TINA & HER PONY

By Alli Marshall
If Tina and her Pony sounds more like a children’s book series than an indie-folk duo, Tina Collins and Quetzal Jordan make a great case for whimsy and animal aliases. In fact, Collins and Jordan (but especially Jordan) are so at ease on stage and in their music and, seemingly, in their individual skins, that it would be hard not to go along with any idea or musical arrangement they’d set forth.

Opening for Sweet Claudette’s sold-out show at The Altamont Theatre last weekend, the duo (currently based in Asheville, by way of Taos, by way of Asheville) was all about immediacy. From their hers and hers vests to their warm stage banter to way their voices blended, it was a love at first listen situation. Collins and Jordan perform an array of old-time and folk tunes as well as originals, all of which are run through the filter of the Tina and her Pony sound. So, a cover of Uncle Earle’s “Walkin In My Sleep,” comes off as rootsy and road-weary (as it should), but there’s also the way that Collins and Jordan perform, almost breathless, as if they’ve just discovered for the first time how they can harmonize and intuit each other’s moves.

On “Far Away,” Jordan played bass progressions on the cello, the lyric, “Don’t you know I’ll love then break you” sung more dreamily than sadly. Jordan’s voice, as well as her musicianship, is unusual. In a good way. She’s probably a contralto, her vocal deep and rich and able to hold onto low notes without going gravely. But Jordan’s range is impressive, occasionally sweeping into a clear upper register. The elasticity of her vocal — her ability to sing a so-called male or female part, combined with her unorthodox cello, gave the song’s folkiness a modern feel.

On “Medicine,” a song about wild-crafting, Jordan bowed her cello, creating a dark and poignant mood. And then, with a quick switch to plucking the strings, the song switched to a textural slow-build.

Collins is just as talented — the duo is a well-matched partnership. Playing mostly ukulele and guitar, and singing the high harmonies, she gave a lightness and buoyancy to songs that could have felt heavy in less skilled hands. They introduced the last song saying, “We have a lot of ex-girlfriends and this is a song about one of them.” Breakups and exes and lost love have provided inspiration for probably like 75-percent of all songs ever. But Tina and her Pony managed a fresh take: “I drove all day and I drove all night / didn’t stop to look at the tourists sight.”
- Mountain Xpress Asheville

There's a certain AM radio quality to the folk stylings of Tina and Her Pony. It's soft around the edges, and like the Appalachian music that inspired it and the deserts of New Mexico that now house it, it's occasionally desolate. The lady duo's debut album is an old take on an old sound, but the lyrics feel genuine and the melodies linger in your brain longer than you'd think from first listen.

"Ana Bai" really gets me, and not just for cellist and singer Quetzal Jordan really filling out the low end with a full voice you don't normally associate with strings. For most of the album, Tina Collins leads with the higher notes and any number of stringed instruments, but the balance with Jordan is striking. "Winter in the West," one of the more rollicking numbers, really pushes the two-part bluegrass harmony at least an octave and a half apart. Some tracks fit the normal pattern of "Americana," but most differ enough to make it worth several listens.

Tina and Her Pony play the Top Hat Thu., June 13, at 6 PM. Free.
- Missoula Independent

Long road back

Tina & Her Pony return after a successful U.S. tour

It has been nine months since Tina & Her Pony unhitched their new Honda Element and rode off into the Taos sunset.

Quetzal Jordan proudly points out that she and Tina Collins have driven the equivalent of the circumference of Earth and then some, logging over 30,000 miles. They have played about 150 shows across the United States while on tour — across all of the eastern states as well as the Midwest, Southeast and Southwest.

The duo will be resting in Taos for about a month before they continue their tour up the West Coast. While they’re here, Tina & Her Pony will be giving their fans a big treat with four shows beginning with a house concert today (March 7) at nightspots in Taos and Taos Ski Valley over the next few weeks.

Kicking off their tour at the Denver Ukefest, Tina & Her Pony played THE HUM

for an audience of 700, and reportedly received a standing ovation. Jordan joked that their next booking at Santa Fe’s Cowgirl drew a meager crowd of four (maybe five). “That’s the life of a traveling musician, one day on top of the world, the other day begging for change at a café.”

Jordan and Collins said they have had an incredible response out on the road, touring with their debut CD and EP. The duo said they have played in a lot of cafes that do not pay, but to their surprise they have managed to consistently sell CDs to about half of the listening crowd.

“That’s kind of unheard of,” Collins said. “We’re getting such an amazing response. I didn’t expect that. People are sending friends to our next shows. We’ve been able to support ourselves on the road, and have a little extra.

What we’re doing is really growing a lot.”

Jordan added that the duo has had more than 3,000 views of their YouTube video “Far Away.” Tina & Her Pony’s lush vocal harmonies and intriguingly storied lyrics, backed by Jordan’s cello and guitar and Collins’ tenor banjo, tenor ukelele and guitar have had a broader appeal than the musicians expected. Collins said younger crowds, in particular, have a hard time keeping still.

“Although all kinds of people are very excited and take to the music, young people tend to go really crazy,” Collins said. “They can’t stop jumping up and down.”

Jordan added, “In the beginning of the tour we didn’t get as many responses. We got better and better responses the more shows we played ... the more shows we played the better we got, and the better response.”

In addition, Jordan said, playing so many shows created its own momentum, as the word spread from place to place. Collins shared that it was a surprise to travel to towns where they had never before performed only to find people they did not know singing along to their songs.

“We were in an Irish pub,” Jordan said, “and I saw this guy in the front who looked completely wrong for the demographic of who we usually play for. Turns out that he actually called ahead a week to make sure he had seats for the show, sat there the whole time for three hours, bought all of our CDs and a T-shirt, and asked us to sign everything.

We have found out all kinds of people love our music.”

For those of you still wondering, “What is Earth’s circumference?” The answer to that question depends on where you measure. Earth is not an exact sphere. According to an article written by Fraser Cain in 2009 for Universe Today (viewable at www.universetoday. com), the distance around Earth’s equator is 40,075 kilometers.

But, when measured from pole to pole the distance is 40,008 kilometers.

Earth’s average circumference comes out to 40,041 kilometers, which works out to 24,855 miles.

Tina & Her Pony will have traveled a good deal more than 5,000 miles further than all the way around the world by the time they make it back to Taos.

They are looking forward to sitting down and writing a few songs here before they hit the road again.

Tina & Her Pony perform an intimate house concert today (March 7), 7 p.m., at 1413 Fresquez Road in El Prado. A potluck dinner starting at 6 p.m. precedes the concert to allow time for visiting. For more information email tina@tinaandherpony.com.

Admission is $5-10, sliding scale.

Then, the duo will play two shows with Kirry Nelson, March 16 and April 5 at The Taos Inn, 125 Paseo del Pueblo Norte. Both shows are from 6:30 p.m.

to 9:30 p.m. with no cover. Then on March 22, the duo performs at the Martini Tree Bar in Taos Ski Valley, also with no cover.

For more on Tina & Her Pony, visit

www.tinaandherpony.com - © 2013 The Taos News

CD release party at the Harwood Museum for Tina and Her Pony’s new recording. - © 2013 The Taos News

"Classy bluegrass mixes with folk flavor, guitar and banjo with cello and vocals that’ll knock your boots off. This is definitely one Taos band that is a must-see." - HORSE TAIL TRAILS

American folk duo, Tina and her Pony, doesn't actually consist of any equine creatures. The Asheville to Taos act has been touring Southern Florida from the Keys to Davie, and Saturday night, Tina Collins (songwriter, vocals, guitar, banjo, ukulele) and Quetzal Jordan (songwriter, vocals, guitar, cello) will make their last Sunshine State stop at the Beat Cup Cafe in Delray Beach. Before the show, we caught up with Collins and chatted about profoundly magical experiences and nonstop touring. - ©2013 New Times BPB

Tina & Her Pony, comprised of Tina Collins and Quetzal Jordan, returns to Northern Arizona for three concerts, including two in the Verde Valley. - © Copyright 2013 Verde Valley Newspapers, Inc

DreamTree Project Open House: This Saturday

For the past year or so I have been connected to DreamTree Project, an 11-year-old Taos nonprofit that provides a safe home base for youth in need. DreamTree is a residence (short- and longer-term), a resource center, a shared dining table, a place where youth breathe easier, learn, grow, mess up, excel, and move on with greater confidence. Chances are you know about DreamTree—that it has something to do with Youth, that it’s been around for awhile. Many of you probably have had contacted with DreamTree people—Kim Treiber and Cami Hartman, the youth care team or case managers there, or the Youth themselves by way of mentoring or volunteering. Most of you have also probably supported DreamTree in some way. On November 5th, DreamTree is planning an open house celebration to thank you, and the Taos community, for its ongoing support. It’s also time to toot our own horn some.

This year, the Tree has grown. A lot. In spite of challenging economic times, DreamTree has launched two new significant programs –Taos’ only Emergency Youth Shelter, serving youth in immediate need ages 12-17, and a Community-based Housing Program that helps graduates of Dream Tree’s signature Transitional Living Program (TLP), as well as other Youth, move into apartments out in the community and eventually assume the leases on their own. Combined, Dream Tree’s Emergency Shelter, the TLP, and the Community-based Housing Program offer a continuum of care and support for homeless Youth and their families unmatched in the State. DreamTree Project now supports more Youth in more ways.

It’s news worth sharing and celebrating. So, mark the time and date and join the DreamTree family and friends for homemade food, music, face painting and campus tours, this Saturday, November 5th from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tina and Her Pony and Don Conoscenti will be playing. KTAO and Paddy Mac will be there live. Tethered hot air balloon rides planned, too (weather permitting). Plus, a raffle with cool prizes that include a hot air balloon ride over the Gorge for two.

What else do you need to know? DreamTree still needs your supp ort. Come closer and get to know us better.

In simplest terms, DreamTree is a safe and supportive place for Youth and families to figure out the next step. It’s a warm place, a creative and active place, a bright spot, and a necessary resource that runs on commitment and courage every day. The Youth who come and stay at DreamTree, and eventually move on, are quite simply amazing in their resolve to move forward.

Show your support for what DreamTree does. Stop by 128 La Posta Road, Saturday, Saturday November 5th, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., and hang out with some beautiful people—which includes you. Bring your kids, a friend, a neighbor, or someone you think could benefit from learning more. You are going to like what you see and hear.

Signed, Cara Fox and the DreamTree Team
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- © Copyright 2012 Taos Communications Corporation.