT
drums
Rich Douthit’s subtle, atmospheric style lends his projects a distinctive sound. In addition to playing with Odessa Chen, Rich plays in The Drift (on Temporary Residence), Boxcar Saints, and Winfred E. Eye. Past bands include, Jargon and Fort Erie.
He is a sought after session player, recording with Halifax Pier and Rykarda Parasol among others.
ROGER RIEDLBAUER
guitar
Roger Riedlbauer's varied projects have gained him recognition as both a versatile and gifted guitarist. Studying improvisation and composition under Art Johnson and Rick Helzer at SDSU, he relocated to the Bay Area in 1997, where he began composing and performing as a freelance guitarist.
The ease with which Riedlbauer approaches his instrument, is such that can only be gained from years of experience. His technical mastery and diverse musical palette, allow him to shift effortlessly from delicate melodies to gritty heart-stopping noise. There may be a surplus of guitarists, but few share these rare qualities which have attracted musicians and audiences alike.
Riedlbauer has established himself as a vital member of the music scene, performing with Jolie Holland, Sean Hayes, the Halifax Pier, and Odessa Chen and collaborating with numerous filmmakers and visual artists for multi-media performances. Serving as lead guitarist for noir rock band Boxcar Saints and experimental jazz ensemble Transmission, Riedlbauer has recently expanded his range to include songwriter and singer for the band the Cannery, on Awful Bliss Records.
While he has toured extensively in both the U.S. and abroad, Riedlbauer has also made his mark as a recording artist. His catalog includes Last Things (Boxcar Saints), There Is Life In This Old Land (the Cannery) the Hollow Sea (Transmission), and All is Fair (Spork).
Roger's projects include:
- Jolie Holland
- Boxcar Saints
- The Cannery
- Gojogo
- Killbossa
- Transmission Trio
Devin's projects include:
- Nels Cline Singers
- Good For Cows
- The Devin Hoff Platform
- Xiu Xiu
- Crater
- Redressers
- Carla Bozulich
- Ben Goldberg Quintet
- Will Bernard Trio
- John Schott
- John Vecchirelli
- Graham Connah
- Bill Stewart
- Charming Hostess
Rich's projects include:
- The Drift
- Boxcar Saints
- Winfred E. Eye
- Jargon
- Fort Erie
- Rykarda Parasol
- Halifax Pier
Odessa's projects include:
- Odessa Chen
- Thee More Shallows
- Troia Port