Music
The best kept secret in music
Press
I ran across the Hoodang mp3 tracks on Music.download.com this past week, and I can't seem to stop from playing those songs over and over in my headphones.
I've been bored with most stuff that passes as country music or Americana on the radio these days. I've been trying to find that elusive mix of great music and great lyrics that didn't sound like every other country-star wannabe.
When I heard the tracks by Hoodang, all I could do was smile big and tap my feet. The lyrics are smart, and the music just makes me believe that musicians and songwriters still exist beyond the assembly line of formulaic, over-produced noise that the big record companies keep putting out.
It's wonderful to hear that artists still put their hearts and souls into making music instead of making the big dollars.
-- Bob Braun, Kansas City, MO - Download.com
"Fine Morning is one of those so-good-they're-scary tunes that force you to hit the repeat button just to make sure that you really heard what you just heard. Then it lingers in your head for a long, long time." -- W. Kim Heron - WDET-FM and Metro Times
"Gonna play you another one from Hoodang. This song Fine Morning -- every time I hear it I think this should be a Coen Brothers movie like Blood Simple or something like that, and who knows one day it might be." -- "Long Handle Bob" Strauch - WCBN 88.3
"I enjoyed that one about Jump Start My Heart. It is true that sometimes, right when you think you're dead on the frozen highway, somebody comes along with a pair of jumper cables when you least expect it." -- Tex Manheim - WCBN 88.3
"Hoodang, the alternative country duo featuring bassist Rich Rickman and guitarist David Rossiter, makes rootsy music. The songwriting and crafty musicianship belong on a national stage, say opening for some Traveling Wilburys or such…well at least you can catch them here." -- Randall Beek - Crazy Wisdom Tea Room
Discography
Debut album released July 2004: Hoodang
David Rossiter: vocals, guitar, harmonica
Rich Rickman: bass
Drew Howard: pedal steel, dobro, mandolin, guitar, banjo
Neil Donato: keyboards
Dave McWilliam: drums
David Mosher: fiddle, mandolin
Sue Gillis: backing vocal
Photos
Feeling a bit camera shy
Bio
Embassy Hotel Records recording artists Hoodang blends traditional hard country, honky-tonk, delta blues, western swing, and bluegrass with contemporary alt. country influences. The uniquely original Hoodang sound is characterized by darkly wry lyrics and driving acoustic and electric music that runs the gamut from blistering country blues to twisted, heartworn ballads.
The offspring of a highly productive songwriting collaboration between singer, guitarist David Rossiter and bassist Rich Rickman, Hoodang was founded in late 2002 as a venue for their original music, as well as a means of celebrating the rich fabric that is traditional American roots music.
The band has performed at a variety of venues in Southeast Michigan, including The Ark, the Ann Arbor Summer Festival “Top of the Park”, DylanFest, the Ann Arbor Art Fair Main Stage, Ann Arbor Musicians For Peace, the Noreast'r Festival, Crazy Wisdom Tearoom, Trinity House Theater, Memphis Smoke, The Blind Pig, Michigan Songwriters, The Elbow Room and Tap Room in Ypsilanti, and Mac’s Bar in Lansing.
Returning to music after a lengthy hiatus, Ann Arbor native David Rossiter has found fertile ground in modern American roots music for bringing together his diverse musical and storytelling interests. Anyone listening to his lyrical approach to songwriting, his expressive vocals, and swinging, contrapuntal picking style will recognize a wide range of traditional and contemporary influences at play.
As Hoodang's string specialist, Drew Howard plays pedal steel, guitar, Dobro, mandolin, and banjo. Across three decades, Drew has picked and twanged his way through the dives and concert halls of US and Europe, playing blues, rock, folk, and country with a variety of national and international acts. Drew's studio credits range from self-produced CD's (The Weepers), to music, radio, and television production in Detroit, Lansing, Chicago, and New York. Drew's hobbies are fine wines, railroadiana and Mob flicks.
A New York native born to a musical family, multi-instrumentalist John Latini was influenced early on by a wide variety of musical styles - from Hank Williams to Harry Belafonte, from the British Invasion to the American Survival. Later, while studying music theory in college, he was further influenced by Jazz and Rhythm and Blues, American String Music and 'da blues', and it all comes out in his musical wash.
The term ‘hoodang’ is defined in the dictionary as a ‘wild party’ or ‘a social gathering characterized by music, dancing, and exuberant celebration.’ The band thinks Hoodang simply means ‘a damn good time.’ So throw your coat in the corner, open a cold beverage, put on some comfortable shoes and stay a while.
You can listen to Hoodang, read lyrics, see pictures, and find out more at www.sonicbids.com/hoodang.
To book Hoodang for your festival, honky tonk, bar, nightclub, roadhouse, dive, café, or concert hall call (734) 834-3196 or email hoodawg@hoodang.com.
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