Uncommon Ground ^ Rhonda Everitt

Rhonda Everitt
With the release of her third record, Rhonda Everitt (rhe, A Pretty War) transcends the stereotypes about a woman, a piano and a really good soul-baring song. Using 88 keys, a life-changing accident and Washington, D.C. producer Blake Althen, Everitt’s new solo venture, Pale Beneath the Blue, won’t be pigeonholed.

Steeped in the haunting, self-confessional tradition of Kate Bush and Laura Nyro, Pale Beneath the Blue includes a mix of Everitt’s current material (Little Secrets/I Believed) as well as new tracks that finds the Midwestern chaunteuse branching out into electronica and dance.

Thoughtful, at times angry, and extremely philosophical, Everitt’s work reflects everyday regrets and future hopes. She cut her teeth on “Out from Within,” a 4-song EP, as well as her first full-length release, “Fairy Tales and Happy Endings”(rhe/Reach for the Sky 2003). Everitt toured regionally in support of the album, was heard on nearly 100 radio stations nationwide, and was the only Dayton act to land a spot on WOXY’s (woxy.com) annual competition for emerging local talent two different years (01/03).

However, a motorcycle accident in July 2002 that shattered her lower left leg temporarily halted Everitt’s burgeoning success. A grueling year-and-a-half recovery period that included 18 surgeries found Everitt with a lot of time to write; a healing process itself. During this time, she penned many of the songs on Pale Beneath the Blue’s upcoming album, with a new writing style.

“I was a lot less patient,” Everitt said, laughing. “If it didn’t come, I’d “walk” away from the piano. It was difficult to concentrate while I was feeling lousy—mostly I watched a lot of King of the Hill and drooled.”

The solo project gave Everitt the impetus to add musicians, incorporating a cello player and full background accompaniment. She was approached by Althen last November, and traveled to D.C. this spring to record six tracks in ten days. It’s a long way from her days in the lonely spotlight of a busy bar stage, but Everitt is excited about moving away from comparisons to other female songwriters, such as Tori Amos.

“There’s so much variety on this album,” she said. “I give it a 10—there’s something you can dance to.”

Listen to Rhonda Everitt (streaming)

Downloads Available:

Little Secrets Lo-Fi
Out From Within Lo-Fi
Untitled Lo-Fi

LIttle Secrets Hi-Fi
Out from Within Hi-Fi
Untitled Hi-Fi

Visit the Rhonda Everitt web-site

Email Rhonda Everitt

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Uncommon Ground Past Show Dates

2005-03-06 (1215 days)

2004-10-03 (1369 days)