THE ECHOES

"THE ECHOES"
THE ECHOES were formed in New York City in early 2000 by native Kentuckians Mark Alexander and Teresa Starr. Starr, a poet attending graduate school at Sarah Lawrence College, became the perfect voice for Alexander's insightful lyrics and plaintive melodies. Alexander, a veteran to performance since his elementary school days, had recorded and worked with a multitude of acts and artists over the years; but admitted finding a greater sense of freedom as a member of THE ECHOES.
The group would begin playing in New York and its surrounding areas--eventually continuing their range along the East Coast to their homestate of Kentucky--with common venues including the Baggot Inn and CBGB in Greenwich Village, the C-Note in Alphabet City, Downtime in lower Manhattan, the Orange Bear in Tribecca, and the Turning Point in Piermont, New York. Performing numerous holiday shows, festivals, and benefits in homestate towns such as Aurora and Paducah, THE ECHOES would receive airtime and radio play in both their original hometown of Louisville and adopted hometown of Cadiz; as well as in larger cities such as Lexington and Murray, Kentucky.
Their first release, a limited edition EP titled "THE ECHOES SOUND OFF," was released in 2001 and was followed by a series of CD singles throughout 2003 and 2004; culminating in their first full-length CD "LISTEN UP... IT'S THE ECHOES" released in 2005. It was ultimately the wide distribution of this CD that would earn the group a rave review from journalist Joe Viglione at allmusic.com / the All Media Guide and allow their music to reach an even greater audience through various broadcasts and podcasts. The year 2007 would see the release of "NOW HEAR THIS" and show the band expanding not only their repertoire, but skills as performers and recording artists.
THE ECHOES' music is available at over 2,400 retail stores worldwide and online at sites such as Amazon.com, Apple iTunes, AudioLunchbox, BuyMusic, CD Baby, DigiPie, Emusic, Flip, GreatIndieMusic, iSound, Liquid Digital Media, LoudEye, Mixxer, MP3-Extension, MP3tunes, MSN Music, Muze, Napster, New Artists Online, Nexhit, NextRadio, PayPlay, Rhapsody, Snocap, Sony Connect, Target, Tradebit, Verizon, and Weed. Since 2005, they have received international airplay and exposure via both the radio and internet. They have also been recognized as Featured Artist Of The Month in the United Kingdom by Songstuff.
"LISTEN UP... IT'S THE ECHOES"
review courtesy allmusic.com / the All Media Guide:
"Like a new wave Paul & Paula [The Echoes'] minimalist approach is reminiscent of '60s music, not as primitive as Dorothy Wiggin and her sisters' group the Shaggs, but more like the Aquatones with treble guitar and a voice searching the stars up above. There are 15 songs on the group's first full-length CD, "Listen Up... It's the Echoes," the follow-up to the limited edition "The Echoes Sound Off," and they all have a charming appeal all their own. "Wasting Our Lives" has the naïve and pretty guitar on a quest for a tuning it likes while Alexander and Starr blend their harmonies over the simple chord changes. There's little information on where and how this music was recorded, the 12-page booklet containing only lyrics and song titles/writing credits. Everything is credited to the Echoes, which means whoever the duo perform with democratically share the credit. Alexander handles guitar, harmonica, some keyboards and occasional bass while main vocalist Starr adds some percussion. Their heartfelt approach can't be denied, "Cross Between the Two" a perfect love song for college radio. "When the Love" has Alexander experimenting with his guitar sounds while Starr keeps her pop sensibilities about her, and the music she's singing. They are seriously adventurous and know how to find a groove. In a world of high-end explosions and music with nothing to say, these new Echoes communicate their feelings well over a stripped down framework that Nuggets fans will eat up." -- Joe Viglione
"LISTEN UP... IT'S THE ECHOES"
review courtesy Jersey Beat / Quiet Corner:
"Kentucky-bred and New York based, The Echoes are a twosome who have released "Listen Up... It's The Echoes," which is available at theechoesofficalwebsite. They sing in a folk style reminiscent of Ian & Sylvia, and give us all original tunes written by Mark Alexander, though most of the lead singing is (wisely) handled by Teresa Starr. The songs are full of love and tenderness, with Starr’s high voice and Alexander’s supporting guitar and voice (he does sing a lead here and there). This is definitely an easy listen on many levels, including a joyful melody line and a to-the-point lyrics structure (“I met you just the other day/You made it in my dreams that night” are the CD’s opening lines, from “If I Do”). This is the folk equivalent of lite jazz, and I don’t mean that as an insult; it’s a style that is very listener friendly. Like cocoa and a blanket on a chilly evening." -- Robert Barry Francos
"NOW HEAR THIS"
review courtesy www.theechoesofficialwebsite.com:
"Dear Echoes, What am I going to do with you guys? I open up this CD, sit down and mellow out, hit play and then got blown to bits! You did a great job there, you Echoes you, and have a disc with many highlights. One of my favorites is "Stained" where your voices blend so very well together. The vibe of the album is mystical and haunting and, although it's reminicent of the 60's, it's more of that 70's rock sound to me... you know, the sound before disco came. For a brief time, 70's rock was good and you've recaptured that small window. "Take Me As I Am" and "I Was Dreaming 'Bout A Woman" have been going through my head ever since the second time I heard the disc. Besides Teresa's voice sounding strong, I was impressed by the harmonica... and was that a dobro on "If I Could Take You Away?" Wow, what a vibe you've stirred on plastic and in my own heart! To have all of the elements of accordion, dobro and the likes with that haunting, nostalgic feel is just incredible. I would be very, very proud parents of this "bad boy" guys. This is, without a doubt, your strongest to date, instrumentaly sound, and just and pure in nature and intent. The way that you've incorporated things like banjo and metal guitar is unique and, as far as I know, it's never been done."
"You both provide great vocals to the cutting and sometimes choppy guitar work. The bass lines run well with the drummer and provide a solid and powerful rhythm section--especially when Mark gets down and lays down licks. I hate to compare songs, but I had a firm indentation lain across my head the first time I heard "Troubled World" in that it felt like two of my favorite licks were combined like peanut butter in my chocolate. It almost seemed like Jethro Tull's "Aqualung" and the Moody Blues' "I'm Just A Singer In A Rock And Roll Band" met and transcribed a totally new and better lick and you guys jammed the living snot right out of it! I'm not saying "Troubled World" sounds like them, but rather lets off a similiar vibe in my heartstrings. Following it with "If I Could Take You Away" was perfect and, although that song is much mellower, I was still hanging on to "Troubled World;" but, as I allowed it to be a transitional step, the new song captured my senses. Teresa's voice dominates a wonderful tune here and, accentuated by Mark's "below bass" voice, took me to a brilliant world and left me with the memories of a time when I had the energy and passion to take someone away."
"You Echoes have done incredible work throughout and the sound is so very well balanced. Everyone knows that it takes more than a couple of good songs to make a good disc. Although this album's song list is a strong one, it's supported by a great balance and overall sound. I don't know how you got some of the sounds, but at the beginning of the album it sounds like you were running things through a Leslie cabinet and achieved that "coughing" effect that it brings. It's not always the right way to go but, if that is what was done, you used it wisely! "Prove You Love Me" is yet another strong song that almost convinces me that I was the second gunman at the grassy knoll on November 22, 1963... purely because of the urgency (or did i say that already)? I just love the blend of electric/acoustic with that voice. Teresa, oh, Teresa, why do you visually take me places that I haven't been for quite some time or maybe a place I thought I already was? And you, Mark, most definitely you belong in long robes as you write and discuss a lifetime of expression and joy in this music/Echoes' music. When Clapton plays, he gets choppy to prove a point--and you do the same thing, but for totally different reasons. Your solos are biting and cutting to the bone and, as you drop ol' "Steamboat Willie's" boat back into the water, you take no prisoners... be it someone to emulate you or hang as a barnacle. Much like the Bible, this disc dances and trades and supports it's own self in and throughout. The packaging and the concerted effort to have all of the words printed is a wonderful addition. The artwork and color photographs are done so beautifully. Without a deliberate action, you have touched me in a couple of dozen different ways. In essence, this is a fine disc. Thanks for getting 'er done!" -- Ohio Buckeye
"SONGS YOU'VE JUST GOT TO HEAR AGAIN AND AGAIN!"
To order THE ECHOES' critically acclaimed "LISTEN UP" CD, please visit:
AMAZON.COM,
CD BABY,