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Hollye Dexter's music has been described as "...beautifully haunting, blending edgy folk, bluesy
rock, and revealing ballads" , and is carried by her distinct voice and lyrics that deal with the messy and
beautiful details of life. Her songs are packed with emotion, sometimes heartfelt and moving, sometimes
provocative and disturbing. The recurring comment from her fans is that it is the honesty of the songs that
first drew them in. " I write from the heart," says Dexter, "only when i'm feeling deeply inspired, and only
when I feel I truly have something to say. Each listener pulls their own meaning from the songs and that is
my aim." The mood of the music moves from funky and irreverent to deeply introspective, but what really
drives it is her passion that is apparent throughout.
Produced by her song writing partner husband Troy Dexter, she has released her premier twelve
song CD entitled Life Goes On. This collection of powerful songs covers subjects ranging from
questioning faith ("God", "Cheap Wine & Cigarettes") to finding it again ("Love Is Waiting", "So Much
Inside"), from anger and loss ("Empty Shell", "Life Goes On") to the love of a child ("The Innocent Place",
"Cristen's Lullaby"). Her summation of the album: "This isn't 'do-me baby' stuff, this is music for grown ups
who've dealt with life.
The CD was originally scheduled to be released in the fall of 1994 but the master tapes were lest
in a house fire in which she, Troy, and their children narrowly escaped. After piecing their lives back
together, what emerged was an entirely new collection of deeper songs inspired by what they had lived
through.
Hollye and her band "The Brave Souls" have become a fixture on the L.A. club scene, having
played such venues as the world famous "Roxy", "Luna Park" in West Hollywood, and Borders
everywhere (ank/a "the Borderpalooza" tour). When asked where the band's name came from, she
explains that almost every member in the band has survived some kind of life-threatening experience and
has lived to tell about it. "This band has a lot of heart and soul. Life is a gift. Music is a gift . We don't take
any of it for granted.
The Brave Souls consists of a group of seasoned studio musicians; Troy Dexter (guitars and other
unusual instruments), Tracey Brown (percussion and vocals), Rick Robbins (guitar), Gary Fine (bass),
Robert "Jake" Jacobs (drums), and are occasionally joined by Bob Emmet (keys). The CD also includes
special guest appearances by members of other local L.A. bands. Collectively, these musicians have
previously toured with such greats as Melissa Etheridge, Joan Armatrading, Phil Coilins,Tower of Power,
Stephen Bishop, and others.
Hollye had an unconventional childhood, having spent her early formative years on the road with
her guitar player Dad, who was the only blue-eyed member of Little Richard's band, and started writing and
performing in the coffeehouses and clubs at age fourteen. Her first ever live performance at the tender
age of 11 was at the local talent contest at "Beef n' Barrel Restaurant", where she accompanied herself on
a little $15 guitar playing Beaties songs. She came in last place and has been hooked ever since. Hollye
spent the early palt of her career as a live and studio backup singer for other artists, but in recent years,
has clearly defined herself as a solo artist.
Holiye and the band are currently in the studio working on their next album, scheduled for release
in January of 1999.
"Music grounds me and keeps me connected to the world" says Dexter. Hers is a world we can all relate
to...
" ...A solid blend of blues and rock, with some nice pop
elements tossed in for good measure. The band is made up
of very talented musicians, and they build the sonic
landscape on which Dexter's versatile vocals are allowed
to explore. ...there's definitely something to be said for
professionalism and strong songwriting"
-Music Connection
"Powerful tunes...her live performances reflect both
tragedy and inspired resurgence"
-Buzz Magazine
"Hollye Dexter has a beautiful voice..,the music is
beautifully haunting... a blend of edgy folk, bluesy rock,
and revealing ballads"
-Dramalogue
"Her vocal and musical talents are impressive. Her songs
are real and honest. Clearly she's devoted great effort
and time into this record...it will not be hard. for her to
sustain a long career"
-Taxi
Life Goes On
Check out the Real Audio Sound Sample
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The Your Mom Story started in 1993. Jon Hain, Stephanie Rearick, David
Fawcett, and Jenny Grether were all great friends who decided it would be fun
to form a band. Stephanie had been playing piano since she was a wee tot,
David had played some drums in high school, and Jon had played violin when
younger. Jenny didn't play anything, so she bought a bass. Jon bought a guitar.
They played a little in Steph and Jon's basement, beginning with such notable tunes as "Easy F" (now known as "Netboy") and "Ice
Skating."
Then they were offered their first show -- at Madison's WilMar Neighborhood Center, opening for The Merkins-- and were
forced to write real songs, make Stephanie sing in public for the first time, and find a new bass player (Jenny was finding she didn't
have time to learn to play her bass). That new player was Justin Berens (aka "Aunt Doris") and he rounded out the lineup that was
Your Mom for their first two years and first album, "The Royal Jelly."
Soon after "The Royal Jelly" was released, David moved to San Francisco. He was replaced by the
esteemed drummer Eric Peters. Then Justin moved to Oshkosh and was replaced by than Yohan
DeBlisster, who appears as the bottom end on the Your Mom cuts on the "Live at Mother Fool's" and
"Weedstock" compilation CDs.
Sometime around here, the song "What Possesses You" from "The
Royal Jelly" was chosen as part of the soundtrack to a locally produced film, "Country Goat, City
Car." The song serves as the background sound to live action footage of a goat and car having sex.
Shortly thereafter, Eric left the band to go back to school. In the fall of 1996 Jeff Scott joined up on
congas and other percussions. In summer of 1997 Joey Zarda (formerly of Madison's "Swimming Pool
Blue") came in to complete the core of the band as bass player. It was at this time that the name of the
band was changed from "Your Mom" to "Your Mom SRO." John Driscoll (of Madison's "Verb!") joined up as temporary saving
grace on the drumkit. This rhythm section was a great leap forward for the Your Mom SRO and is featured on their album, "Lizards &
Stars."
In March of 1998, Jason Socha joined up as the newest in a long line of Your Mom SRO drummers. During these past four years and many lineups, Your Mom SRO has performed throughout the midwest in clubs and at festivals. They are known for playing wildly varying shows that tend to include a lot of improvisation. They have an extensive repertoire of original material -- occasionally throwing in a cover or two just for fun -- and are equally adept at playing short, taut club sets as they are at filling hours-long overnight slots at festivals and parties.
Check Out Your Mom's Site
Lizards And Stars
Check out the Real Audio Sound Sample
catalog# eye502 CD $13.99
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"I yam who I yam" to quote Popeye.
OK - you really want to know?
At age 16 I was a cheerleader - wanted to marry the star football player and live happily ever
after.
At 19 I dropped out of college, married an ex-football player (he had bad knees).
At 21, I got divorced and went back to college.
I studied at University of Warwick in England where I dated the local hash-hish dealer who
saved me from a life of prescription drug addiction when he warned me about some valium
type drug the school psychiatrist had prescribed for my homesickness - saying, "You don't
want to take these Paula, - you could get strung out on them."
At 24 I went out west in a school bus with a woman, her 3 kids, her boyfriend, his brother, two dogs, a cat, a bird and my carrot juicer. I worked at the only job I could find with my college degree in English - a strawberry picker.
At age 24.5 I hitched back across country by myself (to South Carolina) with my dog and my carrot juicer.
At age 26 I helped my then boyfriend escape from a hospital where he was in under observation because he had been struck by lightning; we went to an amusement park, rode the roller coaster and other death defying rides - him still in his hospital gown. I took him back to the hospital exhausted 4 hours later. The wheel chair I wheeled him out in was still in the driveway of the hospital.
Are you bored yet? Now I get serious...
At age 28 I moved to Vermont started my own business "Rolling in the Dough" - a bakery.
We had a volleyball team called "Flour Power". I was a respected member of the community, sort of. I got married, built a house on
a hill. I got divorced. Lost status as a respected community member. I sold the bakery.
I lived in my house on the hill by myself for 4 years - sometimes had to hike in 3 miles when the weather was bad to get home. I
would spend weeks without seeing another human. I was bored - they had closed the bowling alley in the small town I lived in. I
started writing songs - about 80 in 2 years. Went to a few open mikes - got scared of the stir I seemed to be causing (I am such a
private person) so, I went to Australia, lived in my car for 6 months and ended up playing for an audience of 2,000 for International
Women's Day in Sydney after playing guitar only 6 months.
Now I live in Boston. I guess you could call me a Boston singer-songwriter.
To be continued...I hope...
THE BOSTON GLOBE
NAMES & FACES
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 8, 1998
Local artist's CD may ring true at White House
Looking for a gift for the cad in your life? Brookline singer-songwriter Paula McCormick has a new recording out titled "Someone
Always Pay the Bill for Lies." The CD is McCormick's first, and has eight songs about infidelity, its consequences, and famous
people. The former Vermont bakery owner lived out of a car for a year in Australia before settling here and recording with Rob
Ignazio of Porter Square Recording Studio. Although most of the songs are funny, McCormick said the CD, available in some area
stores, isn't a joke. Songs include "Politician's Lament," "Lies," and "I Need a Wife," which features the lyrics:
"Send me someone like Hillary
who won't put me in a pillory
just for having fun with a girl like Monica
[who plays my harmonica and tells me I'm the one.]
Someone Always Pays the Bill for Lies
Check out the Real Audio Sound Sample
Catalog # lmcd-100 CD $13.99
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