erin powers

Erin Powers
Pretty Green Eyes
Orphic Records, 2012

Erin Powers’ debut album, Pretty Green Eyes, is a no-frills gem. Many of the 14 songs that comprise this CD started as poems that evolved into songs, including the stand-out-track “Warrior Woman” (where Erin turns the anger of a break-up into a statement of self empowerment) and “Summer Fling” (where all of her self-doubt exposes an open heart… scars and all).

Primarily a storyteller, Erin explores the outsider’s point of view from her front-row-seat, left-of-center. Give a quick listen to “Miss Misfit” or the album’s final track, “My World,” for the proof.

- Matt Mac Haffie

HOT READS: Nippertown’s Top 10 Stories of the Week

Yes, we know…

We’ve heard complaints that some of you just don’t have the time to read Nippertown.com as fast as we write it.

So for the casual reader, here’s a summary of the Top 10 most-viewed stories from Nippertown in the past week:

1. Comin’ Soon: New Concert Announcements (by Staff)

2. New Show at the Times Union Center (by Staff)

3. The Egg Announces Two New Concerts (by Staff)

4. New Concert Announced for the Palace Theatre (by Staff)

5. LIVE: Los Straitjackets & the Knyghts of Fuzz @ the Ale House, 10/3/12 (by Fred Rudofsky)

6. LIVE: Pinhead Fest @ Pinhead Susan’s, 9/29/12 (by Stanley Johnson)

7. ArtBeat: Landscapes for Landsake @ Maple Ridge Farm (by Susan Brink)

8. New Show at The Egg (by Staff)

9. LIVE: Michelle Shocked @ Club Helsinki, 9/29/12 (by Tim Livingston)

10. New Release Rack: Erin Powers’ “Pretty Green Eyes” (by Matt Mac Haffie) - matt macaffe

The original cafe, open from 2008 to 2010, had a dedicated clientele that gathered there to see live music, but it was not enough to keep owner Sal Prizio in business. When he closed in September 2010, it seemed like another blow for downtown Cohoes.

The Kolcow family — mom Teresa, dad Steve, daughter Brooke and son Stefan — never visited Bread and Jam when Prizio was running it. "We always meant to go," Steve Kolcow said. He learned about the shuttered restaurant when he decided to leave his job behind the deli counter at Hannaford Supermarkets and make good on a long-held dream of opening his own business. The Kolcows opened More Bread and Jam in August, and celebrated a grand opening earlier this month with music from the Red Haired Strangers, Zan Strumfeld, Molly Durnin and Erin Powers.



- leigh hornbeck

Americana/Folk/Country/Grass

The Ernst Project – “Are You Now or Have You Ever Been?” (Live from Red Square) [country rock funk] Schenectady
Ray Murray and the Bomb Squad – “Rmbs” [alt country rock] Ballston Spa
Erin Powers – “Pretty Green Eyes” [indie alt folk] Delmar
Danny Whitecotton – “Go On and Rain” [alt country] Alplaus - andrew gregory

Having a minor coffee addiction, I enjoy visiting the local shops in the area to taste different brews. While getting my fix, I’ll often hang around for a second cup if there is an entertaining performer. This is how I met Erin Powers. No matter what stage she is on, her unique sound will catch your attention!

After hearing that she has captured the feel of her live shows to an album, I quickly asked for a press release to share this information with the other fans and supporters of local music.
This new album captures the energy and emotional power of Erin’s live performances. Culminated from three years of shows around upstate NY, VT, Boston MA, CT, and NJ, this collection of songs reflects the vision and voice of a unique pop & folk-rock singer-songwriter.

Erin has developed a reputation as a great performer around her hometown of Albany NY, and is often accompanied by drummer Ben McLoughlin. The duo formed in late December of 2007 with the goal of playing shows for the fun of it; both musicians met at college. Ben recalls, “I heard a demo recording that Erin did with an amateur producer, it was reminiscent of Ani Difranco and Aretha Franklin. I knew she had strong potential, so we began collaborating on songwriting and playing shows”. Before this, Erin was the lead singer of short-lived Albany rock group J-Page.

Erin states, ”The live shows took on a new dimension when we added drums; before this we used percussion such as bongos and shakers; but the audience didn’t really get the subtlety.” Most of the songs on this album have been derived for the upcoming studio recording Pretty Green Eyes.

Erin says the song, “Take You For A Ride”, is about “happy dreaming”. The song “My World” was the first song she ever wrote. “Where The Wind May Blow” is a moving introspective ballad that starts with her singing “What is the meaning of it all? I’m a dove with the wings clipped off”. The song “Streets of Ireland” came from her experience roaming the streets of Ireland on a vacation. “Warrior Woman” is a song of female empowerment and a strong tell-off to a man who is trying to be dominating; interestingly, some of her fans like this song so much that they started a website called www.warriorwomen.org.”

”Pretty Green Eyes” is about the frustration of trying to get a meaningful message across to an audience that only notices how a musician looks and sounds. “All Too Real” is a romantic ballad, ”Rainy Night” showcases Erin’s vocals against a dramatic soundscape, and ”A Dark Night” is an uptempo pop song about traveling a long distance to see someone. Check out a special bonus Tori Amos cover song and the other tracks on: www.myspace.com/erinpowers Erin is a fiery scorpio who enjoys reading the books of Neil Gaiman.

Erin is often seen playing her trusty Ibanez acoustic guitar at shows, although she has been branching out with playing electric guitar here and there. She is working on studio recordings for an upcoming full-length album, as well as touring to promote Erin Powers Live! Erin sums it up with: “I want the audience to experience the positive energy and take away a message of empowerment from the show.” ~Ben McLoughlin

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Make sure to check out her website at www.myspace.com/erinpowers for more information and up to date news.
- dan ross