Longtime friends and fellow musicians, Raylee Bradfield and Rénee Cosio have teamed up to share their new music with you.
Playing both acoustic guitar, piano and providing harmonies for each other's songs, audiences will hear inspiration gleaned from early 70’s songwriters (Joni Mitchell, Bob Dylan), Americana maestro’s (Ruston Kelly, Ryan Adams) and Pop icons (Norah Jones, Katie Melua, Sting, John Mayer).
Bradfield and Cosio share strong songwriting influences coming from a love affair with nature. Song stories ruminate about season cycles, mountains and valleys, birds and the enchantment of colours, woven together with human experiences of love and loss.
“Catchy melodies, hooks, clear diction, and relatable story songs and sentiments held their affectionate audience close.” (Auckland Folk Festival 2024, review Melodic.mag)
About Raylee
Raylee has been on an expedition. Deep, into the wild and wondrous world of nature. Looking more closely at elements we may not always be aware of that speak to our human condition. The necessity of natural forest fires, the forms of water, the speed of time and the soil beneath our feet.
Ten new songs fashioned throughout 2023 are ready to be shared. Raylee and her star bright band, (Josh Sorenson, Russell McNaughton, Daniel Ling, Mark Baynes, Natasha Mansbridge) and cameo appearances from Derek Lind, Alana Goldsmith and Renée Cosio, recorded the album (+ 2 bonus tracks) to a buzzing live audience at Lopdell House Theatre, Titirangi, January 2024. A culmination of genres from Americana, Pop-Folk, Indie Rock and Gospel tied together with lyrical intrigue drawn from nature’s bounty.
The first single, “Gold’, will be released on Friday 16th August!
Live at Lopdell House Theatre is Bradfield’s first live album and fifth recording project with 2024 marking 20 years since her first self-titled EP project.
About Renee
Music was the first language for Renée Cosio. Writing melodies at age 6 and piano lessons from age 7, the relationship was forged for life. Cosio’s songwriting journey would start later in life after studying jazz at university. By now an accomplished jazz pianist and singer, Cosio felt the desire to expand her musical expression by putting pen to paper and picking up a guitar.. These new songs have been largely influenced from a childhood of listening to her Dad’s vinyl’s of 70’s Folk and Rock. Cosio says, “ I still enjoy jazz but there is a definite draw towards expressing myself in my own original music rather than re-creating tried and true tunes.” Well received singles (Love Will Find Me, Arms, Tomorrow’s Troubles) over the past couple of years has led this inspired songwriter to release her debut album, Verdigris, in late 2024.
“Verdigris” is the title track for Cosio’s debut album that is soon to be released. The song expresses the depth of beauty that comes from life’s challenges as we age.. Verdigris represents freedom - in the Statue of Liberty- and rebirth, which is also the definition of Renée.
“Verdigris” released Saturday 10th August to all digital platforms!