Melanie Pierce w/ Cory Williams, Mike Thomas & Omega Deren
City Winery Presents Melanie Pierce w/ Cory Williams, Mike Thomas & Omega Derenon September 14th at 7:00pm
Melanie Pierce's roots run deep in Detroit, Michigan, a city famous for its vibrant musical legacy. This multifaceted artist, known for her unique blend of alternative, pop, and indie flavours, wowed us with “Illusions” back in 2020. A stellar debut, “Illusions” resonated with fans worldwide, racking up an impressive 36,000+ streams on Spotify. Beyond her haunting vocals, Melanie’s strength lies in her songwriting. There’s an authenticity to her lyrics, a poetic cadence that beautifully merges with her melodies.
Onstage, she radiates an earthy presence, making every performance feel intimate and genuine. It’s no wonder then that Melanie’s tracks find mentions in various music reviewers, and songs like “Your Grave” have found a dedicated audience across the Atlantic, especially in the UK. “Fool”, her latest single, is a lyrical journey into the core of human emotion. It’s about the dizzying heights of love, the unforeseen paths it leads us on, and the exhilarating, often turbulent, ride it promises.
Mike Thomas just released his sophomore LP, "Diamonds," in July 2023. Since its release, Diamonds has received widespread critical acclaim from publications like Wide Open Country, Americana Highways, The Boot, The Bluegrass Situation, Glide Magazine and many more.
Thomas grew up in Knoxville, TN and moved to Nashville in 2004 intent on pursuing a career as a songwriter, but quickly grew disillusioned and set music aside for an extended period. Thomas recalls, "I didn't listen to the Country music of the day. I had no frame of reference for the types of songs publishers and artists were looking for. I was naive and learned some tough lessons in those days."
After walking away from music for ten plus years to start a family and a small business, Thomas got back into the swing of things in 2018, when he met producer, Tres Sasser, who convinced him to begin writing and recording again. The two have since recorded a pair of albums together - the self-released "Three Reasons" (2020), and now "Diamonds," released by Electric 3 Records. Both albums were recorded in Franklin, TN with members of Thomas' regular backing band and a few special guests.
Thomas' influences are as varied as they are well-chosen and his songwriting and sound have been compared to legends such as Rodney Crowell, Joe Ely, Tom Petty, Guy Clark and Townes van Zandt.
Cory Williams’ Bird Mouth is a love letter and a eulogy to love lost. Written after a breakup and in the early days of a new relationship, the Indianapolis born musician chronicles the ups and downs of new loves and old lives building and discentegrating with the precision of our best storytellers. He’s Townes Van Zandt, if the lonely troubadour found a collective of collaborators. He’s Hiss Golden Messenger airlifted from the North Carolina hills into the heart of Austin, Texas. The comparisons fit, but above all, Cory Williams is simply himself. His tales are quiet but they sneak up with after-shock impacts that last for days. On Bird Mouth, “I Hope You Do” rings with hope and the confident desperation of Williams’ voice. He’s sure of himself, but willing to admit mistakes―the rare artist both aware of his vulnerabilities and actively working to move past them.
“Begin Again” is a full-band affair, featuring David Jimenez on slide guitar circling Williams’ tale like a pack of birds spotting prey from high above. But instead of relinquishing, Cory stands strong, heart on sleeve yet confident that the circulatory center he lays bare beats with precision and confidence. It’s a special talent―balancing a sense of desperation with a joie de vivre―that Williams uses to accent his stories time and again on Bird Mouth.
“Throw it at the World” is a defiant anthem, and aside from Williams’ outstanding vocals, his collaborators help bring the song to its apex of grace and catharsis. Backed by members of the Band of Heathens and assisted by vocalist Kelsey Wilson of Wild Child & Sir Woman, Bird Mouth is a uniquely local tale. The songwriting sessions ran all night, the daylong studio sessions both sweaty and inspiring. Cory Williams is at the heart of this work, but his fellow players pushed the music to a place few musicians reach on their own, thanks to producer Gordy Quist.
We judge our artists by who wants to work with them, and on his new record, Cory Williams proves himself to be a collaborator that players are happy to accompany. Aside from the Band of Heathens backing each track, Williams enlisted the help of another Austinite, songwriter David Ramirez, who co-wrote the song “Backseat.”
On the album, the group coheres in an ecstatic way. Cory Williams leads the charge, effortlessly guiding the band through his rocky yet ultimately triumphant concepts. It’s a gorgeous testament to faith, love, and community. Bird Mouth is the emergence of an artist who has bubbled just beneath the surface for quite some time. With the album, Cory WIlliams has emerged; and he’s bringing his friends and family along for the ride.
Omega Defern (formerly Parkway South) is a modern nostalgia indie rock powerhouse that emerged from the creative synergy of husband and wife duo Michael and Heather Liebensohn. The band reflects their shared passion for music, with Heather's powerful vocals and Mike's electrifying guitar riffs at the forefront. United by both love and a deep musical connection, Omega Defern's songs delve into personal narratives, showcasing a unique blend of raw emotion and sonic intensity. Their authentic sound and introspective lyrics have earned them a dedicated following.
