"Son of the Velvet Rat"

With songs from the current "Red Barn Sessions" and their acclaimed album "Ghost Ranch," Son of the Velvet Rat are going on tour. Both productions were created in the legendary Red Barn Recorders studio in the California desert – featuring prominent guests such as Marc Ribot (guitar), Jolie Holland (vocals, violin), as well as Jay Bellerose and Danny Frankel on drums. Despite this star-studded lineup, the sound remains as stripped down and transparent as ever.

Both "Ghost Ranch" and the "Red Barn Sessions" have received outstanding reviews on both sides of the Atlantic. Live, Son of the Velvet Rat now distill the songs to their essence: Georg Altziebler and Heike Binder perform as a duo – Heike provides not only keyboard instruments but also the rhythmic foundation. The new program combines current songs with highlights from their back catalog, showcasing an impressive range: from fragile neo-folk ballads to raw garage rock.

American songwriter and music journalist Paul Cullum (NY Times, LA Weekly) describes the songs: "The result is like some exotic desert fruit of indeterminate provenance – equal parts ragged glory and brooding noir," – a fitting description for this music filled with light, shadow, and unexpected beauty.

Heike Binder – organ, accordion; Georg Altziebler – guitar, vocals.