Petracovich is music of open spaces and a floating heart. Jessica Peters writes
songs, plays the keys and banjo and sings, with Max Diez plays on drums and Heather
Houseman plays the cello. The music has evolved from dreamy trip-hop folktronica
to the current sound with big live drums, momentous piano and melodies that weave
and drive. Fluid pop influenced by americana and folk and rock.
Jessica comes from a long line of women who sang in church. Her great-grandfater,
for whom Petracovich is named, wore his best suit while listening to the opera
on the radio, and demanded silence and respect for the music. Her Dad played
drums in a band for about 6 months. He says they were terrible, but he still
drums constantly with his hands with impeccable rhythm.
She loves to live in the country and go to the city. She loves watching her
Grampop play the banjo. She grew up in the redwoods, playing the piano and singing
and her family was patient through these loud years. Her life changed when she
borrowed a synthesizer with drum sounds. She collects things that rattle and
click, shake and strike.
She and her husband have travelled across the country 4 times in a van and stationwagon,
playing shows on tour. They stayed mostly in Wal-mart parking lots, with new
friends they'd met that night, old friends, and $24 motels.They loved the cornfields
in Iowa, the ancient sea-desert of New Mexico, the feeling of the open road and
the big sky. They thank everyone who gave them food and bed at 3 in the morning,
you are in their hearts.
The 3rd Petracovich album, Crepusculo, was recorded in Portland with John Askew in January 2008, and is full of strong and dreamy sounds - banjo, bells, piano, trumpet, drums,cello. Jessica was pregnant with her first child while recording this album, and his heart is woven in and through it. Otto was born on August 22nd, 2008 and lived only 8 days. Life came to a complete stop for many months, and just listening to the album brought up too much heartbreak. But the time has come to celebrate the life of Otto, of music, of love even with great loss.
The album will be available in late Spring, early Summer! We are excited to honor the music of his life, of our lives, the wonderful strangeness of being on this earth.
"It's impossible not to recommend this album. The lyrics
are encumbered with a sense of honesty and wit coupled with Petracovich's
ability to meld eloquent sound-scapes and folk sensibilities. Peters-Malmberg
has the voice of an angel, and if I'll be damned if I didn't
just describe a perfect package. Craypusculo just might be the closest thing
thus far this year." - DOA Sept - 09
"Don't overlook the marvelous piano pop of Santa Rosa, California's Petracovich.
Led by the sparkling songwriting and voice of Jessica Peters, Crepusculo (which
was recorded in Portland) is absolutely wonderful, each song a delicate delight."
- Portland Mercury
"A beautiful collection of trip-hop songs…the work speaks to fans
of haunting melodies and dream-like phrasing. Do not miss the live performance."
- CMJ
"Peters wields a gorgeous voice that Mann freaks should love."
-Magnet
"An amazingly effective collection of ambient pop
music.executed to perfection. The tunes are smart, heady, relaxing, cerebral,
and intensely beautiful. Highly recommended."
- babysue®
"An amazingly beautiful, fragile, airy and highly creative work of art."
-
Agouti
Music
“Jessica Peters (who records as Petracovich) balances her electronic
and acoustic leanings with considerable skill, and makes me wish I received
more records like this.”
-Opuszine
Find more quotes and reviews here.
