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LOWLANDS



Last Updated: 12/17/2009

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Status: Single
City: Pavia
Country: IT
Signup Date: 5/7/2006

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Wednesday, December 16, 2009 

Current mood:  cold
Category: Music
EP Vol.1  LOWLANDS
Rank: ***** 5 out of 6
Lowlands hail from Pavia, Italy and have put together five songs on this EP, with a full sounding band that includes Lap Steel and Violin that gives off a real rocking roots feel that Lowlands have created on EP Vol.1. Track 1 "Levee Man" the blues and folk feel created on this song is enriched with the laid back vocals from Ed Abbiati, i like the different dimensions that you can hear in this track the fretless bass adds a nice authentic mood to the song. Track 2 "Lowlands" this is a catchy number i like the clever use of the violin over the rock drums it kicks the song back into the folksy ballad feel the the vocals a trying to portray. Track 3 "My Prison Walls" soft and melodic, this is a nice laid back folk song i like the use of the backing vocals from Louise Abbiati, check out the cracking slide guitar solo...cracking stuff. Track 4 " Walking Down the Street" this is cool catchy number it's got a nice commercial radio friendly feel to the lyrics reminds me of Bob Dylan with a twist of George Harrison. Track 5 "Lullaby" the vocals work well in this folk styled ballad, the music harmonizes well with the voice of Ed Abbiati in this song, catchy little number.
Review by T.Halpin
Currently listening:
Daydream Nation
By Sonic Youth
Release date: 2005-11-07
7:34 AM 
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Sunday, December 06, 2009 

Current mood:  drunk
Category: Music

LOWLANDS EP VOL.1  recommended CD (October issue of BUSCADERO Magazine, one of Italy's main music magazines) *** ½

"Last year’s album, “The Last Call”, was the first release by a band from Pavia.
Yes, I wrote Pavia, because, despite the evidence of their sound, the singing and the songs, Lowlands are Italian.  White flies (Italian expression to say a rarity) in the local scene, Lowlands are led by Edward Abbiati, songwriter and lead singer.

It isn’t easy finding a place in today’s diverse music scene, while remaining true to yourself.  Yet Lowlands have managed just that and “The Last Call” was heard all over the world, generally receiving higher acclaim abroad than at home. 

Blending folk & rock music, with touches of Dylan and echoes of reland, Lowland’s music delivers layers of sound and meaning and “The Last Call” did not disappear without trace like most of today’s disposable musical output.

This EP of five new songs maintains the standard set by the debut album.  Two songs in particular are very good: “My Prison Walls”, featuring guitar interplay reminiscent of Leo Kotke and some heartbreaking melodic interludes, and the violin led cover of The Gourds’ song “Lowlands”, which, despite giving the band their name, was not included on their debut, give a measure of how good this band can be. Led by the assured vocals of Ed Abbiati and featuring the creative violin playing of Chiara Giacobbe, this 5 song EP, lasting approximately twenty minutes, represents superb value for money."

Currently listening:
Angels Of Destruction
By Marah
Release date: 2008-01-21
4:08 PM 
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Wednesday, December 02, 2009 

Current mood:  impressed
We're extremely happy that the good people at MAVERICK magazine, the world's leading roots, Americana, Alt Country magazine, enjoyed the EP and gave us a 4 star review (2 outta 2!) It's on their december issue (Roseanne Cash on the cover).

Here it is!!!

Lowlands EP VOL 1 Gypsy Child Records ****
This is the first in a series of EPs that Lowlands will be releasing inbetween albums. The plan is that these EPs will feature live favourites, cover versions and other songs that don’t fit in with their regular albums. This five-track slection opens with Levee Man, a rootsy, country track that was initially intended as the opening song on their acclaimed LAST CALL debut album. Walking Down the Street is an edgy, rock-styled number and is more in keeping with what we can expect from GYPSY CHILD, the band’s second album due for release early next year. In contrast, the stripped-bare, acoustic My Prison Walls, is the oldest song, dating from the mid-1990s, whilst the closing Lullaby is the newest song and began as a tribute to lead singer Ed Abbiati’s new-born daughter Sara. Atmospheric fiddle and heartfelt vocal adds up to one gorgeous track.
Currently listening:
Glitter and Doom Live
By Tom Waits
Release date: 2009-11-23
3:38 PM 
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Sunday, November 08, 2009 

Current mood:  nostalgic
Category: Romance and Relationships

It’s November, it’s Sunday night and it’s raining out there and I’m taking a trip down memory lane.


One magic weekend in March 2005, we got together to record a track for a Gourds Tribute record. With one microphone, a lot of red wine and not a clue, we rehearsed and recorded this track in an old abandoned monastery cell.

Without even knowing it…our band was born.


This recording meant so much to us that we named our band after it.

The original line up was: Edward Abbiati: acoustic guitar and vocals - Simone Fratti: double bass - Stefano Speroni: acoustic guitar - Giovanni "John" Novara: drums - Simone "John" Prunetti: electric guitars.


Our main man, Stefano Speroni recorded and mixed this pretty much on the spot and ..Simone Fratti.. took most of the pictures you’ll see on the slide show of that weekend.

In spring 2009 we re-recorded this track, with the current line-up for our new CD "EP VOL.1". Check it out on: www.myspace.com/lowlandsband


This one goes out with gratitude to all past ..LOWLANDS.. members and to our friend Bruce Davis for giving us the spark.


Hope you enjoy it. I’m still proud of this lil’one!


Ciao

Edward

PS: See ya in ....Bergamo.... on the 28th of November opening for our friend and hero: Chris Cacavas!

 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 

Currently listening:
Love's Been Discontinued
By Chris Cacavas
Release date: 2009-11-16
5:36 PM 
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Thursday, October 29, 2009 

Current mood:  amused
Category: Movies, TV, Celebrities
Howdy Folks!!!

We are very proud to present to you a little thing we filmed in London in September.

All our thanks goes to our friend Filippo Ticozzi, award winning director (his "Lilli" short is being viewed, selected and receiveing prizes all over the world) who finds time to lend his talent (and cameras!) to our band. Bless ya man!

Also thanks to our good friends in London: Tim @ The Windmill, Chiara and all those who came to the show.

Hope you enjoy it! Our Budget for this was 12 pints of Guinness and a couple of packets of "Salt & Vinegar" crisps.

Here it is:

"Walking Down The Street" taken from our new EP VOL.1 (available from iTunes, CD Baby and from us!):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fJB-kARzgQ8

Here is also a Link to our first video "In Between" from last year's album "The Last Call"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Mbn17xhMIk

Ah well...it's nearly friday...

love
LOWLANDS
Currently listening:
Embryonic
By The Flaming Lips
Release date: 2009-10-12
3:30 PM 
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Sunday, October 25, 2009 

Current mood:  adventurous
Category: Music

Dear all,

 

It’s been awhile since we last “spoke”. I hope you’ve all been good and well.

It has been a busy and hugely enjoyable summer for us: live shows, releasing our new cd “EP VOL.1”, filming a video in London (while playing one of our best gigs ever at the Windmill in Brixton!) and working on some new material for a new full length album due out in 2010.

Our new cd, “EP VOL.1”, has been available at shows since August and is now available for download from iTunes and physically from the following stores:

www.cdbaby.com/cd/lowlandsmusic2 (USA & World)

www.caru.com (Italy)

www.redeye.com.au (Australia)

 

You can also get our CDs directly from us: www.lowlandsband.com

The radios that supported “The Last Call” are once again giving us a hand with this new EP. So far tracks from the EP have been played in the US, UK, Italy, France and Holland. Belgium and Germany as of next week! Thanks to all those DJs for giving us a shot!

We were particularly proud and grateful that 2 tracks from the EP (Lullaby & Walking Down The Street) were featured on consecutive episodes of Karen Miller’s spectacular Americana radio program “The Miller Tells Her Tale”. Thanks Karen!   Free FM in Germany is currently playing the same 2 tracks. Let us know what your favourite tracks are!

The first reviews are coming in and we’ll be posting them in the following weeks.

GIGS:

We’re opening for the wonderful Chris Cacavas as he plays Bergamo promoting his excellent new record "Love's been discontinued" on Saturday November 28th.

2 other gigs we are very excited about are:

Le Scimmie, the legendary Milan club, will have us play 2 sets on the 10th of December and we close the year in our hometown for a New Year’s Eve gig at Spaziomusica (a stage that has been graced by some of our favourite musicians and bands: Joe Ely, You Am I, Marah, Steve Wynn, Lucero, Rod Picott, Nick Barker, Magnolia Electric Co.) so if you’re undecided on where to get drunk, fall in love and throw up on NYE...we’ll be waiting for ya in Pavia!

Love always

LOWLANDS

Currently listening:
1372 Overton Park
By Lucero
Release date: 2009-10-06
12:47 PM 
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Friday, September 25, 2009 

Current mood:  enthralled
Category: Goals, Plans, Hopes
Calling all Londoners.

see ya tomorrow night at The Windmill...lots of great bands.

LOWLANDS on stage at 10:30 pm!!!

A few tickets left:  http://www.wegottickets.com/event/55108


See ya there

Love
LOWLANDS
12:11 PM 
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Friday, July 31, 2009 

Current mood:  happy
Category: Music

EP. VOL 1 will be the first of many releases.

These EPs will give space to songs that, for different reasons, won’t fit on a full album: maybe because they are cover versions, or outtakes of our albums, one off recordings or songs that fit perfectly our live set but not our records. Whatever the reason, and as often it is, these little misfits hang well together…

These recordings feature the current ..LOWLANDS.. line-up:

Edward Abbiati - Lead Vocals, Acoustic Guitar, Harmonica; Simone Fratti - Bass & Double Bass; Stefano Speroni - Acoustic Guitar; Chiara Giacobbe - Violin; Philip Ariens Mercaldo - Drums & Percussion; Roberto Diana - Electric, Slide & Acoustic Guitar, Lap Steel, Dobro, Bouzouki; Ste Brandinali - Piano & Keyboards Francesco “lebowski” Verrastro - Acoustic Rhythm Guitar; Louise Abbiati - Backing Vocals;

 

Up and coming Italian artist Cristiano Baricelli, a good friend of the band, allowed us to use one of his stunning pictures for the EP’s artwork. It is our intention to have Crybik’s (Cristiano’s signature name!) art gracing our EPs for many years to come. We are honoured and proud to be working with him. Check him out on line (www.myspace.com/cristianobaricelli)

We also want to thank Kevin Russell and the mighty mighty GOURDS for allowing us to release a cover of their song ..LOWLANDS... We named our band after that song. Hope they don’t mind what we did to it…

The EP will be made available online and from our website, and selected stores (including CD Baby) in August. You can listen to them NOW on our myspace!

So here they are, our 5 new songs: treat’em well!

See ya out there

Edward Abbiati

PS: BTW…the band is already busy working in studio on the full length follow up to “The Last Call” and we expect to release our next full album next spring.  Fingers crossed…

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Currently listening:
Wilco (the album)
By Wilco
Release date: 2009-06-29
2:37 PM 
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Tuesday, July 28, 2009 

Current mood:  blessed
Category: Parties and Nightlife
Ciao from Pavia!

We are presenting our new EP tonight (9pm - www.radiobbsi.it) at Radio BBSI. One of the many small indipendent radios that have played us and supported us from the beginning
Time to brush up your italian!
Calling all italians: stasera (martedì sera) dalle 21 alle 23 sui 99.6/101.4 Mhz oppure in streaming su www.radiobbsi.it intervista e presentazione del nuovo EP in uscita ad Agosto.

More updates from the band shortly....LOTS of news for ya!

Love
LOWLANDS
Currently listening:
Dwarf Star
By Chris Cacavas
Release date: 1999-10-18
7:02 AM 
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Monday, June 08, 2009 
"The Last Call" reviewed by Robert Sutton at  http://www.allaboutjazz.com
 
Inside: http://www.allaboutjazz.com/php/article.php?id=33096

LOWLANDS by Robert Sutton

Italy is an unlikely place of origin for an Americana act, especially for an authentic roots-rock band like Lowlands. However, there is an ever-increasing following for real American country music in Europe, ironically probably more than stateside, where it has been segregated from the Nashville pack and dubbed "alt-country." Lead singer Edward Abbiati displays an uncanny resemblance to Steve Wynn, formerly of the '80s Paisley Underground group the Dream Syndicate. On the opening "Ghosts in This Town," Abbiati sounds like a phantom himself, an eerie doppelganger to Wynn. However, with its shuffling beat, swirling violin, and spiky acoustic strumming, it is actually closer in style to the Tindersticks. "There are ghosts all around/Some are buried in my head/Others in the ground/I see them in my dreams/And I see them in the streets," Abbiati sings, setting the gritty, pulp-fiction tone for the rest of the record.
Just as in country music, broken hearts form a recurring theme on The Last Call. Ringing riffs nearly disguise the slashed emotions of "What Can I Do," in which Abbiati can't let go of a dying relationship. "Now I stare into a glass/And wonder how/I could have changed the past," he laments, channeling the specters of classic country's jilted crooners such as Hank Williams, Sr. While a number of contemporary Americana bands flirt with cleverness and cryptic observations in their songs, Lowlands play it straight. The images and references they often employ here—ghosts, drinking, empty streets—are unapologetically checked out from vintage country's library of clichés. But that is the point. Lowlands is not trying to rewrite the definition of Americana; it is simply attempting to work within it, producing songs with familiar, universal feelings.
Oddly, there really is nothing on The Last Call that reveals Lowlands' Italian background. In fact, the slow, brooding "Like a Rose" might even be mistaken for some of Scottish singer/songwriter Lloyd Cole's solo work. The Last Call drifts into plaintive introspection midway through, but this allows for Abbiati's whiskey-soaked, gravelly voice to hit center stage, and for his mates to produce cinematic, atmospheric backdrops for him, such as on "In Between." After the relatively subdued chapters, Lowlands unleashes the bluesy rave-up "Friday Night," leaving a pleasantly hung over feeling and hopes for another serving.
Currently listening:
Grace: Live Around the World (2 DVD/1 CD Deluxe)
By Jeff Buckley
Release date: 2009-06-01
8:15 AM 
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