Monica Pasqual / Renee Harcourt CD Release April 7, 2010

On April 7th, Monica Pasqual and Renee Harcourt will be hosting a concert at Yoshi’s in Oakland to celebrate the releases of their solo albums: “This Cold Desire” and “Brilliant Addiction” respectively. Harcourt and Pasqual, both prolific songwriters, have enjoyed the good fortune of a generous recording contract with the Berkeley Label, Ninth Street Opus, which signed their band, Blame Sally, to a 5-year, 3 album deal in 2008, followed by a deal with Monterey International Booking Agency one year later.

In the midst of recording and releasing one Blame Sally album (Night of 1000 Stars), touring the country extensively, writing for and starting to record a second studio album, these two prolific writers have managed to produce their own solo albums that nicely showcase their individual styles. (see below)

Friends and collaborators since they met in 1990, the two singers decided to celebrate their releases on one festive night for many reasons, not least of which is because it’s almost impossible for them to find a time that doesn’t conflict with Blame Sally’s busy schedule.

Pasqual and Harcourt will be joined by their own bands, while the evening will be closed with several songs by Blame Sally.

ABOUT THE ARTISTS:

"Like Joni Mitchell and Rickie Lee Jones, San Francisco's own Monica Pasqual proves that strong songwriting and stirring singing will take command of just about any stylistic setting."
-Derk Richardson, KPFA Radio

Currently a member of the popular Bay Area band, Blame Sally, Monica Pasqual has had a prolific career making and recording music since the mid-90's. With a background in classical piano and her current side-career composing music for film soundtracks, Pasqual’s recent solo material has fused her styles and focused on haunting, yearning song-poems that explore her sense of place, love, loss, war and dreams. Co-produced with long-time collaborator, guitarist BZ Lewis, “This Cold Desire” illustrates the best of what these two versatile musicians have to offer: compelling arrangements that transcend easy genre definitions, rich with atmospheric guitars, hypnotic rhythms, and Pasqual’s signature vocals and piano.

"Renée Harcourt writes gem after gem. If you're interested in
impeccable songcraft with wit and imagination, music with a wonderful rhythmic feel, and a lovely singing voice performing work with warmth and emotion, then have a listen to Brilliant Addiction."
–Lee Townsend, producer

Often referred to as a force to be reckoned with, Renée Harcourt wrote, produced, arranged, performed, recorded and designed her new solo CD, “Brilliant Addiction”. Recorded in her home studio, she has put together a group of hooky Americana Pop tunes that ponder matters of the heart with both humor and angst. Renée ran a successful graphic design studio in Sausalito before becoming a full time musician and songwriter in local phenom, Blame Sally, when the band received it’s one of a kind record deal in 2008.

Official Website: http://www.yoshis.com/