WingDing Records

"A lot of people write songs, Hoekstra writes five-minute worlds" (Wired Magazine)
The New CD, "Blooming Roses".

Doug Hoekstra is a unique and compelling artist whose work has been heralded by critics, djs, and fans throughout the U.S. and Europe. Raised in Chicago and based in Nashville, he has earned a well-deserved reputation as a man with an ear for a phrase and an eye for detail, a “songwriter’s songwriter” (CMJ Music Monthly) His latest project, Blooming Roses, features all of the “Hoekstra hallmarks” – honest vocals, narrative lyrics, emotive chord changes and impeccable musicianship. From the soul vibe of the title track (Blooming Roses) to the atmospheric groove of the closer (Everywhere is Somewhere), the music is infused with mood and purpose, creating a unified and rich musical landscape that stands as Hoekstra’s strongest work to date. An advance review in Brighton Magazine UK referred to Blooming Roses as “a peerless set of gems…psychedelic folk-flecked Americana.” The CD was recorded primarily at True Tone Recording studios in Nashville, with David Henry producing (David Mead, Josh Rouse, Vienna Tang) and a bevy of Nashville’s finest helping achieve its dreamlike cohesion. The album’s closing track was cut in Stavanger, Norway at Out of Tunes Recording with members of Thomas Dybdahl’s band (Oyvind Berekvam, Eirik Lye) at the helm. Blooming Roses also works as both companion piece and follow-up to his first full-length collection of prose, Bothering the Coffee Drinkers, a book that was published in 2006 to rave reviews and earned a Bronze Medal for Best Short Fiction in the Independent Publisher Awards (IPPYs). As Paste Magazine noted, “Music runs like a liquid vein through these 80-proof experiences. Hoekstra pours it out with a Dylan-esque fervor, giving us a sputtering catalog of beauties and terrors…”
www.doughoekstra.com & www.myspace.com/doughoekstra

"…the crown prince of contemporary Brit-leaning pastoral folk-pop, Hoekstra remains a truly original voice among today's singer-songwriters, one of folk music's most vibrant and imaginative artists…”
(Stein Haukland, Ink 19)

Six Songs is the latest recorded adventure from Doug Hoekstra, an EP that promises to further enhance his reputation as a writer of range with an ear for a phrase and an eye for detail. CMJ Music Monthly has called him a “songwriter’s songwriter,” and Wired marveled that while “a lot of people write songs; Hoekstra writes five-minute worlds.” Anyway you slice it, Six Songs brings together a half-dozen new and engaging Hoekstra worlds and delivers them in one affordable WingDing Records package. And, this time they all clock in at less than five-minutes!

Timing aside, Six Songs marks a back-to-the-basics approach for Doug. His previous CDs effortlessly jump from Americana to Avant-garde, from acoustic guitar, piano & vocals to loops, found sounds, and swinging strings. Most recently, he released an intimate record cut all at home (Waiting) and a live record cut all-around-the-world (Su Casa Mi Casa). But, Six Songs heads elsewhere, the majority of tracks laid down in the better part of a day by the “Pressure Washers” (aka the WingDing House Band – in this case, Doug on acoustic, Paul Griffith on drums, George Marinelli on bass and guitar).

“We’re so far under the radar, we’ve been crawling on the ocean floor,” Doug croons with appropriate irony on the EP’s lead-off track, the Stax-inspired and oh-so-catchy, “Diminishing Returns.” Next, “The Bottomless Pit” turns up the volume behind some smoking guitar and driving drums, propelling the tune through a series of rollicking musical seas, calling up Mersey boogaloo pop-rock in a Kinks-like ode to the everyman who just doesn’t fit. “Snake Oil” shifts gears with Hoekstra’s quiet guitar and vocal recalling a timeless tale of Politics in Our World, circa 2004. Antonio Meeks provides soulful vocal counterpoint on this and the bluesy “Have it All,” which tells the story of three parallel characters missing out on what’s in front of them while trying to…have it all. “Picture of the Soul” is a hummable shuffle that pays homage to Hoekstra’s newborn son while managing to name-call Ullapool and Inverness in the process. Another love song, the beautiful guitar and french-horn based ballad “Watercolor Rose,” closes the EP on a reflective note.

Hoekstra’s perchance for painting musical landscapes has been lauded by critics, djs, and fans throughout the U.S. and Europe. So, sit back and turn up the dial and listen to six more stories anchored by Hoekstra’s gentle baritone, laid against a backdrop of memorable melodies and resounding rhythms. Six Songs will transport you to lands of truth, beauty, and possibility, where instead of ignoring the sometimes sad state of the world, you’ll be transformed by its realities.

For a pdf file of doug's 'six songs' lyrics, click here.
For a pdf file of doug's 'six songs' one-sheet, click here.

For more on Doug's other CD releases, including his recent 'live' full-length "Su Casa Mi Casa",
go to http://www.doughoekstra.com
For more information, press materials interview requests, and radio copies, please contact:
WingDing Records
Doug Hoekstra / George Marinelli
P.O. Box 110352
Nashville, TN 37222-0352
wingdingrecords@yahoo.com