GARDEN VARIETY/GARDEN/NEW GARDEN
Garden Variety was started by Doug Moldawsky in the late 1980’s. Their name evolved over time to Garden and then New Garden. Originally based in Los Angeles, Garden Variety/Garden released two CD’s on the San Francisco label, Racer Records. Their sound is a blend of folk rock and groove, with an emphasis on melody and vocals, while featuring acoustic guitar, mandolin and violin.
Garden Variety/Garden is comprised of:
Doug Moldawsky / Guitar, lead vocal and songwriter
Molly Ruttan-Moffat / vocals, drums
Linda Ruttan Moldawsky / vocals, percussion
Finn Taylor / Mandolin
Matt McFadden / Bass
James Snyed / Violin
Garden went dormant for a few years while singer songwriters Linda and Doug Moldawsky relocated & adjusted to life in beautiful Boulder, Colorado, until a Boulder group emerged called New Garden. The core voices have remained intact: Doug & Linda Moldawsky and Linda's twin sister Molly Ruttan Moffat. The Boulder talent includes Jape Abruscato on Bass. Former Bass player Matt McFadden and Mandolinist Finn Taylor have been know to fly into Boulder for the occasional reunion show.
Linda is featured on lead vocal, accompanied by Molly, on the song “Wheels”, which she wrote. Wheels can be found on their album “Into Long Night”
PHIDEAUX
Phideaux Xavier is a progressive rock musician whose unique musical style gained the attention of the progressive rock community in the US and Europe upon the 2007 release of his Doomsday Afternoon album, the second installment of a trilogy that began in 2006 with The Great Leap. Phideaux is now back with a new album and back on stage with his full band.
This group of ten musicians is comprised of many childhood friends and comrades who have played on his more recent albums. Together, the band tackles a kaleidoscope of haunting vocals, multiple keyboards and upbeat, intricate, rock music. The group is comprised of:
Ariel Farber / Vocals, Violin
Valerie Gracious / Lead Vocals, Piano
"Bloody" Rich Hutchins / Drum
Matthew Kennedy / Bass Guitar
Gabriel Moffat / Electric Guitar
Molly Ruttan / Vocals, Percussion (on right)
Linda Ruttan-Moldawsky / Vocals (on left)
Mark Sherkus / Keyboards
Johnny Unicorn / Vocals, Keyboards, Saxophone
Phideaux Xavier / Lead Vocals, Piano, Acoustic Guitar
Linda is featured on lead vocal, accompanied by Molly, on the song “The Search for Terrestrial Life”, which can be found on the Phideaux album “Number Seven”
SALLY DICK & JANE, circa 1977-1982
Sally Dick & Jane was a new-wave/punk phenomenon in the late 1970’s and early 1980’s. A creation of Phideaux Xavier, the band was created by Phideaux with his three friends, Valerie, Linda and Molly at the young ages of 14 and 16 respectively. SD & J found some success gigging the New York club scene, playing at such venues as CBGB’s, Max’s Kansas City and Great Gildersleeves, all while too young to actually order drinks at the venues! The group disbanded about 5 years later due to eventual college demands, but Linda, Molly and Val all joined Xavier’s PHIDEAUX band decades later.
Phideaux Xavier / Lead vocals, guitar, songwriter
Linda Ruttan / bass
Molly Ruttan / drums, vocals
Valerie Gracious / 2nd Lead vocals.