Articles in Danbury News-Times and Hudson Valley Times-Herald Record

A little fact-checking in order but some kind words from the Times-Herald Record:

This Kingston folk collective led by Jay Erickson and Nat Zilkha combines multiple styles using a big band to create a thrilling, naturally American sonic template. Red Rooster's album "Walk" is available online through a pay-what-you-may method.

Some history and insight into our process from The News-Times:

Cock-a-doodle-doo!


Never mind if roosters actually make a cock-a-doodle-doo sound. I have no idea. What's really important is the refreshingly original sound Red Rooster makes when it performs. Pawling resident Jay Erickson, 35, the group's co-lead singer and guitar player, said the band plays a style of music they call "eclectic Americana."


"We pull from bluegrass, folk, blues traditions and add an urban twist. We have had 12 people on stage at times, including a horn section and a DJ," Erickson said. "One reviewer dubbed one of our albums `hick hop' -- which I thought was a fun term."


The earliest incarnation of the group formed in the late '90s.


"It started after college in 1999 in the West Village living room of a friend of mine. We would get together and play old folk and blues songs. I was bartending at a place in Chelsea at the time, so I booked us in for our first gig. People have come and gone from the band, but it has always been comprised of friends or friends of friends," Erickson said.


The group's name is taken from the title of an old blues song by Willie Dixon. In addition to Erickson, the group's members are Susannah Hornsby on vocals and accordion, Andrew Green on banjo, sax player Dave Gould, drummer Lucas Ives, Guy Engelman on electric guitar, and Daniel Engelman on bass.


Erickson said Red Rooster creates original music through a highly collaborative process.
"One of us comes to rehearsal with a song that is somewhat complete and we arrange as a group. Personally I usually start with an image or an emotion, then write the chords and then start on the lyrics. 


Like any creative process I think so much of it is in the editing and revision stage." He added that sometimes the hardest part is taking the first step, "you just can't be afraid to get something out to start with."

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