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Folk Rockers Little Wretches Release Spiritually-Fueled Full Length “Red Beets & Horseradish”

The international iTunes chart-topping band led by Robert Andrew Wagner issues their first album of new material since 2020’s “Undesirables And Anarchists.”

The heart of the songs lies not in the suffering of the characters but in the indomitable faith and humor that sustains them”— Robert A. Wagner, Little Wretches

With the release of 2020’s “Undesirables And Anarchists,” PA-based indie folk troupe Little Wretches re-emerged as one of the area’s premiere exports. The album was heard on over 115 AM/FM stations in the country, and it included the #1 international iTunes hit, “The Ballad of Johnny Blowtorch.” In 2021, a live acoustic album, “Live at the Mattress Factory: Songs from the Land of Pit Bulls & Poker Machines” was released, yielding another #1, “All Of My Friends.” Now, 150K Spotify streams and 61K Youtube views later, the band, led by Frontman and Songwriter, Robert Andrew Wagner, is releasing their first album of new material in 2 years.

According to Robert Wagner, “RED BEETS AND HORSERADISH’ (out on March 18th, 2022) is inspired by a relish or side-dish usually served around the holidays of Easter or Passover by various ethnicities of Eastern Europe. For the Serbs, for example, the red of the beets is symbolic of the blood of their people, and the horseradish the bitterness of their suffering. For others, the symbolism involves the blood of their savior and the bitterness of His suffering. People in the Jewish tradition also enjoy the dish, but there is no blood involved—the beets are merely for flavor—but the horseradish does represent the memory of bitter suffering in bondage. The songs on the album involve vignettes and portraits of people who’ve suffered—old people, sick people, crazy people, people who are alone—but the heart of the songs lies not in the suffering of the characters but in the indomitable faith and humor that sustains them.”

Watch the video for the first single, “Palms And Crosses” at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=53PzZDhT3Ho

TRACK LIST:
1. Rise
2. Lovingkindness
3. Palms and Crosses
4. Nothing Was Given to Me
5. Winter’s Grace
6. Tiger Pajamas
7. Heaven Was Open
8. It’s Raining
9. Old Hundredth
10. Old Lillian’s Story
11. Walked Along
12. Duquesne
13. It’s All between Me & God

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Drums–Mike Madden
Bass–John Carson
Piano–H.K. Hilner, Hollis Greathouse
Guitars–Robert Andrew Wagner
Lead Vocals—Robert Andrew Wagner and Rosa Colucci
Background Vocals—Emma Golebie, Jack Erdie, Rosa Colucci, Robert Wagner

Produced by The Little Wretches
Recorded by Hollis Greathouse
Mastered by Tom Dimuzio

All songs by Robert Andrew Wagner except RISE by Jack Erdie (with additional traditional lyrics), WINTER’S GRACE by Annette Dietz and Robert Andrew Wagner, and OLD HUNDREDTH by Traditional, arranged by Robert Andrew Wagner.

Artwork by Melinda Pietrusza

https://littlewretches.com
https://www.facebook.com/thelittlewretches

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Artist Spotlight

Cali Tucker Unwraps Christmas Magic With Her New EP “Santa Baby”

Cali Tucker

Cali Tucker is back in the spotlight this season with “Santa Baby,” a beautifully made holiday EP that captures the heart, warmth, and timeless glow of Christmas classics. Cali is known for singing the National Anthem at NASCAR’s Pennzoil 400 in front of 80,000 fans and more than three million people at home. She brings the same powerful presence and emotional depth to this holiday project.

“Santa Baby” is a great holiday release for music lovers, bloggers, and new artist discovery sites. It has six tracks and lasts 20 minutes. It mixes nostalgia with Cali’s signature smooth vocals. Each song shows off her talent, but “O Holy Night” and “The Christmas Song” are two that stand out as favorites. Both performances show off her range, control, and ability to bring classic songs into modern emotional spaces without losing their original charm.

“O Holy Night” stands out as the EP’s spiritual center, with a glowing performance full of dynamics, warmth, and a cinematic stillness that draws people in. Cali gives the song both respect and a unique touch, breathing new life into a well-known hymn. “The Christmas Song,” on the other hand, makes you feel like you’re sitting next to a fire. It’s soft, heartfelt, and full of stories that make you feel nostalgic. Cali’s voice flows effortlessly through every note, making it impossible not to feel the magic of the season.

The whole EP flows easily and has a mix of fun sparkle, soulful warmth, and classic Christmas music. “Santa Baby” is the perfect song for the season, whether people are making holiday playlists, looking for new Christmas music, or discovering new vocal talents. This EP adds a new but familiar sound to today’s holiday music scene. It has a comforting feel and is easy to listen to repeatedly.

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Artist Spotlight

Kalpee Honors Heritage and Heart on His Emotion-Rich New EP Dougla Boi

Kalpee

Kalpee is back with Dougla Boi, a beautiful new EP that is both personal and powerful. It gives listeners a close look at the layers of identity, heritage, and emotion that make him who he is. The Trinidad and Tobago artist is confident in his own space, which is rooted in New Calypso and polished with hints of dancehall, R&B, and afrobeats. In this space, genre bends, but emotion leads.

Named after the Trinidadian word for someone of mixed African and Indian heritage, Dougla Boi is honest, proud, and warm about the complexities of culture. Kalpee opens a window into the dualities that define him across six tracks, turning personal truth into universal resonance. The EP is just under 19 minutes long, but every second is carefully planned to take listeners on a journey through courage, joy, healing, and the quiet strength that comes from accepting all parts of yourself.

The first single, “Under,” stands out right away for its calming yet emotionally charged experience. Kalpee’s voice flows over a beat that sounds both new and old, fitting the EP’s theme of bringing cultures together. It’s one of the best examples of how he can mix soft and hard sounds, which is what makes his New Calypso sound so unique.

“Everybody,” which features Full Blown, is another excellent song that has already done very well. It has a happy vibe and an infectious bounce, making it one of the EP’s most replayable songs. “Everybody” captures the spirit of community and shared experience, which is what Kalpee means when he says that identity is not a box but a rhythm.

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