Palm Wine Boys Usher in West African Music to the Digital Download Generation

From The Sierra Leone To San Francisco, Inspired by West African Music and Bob Dylan, the Palm Wine Boys Unique Sound Imbibes Spirits About Town

San Francisco, CA (PRWEB) January 24, 2005 -- The Palm Wine Boys dread describing their sound in two words or less. Phrases like pan-African guitar" seem too exotic, but acoustic folk" doesnt quite draw the crowds. Fortunately for music lovers, the San Francisco Bay Area-based quartets latest CD Up and Down" reveals a melodic sound that defies stereotypes. The Palm Wine Boys take two musical genres they love-- American folk and Palm wine music-- and blend them perfectly to create a sound responsible for a relaxed kind of high, characteristic not only of Palm Wine, but the Palm Wine Boys.

Intertwining guitar lines, a unique, catchy rhythmic style, searching, spiritual lyrics and harmonizing voice appear on Up and Down," recorded in the Oakland, California studio of Wildplum Recordings.

The Palm Wine Boys music speaks to people looking for music with some kind of depth to it. Not too serious, just not pleased with state of popular music and searching for an original sound. Our audience is drawn to the various acoustic styles -- taking a genre and bringing something new to it. Palm Wine Boys is a sound that is different, slightly exotic, without being inaccessible," says Richard Linley, PWB singer/songwriter, describing the bands draw.

Palm wine music originated in West Africa; Sierra Leone, Ghana, and Nigeria saw the birth of the genre. Palm wine music became internationally known in the 1950s through Ebenezer Calender and his Maringar Band. A decade later, S.E. Rogie achieved cult celebrity status and became known as the godfather" of palm wine music with records including The 60s Sound of S.E. Rogie."

The Palm Wine Boys formed in 2002 when Richard Linley, Tom Chandler, and QB Williams broke from the world dance band Mud Hut to concentrate on pared-down acoustic songs. Singer/songwriter Linley played sax and guitar in the late 80s with S.E. Rogie and wanted to bring palm wines mellow influence to the new project. As a songwriter, Richard has been inspired by the greats of American folk, Woody Guthrie and Bob Dylan. The Palm Wine Boys began combining serious lyrics with melodic, upbeat arrangements, using an organic approach to create new music.

The Palm Wine Boys are currently touring the western U.S., including Oregon, northern and southern California, Utah, and Colorado.

For more information, visit: www.palmwineboys.com

About The Palm Wine Boys
Each member of the Palm Wine Boys brings diverse musical knowledge and experience to the band. Richard Linley studied Indian music and was an original member and co-director of Vukani Mawethu, a choir singing South African freedom songs. Guitarist/vocalist Tom Chandler graduated from the Berklee School of Music and studied the oud (Arabic lute) with Nubian master Hamza El Din. QB Williams (percussion and vocals) has written music for stage, TV, radio, and film, and was an original member of the popular acapella group Street Sounds. Eliyahu Sills (bass, flute, vocals) honed his talent at the New School of Jazz in NYC.

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Media Contact:
Amy Cunha, Big Picture PR
+1.415.626.3333 or amy@bigpicpr.com