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PATRICIA VONNE
http://bit.ly/patriciavonneepk
PATRICIA VONNE 8th STUDIO ALBUM
"MY FAVORITE HOLIDAY" OUT NOVEMBER 19, 2021
FEATURING SONGS WITH THE LEGENDARY RUBÉN BLADES, ALEX RUIZ, DAVID GRISSOM, ROSIE FLORES AND MORE!
PRODUCED BY RICK DEL CASTILLO
Patricia Vonne, the multi-talented musician, actress, award winning filmmaker & two-time SXSW best female vocalist winner, is back with a new album My Favorite Holiday on her label Bandolera Records. The album is Patricia’s ode to the most special time of the year featuring 10 original songs (and 1 cover) with the help of an all-star cast including Rubén Blades, Alex Ruiz, Rosie Flores, Stephen Ferrone on drums (Tom Petty), Carmine Rojas on bass (David Bowie),Tommy Price on drums (Billy Idol), Scott Plunkett on piano(Chris Isaak) Rowland Salley on bass(Chris Isaak),Johnny Reno & more.The album is produced by Rick Del Castillo.
To singer-songwriter and San Antonio native Patricia Vonne, Christmas meant gathering with her parents and nine siblings and making music and enduring holiday memories, especially the festive Holiday River Parade, which features floats carrying scores of entertainers (including, in 2019, Vonne herself). Christmas is, and always has been, as the title of Vonne’s new album puts it, My Favorite Holiday.
“As children, we would perform ‘We Need a Little Christmas’ and other Christmas favorites with big candy canes and perform for our family and friends,” she recalls. “Another family favorite is singing ‘Carol of the Bells,’ which I include on this album to invite the world into our family through music.” On My Favorite Holiday, Vonne performs the a capella classic with her four sisters Angela, Lizzie, Becca and Tina, and the stately performance is just one aspect of a holiday album that embraces both the joyous and the solemn aspects of the season. Vonne adds, “My sisters recorded from 4 different cities in 3 states! I am thrilled to share their voices and this song with the world.”
In the spirit of the former, the album opener, “Santa’s On His Way,” is a pop-flavored invitation to kick off the holiday festivities featuring a lush piano and orchestral arrangement by Scott Plunkett of Chris Isaak fame. Originally intended as a one-off single, Vonne says it inspired the full-length album project with producer Rick Del Castillo at the helm. As to the latter, less upbeat realities that are also part of the seasonal package, “Alone On Christmas Day,” co-written by Austin ace guitar-slinger David Grissom, envisions the holiday among the sad and stoic homeless (“No stockings hung, no scent of evergreen…) Inspired by Vonne’s own volunteer work, the song has what she calls “a Tom Petty feel”, enhanced by Petty’s drummer Stephen Ferrone and David Bowie bassist Carmine Rojas.
As she often does on her records, Vonne (born Patricia Vonne Rodriguez) proudly celebrates her Hispanic heritage by adding a strong bilingual vocal and musical flavor to My Favorite Holiday. “Nochebuena” begins as a delicate lullaby before swelling into a sweeping and passionate arrangement celebrating what Vonne calls “the true meaning of Christmas. (Co-writers) Rick Del Castillo and Alex Ruiz lent beautiful lyric that touch upon the divine light of mercy, the miracle of God and salvation.” “Las Posadas” is inspired by the tale of Joseph and Mary’s night journey to Bethlehem, and the classic Spanish passion play it inspired. On the track, Vonne is joined by salsa and Latin jazz giant Rubén Blades and the pair put a bouncy cumbia spin on the ancient tale.
And “Cumbia Navidad” is exactly what it sounds like, an ebullient, multi-lingual celebration of a San Antonio Christmas, which Vonne wrote to perform at her beloved Holiday River Parade.
In a lighter vein, the title track lets Vonne celebrate her inner Brenda Lee with an ebullient pop arrangement featuring Johnny Reno blowing red-hot saxophone. And Santa is ready to throw down, too, in the ferocious rocker “Old Man Santa!” powered by legendary drummer Thommy Price (Billy Idol, Joan Jett). (“Old man Santa’s cruisin’ down the hill/Used to drive a Chevy now he rides a Coupe de Ville…Bag bull of goodies, guitar on his back”), as well as “Santa’s On A Rampage,” a smokey rockabilly number that features Vonne’s San Antonio sister-in-arms, Rosie Flores and longtime Chris Isaak sidekick Rowland Salley on bass. ( Featured on Little Steven's Underground Garage as the "Coolest Song in the World")
Vonne says she always has felt doubly blessed because her birthday falls six days before Christmas, and she wants to share that spirit with listeners. She concludes, “
“What makes this release special is that this album is a Christmas miracle. During the Covid lockdown, I did Facebook live performances every week to raise money for the San Antonio food bank. I was profoundly moved by the generosity of spirit my fans, friends and family showed my grassroots efforts. Together we raised over $11,000. Enough to provide over 75,000 meals. When I reached out to my musical warriors, they said, "yes" along with my fearless producer Rick Del Castillo whose herculean efforts and talent truly made this album possible." She adds, “This is a gift to my family, friends and loyal fans around the world, who have given me courage, lifted me up, and supported me on my musical journey.”
World Music Central - Album Review
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7th album TOP OF THE MOUNTAIN:
Hailed as a “Renaissance woman of Austin, Texas” by the New York Times, Patricia Vonne has claimed many titles in her illustrious career: singer, songwriter, actress, activist and award winning filmmaker. The three time Austin Music Award winner is back with her seventh album “Top of the Mountain” on her own Bandolera Records.
The defiant stand-your-ground title track sets a declamatory tone as the rest of the album winds a sinuous path through the border radio groove of “Lil’ Lobo,” the careening rocker “Graceland Trip,” "Madre de Perla,” (a flamenco-flavored tribute to Vonne’s mother), the spaghetti western soundtrack that is “Western Blood”, and much more.
It is produced, mixed and engineered by Rick Del Castillo and Michael Ramos. The album features the multi talented Vonne on lead vocals, acoustic guitar, castanets and electric guitar as well as several special guest musicians. The list includes: Fort Worth sax virtuoso Johnny Reno, Scott Plunkett of Chris Isaak’s band on the keyboard, Grammy award winner Max Baca of Los TexManiacs on the bajo sexto, David Grissom and Grammy award winner Joe Reyes. The album features co-writes with Joe King Carrasco, Alejandro Escovedo, Willie Nile, Steven Medina Hufsteter of the Cruzados and longtime performing and songwriting partner Robert LaRoche (The SIghs).
Vonne continues her trailblazing ride along the borderland where Castillian & Mexican infusions of flamenco and fiery gypsy guitar meets all- American rock 'n' roll. Vonne has toured internationally including the prestigious Montreux Jazz Festival in Switzerland, World Expo in Japan, John F. Kennedy Center & United Nations Headquarters in NYC. She has shared the stage with Chris Isaak, Los Lobos, Raul Malo & collaborated with Texas musical heavyweights such as Charlie Sexton, Alejandro Escovedo, Joe Ely, Rosie Flores, Doyle Bramhall & Flaco Jimenez. Vonne toured as a member of “Tito and Tarantula” the band featured in the Tarantino/Rodriguez film “From Dusk Till Dawn”.
Vonne took Best Animated Short at the Madrid International Film Festival for “Huerta de San Vicente”, an homage to Spanish poet Federico García Lorca. The song was off of her critically acclaimed all-Spanish album “Viva Bandolera”.(Top 8 of The Huffington Post) She also took top honors for her film at the Barcelona International Film Fest, San Francisco New Concept International Film Festival. Her debut short film "Cold Dark Hollow" ( Written, Directed and Edited by Vonne won Best Women Empowement Short at Paris International Short Festival 2021, Best Actress at Cannes International Independent Festival, Best Drama and Best Actress at New York International Awards & Best Cinematography at Madrid International Film Festival 2020. She is the host of Living Legends podcast (w/guests Danny Trejo & Elizabeth Avellán)
Vonne has appeared on the big screen in Spykids, Desperado, Machete Kills, Four Rooms, Sin City and Sin City:A Dame to Kill For in which she reprised her role as Dallas/Zorro Girl; the role which has made her a cult figure among indie and fantasy film fans. Her song “Traeme Paz” was featured in the film Once Upon a Time in Mexico.
Vonne continues to advocate for human rights donating proceeds of her song, “Missing Women”, to Amnesty International to help bring attention to the surge in homicides in Ciudad Juarez. She is active in the United Nations’ program Artists United Against Human Trafficking. Additionally, in Austin, she works as an advocate for school music programs through the Texas Music Project. In April 2019 she was invited to sing the National Anthem at the retirement ceremony for war hero and Pat Tillman Award recipient, Master Sgt. Israel Del Toro. "One of the greatest honors of my life." Vonne said.
CRITICS CORNER
"Imagine a young Chrissie Hynde fronting the Mavericks with a little help from Calexico."
- WORD
"This indie goddess, an award winner in every discipline she touches, comes back from another foreign victory with album number seven, a set that finds her at her sexy, sassy brassy best yet." -Midwest Record
"Vonne’s new effort incorporates all the multi-faceted components that define her unique musical persona: rock, folk, flamenco, bilingual Tex-Mex and Latin strands that, taken together, form a rich and colorful tapestry." - Glide Magazine
“A 12-track journey, Top of The Mountain perfectly slots together – a jigsaw of femininity and independence that Vonne’s voice solidifies. Distinctively contralto, Vonne is the Tejano embodiment of fierce merited success – taking hold of the Austin music scene with her distinguishing vocals, and dead ass refusal to give it back.” – Track Rambler
"Powerhouse Tejana Rocker...she’s conjured up a rocking powerhouse recording, easily apparent by the snarly guitar licks and fierce vocals found on tracks like “City is Alive” and “Lil Lobo”... delicious... versatile...Ripe with sultry vocals, jangling guitar riffs and pounding rhythms...Top of the Mountain is a rocking, wind-in-the-hair, open road in a speeding convertible ride of a recording. Enjoy the ride." - World Music Central
"Vonne knows who she is and it's time you found out too if you don't know by now...this sounds and feel like a break out album for the whole alt.Americana genre." -Midwest Record
“Positive lyrical themes, varied musical arrangements make Vonne’s seventh album well worth hearing...regardless of listeners’ familiarity with Vonne’s musical body of work, it suffices to say that this record will generate its own share of interest from any listener. That is thanks to the tejano, country and southern rock influences in the songs’ arrangements and the lyrical content delivered throughout.” - Phil’s Picks
"A Tex-Mex spitfire with a rock 'n' roll heart, this San Antonio native plays a border-crossing, bilingual mix of flamenco flamboyance and down-in-the-mud exuberance that's a Lone Star original."
Austin American Statesman
"With a sultry , blood red vocal style and a dramatic songwriting flair, the strikingly exotic Patricia Vonne combines south-of-the-border mariachi sizzle, southwestern mythology, Texas roots-rock and spaghetti western cinematic sweep on this compelling bilingual effort."
No Depression
"Looking like a gypsy Polly Harvey and sounding like Lucinda Williams with Nick Cave's sense of doom"
Mojo
"Patricia Vonne's new album 'Viva Bandolera' is beautiful, dramatic, and passionate. It's a very accurate representation of where she is as an artist." Raul Malo
"A slithering, seductive tribute to the rough riders and rabble-rousers that roam the badlands between here and Nogales, Vonne's operatic frontera folk is the stuff characters in spaghetti westerns dream of when sleeping with one eye open. Louis Fowler/Red Dirt Report (Viva Bandolera)
"She's such a passionate artist and person and all that seeps through the grooves of her new record. I think it's her best yet" (Rattle My Cage)
Alejandro Escovedo
"Patricia Vonne, one of the great treasures of I'm not kiddin' rock till u drop American roots music, lays down some of the most righteous, low down, sexy, glorious, you're not gettin' outta here alive (and who would want to) rock 'n' roll this side of the grave on her new album. "Rattle My Cage" is her best work. Roots rock for those who want it real! 4 Stars out of 4!"
Willie Nile
"Imagine Chris Isaak or KD Lang crooning en Español w/ gypsy guitars & castanets"
San Antonio Current
"The San Antonio native's confident, tuff gal vocals, sharp musicianship & smart lyricism don't just promise the total package, they deliver the goods from the get-go." Joe Nick Patoski
"I was not prepared for the force of this singer's new LP "Rattle My Cage" which represents everything good about Austin music." Michael Corcoran
"Vonne has absorbed just about every indigenous musical style Texas has on offer, & can summon any one in the flick of a castanet or guitar pick." Houston Chronicle
"Guitars & Castanets" should be heard driving in a red convertible, preferably running from the law or a lover, and undoubtedly on the way to Mexico. "
- JUPITER
"Patricia Vonne's latest recording is a bilingual tour-de-force. It melds eclectic with electric and exudes an elegance seldom associated with rock. Vonne is quickly taking her place among Texas' musical treasures."
- Margaret Moser | Austin Chronicle
"I was not prepared for the force of this singer's new LP- "Rattle My Cage"- which represents everything good about Austin music." Michael Corcoran Austin American Statesman
"This Austin Chicana's lilt has a bit of the border desert in it and her down -on- drag tunage, no doubt knocks 'em dead whenever she makes it to Lubbock, and her voice is thankfully as suited for Nashville as for No Depression."
- Chuck Eddy | Village Voice, NYC
“We came expecting some raucous Tex-Mex, and left exhilarated by a Rabelaisian cocktail of the most sensual flamenco crisscrossed with a heady brand of rock’n’roll that was pure Texas,” Irish Times.
“Nothing could have prepared me for this extraordinary gig. You know how it is when you’ve seen the best gig in your life? Well, for me it’s probably still Led Zeppelin at the Royal Albert Hall in 1969. But this one came mighty close…" Maverick
"This femme fatale from the Lone Star State has a stage presence that is simply devastating. The kind that lures sailors to their doom and that sends cowboys to the looney bin." El Lokal Zurich Switzerland
“One of the best live shows I have seen in the four years I have been covering the Montreux Jazz Festival.” Dominique Schreckling- Im Press
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DISCOGRAPHY BIO:
San Antonio, Texas has always been the musical and cultural crossroads of the Lone Star State. It’s the blurry line of demarcation between Texas’ modern Anglo-centric history and its centuries-old Latino past. Music collides in San Antonio, with rock, country, Tejano, punk, Tex-Mex pop, blues and horn-driven mariachi and norteño bumping into one another like boxcars on a freight train. San Antonio native son and musical godfather Doug Sahm once sang, “You just can’t live in Texas if you don’t have a lot of soul.” That goes double for the Alamo City.
Patricia Vonne is a product of that cultural menudo, if you will. As one of ten wildly creative offspring (including her older brother, film director Robert Rodriguez) growing up in the historic Monte Vista section of San Antonio, she and her siblings were encouraged to find their own creative paths. Her father, a native of the Rio Grande Valley, came to San Antonio on a musical scholarship. Her mother, of Spanish descent, played guitar and sang Old World folksongs for her kids. On weekends, the family would attend matinee performances of classic films and MGM musicals. Vonne absorbed those influences and melded them with a passion for rock ‘n’ roll born of her first exposure to Fort Worth rocker Johnny Reno and his band, the Sax Maniacs.
“Growing up as a Tejana, I listened to the diverse music of San Antonio—country, rock, jazz, pop, conjunto and Tejano styles,” she recalled. “When I started writing my own music, which is also a hybrid mix of sound and flavors, I felt a need to preserve and honor the rich cultural heritage of my upbringing.”
Beginning in 1990, she spent a decade in New York City pursuing music and acting, career moves which went on to inform her riveting onstage persona. While in the city, she answered a want-ad for a backup singer for a local band. After building a following in the New York area, singing and playing bass with Mick & the Maelstroms, and meeting longtime musical partner Robert LaRoche, she began writing her own material and concocting her own ensemble in 1998.
New York toughened her up, she said. “It sharpened my survival instincts while also teaching me patience, tenacity and resilience.”
Vonne felt comfortable exploring her own hybrid musical territory, but not everyone got the picture. “I have a vision for my music,” she said years later. “In New York, I would sit down with these CEOs of these record companies who would say, ‘We can make you the Mexican Celine Dion.’ I love Celine Dion but I want to be Patricia Vonne."
Vonne moved back to Texas in 2001, but not back to her hometown. Rather, she relocated to Austin and quickly became a standout attraction in a city of earnest singer-songwriters, indie upstarts and quirky iconoclasts. Imagine Angelina Jolie rocking a Spaghetti Western soundtrack and you get the picture.
With her striking looks and dramatic stage persona, Vonne made an indelible impression before an audience: bilingual lyrics, flamenco dance moves and castanets that buzz like rattlesnakes one moment; down ‘n’ dirty roadhouse rock ‘n’ roll the next. As one critic put it, “Vonne…can move quickly between serious and playful, sultry and steely, tough and tender.”
Vonne released her first, self-titled album on her own Bandolera Records label in 2003. Patricia Vonne set the template for her next four releases: rockabilly-tinged cowpunk laced with cinematic melodies, Tex-Mex bilingual vocals, a no-nonsense Latina sensibility with, nonetheless, an accessible softer, romantic side. Texas Monthly magazine raved, “(Vonne’s) confident, tuff gal vocals, sharp musicianship and smart lyricism don’t just promise the total package, they deliver the goods from the get-go.”
Her second album, Guitars and Castanets, followed in 2005 featuring "Traeme Paz" from the film "Once Upon a Time in Mexico". Also featuring a tip of the hat to two of her mentors: West Texas rocker Joe Ely (“Joe’s Gone Ridin’”) and Johnny Reno (“Sax Maniac”), whose rip-roaring live show originally set Vonne on her musical path.
Firebird, released in 2007, expanded on Vonne’s formula and included a rare, deeply personal statement. “Missing Women/Mujeres Desaparecidas” was dedicated to the hundreds of women who have gone missing over the years in and near Ciudad Juarez. “A bilingual tour de force” Austin American Statesman
Of 2010’s Worth It, the Austin Chronicle wrote, “Whatever you’re expecting from this new Patricia Vonne disc, the title says it all. The statuesque local Latina here rocks a tough stride in her career at a time when she knows her territory better than ever.”
Vonne’s 2013 release "Rattle My Cage " was hailed by Austin American Statesman “It represents everything good about Austin music”. Featuring co-writes with Johnny Reno (Rattle My Cage), fellow San Antonio rocker Rosie Flores (This Cat's in the Doghouse), Alejandro Escovedo (Ravage Your Heart), Doyle Bramhall ( Dark Mile) and brother Robert Rodriguez (Mexicali de Chispa) made the album one of Vonne’s most diverse and enjoyable.
Vonne has toured internationally including the prestigious Montreux Jazz Festival in Switzerland & shared the stage with Los Lobos, Raul Malo, Chris Isaak, Buddy Guy, Johnny Lang, Texas Tornados and others. She toured Europe for the first time as member of Tito and Tarantula ( vampire band featured in Quentin Tarantino’s film From Dusk Till Dawn).
Vonne’s 6th album “Viva Bandolera” , represents both a labor of love and a completion. Sung entirely in Spanish, and collecting tracks from her previous recordings, it is a summation of sorts of the distance Vonne has traveled on her singular path. “My fans over the years, especially in Europe, have persistently asked me when I would release an all-Spanish collection,” she said. “I felt it was very fitting to compile my songs on one disc for them. It feels like I’ve come full circle...on my own terms."