kites & crows

Artist Information

Biography

"..mellow folk goodness..." - NBC


Kites & Crows have performed at venues such as Mississippi Studios ( Portland) The Can Can ( Seattle) and Amnesia ( San Francisco), the trio has recorded two eps and a full length album due in September 2012
Kites & Crows, an indie folk / Americana trio from Ashland, Oregon had their first tour in November 2010 selling their homemade ep Golden Room which has become a favorite on Jefferson Public Radio's Folk Show and newspapers from the west coast agree :

"... oodles of pretty melodies..."
— the Bend Bulletin

".. quality work. " — Moscow-Pullman Daily News

"...intelligent songwriting..." — The Siskiyou

"..folksy intellect...very pretty music.." — BANG!

Singer/songwriter Mysha Caruso started Kites & Crows with multi-instrumentalist Jesse Baldwin on banjo and accordion. Nancy Martin forms the trio on Cello and vintage Vibraphonette. Mysha Caruso attended the Walnut Hill School for the performing arts in Boston as a theatre major but his main focus was in vocal training with teachers from the New England Conservatory. He began to shift his focus to songwriting when he left Boston to travel. His solo troubadour style performance eventually led him to Ashland. The three musicians of Kites & Crows met at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival where they all work. The name Kites & Crows actually is inspired from the production of Coriolanus, where the recently banished battle hero is hiding out "...under the canopy...in the city of kites and crows..."

Kites & Crows main fanbase stretches from Seattle to San Francisco at popular venues, local theatres and offer many performances to enthusiastic audiences at wineries and vineyards on the West Coast.

Instrumentation

Mysha Caruso - Vocals, Guitar
Jesse Baldwin - Banjo, Accordion
Nancy Martin - Cello, vibraphonette

Discography

kites & crows :

More for The Mender ( September 2012)

Villager ep ( June 2011)

Golden Room ep ( November 2010)

Official Website

http://www.kitesandcrows.net

Links

• Facebook
• Twitter

Audio

• paper chains
  Listen  
• Found Some Color
  Listen  
• A Better Life*
  Listen  
• Rusty Heart
  Listen  
• New Way To Believe
  Listen  

Lyrics

• She Hangs the Moon
• Paper Chains
• Found Some Color
• New Way To Believe
• Little Glass Baby Doll

Video

Photo Gallery

Press

• " stick a folk in it..." [+ Show ]
  

  "...sweet , philosophical folk songs. Banjo, acoustic guitar, and cello underscore singer and songw..."...sweet , philosophical folk songs. Banjo, acoustic guitar, and cello underscore singer and songwriter Mysha Caruso's appealing, honest voice and the sugar harmonies provided by Jesse Baldwin and Nancy Martin..."

• " Kites & Crows are a breath of fresh air " [+ Show ]
  

  " Kites & Crows are a breath of fresh air and that they play a folky style with a little bit of o...
  " Kites & Crows are a breath of fresh air and that they play a folky style with a little bit of of a throwback feel to it without making it sound gothic or drunken or apocalyptic. What they do has nothing to do with the Dark Tower series or dark preacher imagery. It’s kind of nice to hear a talented band play a kind of music they clearly love to play without it being a gimmick. I’m a fan. Kites & Crows’ sound is simultaneously sweet, smart, and serious and the fact that they could one day tour with a band like the Great Lake Swimmers or wind up on a label like Hush Records adds an air of sincerity to what it is they’re putting out. Tonight’s will be an intimate showcase of what it means to perform a specific kind of music joyfully and without pretense. - SSGMUSIC.com

• "...mellow folk goodness.."
  

  "...mellow folk goodness.." - NBC Bay Area

• "... oodles of pretty melodies..."
  

  "... oodles of pretty melodies..." The Bend Bulletin

• " ...Kites & Crows channel the sounds of the northwest [+ Show ]
  

  " ...Kites & Crows channel the sounds of the northwest with a soft gentle sound, Mysha Caruso smoo...
  " ...Kites & Crows channel the sounds of the northwest with a soft gentle sound, Mysha Caruso smoothly caresses each lyric....

• intelligent songwriting [+ Show ]
  

  "...The Music of Kites & Crows sails though alternating bright and dark landscapes while carrying ...
  "...The Music of Kites & Crows sails though alternating bright and dark landscapes while carrying listeners along as if they were indeed the flailing tail of this musical kite. At times elating and at other times moody, the music of Kites & Crows combines the delicate instrumentation of bands like Horse Feathers and The Dimes with the storytelling prowess of The Decemberists. Songs such as " Paper Chains" and " The Scales Sway" are excellent examples of the band's talented songwriting. With intricate banjo lines and haunting cello parts, the music sets the stage for storylines perfectly fit to the music. A live performance from the band is likely to lift one's spirits and renew hope that intelligent songwriting and intricate, poetic storytelling are not things of the past. "

• "..folksy intellect...very pretty music.."
  

  "..folksy intellect...very pretty music.." - BANG! ( Eugene)

• Kites & Crows has the potential to do big things. [+ Show ]
  

  " Mark my words, the Ashland-based indie-folk band Kites & Crows has the potential to do big thing...
  " Mark my words, the Ashland-based indie-folk band Kites & Crows has the potential to do big things. The trio met at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, where they all worked before realizing their musical inclinations wove together quite nicely. The result is textured, melodic folk music driven by the aching sounds of the cello, banjo and accordion and colored with charming harmonies... "
  — the Bend Bulletin

• " an experience you will remember.." [+ Show ]
  

  Kites & Crows - Lifeboat EP 2008, Kites & Crows Ashland, Oregon’s Kites & Crows started out as t...Kites & Crows - Lifeboat EP
  2008, Kites & Crows
  
  Ashland, Oregon’s Kites & Crows started out as the musical extension of singer/songwriter Mysha Caruso but has grown into something more. In the process of creating their debut, the Lifeboat EP, something special happened. While Caruso is still the driving force as lead singer/songwriter/guitar player, the rest of Kites & Crows seem always to find their voice instrumentally and enhance Caruso’s creations beyond what they might have been alone. Call it singer/songwriter/ensemble, call it 21st century folk; call it whatever you want. Kites & Crows is creating incredibly wild and original folk sounds less than 100 miles from the left coast.
  
  Lifeboat opens with Way Down The Line, an understated Americana tune that came across as very stoic and dry. Kites & Crows open up a bit on End Of The Road, a great Folk/Americana piece with simple and memorable melody. Mysha Caruso's vocals here are spot on. Weathervane has a Celtic feel to it; a love song based more in reality than in starry-eyed romance. Weathervane is touching in a cynical fashion. More To The Story is a wonderful song about starting over written in subtle and searching tones that ask voiceless questions. More To The Story will stay with you long after The Lifeboat EP is done playing. Don't Hold Me Down explores the need to touch base at home once in a while contrasted with the need to go out and make your place in the world. The two don't need to be mutually exclusive, and the narrator here is asking freedom to do both. Backroad Pioneer closes out the Lifeboat EP with a classic sounding bit of folk songwriting.
  
  Kites & Crows have a very reserved sound, yet tell stories to song set with brilliant nuance and subtle conviction. Lifeboat EP is an experience you will remember. Vocalist Caruso is a pleasure to listen to, and I suspect this is a CD you'll keep coming back to.
  
  Rating: 4 Stars (Out of 5)
  
  

• "folk-rock your face off" [+ Show ]
  

  "...Kites & Crows will gently folk-rock your face off, and then slap your smile back on with oodles... "...Kites & Crows will gently folk-rock your face off, and then slap your smile back on with oodles of pretty melodies..." - The Bend Bulletin

• "expertly weaving..." [+ Show ]
  

  Mysha Caruso and Jesse Baldwin of Kites & Crows met and still work together at a famous Shakespeare ...Mysha Caruso and Jesse Baldwin of Kites & Crows met and still work together at a famous Shakespeare festival, so it’s probably no coincidence their music has the ability to carry a listener along on a wave of sound the way a Shakespeare sonnet can carry a reader on a wave of words.
  
  Caruso’s lyrics, thoughtful and free of cliches, tell stories of loss and redemption, love, friendship, going away and coming home again. Caruso sings his words confidently over the strains of his acoustic guitar and Baldwin’s banjo and accordion.
  
  Caruso and Baldwin play together like jazz musicians, expertly weaving their instruments and voices into a pleasant folk/indie sound that leaves a listener tapping his fingers and nodding along.
  
  Kites and Crows’ music is hard to define, but hints of the band’s influences such as the Decemberists and Josh Ritter are sprinkled throughout their songs.
  
  If Kites and Crows sounds this tight after being together for such a short time, I can hardly wait to see what the future holds for them.
  
  Definitely quality work.
  
  
  Alan Solan
  Moscow-Pullman Daily News

• beautiful songs [+ Show ]
  

  "....Kites And Crows is a simple yet sincere indie-folk band comprised of much talent. From the gent..."....Kites And Crows is a simple yet sincere indie-folk band comprised of much talent. From the gentle vocals of lead singer Mysha Caruso to the sounds of multi-instrumentalist Jesse Baldwin and other band members such as Nancy Martin on the cello, this band delivers legit mellow folk. They are a young band but have already managed to create some beautiful songs..."
  - Too Roads Indie Music Blog

• A GEM [+ Show ]
  

  On their Myspace page, the trio list their influences as, among the usual list of other bands, rust ...On their Myspace page, the trio list their influences as, among the usual list of other bands, rust and blue paint. There is something very evocative about rust…Neil Young averred that rust never sleeps, but it brings to mind neglect, decay and decrepitude. It can also bring to mind the triumph of nature over the things we make. But I digress.
  
  I found a well-recorded, if too short, recording of some really, really good stuff. Call it whatever you want: americana, folk, roots…it doesn’t matter. The tunes are as inviting and comfortable as a fleece vest and Birkenstock sandals or a cuppa coffee and croissant with jam. This is music for your soul.
  
  K&C describe their music as boat ride, at night, with some wine, a dripping candle. I think of it as a late night conversation with a good friend who has some stories to tell. You can wrap these songs around yourself in order to keep warm.
  
  There’s no pretentiousness here. No effort by the musicians to establish whatever street cred that most others feel they need. These songs are about life as seen by a discerning, deep-seeing writer.
  
  The production of this music is a masterpiece of clever acoustic arranging although the result exhibits a light touch. Even though the packaging is bare bones, the music is professionally recorded with care given to bringing out all the instruments. Caruso’s vocals are placed front and centre and, although there’s nothing magical about his singing, his voice is well suited to the songs he’s written.
  
  Summary: A gem. Buy this and amaze your friends. This one goes on my shelf.
  
  > Jeremiah Sutherland
  Bull Frog Music

• picturesque lyrics [+ Show ]
  

  Mysha Caruso, a New England native, blends Folk, Celtic, Americana and Appalachian sounds to create ...Mysha Caruso, a New England native, blends Folk, Celtic, Americana and Appalachian sounds to create his own unique brand of music. With plucky guitar, mandolin and strings reminiscent of Nickel Creek, smiling vocals and picturesque lyrics, Where We Belong takes the listener to a calm, serene place. Mysha's songs are full of imagery, one can tell just by listening that this is an artist truly enamored with nature and the environment. He sings of mountains, islands and tropical forests. One can picture Mysha paddling his boat from island to island with his guitar beside him, as on "Empty Boat" - "I returned here to pay my dues, but now I'm drifting away with soggy shoes..." Oddly enough, Mysha's vocals sound a bit like what would happen if Ani DiFranco died and came back as her polar opposite- a mellow, slow to anger, male folk singer. This is especially evident on"Back To You" the 4th song on the album. This album would do well played in a campfire setting, or perhaps even during mediatation after a yoga class. It is no wonder that Mysha has recorded songs used in a yoga DVD - his music is perfect for those times when one needs to be still, calm and visualize peaceful settings. Where We Belong is available to order online from www.cdbaby.com/cd/mysha2
  -Andi Agnew
  Rise Music Magazine

• "heartwarming!" [+ Show ]
  

  (Mysha Caruso's music)"...builds bridges between traditional, Appalachia tunes and contemporary Fo...
  (Mysha Caruso's music)"...builds bridges between traditional, Appalachia tunes and contemporary Folk music. "
  " Heartwarming music with pleasing calm singing..."
  " music for contemplative hours.."
  - Thomas Engert
  FOLKIG magazine (Germany)

• "masterful, transportive and earnest" [+ Show ]
  

  "Gifted in the art of crafting song, Mysha's work glistens like the dew of a morning mountain sunr...
  "Gifted in the art of crafting song, Mysha's work glistens like the dew of a morning mountain sunrise..."
  "...he brings a freshness to Americana and Folk music in general. Mysha is an artist to listen for."

• "dynamic interplay.." [+ Show ]
  

  "..a contagious joy...it certainly grabs me and gives me chills with it's beautiful soul dynamic ...
  "..a contagious joy...it certainly grabs me and gives me chills with it's beautiful soul dynamic interplay..."
  
  - Stuart Oliver
  producer/songwriter

• Ballads! (cd review) [+ Show ]
  

  Mysha's music is "both cryptic and mystic" "His poetic imagry is vivid" "with lyrics...
  
  
  Mysha's music is
  
  "both cryptic and mystic"
  
  "His poetic imagry is vivid"
  "with lyrics that are both earthy and spiritual," and express a "Druidical revevrence for Nature."
  "Mysha is one of those musicians that you have to listen closely to truely appreciate what he is doing. His music is mostly pastoral and poetic, mid-tempo. His voice is a somewhat breathy baritone, a little light in the lower register, but well rounded tonally and pleasing. While Mysha is a classically trained vocalist, he eschews any pretense of the operatic, although he sings on key and is at times dramatic in a folksier vein."
  " one song where Mysha's classical vocal training shines through is "Elegant Navigation". His upper register soars clearly in a beautifully controlled vibrato"
  -John Burnett-ISLAND BEAT
  Hawaii Island Journal
  October 2004

Setlist

Tide & The Undertow
Paper Chains
Found Some Color
A Better Life
The Huddle Plan
Muddy Waters
Little Glass Baby Doll
The HighLine
The Scales Sway
She Hangs the Moon
Out of Range
Backroad Pioneer
Don't Hold Me Down
Weathervane
Found My Home
Endless Odyssey
Way Down the Line
Grandmother Rose
Way Down The Line

and more..........

Basic Requirements

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