Album Notes

The SongDogs are a band based in Berlin and were founded in 1996. The band is named after the Irish novel by Colum McCann. The band's original style is influenced by the eclectic musical backgrounds within the group. Combined, their sound is a fusion of Folk, Rock, Blues and Alternative Country Music.

* Florian "the" Fritsch - vocals, guitars, harp, mandolin
* Sandra Grosser - guitars, accordion, banjo, ukulele, perc., vocals
* Marc Beyer – bass, upright bass, perc., backing vocals
* Jens Hetze - drums, perc., backing vocals
* "Dr." Dirk Ronneburg - fiddle, backing vocals

The SongDogs self-produced CD "Hometown Queens and Bus Stops" (2006) was well received in Germany, especially on the Country Music scene. In addition to the good reviews they were one of four nominated bands for the 'German Country Music Promotion Award' in 2007. Having reached the final stage of the awards, the judges concluded: "Excellent Americana, but not 'Country' enough for this Country-Music Award". The SongDogs agreed. The band extends far beyond this one classification of "Country Music". Expanding their sound even more, the SongDogs were joined by American fiddle player Dirk Ronneburg towards the end of 2007.
The evolution of the band's sound since this new edition can be heard in their new album "Restless no More".

The Music

For the SongDogs sound, the guitars create an interplay of solos and rhythm backing, playing chords and slides as well as blues finger picking. The guitars lay the foundation for the vocals which include both dominant and strong lead vocals as well as harmonic background vocals. The American singer-songwriter-style songs are written in English and take on many different moods. The sound of the SongDogs is completed by a solid bass and precise and imaginative percussion.
Other instruments such as fiddle, mandolin, harp, banjo, accordion and ukulele are also used. These instruments add to the influences from North American Folk traditions found in the band. Although the band members draw from many different musical backgrounds and the instruments from different traditions, the SongDogs tie it all together into a beautifully diverse whole.