Irene & Reed
Irene & Reed
Genres: pop, folk, blues, indie, americana
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About Irene & Reed
BUY ALBUM ON iTUNES Irene & Reed is… Leslie Benson: vocals, lyrics, flute, guitar Jason Reed Milner: keyboards, piano, guitar Edward Venable: guest drums and percussion on Struggle, Strength, Reclamation Eric Latham: guest bass guitar on Struggle, Strength, Reclamation Brad Milner: guest drums and bass on Closer to Home BIO: (Indianapolis, Ind.) — Leslie Irene Benson and Jason Reed Milner joined forces in 2009 as Irene & Reed, almost effortlessly composing melodies born from their electronic, folk, blues and rock influences — a myriad of Americana. After only a few songwriting sessions, they began recording tracks for their first album, Closer to Home, which was released in 2010. A second album, Struggle, Strength, Reclamation is set for release in 2013. Label: Unsigned (Independent); Artist Management: Mark Cline. ### WEB LINKS: Official Facebook Twitter YouTube Soundcloud Reverbnation Bandpage Bandcamp Musical Family Tree CONTACT: info@ireneandreed.com ### PRESS QUOTES “Vocalist Leslie Benson and keyboard player Jason Milner create a sonic playhouse for strong-willed love songs and dreams of better days.” - David Lindquist, The Indianapolis Star, June 9, 2011 “The ethereal and theatrical sounds of Sarah McLachlan are echoed here, with lounge-friendly passages allowing Irene & Reed a connection to the real world.” - David Lindquist, The Indianapolis Star, June 9, 2011 “[Leslie Benson of Irene & Reed] has a gorgeous, smoky voice... really sultry and with a kind of classic edge. …[She’s] a kind of mix between Sara Bareilles and Greta Garbo—modern meets the Golden Age of Hollywood.”—Krista Detor, international singer-songwriter based out of Bloomington, Indiana, Feb. 5, 2011 “The sultry, haunting lounge sound of Irene & Reed’s debut, Closer to Home, comes naturally. Their optimistic lyrics speak of exploring your roots and the joys of home. Indeed, they do sound as hip and sexy as they look.” — Matt Conner, “Meet the Band,” in Metromix, The Indianapolis Star, Aug. 5, 2010 "Irene & Reed put their own sexy and sophisticated stamp on pop. Closer to Home is full of impeccable arrangements and surprisingly sweet twists." - Eric Brown, President, Audio Recon Digital and Jazz Meridian Records “Closer to Home has an antique ambiance.... The combination of the smooth, rich vocals and jazzy piano add to this old-time theme. The lyrical depth is striking, catchy and accessible from the outset, yet made up of multiple layers sure to uncover meaning from multiple spins. Perhaps the aspect most endearing is the intimacy displayed throughout. A feeling of vulnerability permeates many of the songs. By releasing their inner superheroes, these musicians have constructed a creative outlet through their songs. This is true art.” — Emily Thompson, album review, Stereo Subversion, 6-16-10, Rating: 8/10 “For fans of dark-tinged Americana.” - IndianapolisMusic.net, “OnTrack,” May 12, 2011, http://indianapolismusic.net/2011/05/11/imn-ontrack-irene-and-reed/ View/Buy Leslie Irene Benson's Original Poetry Book, Emerging: The Collective Poems 2000-2011: http://www.blurb.com/bookstore/detail/1933336 ### Similar artists: Tori Amos Fiona Apple Sarah McLachlan Maude Maggart Florence and The Machine Norah Jones Over the Rhine Brandi Carlile Neko Case Laura Veirs Sara Bareilles Michelle Branch KT Tunstall Kate Voegele PJ Harvey Mazzy Star Krista Detor Portishead Regina Spektor Ingrid Michaelson Feist
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