Raison D'Etre: Press

Today's Indie Artist Suggestion: Raison D'Etre
Posted at 02:20 AM on April 14, 2010
This month's Themed Show is "Women in Harmony", and who better to represent that than the 3 women of Raison D'Etre. Hear two of their songs online today on the show (3-7 PM EST, noon-4 PM PST) at www.womenofsubstanceradio.com. A simple folk melody with lush, complex harmony is this Kentucky trio's trademark. Violet Rae, Vickie and Roberta each bring something valuable to the creative process; each is an award-winning songwriter, accomplished instrumentalist, and talented singer. The women profess that singing together is thier reason for being, which is why they chose the name Raison D'Etre (meaning "reason for being" in French). Although they are best known for charming folk tunes with down-to-earth lyrics, they throw in the occasional swing tune like "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy" or "In the Mood" which lend themselves splendidly to the trio's tight three-part harmonies.

.."What a release it is! Oh my, the songs are so powerful. The harmony just gets better and better. The whole project is so good. I believe this year will be good for you and your singing sisters. The writing is so touching, it makes me laugh, cry, and just ponder...thanks so much for something that
will bring me joy all year.”

Raison D'Etre explains it all

CAMPBELL COUNTY - In one song, dogs are "twice the human being that you are."

In another, spaceships save the environment. In yet another, a woman decides it's OK to be "an old gray grandma as long as you'll be my gray grandpa."

Welcome to the world of Raison D'Etre, a trio of Campbell County women who specialize in, among other genres, folk, swing, Shaker hymns and a capella tunes.

Sisters Violet Rae Downey and Roberta Schultz, who along with Vickie Ellis make up Raison D'Etre, recently released their seventh album, "Tales from the Tall Side."

The album, which takes listeners on journeys of love, loss and redemption, was made with an Artist Enrichment Grant that Schultz received from the Kentucky Foundation for Women. The songs reflect the challenges women face when reaching the "tall" side of life.

"We have family connections and history woven into our music," said guitarist Downey, of Fort Thomas. "Some of what we write comes from observations of the changing world around us but much of it comes from deep feelings about past experiences that come bubbling up through self analysis and meditation."

The name Raison D'Etre is a French term that means "reason for being." All three women - who sing and specialize in three-part harmony - attended Morehead State University.

"We always tell people that singing together is our reason for being, thus the name," said guitarist and mandolin player Schultz, of Wilder. "For me, personally, music has become a second language that allows me to communicate things I wouldn't usually say to the rest of the world. And the very act of singing and playing guitar lowers my blood pressure."

Ellis, who plays keyboards and banjo and lives in Fort Thomas, said the group also recently finished a side project of swing songs.

"We've always included a swing number or two on each of our previous recordings," she said. "So a few months ago, while recording some of our original songs for our new CD, we found ourselves in the right time at the right place with the right person to finish this side project."

The group travels across the state playing in front of crowds large and small.

"The songs are cathartic for the writer and the best performances are when those same feelings transcend to audience," Downey said. "We have had magical performances occur both in intimate settings and larger auditoriums. It is a communication one cannot really explain. You just feel it. And when it happens, it makes everything right with the world."

"Tales from the Tall Side" is available at Kentucky Artisan Center in Berea, Kentucky Haus Artisan Center in Newport, CD Baby online and iTunes.

For more information, visit www.raison3.com.

"Good social comment and storytelling..." ("Another Train")

"Clever and fun storytelling and unique lyrical idea..." ("Legacy")

"Creative, catchy, lyrically interesting"...("This Kind of Rain")

Blue Rock Boogie and Blues Festival a great time!

Contributed by Ben Kahn
Tuesday, September 23, 2008

On Saturday September 20th we stopped in for the Blue Rock Boogie and Blues Festival held at a private farm on Blue Rock Road. Much to our delight, it was a wonderful time for the whole family. The music started out with Raison D'Etre, a group of 3 women singing harmony, better than I have heard in a long time. I found myself tapping my toes and snappin' my fingers.

After they played we wandered over to the food area for an early dinner. Had a great BBQ plate, ice cold soda and topped it off with a piece of pecan pie. All for $5. Not bad in these hard times. Then we sat down while the kids played in the leaves with Maggie, the resident wonder dog.

Ricky Nye kicked off the next set with a smokin' piano. I love boogie piano. It was even better sitting in the autumn breeze watching a couple of horses grazing in a near by field as Ricky beat up those ivories. Everyone was enjoying the day, saying Hell-o and being sociable. The crowd ranged from famlies, to a young lady riding her motor scooter, local radio host Debra Randall from Every Woman show was hanging out and several local music lovers including our hometown local favorite, Tracy Walker. You know you are at a good time event when other musicians show up.

The headliner was MC Recording Artist, EG Kight. Whoa, what a find! EG is a handful of fun too. She can work a quitar making it sing right along with that soulful southern blues voice of hers. She had a personality that charms you from the get go. We were laughing our heads off as she would take a song, then sing it as Dolly Parton, Johnny Cash and others. I think she was having as much fun as the rest of us, she commented a few times that she felt like she was in our living room. She was also promoting her newly released CD, Its Hot In Here. Someone had printed out a nationwide music Blues report that showed EG was currently spinning at number 3 in the country. Just noticed after checking her website, www.egkight.com she will be singing in Germany by the time you read my report. This gal gets around!

This was a benefit for Womens Way. A local nonprofit that assists women in the arts by helping them expand their venues, connect with artists in other cities, help promote their careers and provide the community with fun affordable events.

After a few raffles and a hot dog we reluctantly headed up the path to the parking area for home. The next time I see a Womens Way event, I will be the first one on the lawn.

Thursday, I started at Arnold's to see Raison D'Etre.  The  most gorgeous three-part harmonies I have ever heard.  If you've never heard these ladies, you're doing yourselves a disservice.  You need only to hear them sing "Broken Radio" to know that you're in the presence of musical genius.

(Kathy shares her entire Midpoint Music Festival experience in her Blog! Great reading, great lady!)

Raison D'Etre (Wilder, Ky.)
Folk/Americana

The three hyper-talented women of Folk trio Raison D'Etre have been astounding audiences with their gorgeous three-part harmonies for more than a decade and a half; regular visitors to the Cincinnati Museum Center will know them from their frequent appearances as a musical adjunct to various historical exhibits. With five albums and a shelf full of awards to their credit, Raison D'Etre will Folk your world.

You'll Dig It If You Dig: The Roches tribute the Andrews Sisters at an Emmylou Harris/Linda Ronstadt all-night backyard Folk slam. (Brian Baker)

"Like a less quirky version of the Roches, their melted chocolate harmonies pour over everything."

"...some of the finest three-part harmony singing you'll likely ever hear."

"...beautiful voices, skilled musicianship...

...awe-inspiring folk...

...original tracks "Hearts Content" and "Broken Radio" unleash their haunting, soulful melodies."

"Raison D'Etre Releases New CD
...harmonies are woven together like well-made cloth--smooth and seamless."

"...complex harmonies performed with intricate perfection."

"...crafty arrangements of standards."

"...fresh voices in folk."

"...these women offer voices that are crystal pure and harmonies that are bright, tight, and bursting with beauty!"