Charming Gardeners
Dallas, Texas, United States | INDIE
Music
Press
Music teachers by day, rockers by night
Originally published August 20, 2010
By Lauren LaRocca
News-Post Staff
The Charming Gardeners will perform at the Pirates and Wenches Ball Saturday night at Joanie's Carroll Street Cafe in downtown Frederick.
What: Pirates and Wenches Ball, featuring the Charming Gardeners
When: 8:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 21
Where: Joanie's Carroll Street Cafe, 124 S. Carroll St., Frederick
Tickets: $20. Available online at ticketleap.com
Information: 301-620-4323
While touring the Eastern seaboard, the Charming Gardeners will stop in Frederick for the Pirates and Wenches Ball.
Their manager usually tries to book small-town acoustic gigs between bigger shows by the Dallas-based group -- coffehouse-type stuff, explained lead guitarist Mark Solomon. They didn't expect a full-on, plugged-in party -- but then, they didn't know Joanie Jenkins, owner of Carroll Street Cafe.
The Charming Gardeners -- vocalist Amy Curnow, bassist Wade Cofer, Gerald Iragorri on drums and Solomon on guitar and vocals -- formed in spring 2009 as a rock/pop group. They play original material, most of which is written by Solomon, though they all collaborate. Sometimes they bust out covers, for fun.
They released their first EP (self-titled) and are working towards a full-length album, hoping to complete in the fall. Hard copies of the EP will be available at the show, and digital copies are available on iTunes.
"We've been recording ever since we started," Solomon said during a phone interview.
Solomon owns a music school in Dallas, which he started eight years ago in his garage. The school includes a recording studio, where some 40 groups come through during the summer, and where the Charming Gardeners record.
Everyone accept Iragorri works for him, he said.
"We're all teachers, so that's what we want to perpetuate" on tour, he said. "We don't leave behind what we do."
They look for local schools and organizations along the way, for them to visit or help in some way.
"Rock and roll is a viable way for kids to get passionate about music," he continued. "Eighth notes are eighth notes, whether it's Beethoven or the Ramones."
After playing in bands throughout his life, Solomon didn't want to give up making music, recording and touring. To perpetuate the life he wanted, he created a music school, which freed him up to take off time as needed, while passing along his love for music.
- The Fredrick News Post
HIGHLAND PARK — The Highland Park High School Orchestra will explore new musical territory when it teams up with a Dallas-based rock band for its final public concert of the year on May 17.
The Charming Gardeners, a Dallas band who this year signed with Idol Records, will perform with the student orchestra at 6:30 p.m. in the Large Auditorium of Highland Park High School. The event is free and open to the public.
The Highlander Strings will be accompanying The Charming Gardeners for “Elevator” and “Mission to Mars,” two cuts from their new EP. A grant from HP Arts made the unlikely collaboration possible, said orchestra director Peggy Tucker. Singer/songwriter Marc Solomon, who has worked with the orchestra for the past several weeks for the performance, has taken original music written for his rock/pop bands, The Charming Gardeners and Solly, and wrote parts specifically for the student orchestra.
Also featured are ”Hollow Point” and “Underture,” previously released by Solly and featured on their 2008 album You Know What You Should Do. Band members performing on these two pieces include HPHS students Chris Littlejohn (drums), Chris Collins (guitar), and Ben Littlejohn (bass guitar).
Part of the process is to teach orchestra students to rock. Marc Solomon (right) knows how to do that quite well.Tucker said she asked for the HP Arts grant because so many of her orchestra students like and listen to rock and pop music. “The students were interested in experiencing and performing that musical genre,” she said. “I think it is important to provide opportunities for the students to experience and learn how to play different genres of music.”
Solomon is also the owner of Zound Sounds School of Music and for the past few years he has conducted a workshop on songwriting at the HP Literary Festival. "I work with students every day,” Solomon said. “What's really special for me with this gig is the number of students. While it's interesting to hear my music played on different instruments, the bigger difference is that this group is huge! With 70 players on five string parts, this will be a really special event.”
- Pegasus News
“ It’s obvious from the pitch-perfect vocals of tatted-up lead singer Amy Curnow and the studio-caliber rock band that backs her that their aim is excellence- and they don’t miss that mark at all.”
- Dallas Observer
Discography
Charming Gardeners (EP)
Photos
Bio
New Dallas rock band Charming Gardeners, thrills audiences of all ages with an amazing rock and roll energy and heavy rhythm and blues groove. The band was founded by noted Dallas singer/songwriter/musician/teacher & co-founder of Zounds Sounds School of Music, Marc Solomon. Solomon refers to the band’s sound as, “60’s pop for the 21st century.” The band magically melds the essence of pop sensibilities including the influences of Motown & Great Britain, which blends into a soul & modern rock sound. The band is signed by Dallas based Idol Records & has a self-titled, 5 song EP which is available on ITunes & most other digital formats for download only. Charming Gardeners is also currently in the studio recording their first full-length album.
Charming Gardeners features Amy Curnow on vocals; Marc Solomon on guitar and vocals; Wade Cofer on bass and vocals; and Ross Martinez on drums.
As Charming Gardeners' lead singer, Amy Curnow's torchy vocals have a distinctive sound, with remarkable stylistic range. Recently, music writer Zach Lewis of Zlew.net said, "Marc Solomon really stood out with his guitar skills & Amy Curnow showcased her vocal talents with great support from the band.”
Charming Gardeners recently explored new musical territory when they teamed up with the Highland Park High School Orchestra for a public concert. The Highlander Strings accompanied the Charming Gardeners for “Elevator” and “Mission to Mars”, two cuts from the band’s EP. Marc Solomon, who worked with the orchestra for several weeks before the concert, used his original music and wrote parts specifically for the student orchestra.
Charming Gardeners are playing local & regional gigs and have been getting a lot of radio airplay on KXT 91.7. "We are planning larger tours & as a group we have a combined sense of community, and care about music education,” Solomon said. “We hope to put together an educational component with schools and community groups along with our touring gigs,” he continued.
This is a band that makes you stand up and listen. They have that rare, big star quality that tells you they’re going places; with Amy’s mature & sweet yet powerful vocals, along with Wade’s harmonies and Marc’s guitar make for a unique sound.
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