Gretchen Schmaltz is frankly but sweetly disentangled with life. Laced Up Tightly, her debut album, is a pop-up book. You may think it’s an ordinary turn the page book on the outside, but once she begins playing, reality is a picture that is all of a sudden enticing. Gretchen’s rainbowic melodies and perfectly timed pauses charm us. We are invited into the world of an old soul who is, at 24, tired and bluesy. This pop-up book never gets old. The story is too good.
Gretchen’s devotion to her music is obvious when we learn that she had the opportunity to go to medical school, as she informs us before performing “Fire for Wings” at a local Houston venue. If you’ve ever had a conversation with her before, you’ll observe that adipose tissue is her favorite term and while her accent isn’t really southern, it’s friendly.
With a variety of literary and musical influences, Gretchen is no stranger to discovery. She is well versed in folk attitude, feeling, and grace. Her voice is strong but light and is comforting, kind of like a rainfall before bedtime. You get the feeling, though, while listening to her album, that this is only the calm before the storm. Laced Up Tightly is a must have for those who just want to hear good music, simply.
Gretchen Schmaltz - Laced Up Tightly EP
Hello beautiful people. I am also in The Western Civilization. We are so very excited out our recently released CD, Letters of Resignation. You can preview and/or purchase the record on miakatempire.com. Please check it out. Thanks very much.
Hey Gretchen! Sorry I missed you the other day. I've been taking my cpa and it's been crazy. Let me know next time you'll be here. I'm going to Houston at the end of July to visit Ann so if you are around maybe we could all get together. Hope you're doing well :)
Hey girl... I hope all is well. Haven't heard from you in a while. I just found out that we can't come to houston in June...I know...sucks. Let me know how you are.
...so i scored a bootleg of your EP off of soulseek today, from some cat in the netherlands of all places.
and in exchange i gave him the TWC album.
yeah, i'm honest about my illegal activity.
but as they say, their is no such thing as bad publicity.
but anyway, the point i was trying to get at is, the record is amazing!
i LOVE it, honest!
i plan on actually paying for it sometime in the near future.
probabaly not for the same kick ass price as i got the TWC cd, (83 cents i think it was? it was all i had in my pocket when we played together), but buy it i will!
congradulations on being such a beautiful songwriter, and slapping together 5 lovely songs for people to pay for and dream too.
you should speak nicely to the Mia Kat folk about us!
i know we're not from Houston, but we could provide a nice record for them to sell!
Ha! If I ever decide to leave this fabulous city, I'll look you up! :-) I hope you had fun here, hon! Let me know how you're doing when you get a chance! :-)
Gretchen! Hey dude! Just seeing how you are. Did you ever get in touch with Gentry? I hope you had a great Thanksgiving, and I hope you have a great Christmas. Gotta get back to work now! love ya, michelle
p.s. i listen to you like every day on my ipod and i love it!
Hey Gretchen, just wanted to say i got a chance to listen to your stuff, and we really like it. We saw T.W.C at rudyards, you guys were good. If you get a chance check us out, tell us if we suck or not. and thanks for being our online friend!
I'm so happy I finally got to meet you. I mean I heard so much about you and I just love your music. You're welcome! Any time you guys come through here I would love to help out any way I can. I can't wait to see you guys again.
So fvnny. last night the kids(not from le pool)knocked and knocked and knocked. kept knocking. geeze, we ended vp tvrning ovt the lights and retiring to ovr dark corners! ha! drop them kids off somewhere else, if yov know what i mean! if ya know what's good for ya!
How have you been? I'm organizing a benefit concert this weekend with Marina V from L.A. whose music I think you'd enjoy... would love to see you there! I hope everything is going well!
I hope that your finding part of you on the road that you never knew existed. That was prob. my favorite part of my travels. Know that on Saturday, you will be missed, but definately spoke of. -Your frickin Sister- LIV
