A Pretty War

Artist Information

Biography

The first time you hear A Pretty War you are struck with a feeling of awe as introspective passion radiates from the songs. Thoughts of Tori Amos, 'Til Tuesday, and Over the Rhine come to mind, yet this is no mere sound-alike artist, this is a sound all its own, bursting with unique feeling and emotion.

A Pretty War (formerly RHE) emerged upon the Dayton, Ohio music scene in early 2000, whether performing solo or with the band, rich, vibrant vocals and soul exposing lyrics always make a lasting impression on the audience. The mix of piano/synth, guitar, bass, drums, cello and female vocals work together to create an experience not just sound.

In July 2002, lead vocalist/songwriter, Rhonda Everitt, was putting the finishing touches on the first full-length project, however, her plans took an unexpected and unfortunate turn when she sustained injuries in a motorcycle accident which nearly destroyed her left leg.

Though still recovering, the band self-released “Fairy Tales & Happy Endings,” on Reach for the Sky Records (May ’03). The album is an eclectic mix of song styles, but brings a brand of alternative singer/songwriter style infused with electronic elements as its strength. Recently, Everitt (aka Pale Beneath The Blue) has chosen to delve even farther into the electronic realm to work with Grammy nominated producer, Blake Althen of HF Productions. A six-song EP is set for release in June, hitting radio in late May.

A Pretty War is currently on hiatus, check out www.sonicbids.com/palebeneaththeblue

Highlights:
-Airplay on nearly 100 radio stations across the US
-Showcases at Atlantis Music Conference, The Nashville New Music Conference, Midpoint Music Festival, GoGirlsmusic Fest, Chicks Rock Fest
-Shared the stage with Eleni Mandell, Scrawl, Bleu, and Jen Foster
-Named one of the areas best bands (WOXY.com), 2001 and 2003
-Performed live on the WB Network's, The Daily Buzz, morning program as well as in-studio performances and interviews at several radio stations.
-A Pretty War is endorsed by Daisy Rock Guitars
-Kon Tiki Girl has been placed in the indie film "Turning the Corner"

Instrumentation

James Mikel--bass, background vocals
Rhonda Everitt--keyboard, acoustic guitar, vocals
Steve Van Etten--guitar
Frank Woods--drums

Discography

Fairy Tales & Happy Endings--LP, 2003
Out from Within--pre-release Super Single (EP) 2001
Chicks Rock Fest Compilation, 2004
Bangs! Sounds of the 80s Compilation, 2002
Atlantis Music Conference Compilation, 2001

Official Website

http://www.rhesound.com

Audio

Lyrics

• Out from Within
• 1000 Miles

Video

Photo Gallery

Press

• Best local discs go beyond 10 [+ Show ]
  

  Singer-keyboardist Rhonda Everett recalls the glory days of Lilith Fair power with "Fairy Tales and ...Singer-keyboardist Rhonda Everett recalls the glory days of Lilith Fair power with "Fairy Tales and Happy Endings," a focused collection of emotion-filled songs that range from melancholy to bouyant optismism.

• Listening Pleasure [+ Show ]
  

  Ok… we got some really cool eclectic sounds combined with some interesting changes and an overall vi...Ok… we got some really cool eclectic sounds combined with some interesting changes and an overall vibe conducive to real listening pleasure when I feel like something different with this accomplished, yet simple project. I enjoyed the percussions and drive this CD inserts at its whim when you least expect it. The variety of sounds the CD offers up keep it interesting track to track. Overall…great job!
  
  Hit Picks: "Out From Within" and "803"
  
  
  Annette Warner, gogirlsmusic.com (04/03)

• Defy Winter, party to live music [+ Show ]
  

  "...Fairy Tales & Happy Endings, a sound that often lands somewhere between Tori Amos (the piano dri..."...Fairy Tales & Happy Endings, a sound that often lands somewhere between Tori Amos (the piano driven ballad, Mary Ellen) without all the melodramatic respiration and former San Francisco Seals leader Barbara Manning (the upbeat pop tune, Kon Tiki Girl).
  
  The self-released eight-track disc has plenty of Everitt's ivory tinkling and her emotional soprano vocals and lyrics. I'ts not real happy stuff ("'Got nothing to show for all the wasted years of my existence" begins the ambient lament, Wasted) but there are some underlying rays of hope and she did survive a 2002 motorcycle accident that left one of her legs so flayed that it was nearly amputated."
  --Malcolm X Abram

• Slugmag.com (print version)
  

  "Looks like Sarah McClachlan better watch her a*#!"

• Dayton City Paper [+ Show ]
  

  Back in 1997, when singer/songwriter, pianist and guitarist Rhonda Everitt dreamed of creating a fle...Back in 1997, when singer/songwriter, pianist and guitarist Rhonda Everitt dreamed of creating a fledgling musical project, she had no idea where the thought would take her. Finally, the dream has taken shape and resulted in the release of her much-anticipated debut album, Fairy Tales & Happy Endings. Everitt's musical project, rhe, will have a CD release party in honor of their first full-length album this Sunday at the Canal Street Tavern. Everitt, who is joined by guitarist Steve Van Etten, drummer Todd Drake, bassist James Mikel and cellist Dave Mikel, has been compared to musicians such as Sarah McLachlan and Tori Amos for her sensitivity and passion. However, her music takes on a life of its own. One of the strongest songs on the new album, "Kon Tiki Girl," combines a deep western guitar riff with Everitt's pleasant, high vocals.
  
  "I love 'Kon Tiki Girl,'" Everitt said. "The studio version seems to embody all the things I love--Latin music, James Bond, surfing and fun."
  Other songs on the album resolve personal memories and emotions for a truly soul-exposing view of our heroine. "Most of what I write is extremely serious, like 'Wasted,' '1000 Miles,' and the Tori Amos-inspired 'Mary Ellen.' But for the most part, I love them all," Everitt said. "They are part of me--more perfect parts than what I am capable of being from one moment to the next."
  
  Everitt has been through a lot over the past few years outside of her time working on music. "Last July I was in a motorcycle accident, and I was bombarded with cards and e-mails from friends, fans and fellow-musicians," Everitt said. "Then there was the benfit on my behalf in January. The outpouring of love that I have received since my accident has had a big impact on my will to go on."
  
  Indeed she will go on. rhe will be featured live on the WB television network on "The Daily Buzz" morning show on Friday, May 9. Check local listings for times. rhe's CD release party will take place on Sunday, May 11 at the Canal Street Tavern, 308 E. First Street in Dayton. Ruby Vileos will open. For more information, visit www.rhesound.com

• TheChickenFishSpeaks.com [+ Show ]
  

  In early fall of 2000 I got word of a new female keyboardist/guitarist/singer who was impressing peo...In early fall of 2000 I got word of a new female keyboardist/guitarist/singer who was impressing people with her performances at the local music co-op at Canal Street Tavern. Her name was Rhonda Everitt.
  
  I finally got my chance to find out what all the enthusiasm was about when I saw that she was performing at another local club, The Trolley Stop, with her band, rhe. I entered the club I was immediately enthralled. The beautifully haunting sound of piano mixed with powerful and sweetly cynical vocals floated about the room and put me in a mystical trance. The raw energy and emotion in which she so honestly shared her soul with the audience demanded my full attention. I couldn't take my eyes or ears off of her....
  
  

• Impact Weekly [+ Show ]
  

  rhe// Out from Within (pre-release super single): Rhonda Everitt is one of the most distinctive voi...rhe// Out from Within (pre-release super single): Rhonda Everitt is one of the most distinctive voices in the Dayton scene today. Performing both as a solo artist and with her band, rhe, this sampler showcases both versions. Everitt shows off her pop sensibilities with "Deep" and "Out from Within," powered by a grooving clavinet and a big drum sound. However, "Silently" is the standout track. Stripped down to just her voice and piano, the song cuts straight to the bone. There's so much emotion packed in the song that you feel guilty for listening--it's almost as if you're eavesdropping on some private conversation.

• songwriter finds happy ending
  

  Friday, October 8, 2004 "stellar"

Setlist

Currently A Pretty War is still promoting their latest album, Fairy Tales & Happy Endings, so most of what you will hear is from that disc. However, new, old and cover songs usually always creep into the set-list--here is a recent example:
Sheer
Monster
1000 Miles
Little Secrets
Alcohol (Howlin' Maggie)
Money
Witches
Wishing
Deeper
Kon Tiki Girl
Mary Ellen
803
Come Here, Boy (Imogen Heap)
Out from Within
Dangling
Silently
Blue Chair
Unfold
Eighty-Three
Nothingness
White Wedding (Billy Idol)

The band can play two 45 minute sets and Rhonda solo could fill three.

Basic Requirements

Calendar