Musical: Elvis, John,Paul,George and Ringo, The Glimmer Twins, Jimi, Jim, Janis, Dylan, Gram & Emmylou, Hair -The Musical, Nashville- The Movie, Buck Owens, Loretta Lynn, Jimmie Dale Gilmore,Lucinda Williams, The Monkees, Bowie and Ronson, The Grateful Dead, CSNY, Mama Cass. The list goes on forever and the party never ends.
Spiritual: The incredible varied beauty of the enlightened state of California, Paramahansa Yogananda, Osho, Yogi Bhajan, Prabupadha, The Dalai Lama. Our Moms, - Phyllis and Maggie, our dogs, - Steve and Moxie
Political: Emma Goldman, Abbie Hoffman, Patti Smith, Martin Luther King Jr., Pete Seeger and Woody Guthrie, Dennis Kucinich, Aung San Suu Kyi
Combining the best elements of country, folk and classic rock meet Topanga Canyon, California's CITY FRITTER.
What ARE the best elements of country?
The honesty and grit of Loretta Lynn and Buck Owens.
Folk?
The storytelling of Bob Dylan and the harmonies of CSNY.
Classic rock?
The ringing guitars and energy of The Beatles, Stones and Byrds.
What IS City Fritter?
A fried up tasty mix of all those influences flavored by the experience and creativity of singing and songwriting team
JEWELS and JOHNNY NATION. CITY FRITTER incorporates and reflects all of the varied environments and circumstances that have shaped the band and their sound. Rooted firmly in the present, listening to what has come before, with eyes to the future - this is timeless music.
Since forming in 2003 CITY FRITTER has performed extensively for enthusiastic audiences at nearly every venue in LA. Some favorites: Canter's Kibitz Room, The House of Blues, Molly Malone's, The Viper Room, Cinema Bar, Safari Sam's, and Liquid Lounge Long Beach where they had a monthly residency for 2 years. In their hometown of Topanga, they have become local favorites, playing the legendary TOPANGA DAYS festival for the past 4 years.
Outside of LA, CITY FRITTER has played shows at Pappy & Harriet's Pioneertown Palace and GRAMFEST - the annual Gram Parsons tribute concert in Joshua Tree, California where they make their second home. Another favorite gig was at The Sweetwater in Marin County, one of Jerry Garcia's favorite spots. Besides extensively touring Northern and Southern California, the Fritters had a very successful east coast tour in 2007, playing shows in New York City, Woodstock, Pennsylvania, and the Berkshires, where they had the pleasure of playing The Guthrie Center - founded by Arlo Guthrie in the church made famous in "Alice's Restaurant".
Other stops on the Fritter train include The Hotel California in Todos Santos, Baja Sur Mexico and Tradewinds on Kaui, Hawaii.
Wherever they play, audiences respond immediately and positively to the unique sound and stage presence of the band. High energy vocals meet laid back California guitars - a curly haired dynamo gets the crowd moving by dancing up a storm while a handsome rock & roller takes his licks on a fine collection of instruments.
Johnny's lead guitar playing for the seminal LA cowpunk band, THE JONESES gave him a solid background in the rootsy style later to be recognized as alt-country. Jewels background in theatre gives her an immediate way to connect with an audience, singing and dancing professionally since childhood, she fronts the band with humor and confidence.
Soon after meeting and starting to jam, Jewels and Johnny discovered a mutual interest in the history of country music. Together they dug deep into traditional, mainstream, outlaw, and cosmic American music - approaching and interpreting it all with new eyes and a fresh perspective. On their own, each had written songs, but when they started writing together a new voice was created and the music just flowed. After a songwriting workshop with alt-country guru Jimmie Dale Gilmore, their process was solidified and the songs continue to get better and better. "We balance each other beautifully" says Jewels "I start with the truth and emotional honesty of the story of the song while Johnny focuses on the catchy guitar parts - we meet in the middle and that's where the magic happens" "Some of the first songs we wrote together like 'LAUREL CANYON', 'TRAVELLIN" MOON', and '$91' are still favorites in our live show 5 years down the line. That's the test of a good song, it holds up over time" says Johnny.
Their partnership forms the core of CITY FRITTER supported by some of the finest musicians playing in the Americana scene today.
In 2006, Jewels and Johnny received their first big song placement - the track "DON"T YOU KNOW" can be heard in the 20th Century Fox feature film "FLICKA" starring Tim McGraw.
The song is included on their latest release, the critically acclaimed
"FROM THE OCEAN TO THE DESERT"
(available on iTunes, CDBaby and Miles of Music)
In addition to the new CD, CITY FRITTER has released 2 EPs both of which sold out their initial runs completely:
the 5 track self titled "CITY FRITTER" (available for download on iTunes and CDbaby) and the 7 track all acoustic "JUST US". Some tracks from these EPs are available for FREE right here on our page.
Hope you'll add us as friends and download a song or two, check out our website for more song clips and details about upcoming shows. Come out and see us live sometime, good time guaranteed!!
Thanks for listening,
give peace a chance!
I edited my profile with Thomas Myspace Editor V4.4 (www.strikefile.com/myspace)
Oh, there's more where that came from... I have no idea what I'm doing. I'm thinking of going out a grabbing drinks and/or food somewhere, you are most definitely invited, I'll let you know what's up.
I think I've found my dog...and it's in Bakersfield. Wanna go to Bakersfield with me this weekend? Wow, maybe I really will be spending my birthday there.
Life is changin direction and it is ALL workin out.......got to see Amilia Spicer, Old Bull, n Killing Casanova over the weekend, so that rocked....Hope to hear you play soon. peace, B.
Thanks! You got a nice fat sound! We..re really looking forward to plaing with Ted and we..re always up for playing with other great acts! Keep us posted!
that IS cheese! i was grating it for the mac&cheese I made for pamela's party/ i looked down to see how much I'd grated and saw the heart. It truly was made with love. HA. I need a couple weekends with nothing to do and then I'll start planning the next one : ) love you big time! shell
Hi there partners! If only...I was around this weekend. Ojai is my dream away home, far away in the stars. I was actually in Big Sur this weekend and just arrived back home. How was your show? I cant believe you have a basil plant all for me. Bummer though, my sunflower plant isn't doing so well, she doesnt want to grow. boo hoo
You were dearly missed last night, but I think I had enough fun for the 3 of us....until 4:30am! The firepit was a roaring success (intentional pun, yes.) and I've been told I'll be doing this much more often! See you soon, I hope! Love you xox
We are headlining the KNITTING FACTORY in Hollywood next THURSDAY, September 25th, at 10:00PM
This will be an industry showcase for Myspace records as well as the Hollywood Music Awards.
We are inviting you to be present, receive, and share your energy in the space of pure music. We will be pulling out new songs, but we will be bringing back the classics as well for this even so get ready for a wild ride!
The B.O.L.T. Knitting Factory- Front Room Thursday, September 25th 10PM $15 at door Presale discount tickets available; just write back and we can get a ticket into your hands.
