VICTORY REVIEW: Acoustic Music Magazine

artist - Gabriel Gandjzuk 

album - Invisible Lion

Recorded in Portland with self-penned tunes, this soothing piece of work is a nice find for sitting back and simply having a listen to an artist that illuminates his work through lyrics that speak to simpler times. Melodically Gandzjuk joins a long line of artists that just lay back and allow it all to happen through a mixture of instrumentation and great stories.

Gabriel Gandzjuk’s vocal style though understated becomes very effective with his choice of lyrical images, which he weaves throughout the twelve selections chosen for this package, as well as the choice of production. At times Ganjzduk appears to more comfortable with a old time feel or style, but the lyrical content shows another side to this artist, who is involved in the changes of now more than then.

What I find so soothing with the recording is his use of familiar country or folksy styling as a vehicle to share romantic introverted insights of self and sociological observations that are relevant to us all.  If he is tipping his hat to anyone or anything it's Americana and the romanticism that only a young man can recall.  If these modern times has affected this writer he’s not allowing much other than positive vibes like cream to rise to the top.

Gandzjuk uses some great players on the recording with his co producer, Nathan Junior on lead guitar, piano and organ.  Jesse Bates works pedal steel and mandolin while Chris Beck holds it all down with a nice bass and joins in on guitar backings as well as some keyboard work. Ryan Spellman was of great assistance on the recording with drums and percussion.  Cory Gray sprinkles it all with horns to great affect.  The production and mix are also great complements to the ease and feel of the product, which his producer/engineer Beau Raymond employs with a gentleness that allows the artist his vision.  The tunes and the mixing/ production are as much apart of the songs as are the musicians that supported the work.

Overall a great effort with little illumination to influences past or present, mainly a writer riding on his own coat tail with heart on sleeve and a vision of how he wants his music to be presented.  What I like most about the work is the ease of flow, the low but effective messages Gandzjuk sings and writes about.

This is a solid project that is well worth a listen.  Perfect for someone looking for something new and yet familiar.

[Christopher Anderson]

above: GABRIEL GANDZJUK w/ The Ventana Sons

Nico & Sky Country at the 2011 Nacarubi Music Festival 

Willie Bryant(telecaster) & Charlie Wallace(steel) working out leads for Larry Hosford's tune "Don't Change a Thing". Stay tuned for his upcoming 4th St. Records album release.

Charlie Wallace(pedal steel) working out parts for Larry Hosford's tune "Lonely By Yourself".

Songsmith Larry Hosford teaching the band his tune "Momentarily Yours" before heading into the studio to track it live!! 

photograph by Joe Gough

A summers eve with Larry Hosford at the Baja Cantina. Larry and his band will continue tracking today at Pepper Tree Recording in Carmel Valley for Larry's upcoming album release with 4th St. Records. Stay tuned:))

Nico Georis/Sky Country blog post

album: "Songs From Nowhere"

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Matt Baldwin - Nico Georis  blog post

album: "Year of the Dog"

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Hello folks!! The Larry Hosford Band will be starting their recording session a week from today at 4th Streets's "Pepper Tree Recording" studio. We are humbled to be working with legendary wordsmith Larry Hosford. www.larryhosford.com 

Gabriel Gandzjuk's debut album is scheduled for a Spring 2011 release on 4th Street Records. The thirteen song LP spans the influences and inspiration Gandzjuk has gathered from the landscapes and experiences of his home state California, along with his travels across country, and his time spent living in Black Mountain, North Carolina.

Recorded in November 2010 in Portland, Oregon at Producer Beau Raymond’s Family Farm Studios, the album was produced by Beau Raymond, who has worked with Devendra Banhart, Bert Jansch, Los Lonely Boys, Gary Louris & Marc Olson, and Little Joy, among others.

Gandzjuk was accompanied by Nathan Junior on Guitar/Keys (M. WARD, THE VILLAGE GREEN, DUOVER), Chris Beck on Bass/Guitar/Keys (BLUE GIANT), Jesse Bates on Pedal Steel/Banjo/Mandolin (BLUE GIANT, DELOREAN), and Ryan Spellman on Drums (PORT O’ BRIEN, QUIET LIFE, JEN STILLS, MARK OLSON).

SONGS:ILLINOIS BLOG

Hello Friends! 4th St. Records is excited to announce the release of artist Gabriel Gandzjuk's debut LP "Invisible Lion"!! You can listen or purchase the digital download here at our 4th Street Store or at Bandcamp Online Store. We have just received the vinyl  LP's from the pressing plant and will have them available at our store in a few weeks. 

4th St. Records has arrived back home in Carmel from a wonderful showcase of artists at the Nacarubi Music Festival located on a private homestead on the Southcoast Hilltops of Big Sur. Here is a photo of the "Live Painting" that was created Saturday afternoon next to the stage by attendees of this festival. This painting orchestration was lead by the vendor/company "Forever Stoked".

The anticipated 4th St. Records album release "Songs From Nowhere" from singer/songwriter/musician Nico Georis is now available at our online store in the various formats: Vinyl LP, CD, Digital Download. 

4th St. Records is excited to announce the arrival of Carmel native and recording engineer Chris Spilfogel back to Carmel this June to put the finishing touches on Pepper Tree Recording Studio!! This timing falls in line with the much anticipated Pepper Tree debut recording session set for July with original okie country singer/songwriter Larry Hosford. Stay tuned friends:))

4th St. Records will have a vendor table at the Henry Miller Library in Big Sur,Ca on May 28th 11am-4pm for Vinyl in the Woods. On hand we will have Nico Georis' album 'Songs From Nowhere' and we will be representing Brooklyn based record label Media Blitz, selling a few 7" releases for them. This event is free and open to the public, come to Big Sur and have a great day. Vinyl in the Woods  

Announcement: 4th St. Records is excited and honored to be working together with Salinas,California country artist singer/songwriter Larry Hosford for the upcoming release of his next original full length LP recording! 

We are extremely excited for the release of Gabriel Gandzjuk's debut full length album 'Invisible Lion'!! This release will be available on both CD and Vinyl one month from now. Digital download will be uploaded to gabrielgandzjuk.bandcamp.com for your listening pleasure this coming week.

In anticipation of his album release 'Songs From Nowhere', Nico Georis will have the honor to open for legendary musician, singer/songwriter, and producer Leon Russell on May 5th in Carmel, CA.

Nico Georis's album Songs From Nowhere is almost complete! We are excited for all you folks to spin this record through your sound system and feel the infectious grooves.

4th St. Records proudly announces the anticipated release of songwriter Mark Roth's self-produced debut album due out Fall 2011. Stay tuned for updates and demo listening samples!

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