Firehorse Releases 'And So They Ran Faster...' On September 27, 2011 On Pledgemusic Recordings

New York, NY (Top40 Charts/ Tijuana Gift Shop) When Prince calls you a brilliant performer, you know it's a high compliment. The Purple One was referring to Leah Siegel, the singer/songwriter/instrumentalist behind the Brooklyn group FIREHORSE, after witnessing her live. Prince was certainly onto something, as Siegel's full array of musical talents are on display on the eclectic debut album from FIREHORSE, and so they ran faster... - out September 27, 2011 on PledgeMusic Recordings.

and so they ran faster... is the second release on PledgeMusic Recordings, the indie label formed upon the success of the PledgeMusic direct-to-fan platform. The first release on the label, No One Listens To The Band Anymore by rock/pop group the Damnwells, became the first ever Damnwells album to debut on the Billboard Top 200 album chart.

Produced by Geoff Stanfield (Mark Kozelek, Sun Kil Moon, Moby) and with Steve Elliot on guitar, the inimitable Tim Luntzel (Rosanne Cash, Loudon Wainwright III, and more) on bass, and Brian Wolfe (Sharon Jones & the Dap Kings, Diane Schuur, Joan Jett, and others) on drums, and so they ran faster... explores the sonic possibilities and personal expression of an artist reaching for the next horizon.

"Leah Siegel is a gifted singer with a voice that can morph from a sweet warble to a harder edged growl."
- NPR, All Songs Considered

In May, Jason Kramer from KCRW attended a Firehorse show in LA and was immediately mesmerized by the performance. He spun "Baby Bird" on his show the following evening. Firehorse will return to the west coast in August, with dates already scheduled on 8/11 and 8/25 at Hotel Cafe. Before leaving their hometown, Firehorse is performing a private showcase on July 14th and a free show on July 21st at Rockwood Music Hall Stage 2 at 9pm.

"Our Hearts," the lead track from and so they ran faster..., is an ethereal shuffle about experiencing joy after a moment of total surrender. A video directed by Jon Morris of The Windmill Factory is on the way, but you can enjoy a free download of the track through PledgeMusic, pre-order the album and gain access to a number of other exclusive items HERE.

The gorgeously hypnotizing music of Firehorse references luminaries like Jeff Buckley, PJ Harvey, Fiona Apple and Florence and the Machine. However, Firehorse makes a world unto their own, complete with sonic flourishes, electronic beats and Siegel's smoky vocals. Hypnotic and sexy grooves ("She's A River"), haunting vocals that recall singers like Judy Garland and Doris Day ("My Left Eye") and even bouncy pop rhythms ("Machete Gang Holiday") all figure into the Firehorse repertoire. These seemingly disparate influences can be attributed to Siegel's ability to design and assume different personas, sparked by a background in theater and singing in and co-writing commercials (Siegel wrote a song for a Topsy Foundation commercial, which won a Clio, Grand LIA and award at Cannes, in addition to being named an "ad worth spreading" by the nonprofit group TED - Technology, Entertainment, Design). This chameleon-like ability serves Firehorse well in creating a captivating listen.

The name Firehorse carries quite a large amount of significance to Leah Siegel. As she puts it, "When the Chinese zodiac was still determining personalities, women born under the sign of the Firehorse were an abomination. A female Firehorse embodies all the abhorrent qualities {according to the culture}: independence, assertiveness and a free-spirit." These qualities are evident in not only Siegel herself, but the group's music.

Even after singing several hooks on the new Ja Rule record, several side projects, and her own clothing line in the works, Leah Siegel remains deeply committed to Firehorse. As she says, "I spent six years in the trenches barely breathing and built a career entirely on my own. No agent, no manager - just based on the strength of my voice as a singer and a writer. I'm a work-horse. I want to work, and I want to work hard. Horses, you know, they run until they kill themselves. That's how I am." There's no doubt, based up on the strength of and so they ran faster..., Firehorse will be running for quite awhile.

FIREHORSE TOUR DATES
July 14 - New York, NY - Private Showcase
July 21 - New York, NY - Rockwood Stage 2
Aug 11 - Los Angeles, CA - Hotel Cafe
Aug 25 - Los Angeles, CA - Hotel Cafe