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2022: Check out our latest interview with CanvasRebel
2019: What they're saying about Sunflurry (Formerly The Two's) new album Push On, with the single Lullaby....
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The Bandcamp Diaries- "don’t miss out""The Two’s is a band with a focus on telling stories through music, exploring genres as diverse as Americana, alt-folk, pop, and more. Their most recent release, “Push On,” isan amazing example of their diverse style. The record kicks off with “Ms Jones,” a mellow ballad which makes me think of folk music icons such as Joni Mitchell. I love the uplifting, cheerful vibe of this track, and the amazing cello lines add so much depth to the track, making the song fly. “City of Gold” reveals a different side to the band’s music, with more focus on rhythm and a set of distinctive sonic textures. I love the peculiar arrangements, and how the strings play into this song, almost as if they were having a conversation with the vocals. “Lullaby” is a very dreamy song, which makes me think of acts like Alanis Morissette, due to the edgy and characterful vocals. “The Letter” provides a great guitar rhythm with some lush sonic soundscapes, reminiscent of the music of artists as diverse as Nick Drake and Fleetwood Mac. Last but not least, “Baked” is a fun and energetic song with a lot of urgency in its beat, and one of the most daring arrangements on the entire project. Find out more about The Two’s, and don’t miss out on “Push On”, a rich release filled with wonderful highlights! https://thebandcampdiaries.com/post/184745035842/the-twos-push-on-the-twos-is-a-band-with-a
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JamSphere- "instantly striking""Suki is a trained Cellist, and it shows. What they’ve mastered is the ability to add to the songs at just the right moments and not overwhelm the music. No other duet I can think, has the same organic blend of voice, tones, timbres, rhythms and dynamics. From the moment the EP opens with the enchanting “Ms Jones”, this becomes a recording of short stories. As the songs become familiar they become clearer. Then you realize you have been in those shoes or at the very least, standing next to the person wearing them, in these songs. The chemistry between Ruby and Suki is one of those effortless artistic combinations which traditionally implies a telepathic bond forged between the two. As the Ep moves forward, through the quaint rhythms of “City of Gold”, the more fleshed out dynamism of “Lullaby”, and then on to the hushed jangle of “The Letter”, and finally to the resonating instrumental, “Baked”, The Two’s make an electrifying patchwork puzzle out of Americana rootsmusic, stitching together a little bit of everything. Gothic-folk, sensitive singer-songwriting, razor-edged bluegrass, dainty parlor rhythms and corporate country stomps, as well as folding in delicious slivers of classical eloquence. Sleek but not slick, their songs have the gift of familiarity. The catalytic element, however, is the chemistry between the two. The potency of their entwined skills lends their music an air of passionate intimacy which rubs off on the listener. If Ruby Rendrag’s voice and full immersion guitar and percussion has star billing, much of The Two’s mood-inducing atmospherics leans on Suki Kuehn’s reverberating Cello. The level of intricate and melodious songwriting demonstrated throughout “Push On” is instantly striking – inviting anyone to connect with it regardless of its genre. And on the evidence of this EP things are just starting to get interesting for The Two’s. Who knows what they have planned next. http://jamsphere.com/newreleases/the-twos-push-on-synchronized-in-an-uncanny-way
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Indie Music Discovery- "a breath of fresh air""The opening line of the pitch I received for The Two’s forthcoming EP release was enough to pique my interest so allow me to quote that line below, Imagine a child of the 80s/90s underground scene falling in with a 70s prog, classically-trained cellist. What do ya get? A refreshing and often unexpected sound. The first thing you notice when listening to The Two’s is how hard it is to pin this dynamic duo down to a specific genre. Is it folk? Is it indie? Is it bluegrass? Is it acoustic? Is it classico-folkgrass-rock?! Who knows?! And besides, I really do not care how you label them! What I can promise is that The Two’s is a breath of fresh air to your sensory system no matter what style or genre of music you prefer consuming. Ranging stylistically from rock to roots to bluegrass and classical, Push On intentionally focuses on the interplay between cello and vocals while providing us a rhythmic soundscape founded in guitar and percussion. Recorded in New Orleans by Adam Keil, the project was mixed by Ben Lorio and Grammy winner Sylvia Massy. Awing audiences with their performances, the duo has opened for familiar names like Heart, Zucchero (international pop star) and Tim Reynolds (from Dave Matthews Band). Their music has also been used in the Emmy award winning show Nip/Tuck. Just based off the video of The Two’s performing Lullaby, I’m excited about the forthcoming EP. https://www.indiemusicdiscovery.com/the-twos-push-on/
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Skope Entertainment- "unusually beautiful""The Two’s, a duo comprised of Ruby Rendrag and Suki Kuehn, create unusual, but unusually beautiful, pop music. Rendrag sings and plays guitar, while Kuehn contributes cello. “Lullaby” is a single that deftly combines these unusual elements into a memorable tune. Kuehn’s cello provides this tracks rhythm. No, there’s no thumping bass, nor shuffling drum pattern here. This unlikely bottom end provides something closer to chamber pop than typical pop music. It’s not entirely classically stylized, though, because Kuehn’s rhythmic playing sets the groove for Rendrag’s singing part. The song’s lyric is a little psychedelic, yet childlike in imagery. It’s also not truly a lullaby. With Kuehn’s bowing rhythm, it’s fast paced and beat-driven. The purpose of lullabies – and lullabies do have a purpose – is to aid in little ones going to sleep. In fact, Rendrag sings, “Don’t go to sleep, little one,” which is – unless you’re attempting some kind of reverse psychology – not the right bedtime approach. The urgency in Kuehn’s playing will likely make young ones more awake, rather than the desired opposite. The Two’s’ musical experience is as unusual as the music these two create. Rendrag is a part of the New Orleans music world. She’s performed as both a solo act, and a side musician. She’s also the owner of NOLA Muse, where her duties revolve around helping acts – whether, international, national or local – create recorded projects. Kuehn was born in Japan but settled in New Orleans after being in the Navy. Rendrag’s vocal is dreamy and far away sounding. In fact, she’s the one that sounds to be in a dreamworld, not the object of her song. Her singing plays off Kuehn’s playing. In fact, she matches her singing parts with Kuehn like a rock singer plays off a lead guitarist. It’s a lot like a rock & roll arrangement, except the instrumentation sounds to be drawn from the philharmonic, rather than somebody’s garage band. Although this is an American made single, it may remind you of the Beatles “Eleonor Rigby (for that track’s string quartet), as well as other Beatles songs that incorporate strings. There was a time when including stings onto a rock & roll song was anathema because it was referred to as sweetening. It took away some of the music’s natural sting, some have said. The Beatles made it cool to utilize strings, though, and other acts have followed suit over the years. This track may include cello sounds, but the overall feel of it is beat-heavy, like rock & roll. While it would not be recommended to put little Junior to sleep with this song, it is perfectly appropriate for his parents to stay up late listening to it. After all, maybe its title is just for irony’s sake. It’s a little spooky and slightly loud, and a fish out of water among other lullabies. It’s a cool, twisted tale that will appeal to anyone with creative musical taste. The Two’s comprise an unusual duo. They’re not singing partners, but are, instead, creative partners in sonic creation. This song will keep you awake for all the right reasons. https://skopemag.com/2019/05/22/the-twos-new-single-lullaby
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Beach Sloth- "a tremendous ear for melody""The Two’s go for a rustic folksy charm on the heartfelt Americana of “Push On”. Keeping things to the absolute essentials, their arrangements radiate a sense of intimacy. By far the heart and soul of the collection comes from Ruby's gorgeous vocals. Delivered with a quiet passion, the lyrics have a poetic beauty to them. Highly luxurious, The Two’s prove to have a tremendous ear for melody, allowing their pieces to evolve in a pastoral fashion. Full of tremendous color the instrumentally rich pieces never overwhelm rather they know how to keep everything keenly balanced. A laid-back style introduces the collection with the lovely “Ms. Jones”. Never rushing things the whole of the piece unfurls with a tremendous degree of majesty. By far the highlight, the resonant strings mesh perfectly with her powerful yet calming voice. On “City of Gold” the Two’s draw a bit from St. Vincent’s stylistic flourishes. Done with the utmost of care the way the piece builds up gives it a cinematic feeling. Careful rhythms run through the spry sounds of “Lullaby” as the multiple layers of sound have a joyous quality to them. “The Letter” goes for a woozy wonderful spirit, as the strings and guitar descend together with a sense of true yearning. Neatly concluding the collection is the jaunty disposition of “Baked” where it all comes together perfectly. Sculpted with the greatest of care, the Two’s go for a gentle disposition on the alluring illusions of “Push On”. http://www.beachsloth.com/the-twos-push-on.html
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That This Media- "incredible mix of instruments and vocals""Lullaby is nothing like what I was expecting, and I am absolutely glad that it isn't, because from the get go, this song drags you in with the incredible mix of instruments and vocals. The mix of the cello and the percusion instruments as well as the guitar within this song create a beautiful sound which I have never heard before. You can tell just from listening to this one song how experienced 'The Two's' are. This song is definitely a 5/5, as it is nothing I have ever heard before, its something unique, something that should be shared and known by a lot more people. Lullaby is not officially released just yet, but 'The Two's' new EP called "Push On" is coming this July! On their website you can access a preview of their new EP as well as them telling us what their favourite production highlights were such as " the tremolo guitar in “The Letter", inspired by a Smith's song. I haven't listened to the other songs that will be on the EP as I want a suprise for when the EP actually comes out (who knows I will probably purchase a copy if they do physical CD's). Remember to keep July in your mind, ready for this incredible EP to be released, and in the words of 'The Two's: "The Two's Push On!" https://www.thatthismedia.com/blog/the-two-s-lullaby
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Sleepingbag Studios- "continually engaging and relentlessly amazing""Love it. The Two’s are standing on completely solid ground with this single. Based out of New Orleans, the duo of Ruby Rendrag & Suki Kuehn fully prove that a band of two can have everything you need to successfully compete for the top-spot honors of your playlists out there. For real! This isn’t just a really cool song, this is genuinely exciting! It’s artistic, it’s refreshing, it’s flawlessly assembled…the performances from Ruby (Vocals/Guitar) and Suki (Cello) are spectacularly inspired…the instrumentation is absolutely awesome, the vocals rise to the occasion to match – I mean, what else could you ask from The Two’s other than exactly what they give ya on their single “Lullaby?” Truly impressed, I most certainly am. The Two’s attack this dreamy Indie/Pop experience with a fierceness you wouldn’t expect to find in what appears to be & sounds like a fairly gentle tune – and arguably, through the flawlessly smooth flow & structure that they weave together so fantastically here, you could still say this is a mellow song and no one would fight you either. REVIEWS The Two’s merge both energy and melody perfectly as one on “Lullaby,” giving it just enough of everything it needs throughout the song from additional spark & edge when it’s called for, to chilling right out & letting the instrumentation take the spotlight for a moment. You regular readers know I love to hear the balance of power within a band – and that applies to bands of two as well; to hear the unity and harmony that exists between Ruby and Suki radiate so powerfully, confidently, and professionally as they roll through this song & complement what each other brings to the music individually…is nothing short of awesome. Best way I can prove that to you is to explain how I would hear a track like “Lullaby” in my own head. I think for myself, and likely most of us, we’re going to come away from that first experience absolutely stunned at just how purely incredible the vocals of Ruby are and how exquisitely dreamy, graceful, and BOLD these hooks of “Lullaby” come out as a result. Like I’ve often commented here, many of us gravitate towards a singer or front-person of a band nearly by default and I’m no exception to that rule – but the facts are facts here, Ruby puts in such a remarkable performance you couldn’t possibly take your ears off of what she brings to this song, especially on those first couple spins. Once you get a grip on how excellent all of what Ruby does is, you start to really absorb just how essential Suki’s cello is to a song like “Lullaby” and how much incredible character & personality it brings to the music of The Two’s. Like towards the middle of this tune…approaching the two-minute mark as you exit a highlight moment from Ruby on the mic, and you listen to this song shift and transition so beautifully into the solo from Suki…then right back into the stunning verses of this song that have hooks strong enough to rival any chorus out there…I mean, this is just continually engaging and relentlessly amazing, start to finish y’all. And for what it’s worth – FUN! Lyrically, it’s as unique as the band itself is…and I think The Two’s are a seriously sparkling gem of complete fantasticness – let’s just be clear about that. The gorgeous tones from Ruby’s vocals are captivating, warm, and inviting…even when she’s singing about ‘forgetting dreams & running away’ – I’m not going ANYWHERE lady-friend…not if The Two’s sound like this I’m not – I’ll be right here with my face glued so hard to the speakers it’ll leave ripple marks on my cheeks tyvm. The Two’s “Lullaby” sounds to me like a brilliant fusion of the depth of songwriting & melodic ideas of a band like Belly (90’s Belly…the great and only Belly that matters kids…) crossed with the uplifting attitude & energy of a band likeThe Submarines, and the sharp focus & execution with just a hint of intensity likeHeart was famous for bringing to their material. The latter of which, could verifiably be a strong influence on The Two’s…they’ve been fortunate enough to play as openers for Heart in the past. Somewhere in between that stunning supercharged charisma of singers like Ann & Nancy, or someone with the swagger & cool like Chrissie Hynde…Ruby is right there hangin’ out with a similar set of skills, talent, and abilities for sure. The fact that Suki brings such vibrant & colorful charm, tension, beauty, and drama to the music through the absolutely breathtaking way he plays the cello, is all the icing on the cake that this duo needs to make an impact with listeners out there. Essentially what I’m saying is, they’re clearly loaded with individual talents of their own – but combined as they are here on “Lullaby” – believe me, these two are a complete force to be reckoned with, making music that MUST be heard. Stoked on every ticking second of this new single by The Two’s – incredible job all-around Suki & Ruby. http://sleepingbagstudios.ca/the-twos-lullaby/
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FV Reviews- "mind-blowing""Based in New Orleans, The Two are a phenomenally talented duo who have released their latest EP, ‘Push On’. Upon first listening to ‘Push On’ we knew nothing about the music or the name of the band. First, we heard a beautiful Cello, Guitar, Vocals and Percussion. We had assumed there would be four-ish members. How wrong we were! We then saw the band were called The Two’s and that is exactly what they are. Comprised of, Suki Kuehn and Ruby Rendrag, The Two’s make a sound which is massive! ‘Push On’ opens to the track, ‘Ms Jones’. It is our favourite track on the EP and it packs a big punch from the get-go. The vocals are pure velvet and the lyrics are filled with imagery. The staccato part adds luscious texture too. All of the songs are stand-alone classics. ‘City of Gold’ is textured throughout with the strings playing off of one another. The reverb on the cello lifts the sound wonderfully and the mix of the strings allows them to shine at the same time. ‘Lullaby’ feels heavier with beautiful cello parts on the chorus with sudden changes to the minor. ‘The Letter’ has a clever use of harmonics at the beginning and engaging percussion. The sound is clean and allows each of the instrument[s] to shine. The final track, ‘Baked’ is an instrumental where the skill Kuehn and Rendrag have shines through. Utterly magical. One thing is for sure, all of the instruments and parts are exciting and enthralling throughout. The skill level of the musicianship is mind-blowing and you are never sure in which direction the songs will take. ‘Push On’ was recorded by Adam Keil, and mixed by Ben Lorio and Grammy winner Sylvia Massy. All of the people who have worked on ‘Push On’ are clearly at the top of their game and have let The Two’s talent shine through. It is no wonder The Two’s have opened for such acts as rock legend Heart, international pop Star Zucchero, Dave Matthew’s side man Tim Reynolds, and have placed music on the Emmy award-winning show “Nip/Tuck". Their sound is utterly unique and refreshing. So fill your ears with magical Americana, Bluegrass and everything in-between this weekend. Check out ‘Push On’ today! https://fvreviews.com/2019/05/11/the-twos-push-on/
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Xttrwave- "elegant sketches""The Two’s is a New Orleans band made up of Suki Kuehn (Cello) and Ruby Rendrag (Guitar/ Vocal/ Foot Drums). They both deliver a tune that graces with serenity, perhaps with too much eagerness, as they deliver deep-diving sounds that allow you to let the music sort of speak for itself. If the strange and wonderful sounds arrayed here share anything, it’s a sort of worldly psychedelia. The duo are united by their mood: spaced out, atmospheric, and portentous. Their signature sound features the Cello, its greatest asset and its Achilles’ heel. It makes the music feel grandiose and moves with a gradual deliberateness, and has nothing to do with tension and release. Soon enough, the music stretches out, melting into something more sublime, as Ruby Rendrag really hits her stride with irresistible vocals to accompany the mood-setting strings by Suki Kuehn, gently slowing down time while you bathe in lush, warm whooshes of soft melodies. And at its best, it truly does soothe. To make beautiful music to chill out to is a simple concept, but those simple things can prove the most beguiling. The band’s latest EP Push On, leaves much to the imagination, and you’re left yearning and wondering what the band has in store. Whether that’s a cornucopia of immersive headtrips, icy expanses, sorrowful collages, high-concept inversions, and no small amount of Cello sounds, you can excpect elegant sketches that find freedom by going about their way. “Lullaby” is just distinct enough to keep monotony at bay, but cohesive enough that you might not put it on loop and go about your day. Instead you wade into it, floating on its bobbing waves until you’re ready to come out. But true to its nature it works best when played as heartfelt music that’s reassuring and calming. https://xttrawave.com/music-review-the-twos-lullaby/
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Warlock Asylum- "a rich and invigorating sound""Based out of New Orleans, the musically-talented duo known as The Two’s possess a rich and invigorating sound as evidenced in their newest single Lullaby. Comprised of members Ruby Rendrag (guitar, vocals) and Suki Kuehn (Cello), The Two’s are sworn to integral precepts of musical composition and chorale. This creative duo is able to draw elements from various genres and incorporate them into an indie folk-rock landscape. Lullaby is off of The Two’s latest EP titled Push On. The track has an ear-catchy melody with a dreamy feel made by the clever use of reverb during key parts of the song. Lullaby’s instrumentation is equally intense and seems to reflect upon the theme of a broken romance and how it is much better for the man to continue to walk away than return to his dreams and taunt his former lover with an irritating indecisiveness about his own feelings. Ruby gives an excellent vocal performance. Overall, Lullaby by The Two’s is a masterpiece in the hearts of true music purists. https://warlockasyluminternationalnews.com/2019/05/25/lullaby-by-the-twos/
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Stereo Stickman- "decidedly unique""The Two’s drive with musical intensity, passion, and intriguing poetic lyricism on this latest release. LULLABY is quite unlike any other lullaby you’ll have listened to of late, images of calm are undoubtedly juxtaposed by those that hit with a little more impact and uncertainty. Meanwhile, the duo continue to captivate with powerful performances and a generally experienced and interesting approach to making music. Contrast is utilized well throughout this song, there are indeed instances of peacefulness and folk purity, but these are more often than not followed up by those which strike as a little darker. On the whole, the song presents as a mildly melancholic but mostly uplifting, knees-up kind of track. These varying moods and emotions are leaned back and forth between. Even the switch from the verse to the hook embraces the importance of contrast and helps hold tight to your interest as the track progresses and gathers momentum. The second time you hear this, there’s undoubtedly a familiar and impressive sense of evolution to it. The Two’s have something decidedly unique about their creative drive and their way with performance. A live show would likely be all the more compelling and unquestionably memorable as experience and an inherent level of uninhibited artistry pour through in a real time setting….Rebecca Cullen https://stereostickman.com/reviews/the-twos-lullaby/
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Music Industry News Network- "not afraid to take chances""This “Lullaby” will not make you fall asleep but quite the contrary; this tune will be dancing in your head for days to come. The Two’s are a duo from New Orleans that pack one heck of a BIG punch for just two musicians. The Two’s are: Ruby Rendrag on guitar, vocals & foot drums and Suki Kuehn on cello. “Lullaby” is a featured single off of the group’s new EP, ‘Push On’ that is class personified and full of grace. Both members bring their own tastes to the table, which makes for an exhilarating listening experience. With musical influences that run the gamut, Ruby and Suki are far from a One-trick or even Two-trick pony. I love the fact that The Two’s can’t be pigeon-holed as a singular sensation when it comes to one particular genre. Unpredictable can best describe the duo’s style and “Lullaby” is a perfect example of that notion. The Two’s are not afraid to take chances when it comes to creating music and a sound all of their own. I would say that The Two’s method payed off nicely because “Lullaby” offers intoxicating vocals that sweep over you. This track is like dreamy, classical pop/rock with savvy singing and songwriting. Add in superb instrumentation along with soaring arrangements and you have yourself a classic, little “Lullaby”. This song is musically rich to the core as the direction and structure of this number draws you in. The originality of “Lullaby” is incredible as The Two’s bring something completely unique to the music world. I am almost certain that The Two’s will ‘Push On’ and continue to make unpredictable music with sense & purpose. We need more artists like Ruby Rendrag and Suki Kuehn today, so that songs always remain steady but never become stagnant. The Two’s sing a mean “Lullaby” and I have a feeling they have plenty more Lullabies up their sleeves. Jimmy Rae http://www.mi2n.com/press.php3?press_nb=206395
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Dancing About Architecture- "Lullaby is a gorgeous track""When we talk about technology providing opportunities for musicians that wouldn’t haven’t been possible not so many years ago, we normally think of programmed tracks filling in the bit where the band would be or digital effects creating a backdrop for a solo artist to play against and the like. And whilst there is an element of this taking place here, what The Two’s do so well is play those effects boxes and triggered samples like instruments themselves, flicking switches, multi-tasking, turning things on and off…it’s as impressive to watch as many bands, more so than some I could mention. Even without the inside into how they turn technology into ghost musicians or a studio into a band, Lullaby is a gorgeous track, one filled with the sweeping majesty of the cello, weighted acoustic rock guitar rhythms, lush vocals and the over-all addictiveness of a song shot through with dark emotions and sultry sentiments. But as the video shows, on top of their own vocal and instrumental output, this wonderful manipulation of technology is impressive to say the least. Countless bands lean heavily on digital opportunities which allows invisible musicians, if you like, but this is something else, this a duo who refuse to be limited by restrictions such as the number of actual people who happen to be in the line up and set about making each and every limb earn its money. - Dave Franklin
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Music Street Journal- "melody and energy""If you just listen to the first song here, you won't understand why I landed this set under progressive rock. Stepping past that one, though, there is a prog angle on every single track. When you look at the bios of this duo (Ruby Rendrag and Suki Kuehn), you will find that cellist Kuehn is a real progressive rock fan. That influence is clearly heard on this disc. This music is acoustic and has elements of folk, country, jazz and more in it. It has enough progressive rock and is experimental enough, though, to appeal to fans of prog. It is entertaining enough that it's appeal should stretch beyond that section of music aficionados, though. Track Reviews: Ms. Jones Acoustic music opens this with a lot of style. The vocals come in over the top, lending some country and folk magic. I love the cello on this cut. It brings a sort of class and style. There is an Earthy kind of feeling here that works well, yet the tune also manages to soar. It has some blues and jazz in the mix later, too. City of Gold Now this cut is a big change. It's a lot more powered, both in terms of volume level and tempo. It has a driving prog rock sort of element to it. There are some decidedly soaring moments here. There are still Americana elements at play, but they are further back in the arrangement. Overall, this really lands more in the vein of folk prog. Lullaby I can make out some hints of The Beatles sort of psychedelia. Yet the arrangement really has so much progressive rock built into it. This is driving and powerful. The cello creates some killer melodies, but the whole song is so intriguing, really. It's complex and varied, too. The Letter I dig the rocking groove on this cut. There are some hints of jazz in the mix. The whole piece works well. It's perhaps less proggy than the two cuts that directly preceded it, but there is still quite a bit of that element at play here. It does get soaring and proggier later in the track. Some Americana leanings also show up at points on this number. Baked This instrumental (well, there is one word as more of a gang-chorus kind of thing) really does a great job of creating melody and energy. It's fun and quite proggy. It's a great way to end the disc in style. - Gary Hill http://www.musicstreetjournal.com/index_cdreviews_display.cfm?id=106784
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Vents Magazine May 2019 InterviewHi guys, welcome to VENTS! How have you been? Hey! We’ve been busy! Together we’ve been getting organized for our EP release, rehearsing, and playing lots of local shows. Suki has been booking our summer Push On tour and doing press research. Ruby continues her online studies at the Berklee College of Music and managing projects for other musicians. Can you talk to us more about your latest single “Lullaby”? Lullaby is a driving, dark, dreamy song that is not meant to lull you to sleep! The song’s original arrangement was drastically different – having a slower pace and arrangement more like a Japanese children’s song (Suki was born in Japan). However, after examining the lyrics we felt it needed a more frenetic approach, alternating between “running away” and “hiding, wide awake”. Did any event in particular inspire you to write this song? If you think about it, all songs are about relationships. This one is about an adolescent’s relationship with their family – sometimes running away is the best option. How was the filming process and experience behind the video? It was exhausting but fun! We spent months preparing for the 8-hour shoot. Location scouting, audio preparation, vetting videographers, arranging assistant support, planning the visual approach, etc. The shoot itself was in a warehouse at The Parlor Studio in New Orleans. The space was delightfully grungy and filled with curios, knick-knacks and what-nots, allowing ample material to paint an appropriate picture in the video. After the shoot we spent weeks editing the video ourselves. The single comes off your new album Push On – what’s the story behind the title? In late 2017, we were near completion of an album when, after four years, our percussionist left the band. We had all that time and money wrapped up in the recordings (and merchandise, promotion, press, etc) so instead of nixing the project, we scaled it down to a five-song EP for this release, did some additional editing and production, and replaced the percussion tracks on Lullaby. We also renamed the band to The Two’s (for obvious reasons), reworked all our web presence and merchandise, and re-learned all the songs as a duo with footdrums. This whole complicated process took a year and a half – during which time we caught ourselves, more than once, saying “let’s push on.” How was the recording and writing process? We collaborated on all the songs. Over time as we played the material we refined arrangements, phrasing, lyrics, dynamics, effects and tempo. It’s amazing when rehearsing a song, one of us may do something a bit differently, or improv a new line – then it’s “Wha!! Stop! Do that again!” And that leads to revisions, which lead to new insights to the song, more decisions, and back-and-forth about should this note be F or F sharp? Do we bring it down here or bring it up? Which is the best way to manage this transition? It’s a delightful process, creation. But we digress…starting about 3 years ago, we went into the studio and laid down all the tracks over several days. Adam Keil was our engineer – his steady, serene hand kept us comfortably on track. Then came the editing, which we did ourselves over many months. We were lucky to secure the talents of engineers Ben Lorio (New Orleans) and Grammy-winner Sylvia Massy to mix the songs: we are a challenge to mix given the interplay we want between cello and vocal, and our emphasis on dynamics and clarity. We strive for each instrument to be balanced in the mix; all parts are important, like a classical quartet. And Ben and Sylvia came through with flying colors! We then mastered the songs with Steve Turnidge – a magician at such things. Finally, we found this great drawing of an octopus by Hillary Glass for our cover art and presto! An EP. The octopus represents two things- they are able to escape from tight spots (pushing on), and Ruby – playing vocal, guitar, and footdrums all at once – is like an octopus. No really, you should see it…. How did you get to balance the classic background with your Roots influences? Suki just somehow seems to come up with the best cello parts. We think it’s because of his exposure to so many different styles of music (he has played in jazz, folk, and classical groups, as well as his love of 70’s prog). Perhaps then it’s not all that strange he can just put his conscious mind on the shelf and improv during our composing/ arrangement sessions. Ruby weighs in with her melodic and rhythmic sensibilities to solidifies the connection. Of course it’s horrifying when after a song is recorded “in stone” Suki – out of nowhere – plays a new line or phrase which fits the song even better: Ruby curses and he looks sheepish – but what can you do? What aspect of the 80s and 90s did you get to explore on this record? In The Letter, we snuck in a little nod to The Smith’s How Soon is Now using a similar tremolo guitar part. Besides that obvious item, Ruby loves underground 80s and 90s music (like The Cure, The The, etc) so much that most of those influences often pop up unconsciously – so we just aren’t sure. But much of the music is dark, which is how we remember the 80s/90s! We also managed to tip our hat to Harry Nilsson’s rendition of Everybody’s Talkin’ in our song City of Gold. Where did you find the inspiration for the songs and lyrics? All the songs come from some angle of a personal experience. For example, Baked reflects the chaotic experience of living through a hurricane, razor-edge bluegrass style. And maybe we all know a Ms Jones– that person who tries so hard for acceptance but ends up pushing everyone away. Yea, maybe most of our stuff is pretty dark… Any plans to hit the road? Yes indeed! Our July 2019 tour is all set – 13 shows in 17 days. We start in Atlanta, GA then move up the east coast,, hop over to Ohio then back down through Tennessee, North Carolina and finish back in Atlanta. Whew! There’s also a radio interview scheduled along the way. Check out our tour schedule at https://www.thetwosmusic.com/performances. What else is happening next in The Two’s’ world? For the tour we are now at the stage of working promotion and press. We have buckets-full of local shows on the agenda, and have additional videos in the planning stages. Finally, we have jumped back into songwriting for the next album…we may even get Suki to sing a bit!
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Rootstime- "beautifully sung...jazzy...folk...rock""Tranlated from Dutch... "The Two" are indeed in pairs: the foot drum and guitar-playing singer Ruby Rendrag and cellist Suki Kuehn, both living in New Orleans, Louisiana. They both have a history in the music scene of New Orleans: the half-blooded Indian Ruby as front woman with "Ruby & The Rogues" and Suki has [sic] Japanese parents but has lived in America from childhood and since 1991 in New Orleans. Together they have now released an EP under the title "Push On" with five compositions of their own. The opening number “Ms. Jones' floats on a jazzy rhythm that is driven by the cello of Suki Kuehn. "City Of Gold" is a folk-like song that is beautifully sung by Ruby Rendrag and again contains nice instrumental intermezzos on cello. Then comes the rocking song “Lullaby” (see video) that forms the core song on this album. It is a fairly special and unique sound that both have created for this album. We can see that again in the fourth rhythmic track "The Letter" and also on the last song "Baked", a swinging instrumental song in which again a virtuoso Suki Kuehn on cello is heard. Valsam https://rootstime.be/index.html?https://rootstime.be/CD%20REVIEUW/2019/JUNI1/CD36.html
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