Biography
Rebecca Turner, a New Jersey-based singer and songwriter, merges the appealing Laurel Canyon folk-rock harmonies with the punchy power pop melodies and group-friendly choruses that recall classic AM radio broadcasts, all delivered in a voice that unites the pleasing country twang of earlier times with the sharp perspective of present-day Nashville without any conflict.
Growing up in Los Angeles during the 1970s brought her into contact with the rising country-rock movement and, soon after, the prominent West Coast new wave acts, both of which carried strong melodic qualities. She often sang along to records by Linda Ronstadt and the Bangles. In the mid-1980s she relocated eastward to enroll at Columbia University, where her college Glee Club performances included fight songs alongside Leonard Bernstein compositions. With friends she established an a cappella trio that served as the initial vehicle for her songwriting attempts. Freelance music criticism work and temporary positions at record labels only intensified her drive to create her own material.
By the late 1990s she began performing regularly in East Village venues such as CBGB's Gallery, Baby Jupiter, and the C-Note. Her earliest demo involved musicians from the New York pop band the Wirebirds, after which she recorded an EP alongside Boo Reiners, known for his work with the Demolition String Band and Sweet Lizard Illtet. Reiners suggested she master that EP with engineer and bassist Scott Anthony, who later became her husband.
Relocating to the Jersey suburbs sparked the songs for her 2005 debut album Land of My Baby, which she recorded with Anthony plus core musicians Steve Goulding of Mekons and Graham Parker and local roots rock artist John Pinamonti. Continued local performances led to an accumulation of new material, prompting her to consult songwriter Robert Scheffler for help selecting tracks that formed the well-received 2009 release Slowpokes, co-produced by Turner, Anthony, and guitarist Rod Hohl of Yarn. She also organizes a well-attended monthly song swap series in North Jersey alongside Deena Shoshkes of the Cucumbers.
Growing up in Los Angeles during the 1970s brought her into contact with the rising country-rock movement and, soon after, the prominent West Coast new wave acts, both of which carried strong melodic qualities. She often sang along to records by Linda Ronstadt and the Bangles. In the mid-1980s she relocated eastward to enroll at Columbia University, where her college Glee Club performances included fight songs alongside Leonard Bernstein compositions. With friends she established an a cappella trio that served as the initial vehicle for her songwriting attempts. Freelance music criticism work and temporary positions at record labels only intensified her drive to create her own material.
By the late 1990s she began performing regularly in East Village venues such as CBGB's Gallery, Baby Jupiter, and the C-Note. Her earliest demo involved musicians from the New York pop band the Wirebirds, after which she recorded an EP alongside Boo Reiners, known for his work with the Demolition String Band and Sweet Lizard Illtet. Reiners suggested she master that EP with engineer and bassist Scott Anthony, who later became her husband.
Relocating to the Jersey suburbs sparked the songs for her 2005 debut album Land of My Baby, which she recorded with Anthony plus core musicians Steve Goulding of Mekons and Graham Parker and local roots rock artist John Pinamonti. Continued local performances led to an accumulation of new material, prompting her to consult songwriter Robert Scheffler for help selecting tracks that formed the well-received 2009 release Slowpokes, co-produced by Turner, Anthony, and guitarist Rod Hohl of Yarn. She also organizes a well-attended monthly song swap series in North Jersey alongside Deena Shoshkes of the Cucumbers.
Albums
Singles
