California native Ramona Gonzalez first began her transcendent minimalist dance-pop escapades in the privacy of her own home in Los Angeles.
With the aid of her multitrack cassette recorder and whatever keyboards, drum machines, and other instruments that were available to her, she very quickly developed her own unique sound and began performing live in the L.A. area under the moniker Nite Jewel.
Later teaming up with Cole M. Greif-Neill (formerly of Ariel Pink’s Haunted Graffiti) and Corey Lee Granet, the Nite Jewel act became a three piece band, touring alongside the likes of Deerhunter, Massive Attack, Little Dragon, and DaM-FunK. The Nite Jewel sound has been likened to that of a warped, lo-fi version of Late-80’s Freestyle Electro sensation Debbie Deb and has also found appeal among not just the ‘indie rock’ & ‘experimental’ crowd but also among avid listeners of hip hop, funk, disco, & soul. While very fond of these aforementioned genres and artists, Nite Jewel gathers much of her inspiration from the likes of L.A. Free Music Society’s experimentalist Tom Recchion, obscure UK new age electro-acoustic duo Woo, and the sublime ambient electronic music of groups like Germany’s Cluster and Italy’s Sensations Fix. Nite Jewel never hesitates, however, to cite 90’s R&B pop groups such as TLC & SWV as influences who left an indelible mark on her music sensibilities as a teenager.
In 2009, Nite Jewel self-released her debut album Good Evening, recorded with the assistance of longtime collaborator Cole M. Greif-Neill. Good Evening was met with critical acclaim and was taste-making record store Other Music’s fourth top-seller of 2009.
In summer of 2010, Nite Jewel received critical acclaim for a remix of Caribou’s “Odessa” and another of “Die Slow” by nu-grunge band HEALTH.
In August 2010, Nite Jewel will independently release a six song EP titled Am I Real?, in collaboration with Cole M. Greif-Neill (formerly of Ariel Pink’s Haunted Graffiti). Title track “Am I Real?” features a collaboration with Daniel and Andrew Aged from Teen Inc.
Nite Jewel is also currently collaborating with DaM-FunK, among others, and working on her second album set for release in the winter of 2011.
NITE JEWEL
07/29 Los Angeles, CA Echoplex *
08/09 New York, NY Mercury Lounge #
08/10 Wilkes-Barre, PA Cafe Metropolis $
08/11 Allston, MA Great Scott %
08/12 New Haven, CT Cafe Nine &
08/13 Philadelphia, PA Kung Fu Necktie
08/14 Brooklyn, NY Glasslands $
* = w/ Memoryhouse, Baths, Kisses
# = w/ Violens, Prince Rama
$ = w/ The Samps
% = w/ Glasser
& = w/ CAVE
nj
Nite Jewel
Am I Real?
(Gloriette)
Digital release date: July 20, 2010
Vinyl street date: Aug. 16, 2010
1. Another Horizon
2. We Want Our Things
3. Forget You & I
4. Falling Far
5. White Lies
6. Am I Real? (feat. Teen Inc.)
NITE JEWEL LINKS:
Band page – http://www.nitejewel.com
MySpace – http://www.myspace.com/nitejewel