Gin, Chocolate & Bottle Rockets

When the three members of Madison, WI based Gin, Chocolate & Bottle Rockets came together in 2014 for their first show, they knew they'd struck gold. There was instant chemistry between Beth Kille, Shawndell Marks and Jen Farley, three women with diverse musical backgrounds and uniquely powerful voices, yet a common bond in depth of spirit and genuine passion for performance. Their sophomore release, entitled Lean, showcases their vocal, instrumental and songwriting talents in expertly crafted songs exploring themes of self-discovery, sisterhood, emotional fortitude and desire.

Farley, a product of the Cleveland, OH rock scene, fronted a successful cover band for many years before eventually landing in Madison. Marks grew up on Patsy Cline in Portage, WI where she sharpened her signature keyboard style and sultry voice. Kille didn't pick up the guitar until she was in grad school at UW-Madison where she was influenced by folk-rock writers like the Indigo Girls and Willy Porter. Marks and Kille were introduced by a mutual musical acquaintance in 2010 and began collaborating on a variety of musical projects. They were introduced to Farley in 2013 when she joined them for a showcase featuring female vocalists in Madison. Kille admitted to Marks during a cowriting sessions that she thought there was something special about Farley and they should invite her to start a band with them. Marks agreed, Farley accepted and the rest, as they say, is history.

Lean kicks off with it's title track, a dramatic pop-rock tune where the 3 band members take turns singing lead in the verse and then hit you in the face with their award-winning 3 part harmonies in the chorus, with a plea to lean into “all the crime and the clutter in your head, all the fear and the longing left unsaid.” The second track, “Flesh on Fire” explores vice and desire to a pumping disco-esque beat. “Shine” showcases Marks' smooth and sweet vocals in this lovely tune about embracing your darkness as a means to find your light. Farley takes over lead vocals belting over the gritty blues/rock beat of Flash Flood while Marks and Kille provide wailing Motown-inspired backing vocals to match Farley's powerful pipes. “Uphill and into the Wind” is clearly a love song the bandmates are singing to each other about the strength that their friendship gives them to get through life's trials. In “Truth,” Farley steps into the ring as a songwriter and speaks to the masks we often wear to cover our struggles with depression. The band does a unique rendition of the Eurythmics' “Sweet Dreams” before they break into the lovely piano-waltz of “Choreographed.” The album wraps up with the catchy, accordion-driven “This House,” where Kille takes over lead vocal and shares how a home is not made of bricks and stone, but love and memories.

While GC&BR normally performs as as trio, they invited several gifted musicians to fill out the record. Jenna Joanis showcases her diverse talents, playing both bass and drums/percussion on most of the tracks. Brady Bachmann adds some exquisite cello on a couple tunes,while award-winning guitarist, Dan Kennedy added some blues-rock ethic. Producer/engineer Jake Johnson even joined in, playing uke bass and acoustic guitar on one track. Johnson also demonstrates his talents as an engineer by capturing the heart of the band in the production of this album.

Lean is sure to resonate with both long-time fans and new listeners who relish the chance to dig beneath the surface of love, life and relationships through the songs of three women who are willing to bare it all in their music.