Christene LeDoux: BIO
ABOUT THE NEW RECORD Released June 1, 2008! (BIO BELOW)
"If the toast catches fire behind you, you’ll stoically let the house crumble into ashes around you before you even consider pressing ‘eject’."
~Marco Rossi/Echo Dorset UK (June 2008)
"Christene is a strong lyricist, and from the reflective ‘For My Roses’ through to the direct and clear message of ‘Dear Mr President’ (which also sees Eliza Gilkyson helping out), she paints vivid pictures in her songs, throughout the disc she’s both thoughtful and direct and often gives the listener much to consider. An independent storyteller in the true sense of the word, her songs are glimpses into the sights, sounds and stories of her own experiences and the lives of the people populating her tales.
The experience of an established producer has given a new edge to the songs and the quality of the instrumentation and production means that this disc deserves to find a wide audience across both Europe and the US."
~Neil Pearson of Fish Records (UK-June 2008)
"There’s a definite nod to Aimee Mann..."
~Americana UK (July 2008)
Recorded in record time - six days - in the Spring of 2008 with Austin, Texas friend & renowned Grammy-nominated producer/engineer Mark Hallman (Ani DiFranco, Shawn Colvin, Gretchen Peters & Carole King amongst others) nestled in a cozy house on the outskirts of Austin, Texas - Christene's highly anticipated latest full-length CD, "dust 'n' branches ... songs from a wanderer" has arrived.
Although recorded, designed, duplicated & released all within two months, the short time frame only seemed to tap into a the depth and honesty Christene is known for - giving you the feeling this record has been slow-cooking and brewing for years.
Marco Rossi of The Dorset Echo in England put it best, "What a truly beguiling voice. I put on Dust ‘N’ Branches... Songs From A Wanderer when I got home from work yesterday and didn’t realize I was swooning until I fell right over on to my face. I was still captivated, though. “Ouch...” I muttered distractedly...she could melt the walls of the strongest fortifications with the warmth of that voice. In all honesty, I can’t even point you towards an album highlight because the minute you put this on, its quiet, delicate, enveloping surfaces engender a complete mood that you won’t want to interrupt until the album is finished."
Well known fellow Austin musician Eliza Gilkyson appears on the record and popular Texas musician Tom Russell painted the cover especially for Christene. The original photo that inspired Tom's painting - a photo of Christene riding a friend's bike with her guitar on her back on her way to perform at The Cambridge Folk Festival in England.
Those who know Christene know she is jack of many trades. And if traveling the world doing everything from writing sports & fueling airplanes to being a clown, dog-walker, teacher & lipstick builder holder amongst a long list of other jobs isn't enough - knowing nothing about graphic design - in the last two weeks before the CD was due to be duplicated, Christene designed the CD package almost in it's entirety.
After Tom Russell created the painting, Christene worked on the cover with talented Austin designer Dick Reeves (Willie Nelson, Asleep at the wheel & others). The rest of the package; the 12-page book, CD tray, back panel, interior panel and the CD itself was designed and put together by Christene herself.
The package of course is only the icing on the cake.
Each song was hand-picked out from Christene's large collection of songs based on all the people and experiences that encompass her travels.
Christene took a batch into the studio and there she and Mark made the tough decision which would stay and which would go. Most of the tracks saw Mark playing over 15 instruments with a wide array of Christene's other talented friends in Austin joining in including Eliza Gilkyson.
This was Christene's first time working with Mark, surely not her last. "We had the exact same vision and clearly he brought so much talent and experience to the project, taking it in directions I hadn't even planned."
"I was delighted working with Christene on ‘Dust & branches...songs from a wanderer’. She takes personal experiences and paints pictures with her songs that captivate the listener, which is not easily done in the present over-saturated musical climate." (Mark Hallman)
Following her live shows beginning the day after the CD release - in the short weeks since the first run - it not only went in for re-duplication but quickly gained critical acclaim as well as constant airplay throughout all of Europe. Including BBC Radio airplay throughout England, Scotland, Wales & Ireland. Both from live sessions, call-ins and regular rotation.
"She played songs from her new album, produced by Mark Hallman, "Dust 'n' Branches, Songs From A Wanderer" and also from 2003's "Little Lighthouse". Christene is quite delightful and her songs enchanting. I thoroughly recommend this American born, but now Austria based, songwriter and urge you to catch her over the summer whilst she is on tour... Go on have a listen, you won't be disappointed."
~Graeme Scott - Leith FM 98.8, Leith, Scotland (June 2008)
"...Entertaining, warm and as a sublime bonus, talented too."
~JP The Met/Bury, England
"...she was a dream. We really enjoyed her coming to the station."
~ANN MARIE PEARCEY, KCFM 99.8, UK (June 2008)
"A prolific touring artist, it’s obvious these songs have been fine-tuned and honed in front of many audiences; the eleven songs are well constructed, melody led pieces that flow and sit together perfectly, and from the simple acoustic arrangement of ‘Tumbleweed’ through to the fuller band track ‘Whiskey Night’, the collection feels rounded and well considered."
~Neil Pearson/FISH Records, UK (June 2008)
" 'Angel You've Come Too Soon' ...an absolute belter!. She reminds me a bit of EVA CASSIDY - and the early days of OLIVIA NEWTON-JOHN "'
~BRIAN CLOUGH - Smooth Country, SMOOTH RADIO (UK)
"Excellent follow up to Christene's 'Little Lighthouse' album. Produced by Mark Hallman (Eliza Gilkyson, Gretchen Peters, Shawn Colvin), this new disc is a great collection of songs that will bring Christene to a much hight profile in the UK..."
~NEIL PEARSON - Fish Records, England (June 2008)
"...beautiful...a feel of Nanci Griffith."
~Sally Naden & Carole Turner, 'Ladies @ Lunch', BBC RADIO LANCASHIRE (9 Jun 2008)
BIO
A Telluride Troubador Finalist, Falcon Ridge Folk Festival Finalist, Rocky Mt. Folks Festival Finalist, Founder's Title Folk & Bluegrass Festival Finalist, USA Songwriting Award winner, Billboard Songwriting Award winner, Performing Songwriter Top 12 Pick and chosen amongst the UK's Top Maverick Magazine as Ladies Choice to name a few, Christene's down to earth approachability and heart-warming songs are quickly winning the hearts of both fan and industry alike across the globe.
Although reminiscent in some ways to folk icons Nanci Griffith, Patty Griffin & Kate Wolf and with a voice often compared to that of the late Eva Cassidy, it's not to be mistaken that Christene's voice, songs and show are all her own.
Christene has, as a many folk singers before her, lived hard and traveled far, earning each mile and tale as only a wandering minstrel can do.
Living everywhere from California to Arizona, Alaska to Connecticut, Colorado to Tennessee, Texas to London, on the roads & in the campgrounds of the US in her Ford truck & Airstream trailer and now the alps of Innsbruck, Austria - Christene is a gifted storyteller, mesmerizing singer and born to be songwriter.
Armed with a map, the road ahead, her angelic voice, an acoustic guitar, infectious laughter and a gift for songwriting & storytelling, Christene has traveled everywhere from the US & Canada, England, Wales, Scotland & Ireland to Scandinavia, Greece, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Czech Republic, Italy & France amongst many others and later this year, will embark on her first of many tours to Australia.
Compelled to deliver her songs and stories. All of which are true tales of family, strangers and those she has met along the way - as well as a candid glimpse at what her life on the road and all its adventures - is like.
Watching Christene perform live is like spending time with your closest friend. Her ease with her audience is alarming ... her stories both funny and tragic and just when you think you know where it's going, she takes you from tears to laughter in a matter of minutes.
Arthur Jefferson of 'San Francisco Art Magazine' put it best when he wrote, "The lyrics of Christene LeDoux are so clear and vivid that with each note and tone she emits, a detailed form seems to take shape in our minds. To call LeDoux a storyteller is to understate her skills. She is an artist creating exquisite imagery through song. Her entire performance was pure art, her voice of angelic purity. Through every song the crowd was entranced, the aura of their love and appreciation a palpable presence in the club. This is what the experience of music is all about."
Christene has done everything from writing sports in both California and Arizona to fueling airplanes at the Grand Canyon after her car broke down there on her way to training in Washington DC to work with children in Ghana, Africa. She did a brief stint in Alaska working with huskies, held a job at a lipstick holder builder factory in rural Connecticut, worked in Real Estate, as a waitress and as a mountain photographer in Vail, Colorado. In San Francisco, Christene started a dog-walking/training business, trained and worked as both a clown, children's party planner and caterer and as her music began to take hold, was hired for one of twelve auditioned spots to play the outdoor stages at Fisherman's Wharf and Ghiradelli Square. There she honed her skills and before she even had a CD to sell, managed to sell over 5000 home-burned demo CD's to both locals and tourists from around the world.
Finding her calling as a songwriter at nearly 30, Christene finished what would be her last job, a full-time live-in nanny when music then became her job.
For those that have crossed paths with Christene - they know calling Austin, Texas and Innsbruck, Austria home is exactly what you would expect from not only a self-confessed tumbleweed but an often labeled perpetual wanderer.
As the UK's top Maverick magazine wrote, "She delivers both stories and songs with such passion and conviction that you can't help but know she is onto something good. I was left in no doubt that to see Christene perform live is about more than just live music. It is about being given a unique opportunity to understand who the person behind that music is, and to share for a brief time, her life on the road and be a part of that journey."
FACTS, Awards & more
Christene receives airplay around the world, has sold over 15,000+ CD's total since the beginning, continues to pick up songwriting awards across the nation and has had music included in various television shows as well as independent movies.
She holds a strong International presence all over Europe, most notably Great Britain and in 2010, will embark on her first of many tours in Australia.
Awards/recognitions; A Telluride Troubador Finalist, Falcon Ridge Folk Festival Finalist, Rocky Mt. Folks Festival Finalist, Founder's Title Folk & Bluegrass Festival Finalist, USA Songwriting Award winner and Billboard Songwriting Award, Andelle Grand Prize winner overall & First Place in the Folk/country category, 3-time Tucson Folk Festival Finalist, Best Folk Acoustic Award 2003/MAMA*California, Mid-Atlantic Songwriting Contest Finalist and numerous web site related songwriting Awards to name a few...
When not touring, recording and working on new songs, Christene can sometimes be found freelancing for a variety of music and travel magazines - sitting in as a panelist at various Music Festivals including the prestigious Austin, Texas SXSW, giving workshops on songwriting, storytelling, the music business, touring & more...
Christene is dedicated to supporting many organizations helping in the fight against aids, homelessness, domestic violence, child abuse, alcoholism, eating disorders, mental health issues, health care in America (or lack thereof) and more in the United States and Worldwide. Including; "New Songs for Peace" a United Nations Endorsed Project where her song, "The Entertainer" is being featured. Christene's song, "Sweet Patty" is being used to by ARYI (African Regional Youth Initiative) a collaboration of hundreds of youth and community-based projects and organizations in Africa working to fight HIV/AIDS. (most notably in children orphaned from the disease)
Christene is on the Executive Advisory Board for the Clear Channel's project, "Help Cure Breast Cancer."
Her song, "Dear Mr. President" is also included on the recently released Compilation CD, "Peace Talks" and is available for sale through her web site.
Christene is featured alongside James Taylor, Jackson Browne, Dar Williams, Third Eye Blind amongst others with her song, "Guardian Angel" (written after witnessing a friend practicing bulimia) with Mpower. Mpower is sponsored by the National Mental Health Association.
In 2008, Christene's song, "Guardian Angel" appeared on 'Key to life's' compilation CD to help people overcome eating disorders. It's currently being distributed worldwide.
SHORT for press
A Telluride Troubador Finalist, Rocky Mt. Folks Festival Finalist, Falcon Ridge Folk Festival Emerging Artist and recipient of numerous songwriting awards, including the Billboard Song Contest to name a few, Christene LeDoux's down to earth approachability and heart-warming songs are quickly winning the hearts of both fan and industry alike. It's no surprise this Internationally-touring songwriter has sold over 11,000 CD's independently since the release of her Debut album, "Little Lighthouse."
Her follow-up full-length "Dust & Branches ... songs from a wanderer" recorded with Austin, Texas friend & renowned producer/engineer Mark Hallman (Ani DiFranco, Shawn Colvin, Gretchen Peters & Carole King amongst others) as has just been released June 1, 2008 and is available on her website: http://www.ChristeneLeDoux.com
"Enya-like, Christene can transport you to other lands, or bring you home to a place within your heart..."
- Special Ladies Choice - Maverick Magazine