Going over Raven Wylder’s bio information causes me to break out in a huge grin. This dark haired beauty with the huge expressive eyes has had more comical exploits then I can watch in a day of Lucy reruns. Describing her sound as, “Country kinky, bitchy country, medieval country.” Whichever you choose her music is enchanting, captivating, and mesmerizing. Raven describes traditional country music as “boring.” She has been called "Nashville in leather” and “Nashville’s public enemy number 1.” When first looking at her you do a double take because she exudes a gothic image that would make you think of anything but country. Raven says that, “So many female country artists portray the image of being so sweet and ladylike with their live show Not me. I like to be a mean ass bitch and my live performances emphasize that image.” Raven continues, “I like to think of myself as kinky kountry or kickass kountry. Ain’t nothin’ traditional about this lil’ ole gal.” By letting go of the traditional image of Country, Raven has in her words felt, “Blessed that I no longer carry the burden of trying to meet the approval of the big boys in Nashville.” Whether she is charming a cop out of a traffic ticket by an impromptu serenade by the roadside, or singing her heart out for a Marine Sergeant to keep her out of the brig. Raven is a breath of fresh air that is not afraid to stretch the boundaries of today’s country music. She loves performing and says, “A live audience is what makes music take flight, and isn’t that what a Raven does?” Well I say, “Fly Raven, fly!”
Her self-titled CD is a collection of eleven delicious songs to tease and please. The opening track “It’s Raining Here”, is a hauntingly moody piece about the loneliness of an AIDS patient. Raven dedicates this song to friends and family who have lost their battle with AIDS. Raven describes her track, “Ghosts On The Open Road” as “Hard-drivin' music for anyone who's ever wished they could point their Harley at the horizon and just disappear.” Wylder also does emotionally charged covers of the “Nazareth” song “Love Hurts” and “Dusty Springfield’s”, “You Don’t Have To Say You Love Me.” Raven explains, “I think the idea of performing only the songs you have written is pretty egotistical. I would love to be able to perform all of my own material, and I know a number of rock artists who do it beautifully, they are my idols, but I would never allow my ego as a writer stand in the way of giving the people the best possible experience.”
Continuing on our voyage of this exceptional CD we find a little dirty blues number called, “Keep My Man Down.” Here Raven’s voice is like bottled lightening. I find myself listening to this track over and over. Helping Raven create her “Kickass Kountry” sound are, Dan Marfisi (Drums), Dale Dumbrill (Bass), Chase & Jeff “Skunk” Baxter (Guitar), Gary Brandin (Steel). The band member’s musicianship is a perfect cradle for Raven’s clear, just a touch of twang vocals. I highly recommend the purchase of this CD you won’t be disappointed. Rock on girl!
Willow’s Picks: Keep My Man Down, It’s Raining Here, Love Hurts, The Fifth, Ghosts On The Open Road, You Don’t Have To Say You Love Me.
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