“ "Love Come Down", the fourth CD of Boston singer-songwriter Thea Hopkins is a real masterpiece." -- ”
Performing songwriter Thea Hopkins calls her music Red Roots Americana.
Since the release of the EP "Love Come Down," in fall, 2018, there have been major strides forward in Thea Hopkins' career. First, the album was nominated for a 2019 Indigenous Music Award in the folk category, an international competition. In June 2019, Thea, a member of the Aquinnah Wampanoag Tribe of Martha's Vineyard, MA, was selected by the Western Arts Alliance as a 2019 Native Launchpad Artist, a three-year artist development program. Then in September, Thea performed at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. , as part of the grand opening of their new theater complex, REACH. She also performed at the Summertyne Americana Festival in Newcastle, England in July 2019.
To cap off the year, Thea was selected for the Wichoie Ahiya Indigenous Singer Songwriter Intensive at the Banff Arts Centre in Alberta, Canada.
Thea first came to wider public notice when Peter, Paul & Mary recorded her song "Jesus Is On The Wire" in 2004, and then again in 2010 with the Prague Symphony Orchestra. It is considered one of their later signature songs.
Love Come Down" is her 4th album, but the first helmed by a producer (Mike Davidson of Boston 's Plaid Dog Studios). Even while in the recording stages there was support for the production. First, her fans pitched in with Indiegogo crowd-funding. Then, Thea received a generous fellowship from the Native Arts and Cultures Foundation.
With “Love Come Down,” Hopkins has achieved an elegance of sound that lives up to her poetic prowess. A talent the Washington Post called “a standout writer,” she has created, in just six tunes, a seamless song journey that begins with a gentle invocation (“Love Come Down”), ends with a lullaby (“Until Then”) and gracefully travels to a few dark American landscapes in between. From love ballad to social history, every song is personal.
The Paris Move raved “Our amazement is total. Thea Hopkins’ CD “Love Come Down” should come with a warning: To be opened with care – risk of love at first sight!" -- Patrick Dallongeville https://www.paris-move.com/reviews/thea-hopkins-love-come-down/
The scope of the EP can be seen by the choice of musicians. Jazz trumpeter Tom Halter (Either Orchestra) explores haunting new directions on four songs. “ Mississippi River, Mississippi Town "the electric ebow guitar of Dave Minehan (The Neighborhoods, The Replacements.) He also co-produced the song. On “The Ghost of Emmett Till,” Noel Paul Stookey (of Peter, Paul & Mary) adds his quietly dramatic guitar and harmony vocals. The pianist Tim Ray (formerly with Lyle Lovett) is prominent, and plaintive, on “Almost Upon a Time.” “Tamson Weeks” is sparked by violinist Mimi Rabson of the Really Esoteric String Quartet. It tells the story of Hopkins' great-great aunt, a medicine woman of the Aquinnah Wampanoag tribe. In addition to Aquinnah Wampanoag, Hopkins ' ancestry includes Nottoway (Iroquois), African-American, Irish and Portuguese.
Many fans have commented on the beauty of Thea's vocals and lyrics. That sentiment was perhaps most succinctly stated by a former Bob Dylan tour manager, who described Thea Hopkins as "k.d. lang meets Leonard Cohen."
PERFORMANCE HISTORY
Selected shows include the Kennedy Center (DC), LaMama Experimental Theatre (NY), Reflections Of Native Voices Festival (NY), New York Theatre Workshop (NY), the Carriage House Annex (NY), Banff Centre For The Arts (CAN), the Tomaquag Museum (RI), the Summertyne Americana Festival (UK), the Greenbelt Festival (UK), the Moseley Folk Festival (UK) the Woody Guthrie Folk Festival (OK), the Outside The Box Festival (MA), International Festival of Arts & Ideas (CT), the Saltaire Festival (UK), the Green Note (UK), City Winery (NY), Museum of Fine Arts (MA), the Bluebird Cafe (TN), Club Passim (MA), Smith Center For The Performing Arts (NV), Narrows Center For The Arts (MA), Johnny D's (MA), the Bitter End (NY), Museum of Fine Arts (MA), Band on the Wall (UK), the Atkinson (UK) and the American Folk Art Museum (NY).
Artists Thea has opened for include John Lodge of the Moody Blues, David Bromberg, Richie Havens, Elllis Paul, Richie Furay, Larry Campbell and Amy Helm.
"Superb"
Review Of Live Show "Grateful Fred's Presents At The Atkinson"
"An artist whose narratives drip with metaphor and imagery" --
"On album, Thea Hopkins' music is beautifully arranged, but solo, and onstage, her songs, -- stripped down to voice and guitar, are even more potent. All of her sensitivity, cleverness, and joy beams through. She's extraordinary." Programming director Wil Gregerson, (Sunday Concert Series, Warwick Public Library RI)
"Thea Hopkins has a wonderfully sonorous voice, husky and full of character. She sounds as though she was made for country music and this mini-album is some of the best country I’ve heard in ages." http://www.music-news.com/showreview.asp?nReviewID=8982&nType=1
"The beauty of Thea's voice is matched by the brilliance of her lyrics." -- Roberta Schwartz, Folk & Acoustic Music Exchange
'Jesus Is On The Wire' "absolutely unforgettable" -- All Music Guide
'Jesus Is On The Wire' "is a modern classic" -- Roberta Schwartz, Folk & Acoustic Music Exchange
PRAISE FOR "LILAC SKY
" Thea Hopkins - 'Lilac Sky' - review (9/10) March 2013 "The first track ‘Might’ve Stayed in Memphis’ showcases all that’s great about this album. It's a country track that gets a bit rockier on the chorus with musicianship that blends acoustic and steel guitars. Thea is an excellent songwriter with a memorably vivid lyrical lines and a fine ear for melody. These abilities shine on the title track of the album, ‘Lilac Sky' . 'Whatcha Gonna Do?’ is a well textured country song which blends guitars and mandola perfectly and lyrically is a spectacular tour de force." --Nick Browne www.WhisperinandHollerin.com
'Lilac Sky' - review (8/10) March 2013 "Rich, sultry, emotional, expressive..."
http://www.americana-uk.com/cd-reviews/item/thea-hopkinslilac-sky-independent-2013?category_id=175
"Thea Hopkins has a wonderfully sonorous voice, husky and full of character. She sounds as though she was made for country music and this mini-album is some of the best country I’ve heard in ages." http://www.music-news.com/showreview.asp?nReviewID=8982&nType=1
'Lilac Sky' - review (4/5) - Billybop (Belgium) - 28.1.13 http://www.billybop.be/admin/CDdetail.asp?ID=11423
"Striking and intriguing, with an extraordinary voice." http://www.johnnysgarden.eu/?q=content/thea-hopkins-lilac-sky Thea Hopkins – Lilac sky (2013)
"An excellent left of centre six song country mini album that is well worth putting on repeat play! http://www.americanrootsuk.com/january-2013.html "On "Lilac Sky,"
"The bottom line is that Thea Hopkins knows how to take an audience on a ride that touches the full range of human emotions. The beauty of Thea's voice is matched by the brilliance of her lyrics.” -– Roberta B. Schwartz, The Folk & Acoustic Music Exchange
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Order Love Come Down at Thea@theahopkins.com!
"The discovery of "Love Come Down" by Thea Hopkins may have the same effect as "Astral Weeks" by Van Morrison, or "Lorca" by the late Tim Buckley. Nothing less" -- https://www.paris-move.com/reviews/thea-hopkins-love-come-down/
"Listening to 'Love Come Down' is something like love at first sight." https://www.rootsville.eu/2018%20album%20reports/reports/thea%20hopkins.html
"Love Come Down" is a real masterpiece... Her voice is completely unique and very recognizable, but above all: she has become a songwriter of the highest level.” https://www.rootstime.be/CD%20REVIEUW/2018/JUNI1/CD115.html
"You find yourself helplessly falling in love with the power of music all over again." https://rockingmagpie.wordpress.com/2018/07/14/thea-hopkins-love-comes-down