Shouting
From the Rocky Mountains
The
Wendy Woo Band Reaches a Tipping Point
New
Release Out On May 9th
“…her vocals exude a
sensuality that's unexpectedly subtle.” - Michael Roberts,
Westword
Atlanta, GA – Woo
Music recording artists, The Wendy Woo Band, gets set to take their unique blend
of rock, folk and Americana to the national stage with Tipping
Point, on May 9th. The popular Colorado quintet, which
consists of the ever charismatic Wendy Woo (lead singer/guitar), Robin Hoch
(viola, guitar, vocals), Chris Maestas (drums/vocals), Mitch DeZwarte
(keyboards) and Steve Cox (Bass). They are looking to take their regional
success nationwide and Tipping Point appears to be just the
vehicle to cross over state lines.
Tipping
Point, recorded at
Colorado Sound in Westminster, Colorado by the legendary Jim Gaines. Gaines’
resume, which includes Stevie Ray Vaughan, Carlos Santana, Huey Lewis and
countless others made a warm, relaxing atmosphere for Wendy and the band to
create and put forth their best effort.
Wendy’s alto voice
along with her unique phrasing has often brought comparisons to Natalie Merchant
with attitude. What separates the Wendy Woo band, however, is when Robin Hoch
steps up to blend her voice with Wendy’s. The two have a tight, intuitive sound
that is rarely found outside of families. The results are surreal. “I was in awe
and captivated by her sultry voice and beauty” Wendy states in an interview with
axs.com, Denver (2015).
“Down the Backbone Road. Down the Backbone
Road.
You can lose yourself, down the Backbone Road.” –
Backbone Road
The songs on Tipping
Point are perhaps the album’s strength. The band shows more depth than
the average “boy meets, girl/boy loses girl” subject matter. Wendy and the band
choose to explore not only love but other subject matters which everyone can
relate to. Songs like, “In the Middle,” speaks of human reconciliation while,
“Today” reminds us to take in the good times and enjoy them while they are
happening.
Wendy, the daughter
of bohemian parents who were founding faculty members at Naropa University, was
exposed to the unexpected in life. Growing up, the family home would be a social
center with such visitors as Allen Ginsberg, Merry Prankster, Ken Kesey and
Norman Mailor. In the past, Wendy has thanked her unconventional upbringing with
the song, "One Way
Ticket," (unreleased live show favorite) which mentions growing up as a
"beatnik's kid," and Gregory Corso teaching her how to play poker. Woo and her
father also did an album of music and poetry together titled, Ecolalia, which was named by both the Denver Post and Westword as one of the top
10 Colorado albums of 2001.
“Sometimes we
change
And we meet back
in the middle” – In The
Middle
While Woo grew up
singing, she didn't start playing the guitar until she was 18 and wanted to
accompany herself. Soon after learning her way around the guitar, she began
writing songs and performing in songwriting circles. She attended at both
University of New Mexico and University of Colorado, where she studied various
musical genres, theory and composition.
As Woo’s prowess
grew she developed a technique she calls “Slaptap.” "Slaptap" is performed by
using the guitar as a percussion instrument. She hits and slaps at various point
of the acoustic guitar creating a performance art piece. The fluid movement
between her hands and body keep the viewer focused throughout the song. You can
watch her here by clicking on the photo.
"Wendy Woo is a one-woman musical machine. ... The
guitarist's music is chock full of varying styles, ranging from ballads to Latin
beats and rock 'n' roll … “ - Jen
Mulson, Colorado Springs Gazette Telegraph
Early on her
musical journey, Woo took a job at the Fox Theater. This is where her ambitions
started to take off and she began playing more frequently. She won the Colorado
Lilith Fair Talent Search in 1999, which let her share the stage with an elite
lineup that included Sarah
McLachlan, Shawn Colvin
and Sheryl Crow.
She
also toured nationally during this time, which helped her gain a larger
following. Meanwhile, her accolades from the Colorado media grew exponentially,
and the alternative weekly, Westword, put her in their Hall Of
Fame.
Wendy has recorded
more than 100 original songs, played over 200 dates a year and operating her own
musical empire called WooMusic. But Wendy and her band find gratification in the
personal relationships that have with past and present members creating a sense
of family. Sacrificing their
personal lives to be a part of something bigger they have all stayed in close
contact with Woo, giving her a sense of comradery that can’t be replaced.
