For Immediate Release

Americana Ensemble Auburn Feat. Liz Lenten To Release New Album “Love & Promises”

London, UK – Americana music ensemble Auburn featuring Liz Lenten will be releasing their 5th album “Love & Promises” on June 17th 2016! The new album was mainly written in the mountains of eastern Crete last year, in a flurry of outpouring! As always with Liz Lenten’s prolific songwriting, themes cover the usual range of reflections of emotions and situations – from love, loss, uncertainty and yearning to lucid dreaming, frustrating teenagers, imaginary lovers, and the sorry sad state of the world…. Remarkably it’s pretty upbeat mostly actually….honest!

Says Liz, “Its been another crazy year for me, with huge personal life changes – which left me realizing that you really need to focus on the here and now and live for the moment – not in a ‘I could die tomorrow’ kind of way – just that there is no point on dwelling on the past and planning too far ahead in the future – you need to just focus on and enjoy the present – and realize that nothing is for ever! That’s the ‘Love & Promises’ message anyway! I’m not saying it’s the same for everyone of course, but that’s how it is for me- hopefully there are other people out there that this will resonate with!”

As with Auburn’s previous releases, the band’s new album was recorded once again in Nashville. Says Liz, “Nashville is one of the most wonderful cities on earth to me – buzzing with music and creativity. My fantastic producer, Thomm Jutz, who totally brings my ideas to life is there, so I would go wherever he was! And the musicians are amazing – all so incredibly talented and sensitive – and just lovely people to be around. I have done 3 albums there and will be going back next year, hopefully, to record a duo album with Chet O’Keefe. I just feel at home there.”

With last year’s release of Auburn’s critically acclaimed album “Mixed Feelings”, 2015 proved to be a hugely exciting year for the band, who reformed in 2011 after almost a decade apart. The band embarked on a major UK tour again supporting the legendary Jefferson Starship and then later in the year with Martin Carthy & Dave Swarbrick, captivating audiences around the country with their unique blend of Americana, blues and roots music.

“Playing as a three piece acoustic unit, my first impressions (of Auburn) took me back to another 60’s trio, The Springfields (ask your parents!). I think the gentle, laid back nature of opening song ‘Sitia Bay’ almost caught the crowd in two minds, so polite was the applause. Slowly, Liz and the boys started to win them over with a set of their bluesy, folksy story telling music, undoubtedly heavily influenced by sounds American. With solid support… from guitarist Mark Gustavina and bassist Jevon Beaumont, Liz Lenten at times sang with a frailty that gave her songs an atmosphere and emotion that a balls-out delivery might have ruined, not that she hadn’t got the power when needed! Given that we now had an hour to wait before the appearance of Jefferson Starship, could not Auburn have given us a couple more, I wonder?”

Live review Robin 2, Feb 2015

Since achieving Indie Chart top 5 success with “Cry” in 2005, and then having a break from performing, (after becoming a Mum) in the last 3 years Auburn has released 3 CDs to critical acclaim (nearly 60K plays on ReverbNation), and toured extensively including appearing at The Blue Note, in New Orleans, LA.

Musicians featured on “Love & Promises” are:
Liz Lenten – vocals/guitar
Thomm Jutz – producer/guitars (Nanci Griffiths, Peter Cooper, Max Wise)
Mark Fain – bass (Ry Cooder, Ricky Skaggs)
Evan Hutchings – drums (Amy Speace, Kim Richey)
Jen Gunderman – keys/accordion (Sheryl Crow, Jayhawks)
Justin Moses – Dobro (Alison Krauss, Bruce Hornsby)
Britt Savage – harmony vocals (Garth Brooks, Crystal Gayle)
Chet O’Keefe – guest duet vocal (Kinky Freidman, Gibson Bros)

‘CROSS THE DEEP ATLANTIC’ Tour dates June 2016 – Liz Lenten & Chet O’Keefe – 2 guitars, 2 voices……Live and Acoustic
Thursday 16th – The Donkey, Leicester – http://www.thedonkeybar.com Tel: 01162705042
Friday 17th – Edinburgh – House Concert. contact: liz@scarletrecording.co.uk for tickets
Saturday 18th – The Black Bull, Donington, Lincs Free Entry! http://www.blackbulldonington.com
Sunday 19th – The Convent, Stroud https://theconvent-manage.netgig.co.uk/event/chet-okeefe-auburn/ – net gig Tel: 0844 884 29 20
Tuesday 21st – Bar Wotever, Royal Vauxhall tavern, London http://www.woteverworld.com/events Tel: 020 7820 1222
Wednesday 22nd – Roots sessions @ The Grain Bar, Frome http://www.facebook.com/Roots-Sessions-at-the-Grain-Bar-627953437276945 Tel: 01373 455 420
Friday 24th – Helmsley AC, Yorks http://www.helmsleyarts.co.uk/whats-on/cross-the-deep-atlantic Tel: 01439 771700
Sunday 26th – Enfield House Party (private)

Here’s what the press has said about Liz Lenten and Auburn:

“…..in delivering melodic dramatic monologue, Liz Lenten is among the best around” – David Innes,
R2 magazine (UK )

“Auburn makes wonderfully atmospheric music…like the kind of country that first turned rappers on
to Johnny Cash because he was such an OG” – Midwest Records (USA)

“Liz was damn well channelling her (Dusty Springfield) at times… It was like she was possessed!” – Jon Downes, GONZO blog (UK)

“A sound that is as evocative as it is moving” – Neil King, Fatea

“Auburn have cemented their place within the genre with this album” – Ravenheart

“We’ve been stopped in our tracks by Liz Lenten and Auburn’s dramatic genre-amalgam Nashville” – Flying Shoes

“A cultural microcosm of the new sound for American roots music!” – Bop n Jazz

To purchase Auburn’s “Love & Promises” CD: http://www.auburn.org.uk/albums/

Contacts:
Management – Scarlet Records – 01775841750 info@scarletrecording.co.uk
EPK: http://www.reverbnation.com/weareauburn
website: http://www.auburn.org.uk
facebook: http://www.facebook.com/weareauburn
twitter: @weareauburn

USA Press & Radio: Billy James, Glass Onyon PR glassonyonpr@gmail.com
Europe Press & Radio: Peter Holmstedt (www.hemifran.com) – peter.holmstedt@telia.com
UK Press & Radio: Alan Robinson – alan@indiscreetpr.com
Publishing: World Domination Music Limited
Label: Scarlet Records

For Immediate Release

UK Acoustic Ensemble Auburn To Release New Album “Mixed Feelings”

London, UK – Much to the excitement of music aficionados worldwide, UK acoustic ensemble Auburn is releasing a new album titled “Mixed Feelings” on September 11, 2015! Last year proved to be a hugely exciting year for the band, who reformed in 2011 after almost a decade apart. With a new album and a major UK tour supporting the legendary Jefferson Starship’s 40th anniversary tour, Auburn has been captivating audiences around the country with their unique blend of Americana, blues and roots music.

Fronted by female vocalist Liz Lenten, who’s voice has been described as “so sweet it’ll make your hair curl” and “husky, with an emotional frailty”, who isn’t afraid to show her full range of vocal tones or emotions. With varied influences from Bonnie Raitt, Billie Holiday, Ricki Lee Jones, Amy Winehouse, Kate Bush and Janis Joplin to name a few, Liz’s songs grab you melodically, but also tell a story of love and life.

Says Liz about the band’s forthcoming album, “It’s been a funny old year! Lots of confusion and uncertainty in my life- which is really what ‘mixed feelings’ is about – love and hate (or at least anger – if not hate!) are very close emotions, and I wanted to explore them.”

“Mixed Feelings” has 12 brand new songs, covering all the usual emotional issues, including love, loss, domestic abuse and manslaughter, confusion, perseverance, trust, friendship and psychotic-stalker-dumped-girlfriends!

Auburn’s critically acclaimed 2014 album, “Nashville”, also featured songs written by Liz Lenten, and established the band’s place as a compelling force in contemporary Americana. Showcasing Liz’s versatility as a writer and vocalist, the album’s sonic world fuses elements of blues, Alt-country and roots music, with soulful lyrics and catchy pop rhythms.

Recorded in Nashville, Tennessee with award-winning producer Thomm Jutz (Nanci Griffiths, Mary Gauthier, Kim Richey) “Nashville” featured musicians who have played with everyone from Roy Orbison to Garth Brooks and Dolly Parton. Three tracks from the album were made available on ReverbNation prior to its release and within a few weeks had reached No.1 in the UK Americana charts and No.7 in the Global Americana charts. “Nashville” has gained extensive airplay and great reviews across Europe – notably Netherlands, Germany, Belgium, Sweden, Portugal and France.

In January 2015 Liz returned to Nashville, TN, and again with producer/guitarist Thomm Jutz, and fantastic Nashville Musicians, and recorded the new CD “Mixed Feelings”. The album features Lynn Williams on Drums (Tinsley Ellis, Mary Gauthier, Delbert McClinton, The Wallflowers); Mark Fain on Bass (Ricky Skaggs, Bruce Hornsby, Jonny Cash, Mac Wiseman); Barry Walsh on Keys ( Gretchen Peters, Tom Russell); Justin Moses on Banjo, Dobro and Fiddle (Alison Krauss, Emmy-Lou Harris, Sierra Hull, Ricky Skaggs); and JT Brown on Harmony Vocals (Mary Chapin Carpenter, Nancy Griffiths)

Says Liz, “The songs were written over about 2 months, on my beloved vintage Martin guitar called Rosie (the one I ‘stole’ with a little persuasion, from my good friend and sound engineer Justin) and I was meant to go to Nashville in October last year to record them, but due to my son needing an operation (thankfully he’s fine now), and my Mum becoming very ill, I had to cancel most of the last 6 months of 2014. So I went very early January, in the snow and ice, and we had a fantastic time recording the album. Thomm Jutz, the producer, and the rest of the musicians were as amazing as before, and we actually finished a day early! The whole album was recorded, and mixed in 6 days! It was so relaxed and easy – I just love the place, feel so at home in Nashville. I could live there easily!”

Here’s what the press have raved about Auburn:

“A remarkable energy is ever-present” – David Innes, R2

“A sound that is as evocative as it is moving” – Neil King, Fatea

“Auburn have cemented their place within the genre with this album” – Ravenheart

“We’ve been stopped in our tracks by Liz Lenten and Auburn’s dramatic genre-amalgam Nashville” – Flying Shoes

“A cultural microcosm of the new sound for American roots music!” – Bop n Jazz

“Despite the harrowing subject of domestic abuse….Auburn succeeds through the quality of the song writing and in vocalist Liz Lenten’s delivery” – R2 Un-Herd Volume 51 May/June 2015

To get the year started with a bang, they played a few live dates, again supporting Jefferson Starship on their 2015 UK tour.

“Opening up the musical proceedings were ‘Auburn’, a British group led by Liz Lenten, they played a set consisting of country. blues and Americana which really hit the spot on a cold, miserable February evening. The set consisted of 6 tracks, spanning their 2 CD’s (‘Indian Summer’ and more recently ‘Nashville’) and a couple of tracks lifted from their forthcoming album ‘Mixed Feelings’which is due to land later in 2015. Liz’s voice echoed the stars of the Nashville country musicscene and the stripped back band produced a balanced platform for her to launch herself, winning many hearts with this solid performance.” – EXETER PHEONIX – LIVE REVIEW FEB 2015 –WWW.MUSICMUSO.COM

Auburn live dates 2015:
11th Sept -The Artrix, Bromsgrove (Supporting The Strawbs)
12th Sept – The Met, Bury (Supporting Martin Carthy & Dave Swarbrick)
13th Sept – The Glasshouse, Peterborough
15th Sept – Club Wotever, London
18th Sept – The Drill Hall, Lincoln (supporting Martin Carthy & Dave Swarbrick)
25th Sept – Voodoo Lounge, Stamford
4th October – The Convent, Gloucestershire – to be netcast LIVE @ 9pm – http://www.theconvent.net

In closing Liz has this to impart, “There is a lot of very blatant personal misery and hurt in the songs, including one about domestic violence and manslaughter (that one is actually a fictional story – I have yet to shoot anyone!) some of the songs were inspired by a close friend who was separating from her partner, after a very long relationship, although they do have some resonance for me too in terms of adjusting to new situations and dealing with uncertainty. I just hope the listener can find something in the songs that they can relate to – and most of all, enjoy the superb playing of the band on the record.”

To purchase Auburn’s “Mixed Feelings” CD:
http://www.auburn.org.uk/albums/
http://www.gonzomultimedia.co.uk/product_details/15865 ;

Contacts:
Management – Scarlet Records – 01775841750 info@scarletrecording.co.uk
EPK: http://www.reverbnation.com/weareauburn
website: http://www.auburn.org.uk
facebook: http://www.facebook.com/weareauburn
twitter: @weareauburn

International Press & Radio: Peter Holmstedt (www.hemifran.com) – peter.holmstedt@telia.com
USA Radio and press: Billy James, Glass Onyon PR glassonyonpr@gmail.com
Publishing: World Domination Music Limited
Distribution/Label: Bat Country /Gonzo Media

For Immediate Release

Auburn’s New Album ‘Nashville’ Released On The Heels Of Recent UK Tour With Legendary Jefferson Starship

“Fronted by a tremendous vocalist in Liz Lenten… the group create mature heartfelt melodies for a new generation” Morning Star Online

London, UK – 2014 is already proving to be a hugely exciting year for acoustic ensemble Auburn, who reformed in 2011 after almost a decade apart. With a new album and a major UK tour supporting the legendary Jefferson Starship as they celebrated their 40th anniversary, Auburn have been captivating audiences around the country with their unique blend of Americana, blues and roots music.

The new album, ‘Nashville’, features 12 newly-penned songs from singer-songwriter and Auburn lynchpin Liz Lenten, and establishes Auburn’s place as a compelling force in contemporary Americana. Showcasing Liz’s versatility as both a writer and vocalist, Nashville’s sonic world fuses elements of blues, country and roots music, with soulful lyrics and catchy pop rhythms.

Recorded in Nashville, Tennessee with award-winning producer Thomm Jutz (Nanci Griffiths, Mary Gauthier) ‘Nashville’ features musicians who have played with everyone from Roy Orbison to Garth Brooks and Dolly Parton. Three tracks from the album were made available on ReverbNation prior to its release and within a few weeks had reached No.1 in the UK Americana charts and No.7 in the Global Americana charts.

Auburn were delighted to be asked to support the legendary rock band Jefferson Starship on the band’s 40th anniversary tour during January and February 2014. The 11-date tour gave them the opportunity to showcase new material from the Nashville album to large audiences across the UK, where the feedback was unanimously positive. Liz was invited on stage at the end of each night to perform with Jefferson Starship on their closing number ‘The Volunteers’.

Following this success, Auburn are now lining up dates for festivals and gigs throughout 2014 and beyond, and are already working on new material, as well as a new video from the tour.

To purchase Auburn’s ‘Nashville’ CD:
Amazon US:
http://www.amazon.com/Nashville-Auburn/dp/B00GOKSCIM
Amazon UK:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Nashville-Auburn/dp/B00GOKSCIM

For more information: http://www.auburn.org.uk

Press inquiries: Glass Onyon PR, PH: 828-350-8158 (USA), glassonyonpr@gmail.com

Photo by Phil Reeve

For Immediate Release

UK Electro-Acoustic Group Auburn’s Reunion CD ‘Indian Summer’ Receives Rave Reviews

July 31, 2012 – London, UK – One of the break-out releases of 2012, UK electro-acoustic ensemble Auburn’s ‘Indian Summer, has been garnering rave reviews worldwide. Featuring singer/songwriter Liz Lenten, Auburn reunited in 2011 after an almost 10-year hiatus! The group released their critically acclaimed CD ‘Indian Summer’ on May 7, 2012 on Scarlet Records, distributed through Gonzo MultiMedia. Described as a band that delivers “songs from the heart” by the London Evening Standard, and “Dreamy, moody and atmospheric” by Classic Rock Society, Auburn has been touring the UK in support of their new CD release. ‘Indian Summer’ is a mix of up-beat and slower tempo electro-acoustic pop music, but borrowing much from the roots, country and blues genres, with a slightly retro sound but still very 2012. “We have been really thrilled by the positive reviews that the album has had and the response at the live shows,” says Liz. “It feels like people are getting it and getting me. There is definitely an awareness building around Auburn and the ‘Indian Summer’ album, and we mean to develop that by doing some new tracks after the summer, and more live shows later in the year and also next year.

Here’s what the press have been raving about Auburn’s ‘Indian Summer’:

“One of the prevading joys is Liz Lenten’s voice – at times etheral and wispy, at other times emotive and powerful, but always a joy” – Tumblr

“Fronted by a tremendous vocalist in Liz Lenten, whose influence bears hallmarks of some of the great dream pop singers, but with more singer songwriter approach, the group create mature heartfelt melodies for a new generation” – Morning Star Online

“A warm intimate blend of stripped down electro-acoustic pop…’Indian Summer’ is a lovely album from start to finish of intriguing laid back instrumentation, high-spirited vocals and spine tingling harmonies’ – Rhythm & Booze

“Easy listening, inspirational and rather relaxing” – Ravenheart

“An immaculate Autumn record, released in spring signals the welcome return of a warmly missed English ensemble” – DMNE

“Understated and more often than not charming Liz Lenten’s pop styled folk has a beautiful, and on occasions, a quirky feel” – Flyingshoes

Fronted by female vocalist Liz Lenten, who’s voice has been described as “so sweet it’ll make your hair curl” and “husky, with an emotional frailty”, who isn’t afraid to show her full range of vocal tones or emotions. Likened on this album to singers including Macy Gray, Karen Dalton and Lady Daisey and with varied influences from Bonnie Raitt, Billie Holiday, Ricki Lee Jones, Amy Winehouse, Kate Bush and Janis Joplin to name a few, Liz’s songs grab you melodically, but also tell a story of love and life. The Auburn band is a mixed sound of lush acoustic guitars, rich cello lines and groovy percussion, underpinned by hypnotic bass lines.

Along with the positive reviews, Auburn’s ‘Indian Summer’ has been garnering substantial airplay around the world including stations like WWSP, KKUP, WCUX (USA), Roots Revival (Belgium). The album reached #18 in the UK Roots radio airplay chart on May 30, 2012. More live dates and a live video are in the works: “We are playing a full band show at ‘Exhibition Road Festival’ in London on July 29th, and then an acoustic showcase at the ‘Blue Nile Club’ in New Orleans on August 3rd for the E1 conference,” says Liz. “Then, more live dates after the summer and now looking at a UK tour the end of 2012 or early 2013, then we’ll be back in the USA next summer for some live dates and festivals.”

Auburn – ‘Indian Summer’

Label: Scarlet Records / Distribution: Gonzo/Proper

To purchase Auburn – ‘Indian Summer’: http://www.gonzomultimedia.co.uk/search/product_details/15443/Auburn-Indian_Summer.html

For more information: http://www.auburn.org.uk

http://www.facebook.com/auburnindainsummer

TV and Radio: Amanda Beel – All About Promotions: 020 7328 4836

Press Inquiries: Glass Onyon PR, PH: 828-350-8158, glassonyonpr@gmail.com

For Immediate Release

UK Electro-Acoustic Group Auburn Reunites To Record New CD ‘Indian Summer’

5/4/2012 – London, UK – To much anticipation, UK electro-acoustic ensemble Auburn featuring singer/songwriter Liz Lenten has reunited after an almost 10-year hiatus! The critically acclaimed group has recorded a new CD titled ‘Indian Summer’ that is slated for release on May 7, 2012 on Scarlet Records, distributed through Gonzo MultiMedia. Described as a band that delivers “songs from the heart” by the London Evening Standard, and “Dreamy, moody and atmospheric” by Classic Rock Society, Auburn will embark on a UK tour in support of their new CD release. ‘Indian Summer’ is a mix of up-beat and slower tempo electro-acoustic pop music, but borrowing much from the roots, country and blues genres, with a slightly retro sound but still very 2012.

Fronted by female vocalist Liz Lenten, who’s voice has been described as “so sweet it’ll make your hair curl” and “husky, with an emotional frailty”, isn’t afraid to show her full range of vocal tones or emotions. “I don’t have a specific style” says Liz. “I love lots of different vibes, so I take bits of all of them and just write songs around the feel that I think works with the lyrics. It is a bit country, a bit bluesy, a bit rootsy – all those things – but I just think of it all as music.” With varied influences from Bonnie Raitt, Billie Holiday, Ricki Lee Jones, Amy Winehouse, Kate Bush and Janis Joplin to name a few, Liz’s songs grab you melodically, but also tell a story of love and life. “ ‘Indian Summer’ is all about the fact that I am older, and maybe a little wiser,” Liz explains, “certainly more chilled out, but not ready to hang up my mic just yet. I feel happy and content with where I am in life right now.”

The Auburn band is a mixed sound of lush acoustic guitars, rich cello lines and groovy percussion, underpinned by hypnotic bass lines. “Auburn manages to pull off the trickiest of tricks. Which is? Well, to make slow moving mood music that never fails to engage. What’s more, Auburn makes it seem easy,” touts Impressions magazine. Along with Liz Lenten, Auburn features co-writer and producer Max Gilkes on guitars and piano (Lily Allen, Prince Fatty, Manu Chau), Jevon Beaumont on bass (BootLed Zeppelin, Laura Vane), Pat Garvey on percussion (BIMM, Nin Drums), Rob Lewis on cello (Two Spot Gobi). Along with the band members special guests Eliza Carthy on violin and background vocals, and Laura Vane on background vocals are featured on ‘Indian Summer’.

Liz Lenten formed Auburn in the summer of 1999. Their first gig was at the jam-packed launch party of Scarlet Records held at the salubrious and smoky Madame JoJo’s in Soho to a completely packed and enthusiastic house. Auburn’s first EP ‘Sweet Sebastian’ received extensive airplay, and sold out of its limited pressing within 2 weeks. The band then teamed up with producer Tim Pettit (Travis, Sun House and Carlene Carter) and recorded “For Life”, which also garnered great radio support, and they toured the UK and played many live radio sessions. The debut album ‘Dreams’ was released in 2003 and Auburn toured with Sophie Ellis Bextor in the UK and Europe, playing to 40,000 people. In 2005 “Cry” reached number #5 in the UK indie video charts, after which the band took a break. Now, along with the excitement surrounding the reformation of Auburn comes the question, where have they been for almost a decade? “My son started school and I just didn’t want to be away from him touring,” Liz explains. “In fact, I hated being away from him for even a night. So, I concentrated on other musical work, teaching singing, conducting and composing for choirs, artist management and running my small label. Now that he’s older I feel I can carry on where I left off, and continue to follow this side of my music.”

Auburn UK tour dates:
May 4 – South Holland AC – Spalding
May 5 – Terry O’Toole Theatre – Lincoln
May 6 – The King Albert – Brighton
May 7 – The Slaughtered Lamb – London
July 29 – Exhibition Road Festival, London

In closing Liz had this to impart to her fans and listeners, “Thank you for caring and remembering. I really hope you enjoy the new album – I think I have grown up a bit since ‘Dreams’ (at last!) and I hope that people enjoy the new material.”

Auburn – ‘Indian Summer’ UK release date: Monday 7th May 2012
Label: Scarlet Records / Distribution: Gonzo/Proper

To purchase Auburn – ‘Indian Summer’: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Indian-Summer-Auburn/dp/B007KE1IC8

For more information: http://www.auburn.org.uk
http://www.facebook.com/auburnindainsummer

TV and Radio: Amanda Beel – All About Promotions: 020 7328 4836

Press Inquiries: Glass Onyon PR, PH: 828-350-8158, glassonyonpr@cs.com