UTR Presents
Vector Arena, 95bFM and Under The Radar are proud to present Lindi Ortega and The Cactus Blossoms as part of the Southern Fork Americana Fest 2016.
LINDI ORTEGA
Canadian born and Nashville based honky tonk lady Lindi Ortega is once again on the Southern Fork Americana Fest bill for her long awaited New Zealand debut performance.
Lindi was awarded Roots Artist of the Year in both 2014 and 2015 by the Canadian Country Music Association, finally achieving the recognition she deserves after numerous years of nominations.
As with all her previous releases, her recently released fourth album, Faded Gloryville, is another stunning collection of country-kissed songs. It is an album that is filled with the sights and sounds and souls of those who’ve found themselves in Faded Gloryville, brought to its saloons, flophouses and cheap motels by drink, by debt, by vanity, heartbreak, failure, fear or misfortune.
“I had a moment where I thought, ‘Could this be me' Could I wind up like this'’ ” says Lindi. “That was a very honest question to myself.”
That idea that she would question that shouldn’t come as much of a surprise to those familiar with the subject matter of her past work, specifically 2013’s Juno Award-nominated Tin Star, considering much of it was powered by Lindi’s experiences as a young, struggling artist.
Together, the nine original tracks and heartfelt cover of the Bee Gees’ classic “To Love Somebody”, on Faded Gloryville all make sense, delivering what is the singer-songwriter’s most assured, varied and engaging release to date. It features everything from barnburner songs and the good ol’ foot-stomping, toe-tapping numbers to the ballads that Lindi has made her calling card, all delivered with an energy and emotional investment that makes them utterly her own.
But lest you think that the album is one with no hope, an obituary for those who find themselves at the outskirts and on their way into a life from which there is no return, Lindi points to the opening song “Ashes”, which speaks of rising, Phoenix-like, out of that heartbreak and despair and finding oneself, evolving into something more. Ultimately this story, her story, everyone’s story can and should be one of redemption.
“I always look at it like in order to get to Paradise you have to travel through Faded Gloryville,” she says.
THE CACTUS BLOSSOMS
When brothers Jack Torrey and Page Burkum started making music as The Cactus Blossoms they didn't have a big plan. They cut their teeth performing some well known and obscure country songs that were popular or unpopular pre-1960, partly out of curiosity and deep appreciation, but mostly because it was fun. Early on they were given a residency at the Turf Club in St. Paul, Minnesota. They got a band together and it became their weekly practice-in-public where they would pull out every song they could think of, no matter how well we knew it. It was their first chance to play all night and do whatever they wanted.
Over the course of a year and a half at the Turf Club their repertoire had snowballed into an amalgam of original songs and a bunch of gut wrenching, tongue-in-cheek heartbreakers, that were 30 years older than the brothers. Not everyone could tell what was new and what was old, and it didn't really matter. People just seemed to enjoy it. That's when the wheel got going and gave the illusion of spinning backwards. They weren't born in the wrong era. They just got into some music from a different era and found a way to make it their own.
Good fortune has followed them every step of the way, offering opportunities that seemed just beyond what they were ready for. It always stretches them and makes them feel lucky as hell.
Their album You're Dreaming, is the culmination of several years of songwriting and the kindness of thousands of miles and friends. With a cast of characters, experiences, and personal perspectives, set in simple rhymes and sung in harmony, they try to paint a picture in your mind.
