Saturn 5 Records announces the release of the single “Pray For Rain” by Nashville singer-songwriter Kristen Englenz performed with the Blind Boys of Alabama. The single drops on all platforms November 15, 2019. Grammy nominee and producer Ken Coomer, former drummer of Wilco, recorded the single and Englenz’s upcoming full-length debut album, ingénue. The album is slated for release February 28, 2020.
Kristen Englenz – Pray for Rain (Official Video) ft. The Blind Boys of Alabama
Recorded at FAME Studios in Muscle Shoals, Alabama, “Pray For Rain” features Englenz’s soulful melody accompanied by the moving vocals of five-time Grammy winning Blind Boys of Alabama, combining the hopes of youth with the wisdom of experience. Coomer relates that “if I had a crystal ball and you said that in 10 years, 15 years, three years, you’ll be at FAME in Muscle Shoals recording with the Blind Boys of Alabama, I would have said ‘That isn’t my crystal ball!’ ”
For Englenz, recording with the Blind Boys was a dream come true. “One of my executive producers on the album, Willie “Chuck” Shivers, is a great friend. I’ve hung out with Ricky McKinnie and have listened to everything the Blind Boys have done. For this to all come together and have them sing on my first album is just unbelievable.” Englenz adds, “Recording at FAME with its history and iconic music legends felt like an unworldly experience. It felt like magic when the Blind Boys walked in. And then the end of the track is so special. Ken knew exactly what to do. It’s like a prayer!”
Coomer feels that “Pray For Rain” is a song that needs to be heard. He said, “like Michael Stipe letting everyone figure out what your songs are about, the song is for individual interpretation as to meaning. It’s genius.” For Coomer, the lyrics encourage one to not be stuck, to find the light at the end of the darkness. “With what’s going on in the world with climate change and the Amazon being in a crucial critical state, this song speaks to me to keep moving, keep trying to make things better.”
Besides Englenz on acoustic guitar and vocals, Coomer plays percussion on the track. Ted Pecchio plays electric bass, Jason “Slim” Gambill and Joe Garcia play electric guitar, and Robbie Crowell rounds out some of Nashville’s finest session musicians with his keyboard work.
Roots music journal No Depression called Englenz’s music “stream of consciousness Beat poetry imbued with good-down-home Southern sensibility.” And Stomp and Stammer said, “There is a stirring intimacy to these performances that holds you in their grasp.”
A fast-rising fixture of the East Nashville music scene, Englenz sings stories of loss and heartache with a soulful sensibility both intimately aching and defiant with hope. A classically trained pianist and acoustic guitarist, Englenz also plays French horn on several tracks on the album. With a voice both virtuosic and vulnerable, her music is fragrant with Americana notes and a modern indie vibe.
“Pray for Rain” follows the first single from the Coomer-produced album, “Got Me With Goodbye,” which included a video track that has been garnering attention.
Englenz attributes her melodies as partly inspired by the natural world, which she combines with her interest in environmental activism in her popular web series “Caterwauling with Kristen” where she mimics birdcalls and teaches about avian species.
Englenz frequently performs at multiple Nashville venues including The 5 Spot, The Basement, and The Bowery Vault as well as at the famed Eddie’s Attic in her hometown of Decatur, Georgia. Her songs have appeared on compilation albums for Amplify My Community, a nonprofit organization using music to defeat homelessness, along with those of R.E.M., Drive By Truckers, Widespread Panic and many more.
Englenz was recently signed by Atlanta, Georgia-based indie label, Saturn 5 Records.
About Saturn 5 Records A launch pad for emerging artists, Saturn 5 Records is dedicated to the production, promotion, and preservation of music that matters. Saturn 5 Records promotes and supports emerging artists who painstakingly create their music. Our artists write their songs, sing their songs, and play their instruments. Each has a uniquely moving, beautiful, and artistic creation to share through their songs, their voices, their fearlessness, and truth.
Discography 2015: Extent of Play (EP) 2016: Bells (single) 2016: Northern Star (single) 2018: Winning Hand (single), compilation album, Smile Girls, Vol 1
Release Timeline November 15, 2019: “Pray For Rain” featuring Blind Boys of Alabama single and video digital release. January 31, 2020: “Rebound” single and video digital release. February 28, 2020: “ingénue” street date CD and Digital album released, Album release shows.
Tour Dates November 26, 2019: Eddie’s Attic, Decatur, GA with The Blind Boys of Alabama.
This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. Cookie settingsACCEPT
Privacy & Cookies Policy
Privacy Overview
This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience.
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
