Music
Press
"Mercy Creek can perform folk, harder rock, calypso groove, swinging alt-country, and bluesy gospel. The band makes a mighty noise for just 2 players. After six years of extensive touring, the duo has been described as "the White Stripes of Americana." Jack and Meg White, watch you back."
- M. Myer
"Have mercy- Mercy Creek can rock! The group is overflowing with creative, boundless musical energy that, for it's fourth release, Bonfire of Vanities, they had to do a double disk....Mercy Creek, the two-piece group (singer/guitarist Cheryl Nystrom and drummer Jim Ball) is one of the leaders of an aggressive folk rock movement and have been coined "The White Stripes of Americana." Their sound blends modern folk with pop, rock, blues and even bluegrass. Nystrom's vocals are raw, uninhibited, intense and sensual."
- Kristine Singer
"Virginia duo Mercy Creek plays "aggressive folk rock", and if that is the chosen label, I commend them, because I wouldn't be so willing to classify. I agree in theory, but with all they offer, I think Mercy Creek can also be called liars by omission.....Nystrom is an undeniable star, with a strong expressive voice that swoops around pop choruses and haunts the verses in between, like a burnished and coppery Beth Orton....
- TWE
Discography
Name of the record is mercy creek - 1999
Dirty Water- 2001
Storm Has Blown Over- 2003
Bonfire of Vanities- 2004/2005 Double CD Set
-#50 on FMQB radio charts for 15 weeks "Born to Rock" (Bonfire of Vanites)
-Playnetwork reoported over 500,000 spins of "Summer" (Bonfire of Vanites) at retail outlet Eddie Bauer
-Thousands of songs sold at itunes.com
Photos
Bio
Mercy Creek spun into the national airwaves during 2005 on FMQB Radio charts with the release of their album, "Bonfire of Vanities". Radio programmers from Alaska to Florida joined club owners and fans in spreading the music of the band's 4 CD catalog to ever widening audiences. Mercy Creek's music is available at retail and internationally on digital sites such as I-Tunes, Napster, and E-Music. Their music has become a staple of clubs, satellite and terrestrial radio, as well as retail stores such as Eddie Bauer. Retail music provider PLAYNETWORK has reported over 300,000 spins of the Mercy Creek single "Summer".
Based in Virginia, Mercy Creek is successfully paving their own road by creating a unique brand of music they call aggressive folk rock.
Currently recording their 5th album, constantly writing new material, and ever touring the country are part of the hard work approach. A two piece live act, (singer/guitarist Cheryl Nystrom, and song writing partner/drummer Jim Ball), the band uses elements of modern folk, world beat, rock, and hints of blues and bluegrass to create a unique sound. Radio listeners and club fans enjoy the song writing, independent spirit of the band, and Nystrom's impressive vocals. Mercy Creek has successfully spread their music around the world by way of the internet, constant touring, as well as radio air play.
The independent recordings are the products of work with producer Paul Mahern (who has worked with Iggy Pop, John Mellencamp, Juliana Hatfield, Lisa Germano, Over the Rhine).
Cheryl Nystrom's unique voice and solid guitar playing are the result of talent toned with experience. A full time music career with Ball started immediately after graduating from high school. Nystrom plays acoustic guitar, banjo, and mandolin and delivers flawless vocals. Jim Ball produces chest thumping low end from an African Djembe he uses as a bass drum. Brush sticks wrapped with duct tape play percussion mixed with drum kit. Mercy Creek mixes the elements of their live sound; acoustic guitar, vocals, and drum/percussion into a warm rich organic wall of sound. They perform hundreds of shows each year. Mercy Creek plans to release their 5th CD in early 2008, while continuing to tour and write new music.
"If there is such a thing as perfect folk-rock music, then Mercy Creek comes
as close as possible to creating it. Their songs are authentically rootsy without losing that ever-elusive mainstream appeal." Taste Of Triple A 2005
"Nystrom is an undeniable star, with a strong expressive voice that swoops around pop choruses and haunts the verses in between, like a burnished and coppery Beth Orton." Washington Examiner 2005
"One of the leaders of an aggressive folk rock movement and have been coined 'The White Stripes of Americana'. Their sound blends modern folk with pop, rock, blues and even bluegrass. Nystrom's vocals are raw, uninhibited, intense and sensual." Singer and Musician Magazine 2005
· # 50 FMQB Radio Chart April 05 - 15 Weeks FMQB Radio top 100
· Added and played nationally on commercial/non-commercial AAA, College and XM radio
· View the Mercy Creek at the Kennedy Center on line at http://www.kennedy-
center.org Live at The Kennedy Center Millennium Stage, Washington, DC
· Available at retail and digital download on I-Tunes, E-music, Napster
· Radio play Alaska to Virgin Islands WTYD, VA - KPIG, CA - KFAN, TX - KNBA, ALK - WEBK, VT - WVGN, VI - WNKU, OH - WNCW, NC - WFHB, IN WNKU, KY - KTOS, AZ - KKRC, HI - WHRV & WYOU, VA - WCBN, MI - WCUR, PA -WFHC, MD - WERG, PA - KZRC, TX CHMR, NF - CKUT, PQ - KIDE, CA - KDUR, CO - KRNL, IA - KHNS, AK - KMXT, ALK - KTOO, ALK - KUMD, MN - KSLU, LA - KXCI, AZ - KSMF, OR …and more
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