Whew! We've been busy busy busy, and it isn't stopping anytime soon. This Saturday, June 7th will find the ladies of Lynch crooning as part of SperryFest at the Museum of Children's Art in Oakland (538 Ninth Street between Washington & Clay (http://www.mocha.org/ and http://sanfrancisco.parentzone.com/eventinfo.asp?id=266226). We'll be embarking on our improvisational karaoke experience - based on Matthew Sperry's composition Treasure Mouth. Join us for the fun. For those of you who are not familiar with Matthew Sperry and his memorial activities, please visit http://matthewsperry.org/. You'll be moved and inspired.

Then it's onto the airwaves Saturday, June 14th as part of infamous KPIG's Citysty Ham Jam - 1510 AM in San Francisco. The Jam starts at 1:00 PM - we are honored to be playing with the talented I See Hawks in LA. Tune in!!!

Loretta will be playing up in the wine country over the Summer Solstice (and likely sampling some fruit of the vine) - then it's back to San Francisco Saturday, June 28th for a gig at the Hemlock Tavern (http://www.hemlocktavern.com/) with that least subdued of dudes (and founding LL member) Joe Rut (www.joerut.com) and purveyors of only the finest hokum The Vultures (www.myspace.com/vaultiers).

And it doesn't stop there! In July, Loretta is pleased as punch to be part of the Bay Area Girls Rock Camp ( http://www.bayareagirlsrockcamp.org/). More to come.

Hope to see you!

love,

Hurrah for Spring! Hurrah for that last gig at the Great American Music Hall, which was the height of fun! Thanks to all of you who helped make it such a successful Saturday night.

Just a heads up that Loretta Lynch will be playing that most intimate of intimate venues (with damn fine food, beer and wine) the Bazaar Café (5927 California Street, between 21st & 22nd Avenue San Francisco - www.bazaarcafe.com ) this upcoming Sunday, April 20th with none other than that elusive and black-garbed barbed-tongued trucking band the Widows as part of Val Esway's Soup and Song series. It's an early show (but don't worry, night owls – we have a really late one coming up soon), starting promptly at 6:00. Yes – it is all ages, and best of all, it's FREE! What a deal. Bring your wallet and your appetite, though, because there is plenty of delicious food and drink to be had.

Hope to see your lovely mugs there.

Abrazos,

To get your tickets early (and we'd love it if you did – it makes us look real good) go to: http://www.gamh.com/tickets/ or call 1-800-225-2277. Dinner tickets (this covers your gourmet meal and a reserved seat at a table for the night) are available as well.

We'll see you there – and we promise a great show!

Love,

It is our pleasure to announce once again that Loretta Lynch will be gracing the stage at San Francisco's Great American Music Hall (59 O'Farrell Street - http://www.musichallsf.com ) Saturday, March 15th. We are honored to be playing this historic, fancy pants venue, and delighted to be sharing the evening with both Devine's Jug Band ( http://www.myspace.com/devinesjugband ) and foot stompin' tear-down act The Stairwell Sisters (http://www.stairwellsisters.com/). The evening is presented by veteran troubadour Jimmy Sweetwater ( http://www.jimsweetwater.com/ ), who, after reveling in the local music scene for a couple of decades sees value in finding ways to mine, meld and display the rich and varied musical acts performing around the Bay. Doors open at 8:00, Devine's Jug Band will begin the evening at 9:00, Loretta will offer up a juicy set followed by the Stairwell Sisters rounding out the evening in their inimitable style.

Tickets can be purchased in advance (and we'd love it if they were – it makes us look real good) at: http://www.gamh.com/tickets/ or by calling 1-800-225-2277. Dinner tickets (this covers your gourmet meal and a reserved seat at a table for the night) are available as well. (A sample dinner menu can be viewed here: http://www.gamh.com/info/dinner%20ticket%20menu.html )

To boot, a smaller subset of LL will be hooting an' hollering live on the air on KALX radio Friday night, February 29th (yes – it's leap year!) sometime after 9:00 with DJ Tumbleweed. 90.7 on your FM dial. Rumor has it there'll be an evening appearance on KPFA in early March – we'll keep you posted.

So mark those calendars (that you've undoubtedly purchased since our last missive) in red, permanent sharpie, dig out your stompiest boots, swab out your ears, listen to the radio and spend a little of that upcoming tax rebate on an evening with Loretta and more at the Great American!

Love,

Loretta

Just a reminder that Loretta Lynch will be playing at the Bazaar Café in San Francisco (5927 California St. between 21st and 22nd Avenues - http://www.bazaarcafe.com) Sunday, January 20th (that's tomorrow night for all you folks who have waited a little too long to get those discount 2008 calendars) with the equally incomparable Nellie Bly and High Diving Horses. The show begins promptly at 6:00 PM, and Loretta will be kicking it off, so come early to get a seat. This intimate venue is really a treat, so treat yourselves.

Speaking of treats - we are delighted to announce that Loretta Lynch will be performing at the Great American Music Hall Saturday, March 15th, with SF's own Stairwell Sisters and the Devine Jug Band. Hunt down those discount calendars (I know Pegasus and Pendragon bookstores have 'em) and mark them!

Love,

Despite the fact that every New Year is the direct descendent of a long line of criminals, we wish you a good one. And now that you have made those New Year's resolutions, we offer you a chance to begin paving the road to hell with them Sunday, January 20th at San Francisco's Bazaar Café (5927 California St. between 21st and 22nd Avenues - http://www.bazaarcafe.com/ ).

It's another – you guessed it – early show with Loretta, starting at 6:00 PM. Joining us will be LA's Nellie Bly, offering their "peculiar blend of creepy and elegant kittle". If you have not seen this duo, you must. If you have seen them previously, we need say no more as we know you will be joining us. The same can be said of High Diving Horses who will charm and mercilessly tickle every bone in your holiday-ravaged body.

The Bazaar Café is kid-friendly, but rest assured that there will be plenty of opportunity to exercise those vices, as the beer and wine will flow much more copiously than the apple juice. And come with an appetite – the food is wonderful, and ranges from delicately seasoned Japanese rice soups (try the one with ginger and smoked salmon, a fave) to pies a la mode. Eat a whole pie! We dare you.

See you there,

Love,

Huge thanks to those of you came out to the Old Western Saloon in Pt. Reyes Station last weekend - and what a treat to play with David Serby and his band. We hope to make that happen again real soon.

Just a heads up that Loretta will be playing early next Thursday night November 15th with the disturbingly enchanting Faun Fables (http://www.faunfables.net) and Venezuelan Yva Las Vegass (http://cdbaby.com/cd/yvalasvegass).

To set the mood, we will be hauling out some of our own more unsettling material - including some new songs - but don't worry too much 'cause we'll be sure to accompany this with some boot stomping (murderously) sweet fare. Keeping the drumbeat will be not-of-this-earth Nathan Moy.

It's a rare local appearance for Faun Fables, so don't miss it. We're playing first, so don't miss us! Come extra early and grab a scrumptious snack before the kitch en closes and the musical feast begins. 9:00.

love,

What next? Why not a trip to lovely Point Reyes? Stop off in Nicasio for a half price pumpkin or two. We're doing it.

Loretta will be performing this Friday night November 2nd at the Old Western Saloon in Pt Reyes Station (http://www.myspace.com/oldwesternsaloon) with talented twanger David Serby and his band. Joining us on the drums will be the gorgeous and dynamic Ingrid Wynden (Lariats of Fire). We'll kick off the evening's entertainment at 9:00.

Hope to see your fine selves there.

Con amor,

Loretta

Once again it's that time of year - time to hold to the moonlight all that makes us miserable, despairing and ... murderous.

Sharpen your teeth and claws, dredge up your worst grudges, hone that dark side (we all possess one - let's honor it) and what the hey - add a few drops of alcohol to the mix as you get whipped up into a frenzy by the short and sweet sounds of Junior Showmanship, The Daisy Pushers (aka our own Val Esway and Joni Davis), The Hollyhocks, Peculiar Pretzelmen, Bob Harp, Joe Rut, Ash Reiter, Happy Clams, 5-Cent Coffee, Harlan Hollander, and Geoff Pond. MC-ing and spinning her intricate tales will be arachnid lover The Spider Ridden Woman (aka Sue Hutchinson).

And of course, there will be Loretta. We'll be spewing songs about trains and blood and guts and weary souls and vengeance, and joined by the talented Ingrid Wynden (Lariats of Fire) on the skins.

Where? The Starry Plough (3101 Shattuck Ave., Berkeley)

When? This Saturday night October 27th, 9:30 sharp

Come costumed, and come for dinner.

Love,

Loretta

Just a nudge for yer memory buckets - Loretta will be playing this Saturday night September 8th at the Hotel Utah (500 4th Street in San Francisco) with the delicious Apple Pie Hopes (http://www.myspace.com/applepiehopes) and that uke-slinging gal Uni and her Ukulele (http://www.unicornbread.com/Unicornbread/Home.html) For a preview of this talented lady you MUST visit: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nOU4ip3PKzo&mode=related&search=

for the waterfall/rollerskate version of Mahalo Maui Rose, complete with happy Muppet back-up singers. We'll be playing the second slot, and celebrating our return to the Utah with a bunch of brand new songs, as well as digging up some older favorites. The show starts at 9 PM sharp.

We are also delighted to be playing on the Mill Valley Arts Festival (http://www.mvfaf.org/) at Old Mill Park in Mil l Valley on the 15th of September - we'll be at the main stage, playing at 2:30. This is a fine 2-day event, where you'll have the opportunity to meet some 150 talented artists exhibiting their work, in addition to enjoying good grub and top-notch entertainment (rumor has it that Yard Sale and Buxter Hoot'n are part of the conspiracy). Reprobates both big and small are welcome. We love the North Bay!

And we'll see you soon.

Love,

Hope you're all enjoying the blazing summer heat, and drinking lots of frosty beer to keep yourselves cool. Soon it'll be time to knock back a few beers with Loretta Lynch at one of our favorite watering holes. We hope you'll join us on Saturday September 8th at the Hotel Utah Saloon for a set of dark and delicious three-part harmony, featuring both fresh new songs and well-seasoned older songs. Joining us will be the inimitable Nathan Moy on drums.

We're particularly pleased to belting out harmonies once again on the sweet stage at the Hotel Utah, for that is where we had our first show more than five years ago, and we're delighted to still be stirring up trouble together after all these years. And, we're looking forward to playing together for at least another fifty years, long after we've

forgotten our own names.

We'll be sharing the bill with the de lightful Apple Pie Hopes. You've just gotta love a band who counts among their influences "...Elvis, Our Mamas, and the Lord, Jesus Christ (A little liquor never hurt now and again neither)...". Yes, we love them already.

But wait, there's more! There's Uni and her Ukulele! She sings, and she slings a ukulele, and she's sweet and lovely too!

Yes, we are delighted to be sandwiched in between these two fine acts, and we shall be even more delighted to sing to your smiling faces. Uni and her Ukulele, Loretta Lynch, and Apple Pie Hopes play the Hotel Utah on Saturday, Sept. 8th, at 9 pm. $6 cover, 21 + over. Hotel Utah is at 500 4th Street in San Francisco.

And even more! We are also pleased as punch to be playing on the Mill Valley Arts Festival (http://www.mvfaf.org/) at Old Mill Park in Mil l Valley on the 15th of September - we'll be at the main stage, playing at 2:30. This is a fine 2-day event, where you'll have the opportunity to meet some 150 talented artists exhibiting their work, in addition to enjoying good grub and top-notch entertainment (rumor has it that Yard Sale and Buxter Hoot'n are part of the conspiracy). Reprobates both big and small are welcome. We love the North Bay!

love,

Just a reminder that Loretta will be plucking and hollerin' at the Elbo Room (647 Valencia St., San Francisco - www.elbo.com) this upcoming Wednesday night, August 22nd. We'll be playing with the fabulous Mia and Jonah (http://www.miaandjonah.com/ ), as well as the Fireball Mailmen (they are red-hot, and have such tight links to the postal service they don't need a website). The show starts at 9 – we'll be playing in the middle.

Also - in case there's any doubt about British good taste - "Concrete and Ether" has gotten a rave review from Americana UK. Check it out at:

http://www.americana-uk.com/auk/modules.php?op=modload&name=Reviews&file=index&req=showcontent&id=3043

It's still summer - come out and play!

Love,

Hard to believe that summer is flying by the way it is. But it is, so get your tails in gear and have some summer fun.

Some opportunities to play coming up:

First - you will not want to miss Loretta Lynch at the Elbo Room (647 Valencia St., San Francisco www.elbo.com) Wednesday, August 22nd with Mia and Jonah (http://www.miaandjonah.com/ ) and the Fireball Mailmen. Loretta is lucky to be joined at this one by the talented John Hanes, who is all over our new cd. (For those of you with Suspicious Minds – Señor “Not of this Earth” Nathan Moy will definitely be back. We won’t let him go, either!)

Secondly - We will be playing the Hotel Utah on September 8th with Apple Pie Hopes (http://www.myspace.com/applepiehopes ) and Uni and her Ukelele - taking that middle section once again.

We'll also be playing the Mill Valley Arts Festival on the 15th of September. We love the North Bay. Sadly, however, rumor has it that after providing 30 years of fine entertainment, the Sweetwater Saloon is in danger of closing, and to add insult to injury the Sweetwater folks have been given 30 days to vacate. Please check out the website and sign the petition to show support. It’s a Bay Area jewel. http://savethesweetwater.com/ <http://savethesweetwater.com/>

On a happier note, thanks to the scores of you who have helped make Loretta Lynch so popular on KALX - we've hit the top o' the Americana charts for July! We're number one - woo hoo! And number 11 for July overall.

We’ll see you soon!

Love,

All of you who missed the unforgettable SF CD release last month at the Du Nord have another chance! Loretta Lynch will be playing this Saturday night, July 21st at the Starry Plough (3101 Shattuck Ave, Berkeley www.starryploughpub.com) with the Peculiar Pretzelmen (www.myspace.com/pretzelmen) and Buxter Hoot'n (www.myspace.com/buxterhootn).

We'll be taking the middle slot starting at 10:30, but even those of you who normally like to be tucked into beddie-by with a glass of warm milk by 8:00 will want to don your lampshades and stay up late for Buxter Hoot'n. We, too, are big fans of the pillow, but even bigger fans of the Pretzelmen and Buxter Hoot’n! We promise a great show with a new song or 2 and fine beverages provided by the Starry Plough bar staff. We will be joined on drums by the incomparable Nathan Moy, who has provided the inspiration behind some of our new music.

Also – Dan Jewett of Oakland Magazine has put together a site Local Sounds http://www.oaklandmagazine.com/media/Oakland-Magazine/Local-Sounds/. These are bands who have been featured in Oakland Magazine. Worth checking out, ‘cuz obviously this editor has taste!

And don’t forget – you can always pick up a copy of “Concrete and Ether” at Amoeba Records in Berkeley.

Love,

Come join us in the North Bay for the KRSH Back Yard BBQ this Thursday, June 21! The event starts at 5:30, and we'll play at 6:00 sharp followed by Chris Webster.

The BBQ will be held at the Station House (3565 Standish Ave. Santa Rosa, CA 94507), and more info can be had at http://www.krsh.com/backyard.html

See you there,

Love,

In addition to the adoption of the US flag, here are some truly momentous events that have occurred on June 14th:

1789 - Whiskey distilled from maize is first produced by American clergyman Rev Elijah Craig.

1872 - Trade unions are legalized in Canada

1907 - Norway adopts female suffrage

1928 - Birth of Che Guevara (you know – the guy on that trendy shirt worn by so many who have no idea whose face it is they're sporting)

1961 – Birth of Boy George (Ok, ok ...)

And to be ...

2007 – CD Release of Loretta Lynch's "Concrete and Ether"!

We'll be waving our own flag for the release of "Concrete and Ether", our third and most demanding baby, at the fabulous Café Du Nord (2170 Market St San Francisco, CA www.cafedunord.com ) next Thursday (yes - that would be June 14th). It's been a long gestation period, and we would love to lift our voices - and a glass or three - with all of you for this one, so please mark your calendars with big fat sharpies. Red ones.

Playing with us will be yodeling cowboy Toshio Hirano (http://www.toshiohirano.com) and the Melee Brothers - with Rob Garner, Bone Cootes, Todd Swenson, Jamie Leece, Charlie Owen, & Alyson Page. This is all part of local troubadour Jimmy Sweetwater's Showcase Special (www.jimsweetwater.com). If we're lucky he'll sit in on a song or 2! The bar is smooth and delicious, as are the drinks that emerge from behind it. Doors open at 8 PM and the show starts at 9 PM.

As an appetizer, folks far and wide can catch us live on KALX Radio 90.7 FM on Tuesday, June 12th at 10 PM, and those in the North Bay can catch us live in Santa Rosa at the KRSH Back Yard BBQ the following week on Thursday, June 21st.

Also - Oakland Magazine likes us so much they have kept us on their front page for June, where LL is the featured local musical act once again at: http://www.oaklandmagazine.com

We do want to christen our new offspring in style and pack the place with all our friends, fans, fiends and family, so come do join us!

To imitate the recent style of our esteemed colleague Joe Rut - June 14th! June 14th! June 14th!

Lots of love,

You may have heard us mention once or twice that we've been working on a brand new CD - well the time is almost here to give it a proper welcome into the world, and we're going to need your help!

So please do mark your calendars and plan to join us on Thursday, June 14th at the Cafe du Nord to celebrate our newest baby - otherwise known as Concrete and Ether.

This fabulous night of music is part of a Jimmy Sweetwater Showcase Special ( http://www.jimsweetwater.com/ ).

We have the honor of playing with darkgrass, yodeling-cowboy singer Toshio Hirano ( http://www.toshiohirano.com ) and the Melee Brothers - seasoned bassist Rob Garner, moody carnivalian barker/guitarist Bone Cootes, Bruce Gordon and Jamie Leece on drums.

Folks far and wide can catch us live on KALX radio 90.7 fm on Tuesday, June 12th, and folks in the North Bay can catch us live in Santa Rosa at the KRSH back yard BBQ on Thursday, June 21st.

Lastly, wander on over to Oakland Magazine, where LL is the featured local musical act this month: http://www.oaklandmagazine.com

Just a reminder that Loretta will be playing in the North Bay this Saturday, May 12th at the Black Cat Bar (10056 Main St, Penngrove, CA, 707.793.9480) with Conception Vessel One (aka Artemis, aka Cello Biafra of the Lemon Lime Lights). The show starts at 9:30 PM, and it's free, which means you can drink more beer. Leave the tots at home, however much they like to drink because it's 21 and over. We have the pleasure of playing this one with drummer extraordinaire Nathan Moy. The man is ultra talented, and has 3 year old twins to add to the fray. We are delighted to be playing with him, and ultimately hope that in time all our kids will be hauling gear for us.

In more news, Loretta Lynch is featured on the front/home page of the Oakland Magazine site. Take a gander at:

http://www.oaklandmagazine.com

And some video footage of the ladies of Lynch singing at the Val Esway and El Mirage CD release at the Hotel Utah, courtesy of our wonderful friends Neo and Davis at Ear Candle Productions:

http://www.earcandleproductions.com/Birds1.mov - if this doesn't work, stay tuned! The site is under construction.

And of course – save the date for our cd release! We'll be playing Thursday, June 14th at San Francisco's acclaimed Café Du Nord as part of a Jimmy Sweetwater Showcase Special ( http://www.jimsweetwater.com/ ). We have the honor of playing with darkgrass, yodeling-cowboy singer Toshio Hirano ( http://www.toshiohirano.com ) and the Melee Brothers - seasoned bassist Rob Garner, moody carnivalian barker/guitarist Bone Cootes and keyboard player Austin Delone (Commander Cody, Nick Lowe).

Headed back to the North Bay later in June for a KRSH radio back yard BBQ ... more about that in due time.

We'll see you very soon!

Love,

Loretta

__._,_.___

We are delighted to announce that after a long gestation period (prefaced by some good hot studio time), Loretta Lynch’s third baby "Concrete and Ether" is ready for distribution! We are doubly happy to report that we will be toasting this new record with a release party Thursday, June 14th at San Francisco's acclaimed Café du Nord as part of a Jimmy Sweetwater Showcase Special ( http://www.jimsweetwater.com/ ). We have the honor of playing with darkgrass, yodeling-cowboy singer Toshio Hirano ( http://www.toshiohirano.com ) and the Melee Brothers - seasoned bassist Rob Garner, moody carnivalian barker/guitarist Bone Cootes and keyboard player Austin Delone (Commander Cody, Nick Lowe). SAVE THE DATE! We want to pack the place with peeps, and we know we can.

BUT FIRST ... Join us in the North Bay Saturday, May 12th at the North Bay’s bohemian Black Cat Bar (10056 Main St, Penngrove, CA, 707.793.9480) for an evening shared with Conception Vessel One ( http://www.conceptionvesselone.com ). CV1 is solo vocal/cello performance by Lemon Lime Lights singer, cellist, tap dancer extraordinaire. Yo Ma-Ma! Not to be missed.

See you all soon!

Love,

The Ides of March are once again upon us ...

Just a reminder that Loretta will be playing an early, all-acoustic set at SF's infamous Bazaar Café (5927 California Street, between 21st & 22nd Avenues) this Friday night, March 16th with Danny Allen's High Diving Horses (www.dannyallenmusic.com).

A special prize to the first person who can tell us the origin of the Ides (and pointedly of March) during our set at the Bazaar. We promise there won't be any reenactment, unless one of you has been particularly bad.

FYI, the Bazaar Café has delicious food as well as thirst-quenching beer and delectable wine, so bring your appetite! Bring the kids, too as it’s an early show - the music should start at 7:00 PM. Hooray!

Love,

Loretta

Nice to see the throngs out at Val and El Mirage's CD release the other week – an unforgettable night. The wind did blow, the whiskey did flow and what a show! Looks like there are many more to come.

The Widows are Back in that dark color once again - this time mourning not only their dead trucker husbands but the imminent move of Widder Camille (Pick'n Trix, The Wenches) to Austin, TX. We are gonna raise funds to help Camille’s lovely butt get there, howl at the moon and celebrate with another lively wake and fluid-filled farewell this Friday, March 9th at the Koi Pond. The show starts early with Dandeline (our own Dan Olmsted and the talented Sheila Schat) at 8:30 PM sharp, and in addition to the wild (if weepy) Widows features Sean Corkery and ... a rare Ramona the Pest reunion! For the address and/or directions to the East Bay's Koi Pond speakeasy or more information, you can email: staggeringsiren@gmail.com .

As if that weren’t enough, Loretta Lynch will be playing an early all-acoustic show in San Francisco the following Friday, March 16th at the Bazaar Café (5927 California Street, between 21st & 22nd Avenues) opening for the High Diving Horses

(http://www.dannyallenmusic.com/. Stay tuned for more details.

Spring is in the air!

Loretta Lynch will be making some early appearances this month, on the East and West sides of the Bay. We want to be as accommodating as possible. Because that's the kind of band we are.

We have the pleasure of playing Annie's Social Club (917 Folsom St. @ 5th. St., San Francisco - formerly the Covered Wagon – www.anniessocialclub.com ) this upcoming Sunday, January 14th. It's a double treat to be playing for ASC's 1st Anniversary, with SF's own the Whoreshoes and Indierockers the Pinks. This will be an early show – starting at 5:00 PM, so come for those much-needed, start-of-the-brand-new-year cocktails and be home to tuck yourselves in bed at an hour graceful enough to start making Santa think you're good.

Following this will be a show Saturday, January 20th at the Epic Arts Tea Room (1923 Ashby Ave, Berkeley - www.epicarts.org). We'll be starting (you guessed it) - early – at 8:30 PM sharp for a short set followed by Holler Town, aka the Donny and Marie of the Bay. Intrigued? Indeed – they are a fine duo with years logged in other well-known musical outfits, like the Real Sippin' Whiskeys, Firecracker and the Twisted Stitches. Then, if you all misbehave enough, Loretta will serenade you with some more old and new songs and gently usher you out the door to complete the rest of your Saturday night crimes.

We'd love to see your smiling faces and wish you a happy New Year in person, so come on down.

Love,

Season's Greetings to the lot of you, and congrats to Val Esway and El Mirage for the release of "Pretend to Believe". Make sure to mark your calendars for February 24th, when Val and El Mirage will officially celebrate this recording with a show at the Hotel Utah. Rumor has it that there will be many special guests, to boot*, including the great Joe Rut (formerly with Loretta Lynch), The Shut Ins, Jason Kleinburg and 20 Minute Loop. Star studded. Don't miss it!

In the meantime, there are plenty of reasons to come to North Berkeley this Saturday, Dec 16th in the afternoon. You can sample some fresh hot cheese bread at the Cheese Board, have a martini at Cesar's, run around with your pants on fire getting last minute gifts (or frown reproachfully at those who are) and ... get a free earful of Loretta Lynch hollering. All on the same block! Loretta will be playing outside from 2 - 4 PM either in front of the Cheese Board or across the street in front of the Post Office (1521 Shattuck) depending on our whim. Any way you look at it, Shattuck between Cedar and Vine is the place to be Saturday afternoon.

And keep those raw ears peeled, ‘cause Loretta will be announcing our own cd release. Soon soon soon.

Love and Peace,

Loretta

… Especially for those of us who are celebrating the marked blows to the neo-con agenda. Hurrah!

Nice to see many of you at the Murder Ballads show on the 28th. We have been hunkering down and working on finishing touches to the cd, as well as playing a few (really great!) private parties; it was a treat to get on the Starry Plough stage 'cause we shared it with so many uniquely talented acts and got to sing a truly creepy new song.

Loretta will be playing the Riptide Bar and Tavern (3639 Taraval at 47th, San Francisco http://www.riptidesf.com/) on Saturday the 18th of this month. Dubbed "San Francisco's Tahoe by the Sea", the Riptide offers rustic brick floors and high ceilings and a roaring fireplace in addition to what some consider to be the best bar staff in town. And definitely the best music.

As if all that weren't incentive enough, we will be playing with the fabulous ladies of Yard Sale. Music to bake pies by - or drink lots of beer and stomp your feet. Music begins at 9:30.

See you there!

Hola amigos y amigas mysteriosos -

Loretta Lynch will be opening this Saturday night, September 9th at the Pyramid Brewery and Epic Art's Outdoor Cinema Series (http://epicarts.org/cinema/) for Alfred Hitchcock's film Notorious. Come listen to the señoras y señor of Loretta, then sample sumptuous scenes with Ingrid Bergman and Cary Grant as they sizzle the screen. As if they weren't enough, the great Claude Rains sure ain't invisible in this one.

Audience members are requested to bring their own outdoor seating, so out with the lawnchairs, throws, Astroturf, pink flamingos and houseplants. Hell! Recreate your living room if you like. We dare you. In fact – the most elaborate and lovely seating area will receive from us a one-of-a-kind vintage Loretta Lynch shirt or apron.

The Pyramid Brewery is located at: 901 Gilman Street in Berkeley (at 8th and Gilman, phone: 510/528-9880 ). Doors will open at 7:00 PM, music starts at 7:30, and the film begins at 8:30. Pyramid beers and Thomas Kemper root beer on tap and a full menu available all night. $5 suggested donation and beer sales help benefit Epic Arts' ongoing community arts programming. No one turned away for lack of funds.

We'll see you there!

Love,

Loretta

Hope your summers have been fine as frog's hair - ours have been fast and furious! We have been busy in the studio mixing with the talented Wally McClellan of the Wally Sound (http://www.wallysound.com/) as well as adding background vocals to the Underground Americana of Jesse Denatale ( http://www.jessedenatale.com/ ). Thanks to those of you who came to see the ladies of Lynch at the Great American Music Hall for Jesse's CD release.

We are happy to announce that Val, Heather and the rest of the Widows are Back in Black this Wednesday (does anyone still call it hump day?) night at Ashkenaz (1317 San Pablo Ave, Berkeley showline: 510/525-5054) playing with the impish Pickin Trix and Northern Cal Porch band Stiff Dead Cat. Those who haven’t been to Ashkenaz in a while will be pleased. The sound system is fantastic, and food and drink are plentiful. Come eat some fine organic grub, swill organic beer and Get your Truck on! Doors at 8:30 pm; Show at 9:00 pm.

Also, don’t miss Ari lending her siren sounds to Faun Fables this Friday August 18th at 12 Galaxies (2565 Mission, San Francisco 415-970-9777) along with Loop Station and Baby Dee ... Show at 9 pm.

And mark your calendars now! Loretta Lynch will be back in full swing starting September 9th at the Pyramid Brewery and Epic Art’s Outdoor Cinema Series (http://epicarts.org/cinema/ ). We’ll be playing a healthy set before the screening of Hitchcock’s classic “Notorious”. Audience members are requested to bring their own seating, so out with the lawn chairs, ping flamingos and house plants. Hell! Recreate your living room if you like. We’d like. More details to come.

We’ll see you soon!

Love,

So glad to see all of you who came out to SF’s infamous House of Shields ... What a treat. Nice to be able to pop over the road to the Palace Hotel and check out that fine Maxfield Parrish mural as well.

You Eastbaynians will be happy to hear that Loretta Lynch will be playing the right-hand side of the puddle once again at the Starry Plough (3101 Shattuck Ave, Berkeley) Friday night June 9th. The event is an ALL AGES and EARLY one (starting at 7:30), the wee ones are welcome till 10:00 and, sponsored by Rockermoms Against Childhood Diseases will be both a round-up of bands whose members include at least one Mama and a benefit for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and St. Jude Hospital for Children.

Joining Loretta will be: RIP Johnny, In Therapy, Tiffany Petrossi and Jennafer Clingingsmith - Loretta will play at 9:00 and may expel a new song or two. There will be a raffle with prizes, to boot! For more info about this event and Rockermoms Against Childhood Diseases, visit:

www.rockermomsacd.com

As far as we know, the full-body post-partum epidural is as of yet unavailable, so a bit of the brew will have to suffice. Come on down, tap your toes and drink beer with the kiddies, for the kiddies.

Love,

Greetings to the lot of you! Glad so many of you were able to join us for the glitzy soirée and Dollybird's Candy Lounge. Thanks again to the lovely Emma for hosting us - and for providing such fine wine and fancy décor.

For those of you who prefer the beer-swillin' bar scene with your Lynch music – an opportunity is yours! Loretta will be playing Saturday, April 29th at one of San Francisco's oldest bars - the House of Shields (39 New Montgomery St. San Francisco - www.houseofshields.com). Opened in 1908, the only changes that have occurred since are that they've added barstools and stopped scattering sawdust on the floor. And, of course, that they are hosting such degenerate bands as ourselves - perhaps we'll convince them that scattering sawdust again would be a good idea.

You’ll be hearing some new songs scattered in amongst the old – guaranteed to be both whiskey-soaked and maybe even a little raunchy ...

Sharing the bill will be sultry vocalist Datri Bean (www.datribean.com), as well as country duo Pelusa (www.pelusaband.com), both touring from Seattle.

Come on down, stomp your feet and demand the sawdust!

Love,

Loretta

PS – Val Esway and El Mirage will be playing the Amnesia Bar (853 Valencia, between 19th and 20th) Thursday, April 27th. All you who need a fix of some trucking tunes – don’t despair! The Widows are making one of their rare appearances that night, too, as well as Bermuda Triangle Service. An opportunity to see Val and Heather grieving and wailing – and likely drowning their sorrows, to boot.

You ... Yes, YOU are cordially invited to bring your lovely selves to:

An intimate gathering and performance with Loretta Lynch at the incomparably groovy and irreverent Dollybird Store and Gallery (2522 San Pablo Avenue Berkeley (510) 540 7255) Friday, March 31st at 7:30 PM.

For those of you not in the know, Dollybird is the ultrahip brainchild of photographer and glamour queen Emma. Looking for that Sex Pistols onesie for your friend's brand new little reprobate? A squid-shaped wire whisk? Or do you just need healthy (and sumptuous) dose of hot pink and glitter? Hello! Dollybird is the the place for all thesemostly handcrafted goodies and more ... A stylistic match for Loretta, to boot. Fancy dresses and fishnets may just be in order for the gals.

Emma has graciously offered her upstairs gallery space to host this special show in support of our in-progress CD, and if we are lucky, she may have on display an exhibit of exquisite photos from Brazil (frames designed and built by our own Joe Rut!) A $10 donation is suggested.

SPACE IS VERY LIMITED, making this event necessarily exclusive. PLEASE RSVP to info@Lorettalynching.com ASAP to let us know you are coming (and also if something comes up so we can make the space available to others).

Sooo - Don that gold lamé. Drape yourselves in feathers and finery, and celebrate with us.

See you there!

Love,

Loretta

PS - Wine and cheese will be available.

PPS - A prize will be awarded for the most glamorous outfit, so don't

Please join us on Friday, March 17 at Epic Arts Teahouse (1923 Ashby in Berkeley, across the street from the Ashby BART).

Here are just a few reasons why you should come to the show:

1. What we lack in eloquence and wit, we're sure to make up for with good old fashioned entertainment and perhaps a bit of charm.

2. Also on the bill, all the way from Canada, is the multi-talented Bob Wiseman. Talk about entertainment - just take a visit to Bob's site to get a little peak. http://www.bobwiseman.ca

3. We are truly excited to be sharing the stage w/ Bob, as well a special guest - siren Lea Abramson: http://www.leahabramson.com/

4. Val is now joyfully reunited with her bass!

5. It's St. Patrick's Day, and in the world of Loretta Lynch, that means...WHISKEY!

7. You should come to the show cause it's a lot more fun playing in front of a real live audience!

8. And lastly, if you DON'T come to the show, you will miss out on possibly being the audience member selected to be our very special guest "stick whacker". Ahem. As in, whacking the wooden spoon against the mic stand in a rhythmic fashion. We NEED you! Do it for the music, man.

Till we meet again, may the world be kind to you.

Love,

Much is brewing for the spring - more news will be coming, so keep your ears to the ground and your beer mugs raised.

In the meantime, come on down to the Stork Club (2330 Telegraph Ave., Oakland) this Friday night January 27th for the reunion of that all gal trucking band The Widows! Their late husbands were all truck drivers, tragically killed on the road. What's a widder to do but form a band!! Coming out of mourning for their first reunion in nearly two years, these six women have been wed to a wide variety of bay area groups, including of course Loretta Lynch, Ramona the Pest, Yard Sale, Pickin' Trix, the Cat Heads, The Hanes Family, Bermuda Triangle Service, and more. No more double nickeling with the better half for them... it's triple digit ride all the way!

http://www.storkcluboakland.com/Flyers/2006/SE_3%20faces%20of%20Evil.html

They will be taking the middle slot to support Canadian Carolyn Mark's Three Faces of Evil cabaret tour. Also on this bill are Pink Sabbath. These gals do 'dulcet originals and painstakingly-chosen covers from throwback sex machines like Billy Idol, Jon Bon Jovi, Ozzy, Steve Perry, Billy Squire, etc ...

Friday, 1/27

Stork Club

2330 Telegraph Avenue, Oakland

Carolyn Mark/Amy Honey/Lily Fawn

The Widows

Pink Sabbath

See you there!

Love,

Those of you who haven't recovered from your New Year's Eve hangovers are in luck. Despite it being Friday the 13th, your first chance of the year for some hair of the dog with Loretta is finally here - at the Starry Plough (3101 Shattuck, Berkeley) with the Pickin Trix and the Meat Purveyors. Loretta will be playing second slot, but don't miss those Pickin Trix! We've been busy as alley cats in a fish market picking and yowling in the recording studio, so we promise we'll play some of those songs we've been tearing up particularly well, and we'll have the multitalented Dan O and Kathy McVey joining us, so come on down and park your boots. That's January 13th, for those of you who remain truly groggy.

Speaking of parking ... That good ol' gal trucking supergroup the Widows will be donning their black veils and mourning publicly once again at the Stork Club Friday, January 27th. These widows have been wed to a wide variety of bay area bands, including Ramona the Pest, Yard Sale, Loretta Lynch, Pickin' Trix, the Hanes Family, the Bedlam Rovers and more. Come for your gear-jammin' double-clutchin' pill-poppin' music fix!

We'll see you there!

Love,

Loretta

p.s. don't forget to check out www.myspace.com/lorettalynch to hear some unreleased a capella tracks - be our friend!

Well the album is not exactly born yet, but we are in the birthing process!

We just spent the last two days laying down basic tracks for our forthcoming newest baby...of the recorded variety that is... and we are off to a tasty start.

We're laying low for awhile as far as shows go, but do mark your calendars for our next show on Friday January 13 at the Starry Plough w/ our pals the Pickin' Trix and Bloodshot recording artists the Meat Purveyors.

That's it for now; hope everybody is well, and do drop us a line any old time!

xoxo

First of all, thanks to the scores of you who came out to Valapalooza (thanks, Michael) in August – it was a smashing success, and what an incredible opportunity to see so many talented bands. To boot, it was the social debut for Lily, the littlest cowgirl of the bunch.

Soooooo … Fall is here, leaves are twinkling down (at least as much as they do here in the Bay Area — rumor has it Carleton St. in West Berkeley has a bit o’ color going on) and once again it marks the return of Loretta. The Mother Loads can’t seem to keep us reigned in for too long, because we have been quite active.

Amongst the activities:

Loretta has been laying down the la la! The Ladies of Lynch hauled butt down to El Mundo Bueno Studios and recorded an a capella 5-song demo a few weeks back. Some songs traditional, some morbid and saucy. What? How can you get this limited edition masterpiece? Come visit us! Read on, amigos.

Join an intimate version of Loretta at the East Bay’s best intimate venue – the Epic Arts Tearoom (1923 Ashby Ave, Berkeley) on Friday, October 21st! Joining us for part 2 of Val’s Acoustic Onslaught series will be Jen Scaffidi riding in all the way from Reno, and the debut of Rooftop Rodeo, featuring the steamy vocals and sizzling guitar licks of Elizabeth August and Jon Fonseca. Loretta will be graced once again with the guitar talents of the mighty Dan Olmsted.

Then … you know you’ve been waiting for it … we’ll be playing the fourth quasi-annual Murder Ballad Bash at the Starry Plough Saturday, October 29th. Murder! Misery! Despair! Loretta will be joining eleven Bay Area bands and solo artists, each having written a macabre melody to debut. Loretta will be playing in full force, aided and abetted by Dan O shredding the guitar, Kathy McVey masterfully monstering the bass and Jefferey Ruiz on skins. Rumor has it that Val will be back tearing hearts out and making feet stomp on guitar and bass, to boot. The show starts at 9:30 PM and Loretta will be playing early, so be there in time to grab a beer and a good spot. For more complete info about the show and much much more, visit Val’s website at http://www.staggeringsiren.com.

That’s the skinny for now … see you soon! Or else.

BWAH ha ha ha,

September sure did creep up on us all. This is a teeny tiny update to say that more news is coming soon! We've gotta tell you about a couple of shows and a new recording in the works, so please do stay tuned!

xoxo

Love,

We're delighted to announce that Ms. Lily Davison Borrill arrived safely on July 13th, to an adoring fan club of family & friends, and what a beautiful and perfect creature she is. Welcome, Lily! And congrats to Heather and Julian!

As for the ladies of Loretta Lynch, we recently lent some vocal harmonies to Jesse DeNatale for his upcoming release, so keep your ears peeled for it!

We're soon to be doing some recording of our own and are very excited to get back into the studio, and just generally back in the saddle! Rumour has it we'll be playing a show or two in the Fall, so stay tuned for details.

In other news, there's going to be a Star Studded Benefit on August 13th for LL's own Ms. Val Esway, to help cover some of her recent medical expenses, and it's going to be a great night of music, so please do check it out. We're also very happy to report that Val is feeling better and stronger and plans to be joyfully reunited with her bass in the Fall...yippee!!!

You can also catch Val and El Mirage at the Starry Plough on August 19th, opening for Wayne the Train Hancock That's all the news for now. Thanks for visiting, and feel free to drop a line to lorettalynching@yahoo.com.

xoxo

For those of you who have not gotten the chance to see Loretta play in some time - you're in luck! Loretta will be making good use of the stage at the Starry Plough on Saturday, June 18th. We are playing (appropriately enough considering the melon Heather is carrying around) with the incomparable Bellyachers (www.thebellyachers.com) as well as SF’s twang-rooted indy-rockers The Famous (www.thefamous.net). Joining Loretta once again will be the ultracool Kathy McVey on bass, to add to the stylings of Dan Olmsted on guitar and Jeffery Ruiz on the skins. A fine line up for a sure-to-be-balmy Saturday night, with the Famous opening, Loretta taking the middle slot and closing with the Bellyachers.

We plan on unveiling a new song or two as well as airing out some older tunes - this will likely be the last show for a coupla months while we welcome the littlest cowgirl into the corral, and there are bound to be surprises. Hell - Heather could even go into labor. The entertainment possibilities abound, so don’t miss it!

Val's solo CD "Lovers Losers Liars" continues to get rave reviews - if you haven't picked up a copy yet, do so now! You can get it easily either at the show, or ordering via email at: www.staggeringsiren.com/music/

Many of you may know that Val is recovering from a car accident she was in many months ago. The process of healing has been really slow, and has physically required not only putting away her guitar and bass for the time being and taking a break from work, but also undergoing countless hours of acupuncture and physical therapy. Additionally, the ordeal has translated to thousands and thousands of dollars out of her pocket for this treatment, so CD sales are more vital than ever before. Get your hands on a copy while you can! An evening of fine entertainment to benefit our lovely siren and help cover her medical bills is in the works, so we’ll keep you posted. In the meantime, you can help out by getting a “Lovers Losers Liars” CD. You’ll be really delighted that you did.

So come on down to the Starry Plough on June 18th. Chew some food, quaff a beer, gawk at the sheer size of Heather’s belly and support some of the Bay Area’s finest and most dedicated musicians.

We’ll see you there!

Love,

Thanks as well to the hordes who made it out for Val's "Lover's Losers Liars" CD release at Epic Arts on Saturday night. It was an unforgettable evening! And we love it when you sing along ... who knew so many people were "So Lonesome"?

Get out your datebooks, cause Loretta will be appearing at 12 Galaxies in SF (2565 Mission between 21st and 22nd - www.12galaxies.com) on Wednesday, May 4th. We are delighted to be playing with AJ Roach (plus another special guest, TBA ...), and will be going on first this evening at 9:00 sharp so grab your seats early. The fabuloso Jeffery Ruiz will be joining us on the skins, DanO Olmsted on guitar, and once again we have the buena fortuna to be playing with Kathy McVey on bass. We'll be offering up some of those new songs, as well as some you may not have heard in a while. Speaking of offering up, this fancy-pants venue serves a sampling of fine bar food as well as pool tables on the mezzanine level, so you can whet your whistle, snack away and whip your best friend's butt on the green felt between acts. How can you resist?

We'll be playing the East Bay in June - then off for a short while to make room for another li’l howler monkey. More on that soon.

See you at 12 Galaxies!

Love,

The ides of March are almost upon us, and in response a lot has been brewing in Lorettatown ...

First – quench your thirst and haul yerselves to the Odeon Bar (3223 Mission (at Valencia in San Francisco) for a hoedown on Saturday, March 26th! Do the Resurrection Revels* with us this Easter Weekend when Loretta will be graced not only with the stylings of Jeffery Ruiz (aka Bristle J) on drums and Dan Olmsted on geetar, but also the ultra-talented Kathy McVey on bass! To boot, we will be playing with Denise Funari and Melanie De Giovanni of Yard Sale, and rumor has it that the ghost of that trucker band the Widows may haunt the bar that night. Also appearing will be another special guest – and we’ll be offering up some new melodies ... stay tuned for more ....

Secondly - Val Esway’s acoustic showcase begins this Saturday night March 12th at Epic Arts (1923 Ashby, Berkeley), where she will be joined by The Great Auk, featuring Bernie Jungle & Carrie Bradley, and LA’s Ladytown, a.k.a. Sarah Coleman. Not to be missed!

Thirdly – mark your calendar for the upcoming CD release party for Val’s new recording Lovers Losers Liars (at Epic Arts Saturday, April 16th). The evening's festivities will also include the debut of El Mirage, as well as solo performances by our own Jefferey Dean Ruiz (the aforementioned Bristle J) and the lovely and talented Denise Funari (Yard Sale, Ruby, Sapphire and the Family Jewels, The Widows).

So much reason to tap yer toes! And we’ll let you in on another secret – that ain’t a honeydew that Heather swallered – it’s a li’l girl. Due in late June or early July. A imminent stepdancer or kickboxer, judging by her infernal internal behavior. And the li’l buckaroo apparently needed a playmate. (So just what have those Loretta Lynchers been drinkin’??? And is it contagious? We dare you to come find out.)

We have a few more shows planned in the meantime, so keep your ears to the ground and your eyes peeled.

We’ll see your fine selves soon!

Love,

Loretta

A happy 2005 to the lot of you ... and let's hope it has better to offer this world than 2004.

In addition to the election results, the continuing violence around the world and the disaster of the tsunami, our friend Bob Fabian passed away in early December of last year. Bob was a thoughtful and compassionate man active in many arenas, including politics and environmentalism. Also a fine musician, he was an avid and faithful supporter of many others in the Bay Area, including Loretta Lynch, Val Esway and the Hanes Family. His sweet presence will be very much missed in this world.

We're pleased to announce that Loretta will finally be playing once again on Friday, February 4th at the Epic Arts Teahouse (1923 Ashby Ave, Berkeley) with Sacramento's premier pop trickster, Anton Barbeau. We'll be playing some songs we haven't crooned for a loooong time, so dust off those old memory caps and jam 'em on. Your ears can come for the music, your eyes for the fine art, and your stomachs for the fresh baked brownies (and of course plenty of beer and wine and sweet sweet caffeine.)

And just to let you know, we may have been laying low, but we've been busy! We have some new tunes (inspired by the finer aspects of 2004), and Val has been hard at work on her solo album, which will be released April 16th. She will also be hosting an acoustic series at the Teahouse, starting March 12th, so mark your calendars ...

That's all for now - stay tuned, however, cause there's much more to come. We're gearing up for the Spring!

Love,

You are by no means alone. This is the saving grace. We are here, and we have to be loud - and continue to proclaim our freedom and convictions with all the heart and mind, creativity, irreverent humor and fierce joy we possess. And definitely with our music.

That being said, Loretta (graced with the guitar stylings of Dan Olmsted and drumbeats of Bristle J, aka Jefferey Ruiz) will be playing this coming Friday, November 12th at the Epic Arts Tearoom (1923 Ashby Ave, Berkeley) with the always entertaining Anton Barbeau. Doors open at 8:00.

We'd love to see you there.

Gnashing our teeth, and plotting change bit by bit,

What more could we ask for? ... OK - we never thought we would label a cowboy and his posse unfit to do anything, but this Texas Nut Case and his powerful' evil cabinet need to MOVE ALONG! We have some suggestions as to where, but we are too well-mannered (at this very moment) to post them.

We are happy to announce that Loretta Lynch has a few upcoming shows – all wildly different settings, and all graced by the talents of the three ladies of Lynch, Bristle J (aka Jeffery Ruiz) on the skins and Dan Olmsted on lead guitar. Two are benefits to urge folks to both REGISTER to vote and then DO IT!

Benefit #1 - Sunday afternoon, October 17th 1 PM - 5PM at Alliance Graphics (905 Parker St in Berkeley). We're delighted to be playing with the Pickin' Trix, and hold your hats ‘cause there are sure to be plenty of other special guests. Food and drink will abound, and proceeds will go to Americans Coming Together (ACT).

Benefit #2 – Monday evening, October 18th at the Elbo Room  (647 Valencia, SF 415.552-7788) with Etienne de Rocher, Joe Rohan and Mokai as part of CC’s Acoustic Underground Showcase- (CAUSE) supporting further efforts to get Bush out by getting out the vote! www.cause-music.com $5 - Doors open at 8 PM.  *** Loretta has the opportunity to receive 4 free hours of recording time from EMB Studios to etch our howling in perpetuity, so please mention that you are here to see Loretta at the door!

#3 – Friday, November 12th at the Epic Arts Teahouse (1923 Ashby, Berkeley 510.644-2204). Not a “benefit” per se, but you’ll surely benefit from being there, as we’ll be sharing the bill with the always entertaining psychedelic popster Anton Barbeau. With hard work and votes, and assuming no election fraud this round, this could be an opportunity to toast the future sans our current national embarrassment. Once again, the gates open at 8 PM.

So there you have it. Come one, come all – and all of you who can, haul yer sorry butts to the polls

November 2nd!

Amor y rabio,

We're playing a last minute house concert, and we'd love to have you there, so read on for details.

Loretta Lynch is getting back in the saddle for a very special and intimate evening of music at a house concert with the fabulous Nellie Bly duo (http://www.breech.net/sub/nelli e.html) on Saturday, September 4 at 8:00 pm, and we hope you'll join us!

Loretta Lynch's own Heather & her sweetheart Julian have graciously agreed to host a living room concert at their abode in Oakland, which will provide the perfect setting for you to enjoy an excellent evening of fine music.

Those of you who caught Nellie Bly last Feb. at the Teahouse will no doubt be anxious to be blown away again, and those who didn't will surely want to catch them this time around!

Loretta Lynch is looking forward to serenading you again, so we hope you'll join us!

Thanks to all of you for your kind thoughts and well wishes. Till next time, cheers!

Love,

But hold onto your hats, 'cause the various members of the band still have plenty of irons in the fire to keep 'em busy, and to keep you entertained!

Read on to find out where you can find Val, Heather, Dan-o & our old pal Joe Rut playing music in different combinations.

1. Val's got solo shows and a web site of her own!

2. Joe Rut plays a Spikedriver's reunion this Saturday night!

3. Dan-o plays sweet acoustic music with Dandeline!

4. Heather plays with dysfunctional unit The Hanes Family!

5. Val & Heather team up with members of the Pickin' Trix & Yard Sale to form The Widows -- with at least one very special show on June 12th!

***

Val's soon to be recording an album of brand new material for your listening enjoyment, with sibling/audio wizard Ricardo Esway tweaking the knobs, and some very special guests lending their talents.

In the meantime, you can hear these songs at Val's solo shows:

Sat. April 10th Val shares the stage with local sirens Karry Walker and Kim Norlen at the Epic Arts Teahouse in Berkeley.

Sun. April 18th Val shares the stage with the always delightful Dandeline at the Bazaar Cafe in SF.

You can find out details about these shows + more at www.staggeringsiren.com, and if you'd like to be added to Val's mailing list to remain updated about all of Val's musical adventures, drop a line to staggeringsiren@earthlink.net

***

Joe Rut plays a Spikedriver's reunion this Saturday night! If you're jonesing for your Joe Rut gee-tar pickin' fix, jones no more. Just go on down to the Starry Plough this Saturday April 10th (right after Val's show at the Teahouse, now there's a plan!) and stomp your feet to the swingin' sounds of the Spikedrivers. More info. about this on the shows page.

***

Dan-o plays sweet acoustic music with Dandeline! That's right, you already know that Dan shreds the electric guitar, but now you can hear him pluck the acoustic guitar as only he can, and sing dark and lovely tales in harmony with musical co-conspirator Sheila Schat on violin & cello. Dandeline will alternate sets with Val at the Bazaar Cafe on Sunday, April 18th for an early evening show. More info. about this on the shows page.

***

Heather and the Hanes Family (heirs to an underwear empire) are please to offer up traditional and original songs about the highwaymen, hobos, femme fetales, forlorn-losers-in-love and god-forsaken believers who inhabit the dark side of every mountain. At the Epic Arts Teahouse, Saturday, April 24th, opening will be Amy and Karen. www.thehanesfamily.com

***

Ladies and gentlemen, meet The Widows! Val & Heather will team up with members of the Pickin' Trix and Yard Sale to perform songs about truckin' at Thee Parkside on June 12 -- rumour has it that there may even be two Widows shows on the same date, so stay tuned for more details about this -- you won't want to miss it!

Thanks for your time and attention, and thanks to everyone for your well wishes to the lovely Ari, who is certain to give birth at any moment! Don't be a stranger now, and we won't be strangers either! We cannot promise however, that we won't be strange!

Cheers from us to you.

Love,

Thanks to everyone who joined us for a wonderful show at the Starry Plough recently. We hope you'll also join us for a special show at the Oakland Metro on Saturday April 3rd, as we'll be sharing the stage with two of our favorite local bands -- Dave Gleason's Wasted Days & Smelly Kelly's Plain High Drifters.

The Metro is a sweet listening environment and just a cool place overall, and this is going to be a great night of music!

Just a reminder to all of you fine folks with modern technology that Loretta Lynch will be performing on the airwaves at the Bay Area's very own KALX - that's 90.7 on your radio's dial - this Saturday night March 6th from 9:00 to 10:30 PM.

You, too, can keep your troublesome tush glued fast to your couch or car seat and listen to Loretta Live! Eat popcorn and swill beer, do those dishes, darn your socks - hell, you can even pluck your nose hairs while you're listening, and no one will be the wiser. You may not want to, though,

'cause the sweet harmonies and caterwauling will be enough on their own to bring tears to your eyes ...

What? You can't get KALX cause you live far away? Not to fear. Tune in on the web

at http://kalx.berkeley.edu/

Joining us will be drummer and paragon of fine fashion Jeffery Ruiz, (aka Bristle J) in addition to the incomparable Dan Olmsted on geetar. Surf's up at the ranch! So give a listen, and tell a friend.

Also - mark your calendars for Thursday, March 11th at the Starry Plough (3101 Shattuck Ave at Prince, Berkeley) - a last chance to see Loretta perform before Ari catches the fast train to motherhood. We've been watching the little upcoming buckaroo - we think he could be a drummer by virtue of his activity level. The opportunity to Shop and Drink will be availed as well, as playing with us will be the fine femme country trio Yardsale and the Real Sippin' Whiskeys. Prizes will be given! More details to come ...

xo,

February is flying by – copious thanks to those who came out to Biscuits and

Blues Tuesday night. Loretta’s first foray into San Francisco’s Touristville

was a great success, and this fine club lived up to it’s name in offering

the best damn biscuits (and catfish, too!) we’ve ever had.

We want to remind folks that soon Loretta will be taking a bit of a hiatus

as the lovely Ari prepares the way for the upcoming littlest buckaroo ...

until then, however, there are a few more chances to hear us caterwaul in

three-part harmony.

Chance #1 - The three ladies of Lynch will be offering up Valentine's Day

lashings and lamentations this Saturday, February 14th at the Epic Arts

Teahouse accompanying the East Bay's own Bellyachers and LA's Nelly Bly. Cry

into your beer, whine into your wine or wail into your whiskey (rumour has

it that whiskey may may make a command appearance) and soak up songs

inspired by love, the lack of love and lots of liquor.

Red will be the color of choice - a prize will be issued for the person

wearing the most red ... who can prove it (Aunt Flo doesn't count). The Epic

Arts Teahouse is across from Ashby BART at 1923 Ashby in Berkeley. The show

will be begin at 8:30,

Chance #2 - Come join Loretta at the badass Odeon Bar in San Francisco

(3223 Mission @ Valencia (415) 550-6994) for an early show Friday, February 20th.

We will be playing with the Santa Fe’s badder ass vagabonds the Dolly Ranchers

(www.thedollyranchers.com), in town on the West Coast segment of their tour.

Loretta is delighted to have the great Dan Olmsted on guest guitar this

evening, along with the extraordinary Jeffery Ruiz on drums. ** Please note that this is an EARLY show – doors open at 7:30, and please don't forget to mention that you’re there to hear LL and the DRs as you surrender your 5 clams. Not to be missed!

Chance #3 - Saturday, March 6 at 9pm, tune your radio to our favorite station & listen to us live on KALX 90.7 fm. Enjoy a rare opportunity to hear us live in your home or vehicle!

Chance #4 – Thursday, March 11th at the Starry Plough (3101 Shattuck,

Berkeley) will be an opportunity to bid a temporary bon voyage to the band

(bring your hankies), but best of all, a chance to hear and see the fine

showcase of Loretta Lynch guitarists. In addition to drummer fabuloso Jeffery Ruiz (otherwise known as Bristle J), playing with Loretta will be Dan Olmsted, Misisipi Mike Wolf, Lucio Menegon and a return guest appearance by the great Joe Rut. We will be joined by the talented entrepreneurs Yardsale (bring your dollars, too – true to their name they often have fine miscellany to offer for your shopping pleasure) and ... the Real Sippin' Whiskeys!

ALSO - be sure to catch Val and Ramona the Pest (it's not VALentines Day fer

nuthin'), She Mob, the Slow Poisoners and a diabolic host of others at the

Starry Plough (still at 3101 Shattuck, Berkeley) Friday the 13th for a "My

Bloody Valentine" celebration. Musical mayhem for all!

Lots of activity! Spring has begun to show it’s signs ...

Love, Loretta

We've got a couple of things to mention in this very brief update & here they are:

1. There's 4 chances to see all or parts of us in February, so be sure to check the shows page for all pertinent details. Each show will be unique, so heck, if you feel like being a trooper and coming to every one, we sure won't complain! We might even give you a prize!

2. We're soon to be doing a big site update with new photos and other exciting tidbits, so stay tuned for news about that. No really, we mean it!

We also meant it when we said this would be brief so until we meet again, take good care of yerselves, and happy birthday to all you Aquarians!

You can find us in the coming weeks at the Hemlock Tavern, the Teahouse and the Ivy Room, so be sure to check the shows page for details.

We hope you all had a great 2003 -- It was a great year for us with many cool musical experiences and discoveries that we are thankful for, & we thought we’d share a few of them with you:

* Seeing incredible performances by Los Lobos, Calexico and Billy Bragg under drizzly skies at the Glastonbury music festival in England. Oh, and we got to play some pretty fun sets ourselves while we were there!

* Playing a sweet little set at the Bedford Pub in London, where we were fortunate to share the bill with the amazing Sweet Laredo. More about Sweet Laredo, see below.

* Heck, almost everything about our England trip was exciting and inspiring. Special thanks to our exquisite hosts, Deaaaave Pearson, everyone at the Nevil house in London, all of the Lost Vagueness crew, and all the fine folks we met along the way.

* It was sad to lose Johnny Cash from this world, but a joy for us ladies of the Lynch to be part of the Man in Black band at the Cash tribute show, which took place at Thee Parkside back in October. It was great to be in the company of some fine local talent, including members of the Plain High Drifters, Dave Gleason’s Wasted Days & Red Meat. Johnny Cash’s influence was far reaching, & we are thankful for how he touched our lives.

* We got to play many fine local shows with bands we adore, including Yard Sale, the Pickin’ Trix & the Plain High Drifters, & Dave Gleason’s Wasted Days, just to name a few. We also played at two different amphitheaters with Alabama, which was, how shall we say.... a hoot!

Lastly .... Val can’t pass this opportunity to share with y’all her most listened to albums of 2003, in no particular order, and not necessarily released in 2003!

Sweet Laredo -- Sweet Laredo -- what can I say, I have listened to this album nearly obsessively because it has all the right stuff -- stunning vocals, outstanding guitar playing, excellent groove, and songs that I simply cannot get out of my head and don’t want to. And besides all this, it’s the sexiest music around. Way too good to remain undiscovered for very long. Check ‘em out at http://www.sweetlaredo.co.uk

Calexico -- Feast of Wire -- this album is so lush and so sublime at once. I love all of Calexico’s stuff and this album proves that they just keep getting better and better. Special thanks for my friend Jen for giving this to me for my birthday, cause I have enjoyed it endlessly.

Los Lobos -- Kiko -- I rediscovered this wonderful album in 2003 and it went for many a spin in my cd player -- it is so rich and exquisite. Again, flawless musicianship and such a cohesive collection of songs.

Flowers in the Wildwood -- women in early music -- this is a collection of music recorded from 1923 - 1939 and features some fantastic singing and harmonizing and yodeling from all sorts of women from the Carter Family to the Dezurik sisters to the Coon Creek Girls. Both haunting and uplifting.

Honorable mentions/perennial favorites: Steve Earl’s Corazon , Los Angeles by X, and Yo La Tengo’s Fakebook , Low’s Things we Lost in the Fire, and Carmaig de Forest’s El Camino Real.

Don't forget to check out the November issue of Electronic Musician Magazine for an article by Myles Boisen featuring yours truly, Loretta Lynch!

Till we meet again....

Special thanks to everyone who joined us for the Johnny Cash tribute recently. It was a pleasure to share a stage with so many fine local musicians, and it was delightful to play to a room packed full of devoted and loving fans of Johnny Cash. We were truly honored to be a part of it all.

As we mentioned in our last update, we’re keeping a bit of a low profile for the next few months, but you can still catch us in a couple of different places, so read on for details.

The band has added a couple of daytime shows at Farmers Markets craft fairs in December, so plan to bring the kids & the grandparents, & check the shows page for details.

But before that, you can catch Val & Heather doing a duo set on Nov. 15th at Mirthworks warehouse space in Oakland -- along with the one and only Joe Rut, plus Lucio Menegon (Ramona the Pest, Reverend Screaming Fingers) and Andrew Sano.

In other news, Loretta Lynch is featured in the November issue of Electronic Musician Magazine in an article written by guitar wizard and engineer extraordinaire Myles Boisen, who recorded our first demo CD. Check it out!

Hope y'all are staying warm and healthy, and we hope to see you soon!

Love,

A heartfelt thank you to all who joined us at the Starry Plough's 30th anniversary bash last week. We had a blast sharing the stage with Yard Sale and the Cowlicks, and it seemed like all who were there were having a blast too. (And then there were those of us who were getting, um, blasted...getting paid with free beer can be a dangerous thing!)

We sure hope you'll get out and join us this coming Tuesday for the Johnny Cash Tribute at Thee Parkside in San Francisco. We had a thoroughly enjoyable rehearsal last night with this stellar super group which features members of Red Meat, The Plain High Drifters, and Dave Gleason's Wasted Days. We're honored to be a part of this group, doing our part to give some back to the Man in Black, and we urge you to join us for this one time only event. Rumour has it that it's going to be packed, so make sure you get there early for a good seat.

A few more things to look forward to later this Fall -- Loretta Lynch will be featured in the online edition of Electronic Musician Magazine in an article written by guitar wizard and engineer extraordinaire Myles Boisen, who recorded our first demo CD.

Stay tuned for more info about that and about the LL trio singing harmony on the title cut of Jim White's upcoming album, Land Called Home. More details coming soon, so thanks for tuning in!

Look forward to seeing you somewhere soon.

Love,

Just a quick update to mention a couple of things.

In addition to our upcoming free show at the Starry Plough on Thursday Oct. 16th, we're delighted to be a part of the Johnny Cash tribute on Oct. 21st at the Parkside. "Givin' it Back to the Man in Black" should be a fantastic time for one and all. Be sure to check out our shows page for more details.

For those of you who want to keep updated on the comings and goings of the inimitable Joe Rut, (and who wouldn't?!) please drop him a line requesting he add you to his mailing list. He's got some cool shows coming up. Drop Joe a line at: joerut@mailcity.com

A few more things to look forward to later this Fall -- Loretta Lynch will be featured in the online edition of Electronic Musician Magazine in an article written by guitar wizard and engineer extraordinaire Myles Boisen, who recorded our first demo CD.

Stay tuned for more info about that and about the LL trio singing harmony on the title cut of Jim White's upcoming album, Land Called Home. More details coming soon, so thanks for tuning in!

Look forward to seeing you somewhere soon.

Love,

It was also a hoot playing a few more shows with Joe Rut, to whom we bid a fond farewell. And we extend a warm welcome to Jeffery Ruiz and Dan Olmsted, who'll be joining us at our next batch of shows. There are 2 places to catch us this week:

This Thursday Sept. 25 at the Hotel, Loretta Lynch shares the stage with Mark Growden, Weissenberger Variety Show, Jeremy Serwer from Portland, and others. Show starts at 9pm with each act playing short sets throughout the night. Our first set is around 9:30 or so. Cover is $5.00

Sunday's show is outdoors, all ages, free and early. Loretta Lynch will be one of a slew of local bands and artists performing on the Epic Arts stage at the 8th annual How Berkeley Can you Be Festival. The Epic Arts stage is located on Milvia between Allston and Center Streets. Music starts at noon and ends at 5pm, with sets by such wonderful and diverse acts as Baguette Quartette, Rosin Coven and the Punk Rock Orchestra, just to name a few. For more details, click on http://www.epicarts.org/#9_28

In other news, the Oct. 16th show at the Starry Plough anniversary bash is with the wonderful Yard Sale and the Cowlicks, and not with Chuck Prophet as previously announced.

A few more things to look forward to later this Fall -- Loretta Lynch will be featured in the online edition of Electronic Musician Magazine in an article written by guitar wizard and engineer extraordinaire Myles Boisen, who recorded our first demo CD.

Stay tuned for more info about that and about the LL trio singing harmony on the title cut of Jim White's upcoming album, Land Called Home. More details coming soon, so thanks for tuning in!

Look forward to seeing you somewhere soon.

Love,

Late breaking news flash -- in addition to our show with Alabama this coming Saturday at Shoreline Amphitheatre, we've just been invited to play the second stage with them at the Sleep Train Amphitheatre in Marysville this Friday night. How could we say no to that? Looks like it's gonna be an Alabama weekend. Tell your Sacto area friends to come & join us.

In other news, thanks to everyone who gave their best guess as to Joe Rut's favorite pastry, which is.... JELLY DONUTS! He surprised even his band mates with this answer, for we all thought it was merely just plain old donuts. Who knew?!

That's it for now, cause it's late and there are strings to change & dreams to be had. We hope to see some of you at Shoreline and beyond.

xoxo

Love,

Fall also means that change is in the air. For instance, the Shoreline show with Alabama is your last chance to see us while Joe Rut's still in the band! That's right, ladies and gents, it's your last chance to get your personally autographed bit of Joe Rut memorabalia! We have 2 FREE tickets to give away to subscribers of the Lynchlist, so if you're not already signed on, do it soon, and that lucky winner could be you!

At our next batch of shows after this one, you and we will be treated to the debut of Mr. Jeffery Ruiz on drums, as well as the guitar stylings of special guest Lyncher Dan Olmsted.

More details are available on the shows page, but here's the skinny:

*Saturday, September 20, 2003 at Shoreline Ampitheater with Alabama, oh my goodness! There are a limited number of tickets available for $10 and it would be good to see some familiar faces, heck, y'all could have your own Loretta Lynch tailgate party! We play on the second stage before the show, starting around 5:30 pm. Click here for details about those $10 tix! http://www.shorelineamp.com/event.asp?eventID=56302

And be sure to sign up for the Lynchlist to win a chance to be our guest at this show!

*Thursday, Sept. 25 at the Hotel Utah with Mark Growden

*Sunday, Sept. 28 at the How Berkeley Can You Be Festival

*Thursday, Oct. 16 at the Starry Plough with Chuck Prophet

That's all for now, folks. We look forward to seeing you all soon!

Love,

And speaking of change, get your Loretta Lynch Joe Rut collectable refrigerator magnets while you can, folks, because even though Joe loves us ladies and we ladies love him, he is off to explore horizons unknown!

Yes, we'll miss the fabulous presence and fantastic guitar charms of the inimitable Joe Rut, but we wish him every success as he travels the trails of his solo career. We are among his biggest fans so it's truly been a pleasure to have him add his magic to our music.

Though no one can really take Joe's place, we are conspiring to bring in another instrumentalist and also a drummer in the near future, so stay tuned. We also have plans in the works for a mini-tour of CA in early November. Please drop us a line if you have tips about places to play in your area, or would like to host a house concert or help promote a show.

The sirens of Loretta Lynch plan to keep singing their hearts out together for a very long time, beginning with an interesting and eventful Fall, so be sure to check the calendar page often for updates.

And back to those collectable Joe Rut refrigerator magnets and t-shirts - only 2 more chances to see Joe live with us and get your personally autographed collectable Joe Rut memorabilia!

*Tuesday, August 12, 2003 at The Hemlock Tavern as part of the Smallest Show in Town. Check the calendar page for more details about this eclectic evening of quality entertainment.

*Saturday, September 20, 2003 at Shoreline Ampitheater with Alabama, oh my goodness! There are a limited number of tickets available for $10 and it would be good to see some familiar faces, heck, y'all could have your own Loretta Lynch tailgate party! Click here for details about those $10 tix! http://www.shorelineamp.com/event.asp?eventID=56302

And stay tuned for details about how to win a chance to be our guest at this show!

That's it for now. We haven't forgotten about posting our England pics - they're coming soon, promise!

Love,

We write this update from a grey morning....wait, it's afternoon. That's right, it's another afternoon after a night of staying up till the sun rose playing music in the kitchen here at the Nevill Arms.

Last night we were joined by a local Irish pub band called the Other Brothers, and most of us stayed up far too late making noise that included the sounds of two fiddles, two guitars, a lap steel, mandolin, piano, and various percussion instruments and voices.

Some other highlights of the trip include of course our six gigs at the Glastonbury music festival, which was quite an amazing experience. Despite the horrifying port-a-potties and the fact that some of us set a new personal record in length of time gone without a shower (though Joe was weeks from his personal best), a grand time was had by all .

We were all blown away by the abundance of great music being made at the festival at all hours. We saw Yo La Tengo, Richard Thompson, Los Lobos, Billy Bragg, Calexico, Brendan Benson and Sigur Ros. We also discovered and fell in love with quite a few European bands. Ska bands, cabaret, 18 piece swing bands, performance art, hip hop, the list goes on. And so did the music, all through the night.

As several of our gigs happened during the day, it was noted by some festival attendees that Loretta Lynch is great music for melting away the hangover, or helping soothe you as you come down from your mushroom trip.

We're nearing the end of our trip...more news to come when we return, and we hope to see our bay area friends at the Starry Plough on July 25!

Cheers!

xoxo

As we've mentioned before, we're on our way across the Atlantic for an Anglo Adventure, having been asked to play at England's Glastonbury Music Festival. This festival is HUGE! 150,000 people on a 900-acre farm (perhaps ole Yasgur was inspired by this) in the Vale of Avalon, an area steeped in symbolism, mythology and religious traditions dating back many hundreds of years. It's where King Arthur may be buried, where Joseph of Arimathea may have walked, where leylines may converge ... Who woulda thought ? Additionally, we will be playing at the Bedford in Balham (an acoustic music venue in SW London recently voted 1 pub in London for such endeavors - address: 77 Bedford Hill, Balham, London Tel: 020 8682 8940) on Thursday, July 3rd. What better way to celebrate the eve of the birth of our country than by offering our country music? Tell all of your friends in London!

We are very excited, and would like to invite each and every one of you to come with us! Unfortunately, we have learned that tickets sold out within 24 hours of availability. Next year?

Enjoy the first part of summer, and see y'all July 25th at the Starry Plough!!!

Xo,

"Loretta Lynch's sweet facade -- gorgeous vocal harmonies, seemingly-pleasant melodies, exceptional musicianship -- masks their richly nuanced dark underside of regret, loss, murder, revenge, and bad drunken decisions made in late-night bars. That they do it with such beauty (and the odd smack of a really barbed sense of humor and a toe-tappin' tune that's difficult to dislodge from one's head) marks them as being in a class with very very few acoustic musicians. And if only more lyricists had their way with language..." - KALX radio

"The three-part cowgirl harmonies of Loretta Lynch conjure up campfires on the prairie & broken-in saddles...soulful & twangy..." - The North Bay Bohemian