| Erik Moll’s songs paint the many
colorful moods and feelings we all share as we move through the twists
and turns of the human experience. His masterful and often
humorous simplicity transcends the traditional with upbeat, rhythmic trademarks
and mysterious minor key melodies. His stories and pictures open doors
into landscapes of the heart.
Moll is a singer-songwriter who has lived his music. An American-Norwegian
artist and cosmopolitan ramblin’ man, he uses his stories and his evocative
voice to take you on travels through a charming, rootsy and eclectic blend
of Folk, Country, Gypsy, Swing, Blues, Tex-Mex, Calypso and Rock.
A troubador since the sixties, Moll has lived, played and recorded
in California, Texas and Scandinavia. He sang and danced as a member
of the Tribe in the Rock musical “Hair”, performed old cowboy classics
in an arena production at a Grand National Rodeo, had a leading role in
Bobby Bridger’s mountain man musical “Ballad of the West”, sang and yodeled
in a Bluebell Ice Cream TV commercial, fronted four recording bands,
released four solo albums and has appeared on many TV and radio shows,
as well as festivals and countless concerts and roadgigs.
He has opened for legends Willie Nelson, Jerry Garcia, Taj Mahal,
Loudon Wainwright, Ramblin’ Jack Elliot, Floyd Tilman, Hank Thompsen, Hal
Ketchum, Rick Danko, New Riders of the Purple Sage, Peter Rowan, Riders
in the Sky, Butch Hancock, Jimmie Dale Gilmore, Ray Wylie Hubbard and shared
the stage with many more.
Erik’s first solo album “Wayward Ways” was released in 1988, after
his return to the U.S. from a long-term residency in Norway. Produced by
Joe Gracey, this country-folk-rock cassette has a spunky, inspired feel.
In 1990, Norwegian artist Steinar Albrigtsen recorded six Erik Moll
songs on his double platinum, Norwegian Grammy Award-winning debut album.
Erik toured almost a full year in Norway as a featured guest and sideman
in Albrigtsen’s band. Through the 90’s Moll had a U.S. cut on “New
Riders of the Purple Sage-Midnight Moonlight”, and twenty more songs released
in Norway, gracing several artists’ platinum and gold records.
“Erik & Erik” came out in 1992 on Moll’s own “Fire Ant Records”
label. An exceptional collaboration with fiddler-guitarist Erik Hokkanen,
they played three Kerrville Folk Festivals and performed together for years
to a dedicated following in Austin and the Texas Hill Country area.
Erik’s second solo album, “In the Shadow” was released in 1994. The
incomparable Mitch Watkins produced this eclectic selection of Moll songs,
which features some of the finest musicians in Texas backing Erik’s easily
recognizable, voice.
”Most of All”, Moll’s self-produced folk-rock album of 1998, is a
diverse collection of music with a warm, lively depth. A more barebones
production than Erik’s other recordings, it features a select group of
Austin musicians showcasing 13 original songs and Moll’s exceptional vocal
capacities.
Erik’s 2003 release, “Come What May” is another brilliant production
by Mitch Watkins, with great Texas musicians and talented Norwegian guitarist
Stein Urheim creating distinctive backing on 12 Moll originals. Released
in Norway to rave reviews, this multi-genre folk-rock CD once again highlights
Erik’s expressive, unmistakable vocal stylings and trademark sound.
CONTACT INFO:
FIRE ANT RECORDS
P.O.BOX 1253
WIMBERLEY, TX 78676-USA
EMM RECORDS
SVARTEDIKSVEI 12
BERGEN-NORWAY
PHONE-(47) 95 94 71 35
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PRESS QUOTES
“Moll’s voice always takes center stage.
It’s a husky one that can yodel, whine or cajole at the drop
of a hat.”
Casey Monohan - Austin American Statesman
“”In the Shadow” is one of my top ten albums of 1994.
When I heard it I thought I’d died and gone to heaven!”
Mary Costello - BBC Radio
“Moll’s understated ballads never fail to bring a smile to my
face or a tingle to my toe."
“In the Shadow”
Steve Brooks - Austin Chronicle
“The moody mystery of In the Shadow of a Little White Lie,
which somehow conjures comparisons with both Brecht/Weill and Chris Isaak,
shows how smokily evocative Moll’s voice can be ...”
“In the Shadow”
Don McLeese - Austin American Statesman
“Moll is a cut above the west ....”
“In the Shadow”
John Beatty - Austin Chronicle
“... all displaying Moll’s smooth folkie-country delivery.”
“In the Shadow”
(TCA) - Texas Beat
“His was the rising star of the evening.”
Casey Monohan - Austin American Statesman
“... Moll yodels and croons between rich tenor tones and
falsetto punctuations that establish his voice as the primary appeal of
these songs (especially the infectious “Can You Handle It?”) and ultimately
is what holds Most of All together through such a breadth of styles."
“Most of All”
***1/2 Christopher Hess - Austin Chronicle
”... His plaintive voice hits all the right high lonesome notes
on his third solo album Most of All (Fire Ant), a kicked back, self
produced gem of thirteen ballads that straddle the divisions between country
and folk, all underlaid with an understated intelligence not common in
either genre. Picks to click: the ethereal, quasi Tex-Mex “Can You
Handle It”, She Thinks Different Now”, (check out his yodels) and the bluesy,
straight-to-the-point “I Love Your Cookin’”.
“Most of All”
Joe Nick Patoski - Texas Monthly
"Come What May ' arrived today.....and I'd have to honestly say
that this is one of the best, and most complete albums I'VE EVER RECEIVED.
Simply outstanding my friend.
Very proud of you & predict grand success."
“Come What May”
DJ-Eddie Russell <drussell@wcnet.net>
20 Jun 2003
“Moll has a relaxed and confident baritone in the Ian Tyson/Gordon
Lightfoot range, and as a lyricist, an eye for the diamond in the rough
and the hope after the heartbreak. He has a deft touch with the humor
of the human condition too.” “In “Part of the Plan” and “Come What
May”, Moll’s compassionate and realistic view of the spiritual dimensions
of life appears in tales of forgiveness and searching. Musical grooves
on the disc range from shuffle to waltz to two-step to ballad.” “Moll
has long been one of the best writers to emerge from the hill country,
treating life’s defining moments with simplicity and grace in his music.
This disc shows him, four decades into his musical career, still continuing
to grow and develop in that path.”
“Come What May”
(KD) - Dirty Linen
Oct/Nov 03 #108
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