since founding wollenberg records in the fall of 2004, richard cortez has been taking the queer music scene by the balls and paving the way for a new anti-folk generation one busted guitar string at a time.
for more information about current and upcoming projects, tour info and free downloads of unreleased richard cortez songs, please visit wollenberg records craving something beautiful can now be purchased online at cdbaby.com and through the itunes music store .
richards debut album craving something beautiful , which started appearing for sale online through the itunes music store and in small gay retail shops in the summer of 05', has turned into somewhat of a fan favorite. the album, lyrically raw and uncensored, showcases the voice of a heartbroken but determined young man striving to find meaning in the crowded streets of a big city as he leaves the only love hes ever known for what seems like greener grass.
the tunes featured on the record confront the ever-popular issues in the gay community of shameless promiscuity, drug abuse and the never-ending fight for equality under the conservative right-wing thumb. from its catchy title track (with, dare we say it, pop potential) to the intricate string arrangements written by cortez himself, craving something beautiful is not your average artistic debut. but what else would be expected from someone who is obviously not your average artist?
almost immediately after releasing his debut musical effort, richard embarked on his first tour with friend and cellist greg bortnichak. the tour consisted of an intimate array of coffee houses and dive bars along the east coast. it was this high level of intimacy and performance quality that brought the idea of recording a live album similar to the likes of these shows to the table.
on june 16th, 2005, in a room filled with only his closest friends, richard cortez recorded his sophomore record live @ the red room . this personal and musically profound follow up to his debut record showcases new and improved renditions of pre-wollenberg records compositions, songs off craving something beautiful , and brand new, never-before-heard songs unreleased otherwise to date. with material spanning his entire career as a writer and musical arrangements that will leave you breathless, this album is looking like the perfect introduction as to what richard cortez really has to offer.
always composing new works, richard is now in south carolina working on recording his latest cycle of songs entitled "sleeping with strangers." when he's not writing and recording, richard spins his yarn on stage.
for booking information, free bootleg and mp3 downloads, videos, photos, wall papers, reviews and interviews and all kinds of other doo-dads please visit our new and improved www.wollenbergrecords.com to keep yourself up to date with all things richard cortez.