City Fritter
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City Fritter

Band Americana Folk

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"Americana UK"

Next now has a clothing line called ‘Nouveau Folk’ and if there is a signal that something has been incorporated into the mainstream then that is it. I think Jewels and Johnny are a nouveau hippy (I was reminded of Gavin Lambert’s ‘Goodbye People’ whilst listening to this), June and Johnny Cash with a Neil Young influence and not just ‘After the Goldrush’. There is plenty of power in these songs and an immediacy like rain turning dust to mud - ‘Standin’ by the Door’ has that coiled Crazy Horse power that isn’t unleashed; it leaks out in a vibrant pedal steel break and the guitar is more liquid than fire.

There is a kind of pattern. Jewel takes the lead on the more county orientated songs, Johnny is more rock, Jewel goes for Patsy Cline sings the Byrds on ‘Before too Long’ and ends up very close to the paisley underground. The lovely ‘Not Your Girlfriend Anymore’ is her high point with pedal steel ghosts haunting her fine rich voice. They make me think of 10,000 Maniacs, James Taylor and the rawness and immediacy of the live sounding ‘It Took So Long (To Fall in Love)’ elevates this above the mire of also-rans - kind of like Viva Voce’s mum and dad.




- David Cowling


"Freddy Celis"

"From The Ocean To The Desert" by City Fritter (aka Jewels and Johnny Nation) is a stunning combination of excellent singing, songwriting and instrumental performances. They blend country, folk, and rock to create a pleasing musical road movie, the band adds beautiful harmonies to their standard guitars/harmonica/drums instrumentation. Heartfelt lyrics, top notch production, and professional in every way, the music is excellent and worth detailed exploration and a journey; it struck us immediately with its timeless quality—certainly a must listen!
Freddy Celis - Rootstime (Mar 17, 2007)
- Rootstime


"Skratch Magazine"

On their previous release, this band walked a tightrope between honky tonk bar ballads and alternative country. On the duo’s latest release “FROM THE OCEAN TO THE DESERT” the band has ditched the “alternative” and opted for pure country rock. One track “Don’t You Know” was picked by Disney for the film “FLICKA”. But City Fritter’s best work is not G-rated. There are some brilliant tracks on the disc such as “Tawdry Motel” and “Travellin’ Moon” where vocalist Jewels channels every trailer trash chanteuse that ever put on a pair of cowboy boots. When she sings about the booze and the bad men, it comes from the heart. The heart of country is pain and defeat and few musicians do it better than these two.
Dug - Skratch Magazine (Jan 10, 2007)
- Dug


"Hemifran-Swedish distributor and promotions company"

I've lived with the beautiful new disc you sent for several weeks now (at
home, in the car and at the office), and I must say that the album is absolutely top-notch! Very, very strong material, remarkable performances and a very healthy attitude!
Simply put,
The best disc in this genre that I've heard in a long, long time! I really do believe that this album is very suitable for the Scandinavian/European audiences. - Peter Holmstedt


"Miles of Music"

IT'S A CRACKER!
CITY FRITTER

From The Ocean To The Desert- Jewels and Johnny Nation capture a spirit that is like June Carter Cash singing with a late '60s Los Angeles country/folk/psych band.Elements of Bakersfield are mixed with the Sunset Strip, creating a warm, harmony-driven, infectious sound. This 10 track release, clocking it at 40 minutes, moves by briskly leaving a wake of hook-filled gems.

- Jeff Weiss


"Skratch Magazine"

The debut 5 song EP from this Topanga Canyon band is a feel good cross between alt-country and sonic country rock. There is some incredible harmonica playing by vocalist Jewels (especially on the track $91). While Jewels voice often borders on old school Nashville female vocals, Johnny Nation's rockabilly styled lead guitar riffs lift this music out of the Grand Old Opry tradition and place it closer to musicians like Gram Parsons. - Dug 1/2006 - Dug


"SHUT EYE RECORDS"

Howdy! I appreciate you sending a copy of your CD "FROM THE OCEAN TO THE DESERT" over to the friendly folks at Shut Eye. I love how you have taken a country-influenced sound and put a fresh edge on your songs. Your music is upbeat and fun! While all of the songs on your CD are worth mentioning, the one that stood out to me the most was "DON'T YOU KNOW". "DON'T YOU KNOW" is such a unique song, from the upbeat percussion and captivating lyrics to the backing female vocals that work so well on the chorus. This is one of those songs that sucks you in and keeps you wanting more! - Bayly Marret - Director of A & R


"Jimmie Dale Gilmore"

"Massively talented" - Alt-country pioneer


""Charmingly done""

This is one of those albums that could as easily have been recorded 1967 as 2007. Mix equal parts CCR, Tom Petty and Sheryl Crow and you will have a pretty good idea of how it sound. It is radio friendly country rock with lyrics about love, love and unhappy love.
Maybe not the most innovative venture, but oh how charmingly done. The band consists of Jewels and Johnny Nation who share the front of the microphone. It is however at its best when they join together on the record’s duets. Their voices harmonize perfectly with each other and Johnny is to boot a very driving guitarist. "From The Ocean To The Desert" is simply an album that makes me happy. It is as if was made for lazy days in the hammock or as a companion in the car on a late night when you are on your way home and the road feels too long. A little like Mark Knopfler & Emmylou Harris on happy pills. Don’t forget that the simple is also often the most beautiful.
- Groove Magazine - GROOVE MAGAZINE


""Far out!""

Oh, Johnny Nation and Jewel must really regret that they were born 40 years too late. In 1967 their mix of folk, country and rock would have been so sensational and essential that they certainly would have had a contract from Asylum or Warner. The couple lives in southern california's Topanga Canyon just as Neil Young, Joni Michell, Steven Stills did in that time. They look like authentic hippies and are incredibly groovy. Still we cannot write them off as some pastiche of yesteryear. The music on " From The Ocean To The Desert " is too good for that. The duo captures well the sound from those great days of music, but through the tightness of the songs also reminds of the present-day country rockers. Fresh guitar songs with a wailing edge. Johnny sings well (also does guitar and banjos), also Jewels and they sing duo well, sometimes apart a la Handsome Family. The dark side of those good old days with drugs is remembered with "Before too Long", for which again, those older singers were famous for. All in all a great record that you need to listen to with the volume turned up. Far out!
  - ROOTSY


Discography

FROM THE OCEAN TO THE DESERT - 10 track CD
(Full length release available at iTunes, cdbaby.com, and Amoeba Music)
CITY FRITTER - 5 track EP CD
JUST US - 7 track EP CD
Compilations:
"Before Too Long"
Rhythms of Topanga - TopangaBands.com
"Don't You Know"
United States of Americana - Shuteye Records

Photos

Bio


A California based, country flavored folk/rock band with terrific songs and a lot of personality, CITY FRITTER plays music that reaches your heart and makes you smile. CITY FRITTER's upbeat sound reflects the journey of Jewels and Johnny Nation as we came together in music and in life. New York City meets Topanga Canyon, high energy vocals meet laid back California guitars.

We met one night at Hollywood's infamous Jumbo's Clown Room - "I saw her hair, it was calling to me, so I caught her eye" - Johnny writes in the folky love song PICTURES TOGETHER. We knew there was something special going on when we discovered our mutual obsession with The Beatles. Pretty soon we were harmonizing and finding the perfect fit for our voices. We started performing all over town, immediately getting the positive feedback from audiences that told us we were on the right track. We love performing and have played all the major clubs in LA in the past few years. Some of our favorite gigs have been at Pappy & Harriet's in Joshua Tree, Sweetwater in Mill Valley and Canter's Kibbitz Room in Hollywood. In our hometown of Topanga Canyon we've become local favorites, playing the legendary Topanga Days Country Fair for the past 4 years.

Jewels background in musical theatre and Johnny's years of rock & roll guitar playing in the seminal LA cowpunk band The Joneses, combine to create a very special sound and exciting stage presence. Our personal and musical chemistry is on fire and we have so much fun onstage, it's infectious!

We have a wide variety of influences - from George Jones to George Harrison, from Loretta Lynn to Carole King, from The Byrds to Oasis - we listen to it all and then cook up our own unique recipe. Honest, straightforward, often humorous lyrics combine with strong guitar hooks and melodic harmonies to define the CITY FRITTER sound.

City Fritter's last release "FROM THE OCEAN TO THE DESERT" was hand picked by Miles of Music for distribution on their popular roots music website:
" Jewels and Johnny Nation capture a spirit that is like June Carter Cash singing with a late '60s Los Angeles country/folk/psych band.Elements of Bakersfield are mixed with the Sunset Strip, creating a warm, harmony-driven, infectious sound. This 10 track release, clocking in at 40 minutes, moves by briskly leaving a wake of hook-filled gems." - Jeff Weiss
Songs from the CD have received widespread airplay on both traditional and internet radio stations across the country and in Europe and Australia. Jewels and Johnny have also been featured playing live in studio on several radio shows.

BIG NEWS! The CITY FRITTER song "Don't You Know" was placed in the 20th Century Fox feature "FLICKA" starring Tim McGraw - an exciting family film about a girl, her dad and a wild mustang. Opened in wide release - Fall 2006
DVD released 1/07
Listen to the song right here on our EPK!

"DON'T YOU KNOW" is included on our first full length CD "FROM THE OCEAN TO THE DESERT"
The title reflects our love for the incredible varied beauty of our home state, California. It was recorded with producer Eric Corne at Dusty Wakeman's Mad Dog Studios, one of LA's best - Dwight Yoakum, Lucinda Williams, and Anne McCue agree. Even Buck Owens recorded at Mad Dog, now there's some good mojo!
The record is available on iTunes, CDbaby.com, and Amoeba Records in LA & SF.