RYAN FRANCESCONI

Born in 1974, Ryan Francesconi later grew up in the forests of far Northern California. After a childhood dominated by guitar solos, bad haircuts and foggy coasts, Ryan attended California Institute of the Arts in Los Angeles, earning degrees in Guitar, Composition and Electronic Music. In addition to formal music studies with guitarist Miroslav Tadic and composers David Rosenboom and Lucky Mosko, Ryan studied programming with Soundhack creator, Tom Erbe, and developed the software, Spongefork, which became a widely used tool for creative sound manipulation. Through the music of Bela Bartok and Tadic's introduction to Macedonian folk music, Ryan discovered his love for the Balkans' folk music, which formed the center of his life for the next ten years. He traveled to Bulgaria and Greece in search of the tambura, kaval and bouzouki and brought back instruments and inspiration for new music. His groups, The Toids and Trio Mopmu, were formed, later releasing three albums of Eastern European inflected compositions.

After returning to San Francisco in 2000, Ryan began recording in other styles, releasing three albums of ambient manipulated acoustic music under the RF moniker as well as a variety of compilations and collaborations. Using his programming skills to his advantage, RF applied subtle electronic coloring to field recordings, vocals and classical instrumentation to create a rich personal sound world. During this time, he was often associated with electronic musicians, yet Ryan still remained most at home with acoustic composition.

While teaching a summer workshop in Bulgarian music, Ryan met California harpist and singer Joanna Newsom, and the two began to scheme ways to make some music together. In 2006, while recording Joanna for Ryan and Lili De La Mora's album, "Eleven Continents," Joanna asked Ryan to help convert the orchestral parts of her upcoming release, "Ys," into something that could be toured as a band. Condensing the original Van Dyke Parks scores to a few instruments required a few weeks of frantic scribbling on staff paper after which they toured constantly for the next year and recorded the Ys Street Band EP. Later, Ryan reworked the original full scores again for the live orchestral performances of "Ys" in the US, Europe and Australia in 2007 and 2008.

Loving the northern air, Ryan now lives in Seattle. His latest project is working on an acoustic guitar and vocals album, which might be described as if the English Nick Drake was in fact Bulgarian.

www.myspace.com/rfandlili
www.myspace.com/aref
www.are-f.com

MERCURY FALLS
Mercury Falls manipulates an organic combination of ambient beats and textures with the freedom and feel of jazz. Their fresh approach to melody is a seemless connection between acoustic artistry and imaginative programming.  Subtle electronic coloring, created through field recordings, is combined with the traditional jazz combo and countless musical influences (Tortoise, Craig Taborn, Béla Bartok, and Stereolab, to name a few.)  With the music of Mercury Falls, you'll hear the startling power of naked acoustic guitar as it moves across a varied digital soundscape, driving ride cymbal accompanying a serene unison melody, and the cry of a saxophone over the pulsing tone of upright bass. Mercury Falls will bring you to a place of turbulent emotion; from hope to heartache, always with a sense of wonder.

Patrick Cress: Saxes, Bass Clarinet
Ryan Francesconi: Guitars, Electric Bass, Electronics
Eric Perney: Double Bass
Tim Bulkley: Drum Set

THE TOIDS
new balkan jazz with indie flavorings

The Toids are a group infused with a diverse modern aesthetic ranging from Bulgarian to Bluegrass to Indie Rock. Dazzling virtuosity and deep emotion mark their intricately crafted compositions. With influences as ranging from the traditional musics of Bulgaria, Greece, Romania, and Turkey to John Zorn, Eric Dolphy, and Aphex Twin, their performances are always full of surprises for themselves and the audience. Featuring Ryan Francesconi, Dan Cantrell, and Tobias Roberson, their 2006 release, "Unblocked Ears" is now available on Odd Shaped Case. www.oddshapedcase.com

RYAN FRANCESCONI (tambura, bouzouki, guitar, kaval)
is a musician, programmer and media artist living in Berkeley, CA. A multi-instrumentalist, Ryan plays anything with strings, though most often seen with a tambura, bouzouki, kaval, or guitar. In 1997 Ryan, Dan Cantrell, and Jerry Summers formed the ensemble, The Toids, who immediately attracted much attention for their innovative approach to the Balkan folk repertoire. Their 2001 release, "Ruupert Dances in Fins" made a large impact both in the Jazz and World Music genres. Ryan is well known in the US as a performer and teacher of Bulgarian Folk music and is recognized as one of the up and coming talents in this field. He has collaborated on stage with a variety of unique players including Georgi Petrov, Nikolai Kolev, Nedyalko Nedyalkov, Valeri Georgiev, Mike Marshall, Tzvetanka Varimezova, Miroslav Tadic, Vasil Bebelekov, Milen Slavov, Farmers Market, and Christos Govetas - among many others. He currently performs in his ensembles The Toids, Trio Mopmu, and RF, his electronica project.

DAN CANTRELL (accordion, vocals)
began composing at an age of 11. Since that time he has continued performing and writing music of all types. His main instruments, the piano, the accordion, and the musical saw have given way to a unique stylistic voice that is eloquent, eclectic and hauntingly harmonious. In recent years his attention has been focused on the study of folk and popular music from Eastern Europe, as well as composing for film and theatre. He has composed music for over 30 films, several plays, a variety of dance pieces and other performance events. His rich arrangements filled with acoustic instrumentation and creative experimentation earned him an Emmy award in 2002 for KQED's documentary "Home Front", and the Golden Gate award from the San Francisco International Film festival for the soundtrack to "Divided Loyalties". It is his personal belief, that live musical integrity, creative experimentation and a clear dialog for collaboration are vital components of good composition. As a performer, Dan visits local artist and songwriters for collaborations in live performances and recordings, though his focus lies with groups of his own such as The Toids, Peoples Bizarre, and similar groups. Co-founder of local record label Odd Shaped Case, an organization interested in the experimental cross pollinations of musical styles and formats, he performs in as many new contexts as he can. His performances range from Folk music and many expanses of World music, to Jazz, New Music, Rock and Hip Hop. Samples of his music are available at www.bellowhead.com

TOBIAS ROBERSON (Darbuka, tupan, and assorted instruments)
is a virtuoso percussionist specializing in Middle Eastern and Balkan music. His innovative approach and style have been well documented on a plethora of recordings, movie soundtracks, and concert appearances. Tobias recently returned to the United States after living and performing in India where he studied south indian classical music. He currently resides in San Francisco and tours internationally as a workshop leader and principle percussionist with several ensembles and dance companies. More information at www.riqq.com

Trio Mopmu
Torta Bulgarska

They've been called "the world's first tambura power trio" and their music is like nothing you've heard before. Trio Mopmu has all the energy of a ferocious Bulgarian wedding band, but also displays the sensitivity and subtlety of a small jazz ensemble. The resulting music alternately rocks out, whispers softly, then fills the dance floor. Trio Mompu is Ryan Francesconi, Bill Lanphier and Bryan Bowman. Ryan, on Bulgarian tambura and kaval, has a diverse background which includes formal composition, ethnomusicology and electronics. His compositions add a level of sophistication rarely heard in folk music. Although the tambura is typically used for accompaniment, Ryan is one of the few players in the world who demonstrates its potential as an expressive lead instrument.

Bassist Bill Lanphier's eclectic background includes recording and worldwide performances with artists as diverse as the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Madonna and premier Bulgarian artists. Bryan Bowman, on drum set and dumbek, was exposed to Balkan music at an early age and, having recorded and performed with some of the West Coast's top jazz musicians, brings an undeniable versatility and creative sensibility to Mopmu.

Joining forces with the trio is Lily Storm on vocals. Formerly with the highly acclaimed vocal group Kitka, Lily has mastered several Balkan vocal styles and complements the trio's commitment to remaining absolutely true to the roots of this incredibly rich music. Trio Mopmu's first CD release, "Torta Bulgarska," (Odd Shaped Case 1010-2) features Lily Storm.

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RF & LILI DE LA MORA
Eleven Continents
(Rowing At Sea/Time Release Records)

"RF" is Ryan Francesconi, whom Joanna Newsom fans will recognize as the darkly handsome tambura player from her Ys tour (and now as a member of the Ys Street Band). Newsom herself plays harp on the billowing "Eleven Continents"; whether her dancing glints are instantly recognizable because of her unique style or simply because-- you know, it's a harp-- is hard to say. Regardless, her presence radiates through the track, even seeming to find an echo in Lili De La Mora's breathy, elfin purr. Flecks of piano and percussion shine through the musky arpeggios, but for the most part, "Eleven Continents" is pristine and retiring, just a few vocal shrills and several minutes short of fitting in with Newsom's own oeuvre. - (Pitchfork)

Multi-instrumentalist Ryan Francesconi (RF) and sensually hushed vocalist Lili De La Mora have collaborated to form the most gorgeous album of the year thus far. Eleven Continents is an intricate 12-song piece that's largely acoustic and delightfully artful. RF's electronic flourishes are absent throughout the entire album, and additional organic, all-star musicians such as Fabiola Sanchez & Ken Negrete (familiar trees) and Joanna Newsom (yes...that girl) grace several tracks with their presence. "Miles And Miles" is an orchestral composition laced with RF's beautiful acoustic plucking, as warm cellos, harps, and brass linger in the background of Mora's soft vocal musings. Fabiola Sanchez (familiar trees) carries the lead vocal in "Kings", a melancholy song that haunts you with its painful, rainy day other-worldliness. The ambience that Eleven Continents demonstrates is chilling, especially because every atmosphere is created without the help of wall-of-sound shoegazing or laptop assisted glitching. The songcraft here is nothing short of stellar, and Francesconi's playing is masterful. It seems like all the ingredients are near perfect for this record, and the outcome is sheer beauty. I highly, highly, highly recommend this album for fans of Familiar Trees, Cocteau Twins, RF, Hammock, FR Luzzi, and The Innocence Mission. - (Black And White Magazine)

...The album’s finest moments, though, come when the silvery tones of Joanna Newsom’s harp join the mix.  The album’s title track unfurls to reveal a rushing, ever-growing spiral of graceful guitars, playful harp strings, and fragile, pensive vocals.  Every note sounds as if it has been bathed in silvery twilight, and, at the risk of sounding all psych-folk-y, it’s difficult not to picture ethereal creatures caught up in a slow, stately waltz in some forgotten sylvan glade.  So spellbinding is the song that its abrupt ending is jarring in an almost physical manner....

The contrast is so sharp, the mixture of the seasons—the chill of winter with the green of spring—quite evocative.  Eleven Continents is a perfect soundtrack for days such as these, the melancholy arrangements meshing quite nicely with the forlorn skies even as the gentle and soothing vocals point the way towards brighter—and warmer—days. - (Opuszine)

Beautiful, delicate, subtle, soft, dreamy pop with a difference. RF (Ryan Francesconi) and Lili De La Mora invited several artists to join them in recording Eleven Continents. Thus, while this release is by a duo, the sounds in the tunes are quite varied. The serene, introspective pieces on this album are sometimes similar to the first couple of releases from Azure Ray...except the arrangements are more complex and the tunes more fully orchestrated. This duo's music is so meticulously crafted that it gives the listener the feeling of dreaming and/or being hypnotized. RF drives the music with guitar, bass, and rhodes piano...and then adds layers of other intriguing sounds (harp, viola, cello, flute, trumpet, and various percussion). De La Mora's subdued breathy vocals are extremely light and playful...almost whispered... There is something very childlike about the songs on Continents that is difficult to describe. Despite the fact that the music is quite complex and advanced...there is a strange innocence in these tunes. Cool compositions include "Through the Trees," "Miles and Miles," "Newt Crossing," and "Eleven Continents." Very different, involved, and exotic...recommended. - (Babysue)

I know what you may be thinking, "Oh, this has been done before, haven't we had enough of the acclaimed electronic musician mixing with the accomplished soft-spoken siren!" My answer is first of all no, I enjoy The Blow, Alias & Tarsier, The Bird & The Bee, and so on, but actually this release is different. Yes, RF (Ryan Francesconi) is an acclaimed electronic musician, having released three albums in the last four years, and Lili De La Mora is beginning to make a name for herself as the lead singer the Long Beach, CA's, This Year Zero, but it is the way they blend their styles and knowledge that will set them apart. Unlike Alias, RF is able to alter his sound and technique to better accompany a vocalist.

On their upcoming debut, Eleven Continents, RF strips away the electronics while maintaining his sense of timing and graceful melody. He uses an acoustic guitar, and the help of friends Joanna Newsom and Fabiola Sanchez (Family Trees) among others, to perfectly showcase the beauty and wisdom that is Lili De La Mora. The product is truly breath taking, as it soars it feels so organic, while maintaining many of the aspects of electronic music. In fact, RF was so proud of what they had created that he form a new sub-label of his current label Odd Shape Case, called Rowing at Sea. - (Orange Alert - Band Of The Week)

www.myspace.com/rfandlili

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RF
Views of Distant Towns

"San Francisco's Ryan Francesconi, or RF as he's best known, has delivered one of electronica's finest works to date....The craftsmanship and perfection of RF translates into something that, in the end, surpasses post-rock. An album like Views Of Distant Towns is a rare find, as it raises the bar so incredibly high. A stunning album through and through." - The Black and White Magazine

"Views of Distant Towns is still yet another showcase for Francesconi's amazing and skillful blending of electronic elements—laptop processing, glitches, and other forms of software-based tweaking—with an orchestra of traditional instruments—guitars, bass, dobro, trombone, piano, violin, cello, xylophone, drums, etc.... Francesconi tweaks and blends every element until it's virtually impossible to tell where the electronic ends and the acoustic begins....It all comes together in the most graceful and sublime of ways." - Jason Morehead, Opuszine

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RF
Falls
(Odd Shaped Case Records)


"Falls continues along a similar line, delving even deeper into the grey areas between electronics and `real' instruments, blurring the lines between the two, and emerging with a warm and richly detailed masterpiece." - Jason Morehead, Opuszine

"...the result is a soothing, delightfully melodic collection of indie/electronic/Post-Rock songs with acres of depth and heartwarming beauty....Quite brilliant." - Smallfish Records

"It is a textural treasure of musical pleasure. RF is making some of the most beautiful and unique music around today." - Streethound

"He is able to wield guitars, violins, horns and beeps just as seamlessly as it were all done the old-fashioned way in a few takes." - Andy Brown, Lost at Sea

"Exploratory, deep, and full of hope for a failing humanity, rf bends the minimalism of 20th century classical composers like Morton Feldman and Arvo Part through the best use of ring-modulated guitar I've ever heard. The result is something crushingly soft and endearing." - Edward Stafford, Music Director, KSCR, Los Angeles

"This is a new ambient genre... a place where experimental art and seasonal sensations harmonize. It's yoga for your ears, providing analysis of what you hear and serene, steady sounds that allow you to control your breath just that much easier." - LW, Soul Shine Magazine

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RF
Interno
(Odd Shaped Case Records)

“The debut solo album from Berkeley, CA-based Ryan Francesconi works as a soundtrack for pensive, pondering times, that lets the mind drift from rigidity and schedules. A lofty, deeply atmospheric ambient musical work, "Interno" combines an assortment of electronic textures with classical and acoustic instrumentation such as the cello, violin, flute, clarinet, horns and guitar, and brandishes Balkan music as a major influence. It's a soothing, contemplative yet exploratory effort -- especially surprising considering Francesconi's career as a computer programmer and application developer. He even wrote much of the software he uses to compose his music. "Interno" is an impressive start.” - XLR8R Magazine

"The resulting distinct vision carries listeners away in the same way a good book snares readers." - East Bay Express

"To my knowledge he is not associated with any particular music scene or style; in essence, you are left with a purity of music that flows with the same subtle grace as a butterfly flaps its wings....Like any well conceived piece of artwork, RF contains a myriad of emotions that remind us once again what it is to be a human being." - Tiny Mix Tapes

"Take this album on a drive through the country. Everything will seem more beautiful." - Collin LaJoie, KJHK, Lawrence, Kansas

"...post-rock relaxation that breathes in its own space and time...one of the finest things we've encountered this year." - Organ Magazine

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The Toids
Unblocked Ears
(Odd Shaped Case)

"A successful blend of traditional Balkan music with eclectic, modern influences, this band maintains its authentic, folk roots unlike other world-fusion artists who excessively water down their original sources. Superb musicianship, compositions and arrangements." - Larry Steen (of The Larry Steen World Jazz Ensemble)

"Fusing threads of funk, rock, jazz, Balkan, Middle Eastern and Indian traditional music, whether through sax, guitars or traditional instruments, Toids casts a smoky tapestry of mystery and haunting possibility. While their songs vary from playful and mischievous to dangerous and menacing, there is a strong persona pushing through each track, questioning and professing and relentlessly needling its voice through quilted textures of breadth and transparency. Taking the listener into the frail sanctuary of a human heart in one track to an international worldly celebration the next, Unblocked Ears is an aptly named disc, turning the key to the mind through clever, disarming and impossibly consistent talent." - Tamara Turner, CD Baby

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Trio Mopmu
Torta Bulgarska
(Odd Shaped Case)

"Despite the band name and album title, Trio Mopmu are American jazz and experimental players working in traditional Bulgarian styles leavened with some Western influences; for example, "Kraydunasvko" features Ryan Francesconi's tambura sharing space with special guest Mike Marshall's mandolin over a swinging arrangement that owes as much to Django Reinhardt's '30s gypsy jazz as it does to anything. Singer Lily Storm adds vocals to a handful of songs, her dramatic inflections adding a vivid new element to the trio's propulsive sound; besides having excellent phrasing, best showcased on the quiet, atmospheric "Prodava Se Konche," her Bulgarian pronunciation is flawless. Though the tracks that don't feature Storm suffer slightly from her absence (Trio Mopmu really should consider hiring her as their full-time frontwoman), they're well-played, enjoyable Bulgarian music that's accessible to listeners unfamiliar with the styles." - Stewart Mason, All Music Guide

"With all the pizazz, agility and vitality of a Bulgarian wedding band, yet complementing it with careful sensitivity and finesse, Trio Mopmu always brings conviction and superb artistry to the table. This twelve-track gem, "Torta Bulgarska," weaves and waltzes through jazz and folk idioms, always holding onto its own identity and yet with the open-minded freedom to change that definition at will. There is a solid presence of musicianship and artistic command whether it be a slow, haunting number or one that strictly calls out for a dance floor. Brilliance abounds." - CDBaby, editorial review

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RF & LILI DE LA MORA
'Eleven Continents'

11:11

Bird whisper –
golden day break, children play
splendor in, cascade

In the shade -
clouds have gathered to drift apart again

Cascade in the light we've made

The warm sun melts the air
there's a smile miracle on a shy face

Like silhouettes -
till we fall asleep: submarine
shivering : resurfacing

Splendor in, cascade
In the shade, cascade in the love we've made

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Cherry Park

I drink you in, I take my time and let time unwind so slow
has got me now, belly-flat, floating down and up again
your ocean

Cherry, Cherry Park
in the afternoon

It's been so long since I felt this high
shed my skin, allowed myself to slip within

Underneath my favorite tree
I drink you in, I take my time and let time unwind so slow
has got me now, belly-flat, floating down and up again
your ocean

Cherry, Cherry Park
in the afternoon

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Fascinated

You sit fascinated
looking and listening to your mind
you don't say a word

While outside, we are falling silently
syncopated drops upon the grass

We are spinning wheels upon the ground
surprised at each and every other thing
we take nothing for granted

Come on, throw your fears away
astonish me

Come on, show me some fun

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Fences

Running, standing still - not to fall
when turning round, longing to be - could be me
mending holes in fences that lead back to you

But if you hold back, a lifetime will not be enough
is a lifetime enough, of longing to be - could be me
mending holes in fences that lead back to you

Lately, I come to stand by our tree
and wind the spring of our quiet little world

But if you hold back, a lifetime will not be enough,
is a lifetime enough?

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Hundreds of Threads

Slowly folding into white your thoughts follow
rounded hundreds of threads

To enchant my acrobat in a kaleidoscope
we've adored every moment

Daring aerialist demanding wonders
we've adored, we've adored

Notorious for love of life
outlines tell you their names

Rounding hundreds, threading lines weave memories intact
we've adored every moment

Daring aerialist demanding wonders
If you keep silent, I'll keep silent too
safer than ever, living where I happen to be

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Kings

In quiet times, forest watches over
I gather the seeds left behind
throw them back into clouds
back into clouds

Same scene painted over
this fan opens another and another

Awake first thing, deep into the morning
until summer folds your miracle
we've met hundreds of times
somewhere, some when, sometime

Everyday we're weaving through time
again and again

we travel across great distances
me and my parasol

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Lifetime

Lately, I come to stand by our tree
and wind the spring of our quiet little world
but if you hold back, a lifetime will not be enough,
is a lifetime enough?

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Miles

Miles and Miles of rolling hills
(I) set upon this sacred land
traveling on eternity road
as mountains of beauty pass us by
right before my very grateful eyes
time stands still

It's only been two days on the road
but it seems like it's been weeks
not a care in the world, don't have to worry
be any place at anytime
I'm just drifting
on this journey of joy

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Newt Crossing

Maps, perhaps just paper thoughts
a suitcase full of boats

Making your flight more real
then all that's been concealed

Let's take time to play,
dispel these shadows from older skies

You, unfolded all yourself,
as people hurried on their way home

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Steep Ravine

Near the murmuring waves lives my olive tree
clinging to the earth, roots point to the sea

Silver-hands severe lines
weave through ice and snow

Polished by lands which made the dove
waters green, innumerable, innumerable

There, my olive grows
where alone blue sky and hard earth exists
where the prodigies perfectly encapsulate
filling with their constellations, the foliage
for a later miracle

Silver-hands severe lines
weave through time, seasons

Eleven Continents
Sixteen steps no less it takes for me,
(last car over the bridge) to cup my hands round the light
we can if we so choose, to wander
aimlessly over the continents

no one has ever seen
dandelion seed make room for the dream
webs we've yet to spin

(last car over the bridge beyond six rivers deep)

cause we can if we so choose to wonder
endlessly over the continents

One more breath, no less it takes, for me
(last car over the bridge) to cup my hands
round your light

we can if we so choose, to wander
endlessly over the continents

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Through the Trees

Listen and drive while you talk
I listen and drive while you talk
about home, the weather

While autumn leaves descend so gracefully
lights up your face alive with color
this filtered light from above

Your images pour through a hole in my head
no reason, rhyme, nonetheless you're confident

Come let's stop the car, get lost for a while
arm in arm we'll weave our dreams through the trees
let my silence speak for me

Perhaps you could be, a bridge
between what we perceive and believe

Sunbeam come again, play your game
Sunbeam play your game of light
through our eyes

Perhaps you could be, a bridge
between what we perceive and believe

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BONUS TRACK - Japanese Release

Moon Balloon

Let's take existence and we'll make a spool of it
reel in the facts, collect the news
put them into your own words

An exit sign on the highway
this sort of day pulls everyone outside
pulls everyone outside

If impromptu lines, draw eyebrows on the scene
muddle what we say, what we mean
do you feel you're someone
I should know?

simplify, speak plain

I've got hours of slow blinking
I've got feet of bare silent woods

Let's go outside
out in the rain, in the sunshine
Let's go outside

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