Nashville, Tenn.- Singer/songwriter Autumn Boukadakis, who simply goes by the name Autumn, is gearing up for a busy winter. With a recently released music video for her latest radio single, "Rain Down," and a new gig as the host of a monthly concert series at the world famous Church Studio in Tulsa, Autumn's holiday season looks to be anything but restful as she continues to support her 2008 release Velvet Sky of which David Knowles of Maverick Magazine says "There will never be a winter of discontent if Autumn is always as good as this."
To create the "Rain Down" music video Autumn once again teamed with her brother Joey Boukadakis, a budding screenwriter and filmmaker. Joey directed the music video for "Rain Down," which was shot in the historic Scottish Rite Theatre and Auditorium in San Antonio, Texas. A visually stunning sight, the Theatre has been a San Antonio landmark since its construction in 1921 and is a picturesque setting for the intimate track.
In addition to the release of the music video, Autumn's new partnership with the famous Church Studio gives the singer-songwriter yet another reason to celebrate. Once a world-class recording studio, the studio hosted artists such as Freddie King, Tom Petty, Eric Clapton and Leon Russell during its heyday. The venue recently underwent a major renovation and emerged as a music venue tailored for small, intimate performances, offering a distinctly historic experience for fans and musicians alike. Beginning in January 2010, Autumn will both host and perform at a series of monthly concerts at the Church Studio.
Autumn's raw, natural sound is on display throughout Velvet Sky, but none of the songs capture her style as thoroughly and exceptionally as "Rain Down." Originally written as a prayer, Autumn intended for the song to be a private narrative. A reflective song that somehow manages to remain optimistic, Autumn's voice enchants on "Rain Down," and her ability to reveal stories through her lyrics has never been more evident. The "Rain Down" music video expertly matches the tone of the song. The song was not supposed to be cut for the album, but producers Walt Wilkins (a Texas legend in his own right) and Tim Lorsch, who oversaw the recording of her 2006 breakthrough album Sugarcane, insisted on its inclusion.
Autumn truly hits her artistic stride on Velvet Sky. She wrote seven of the songs on the album, while Wilkins contributed four. There's also a galvanizing cover of Patty Griffin's "Nobody's Crying." This new song cycle takes an unflinching, eyes-open look at life, love, loss, joy, pain and all the crazy feelings in-between. Emotionally charged and deeply poignant, the quality of the songs is matched only by the stellar musicianship of Autumn's supporting cast. She's joined on the track by a veritable who's who of Americana and folk musicians including her producers, Sam Baker, Danny Flowers, Fats Kaplin, Dave Jacques, Mike Daly, Mickey Grimm and more.
An assured step forward, Velvet Sky shines a spotlight more brightly on a career that continues to gain momentum. In addition to music training that began with piano at the age of seven, Autumn also graduated from the University of Texas with a degree in Classical Piano in 2004. But it may be her six years as the female sidekick on the No.1 rated "JB and Sandy Morning Show" on 94.7 KAMX Austin that best prepared her for the demands of life as a recording and touring artist. Having been on the other side of the microphone, she understands the importance of personality, energy and a sense of humor. Fortunately she was blessed with an abundance of them all.
In Autumn, we have an artist who showcases the kind of skills that have the music world abuzz - drive, determination, passion and an instinctive gift for capturing the most interesting details of life and transforming them into great songs.
Tour Dates:
01/22/2010 - Poor David's Pub - Dallas, TX
02/05/2010 - The Church Studio - Tulsa, OK
03/05/2010 - The Church Studio - Tulsa, OK
03/10/2010 - Dosey Doe's - The Woodlands, TX
04/02/2010 - The Church Studio - Tulsa, OK