Album Notes

Johnny's Café - Trace Wiren's second full-length solo release - brings her unique brand of 'porch rock' on the road trip. Much like her first acclaimed solo release 'Damn These Plates', Johnny's Café is an eclectic blend of skillfully woven acoustic folk and electric guitar mixed with tough but thoughtfully original lyrics. Once again Trace tapped the talents of many estimable musician friends and ex-bandmates - including Herc (Jerry Joseph, Magstatic) to co-produce and engineer the album, while her 'rock n roll boyfriend' Roger Thom arranged and played drums.

Rising from the ashes of the highly acclaimed SLC band My Sister Jane, Trace has truly come into her own as a musician and singer/songwriter in the last few years, winning both The Helper Arts Festival singer/songwriter contest and receiving an artist grant from the Utah Arts Council and National Endowment for the Arts, not to mention opening for such luminaries as The Samples, Rory Block, Odetta and Pete Seeger to name a few, surprising even herself at times. With influences ranging from Neil Young to Cat Power - and never one to shy away from her southern musical roots, Trace has used everything from gospel choirs to the sound of an old pick up truck to bring her songs to life. In a live setting, Trace Wiren and Her Delightful Band (Karen Ameloot on bass and Roger Thom on drums) have the distinct ability to make any audience feel like pulling up a piece of the porch, passing the jug around, and stomping their feet.

So whether you're driving cross-country with 3 friends and no air conditioning - or chilling out on your own front porch, Johnny's Café is there for you.