BIO, HISTORY and more...
BIO - short
Music always has a voice of its own, one that is separate yet complementary to the words it carries. And that is certainly true of The Levins‘ latest album. Before you even consider what is being said here via the lyrics, there is something evocative found in the music itself: a voice of its own that speaks of drifting Laurel Canyon days, hazy folkscapes, and Summer of Love vibes. As it does so, it opens a window on an era of hope, but also a troubled one.
But An Alternate Refrain is not an exercise in nostalgia, and by gently drawing those seductive sounds through the filter of more modern songwriting and smart production, we are faced with an album that spans eras, and whose end points share the same conflicted blend of darkness and light, and so the music that The Levins make builds a bridge between the then and the now on the musical timeline.
The opener, “Morning is A Mercy,” perfectly exemplifies this duality. A blend of finessed and sumptuous folk, one that celebrates the possibilities of what a new day might bring, perhaps the challenges too. And that, in a nutshell, gets to the heart of what this album is about. It is a set of songs about courage and optimism, vulnerability and self-reflection, compassion and, ultimately, love.
“In times that feel very low on emotional and spiritual sunshine, given the state of humanity and the world, any moment of warmth and inspiration can only be keenly welcomed. So let us point you the way of An Alternate Refrain, the upcoming new album from husband and wife duo, THE LEVINS. It is a collection of songs that search for the light and hope hidden within life’s shadows and share them in a glow of melodic and harmonic radiance… Full Review: https://bigtakeover.com/recordings/the-levins-an-alternate-refrain-self-released
-Ringmaster Review
The Levins: An Alternate Refrain- Review: An Indie Folk Masterpiece
"Every once in a while, you’ll hear something new that reminds you of a special time. The Levins: An Alternate Refrain is that. A collection that’ll take you back to a simpler time in tunes when music and lyrics mattered so much more.”- Patrick Hickey Jr. / Review Fix
www.thelevinsmusic.com
“The Levins speak to our better selves with their crystalline harmonies and uplifting lyrics.” – John Platt, WFUV -
“The Levins are originals! Interlocking vocals – counter singing – these two sound like multiple vocals and I can think of no one who writes tunes in this fashion. It’s almost as if they have created a new “classical” music.” - John Apice, No Depression -
A LITTLE HISTORY….
Ira and Julia met at an open mic at the Freight and Salvage in Berkeley, CA. It was a singer-songwriter competition held by the West Coast Songwriter's Organization of which they were both members at the time. They married in 2002 and in late 2010, they left their respective bands ( Vocolot-Julia and Comfy Chair - Ira) as well as their comfort zones on the west coast and moved to NY to pursue music full time, together.
Their recordings have garnered invitations to perform in Amsterdam, England and throughout the U.S. In addition to winning the emPower Music award for Uniting, these two are Falcon Ridge Emerging Artists and South Florida Folk Festival Songwriting Finalists and have received recognition and numerous songwriting awards in the Children's, Jewish, Folk and now Indie music markets and communities.
Their 2013 release, "My Friend Hafiz", is inspired by Daniel Ladinsky's renditions of the mystic poetry, was selected by John Platt, WFUV as a top 10 CD of 2013 and just recently reviewed as 'lyrical pearls of wisdom," in Science of Mind Magazine. Their 2015 release, "Trust", debuted in the Top 10 Folk charts, Top 20 Roots charts and according to Tom Staudter, former NY Times reviewer, has, "a sun-splashed style that underscores the positive messages of love, peace and self-awareness. each tune serves as another stepping stone toward a better day & a richer life." As performers with interfaith roots, they move comfortably between faiths and spiritual settings, upholding the spirit of humanity and bridging communities offering music, message and programming that spreads good energy and opportunities to transform, heal or be uplifted.
Regardless of the setting, The Levins offer harmony-driven heart healing acoustic music that connects on a universal level and celebrates our common humanity. Guitar and piano with seamless harmonies and tightly blended unison vocals reflect their own compatible musical and personal relationship.
QUOTES / PRESS
- "The songwriting is alluring, the vocals seem like one-blended, their playing and stage presence just perfect. In the pantheon of husband-wife duos, in any genre of music, run the tape and see....this duo is how it is done." -Vance Gilbert
- "They thread their musical tales through beautifully fused, engaging harmonies.” -Tim Carroll, Folkwords.com
- "The Levins speak to our better selves with their crystalline harmonies and uplifting lyrics.” - John Platt, WFUV-FM
- "The Levins are folk-music gurus! Their new CD "Trust" features gorgeous melodies and inspirational lyrics guaranteed to lift the heart and soul.”- Joltin Joe Pszonek, Radio Nowhere, WMSC-FM
- “The Levins sing from their soul and reach the souls of others. They are the minstrels of the spirit for this age of spirituality. Ira and Julia belong to a very small group of artists writing lyrics and music that embodies the inter-spiritual message of our time. They are right up there with the best of the best song writers of this generation.”– Dr. Andrew Vidich, Author of Light Upon Light, & Let There Be Light.
- "Everyone needs this music!" -Larry Kelp, KPFA FM
- "The Levins have that all-too-rare combination of upbeat, sonically-active lyrics set to harmonically interesting music, presented with a professional and engaging stage presence. " - Bill Pere, 2012 Grammy Winner, L.U.N.C.H.
- "Their voices fit together, like water and ice, like heat and steam. Something joyful explodes inside the listeners chest like a Roman candle. Their effect may, in fact, begin before they start to play. Even at first glance, Ira and Julia seem to radiate a positive energy. That 'look' always keeps its promise." -R. Cuccaro, Acoustic Live NYC & Beyond
- “You guys are flipping *magic*! i've been listening to your album non-stop. it's filled with songs about love, hope, and peace -- and yet, instead of it making me want to throw people in front of trains… it has me *singing along*!” - Scott Wolfson / Scott Wolfson & Other Heroes
ATTENTION - Multi-generational venues / settings: (Does your series or festival has a family stage/audience?)
Ira and Julia also have family / children's interactive programs, performing in 100's of libraries, schools, conferences and festivals across the nation, as well as Scotland Fringe Festival and featured on Jaker's: Storytellers Playhouse on PBS Kids! We dance the Flamingo Tango, celebrate Pollo Elastico, the Rubber Chicken of Freedom and hear stories of super heroes like Ruby, the Rescue Cow and Captain Tree. CDs are in full band/rock mode, but the shows have gone acoustic, the storytelling has musical accompaniment; entertaining to multi-generational audiences.