Electro anti-folk duo: Dark humor, grieving sadness, glee-filled love, and politically derived depression expressed with an acoustic guitar and complemented with an inspired layer of experimental, beat-driven, intuitively-arranged electronic ambiance.

20 MP3 Songs in this album (73:36) !
Related styles: FOLK: Anti-Folk, ELECTRONIC: Pop Crossover

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Details:
A mix of dark humor, grieving sadness, glee-filled love, and politically derived depression constitute the lyrical attributes of Kara Elizabethâs songwriting. Using her acoustic guitar, she transforms her lyrics into vocal pop melodies. Rich Ratvasky adds an inspired layer of experimental, beat-driven, intuitively-arranged electronic ambiance. He often supplements the songs with vocals and guitar. Combining their efforts, they arrange their individual creations into one. Their joined forces have become: Team Smile and Nod. Their debut CD, Look Both Ways Before You Die (Thinkroot Records 2008), presents a clear view of an emotionally-charged bandâs distinctive truth.

Team Smile and Nod started as a friendly CD exchange in a small health food store. They discovered connections through political dialogue, vegetarian-centered banter, and ultimately, each otherâs music. Rich invited Kara to open for him at his regular gig, and the collaboration was propelled into motion.

Parallel to creating their new partnership, Kara had plans of establishing her own record label to promote and release her personal musical projects. With the goal of matching business decisions with her social and environmental values, Thinkroot Records was launched. Thinkroot Records provides the essential outlet for Team Smile and Nod.

Rich Ratvasky has been involved in several bands since the late â80s. He performed at raves and clubs while part of Columbusâ underground electronic scene in the â90(ele_mental collective). He has self-released a CD series and contributed to many compilations (21/22 Corporation) using the name Ihannoa. Rich has done numerous remixes and
collaborations with Azoic and Pinebox.

Kara Elizabeth has been crafting songs for over ten years. She has performed at various coffee shops and bars, OSUâs Take Back the Night and Rock for Choice, and opened for Catie Curtis at the late Little Brotherâs. Karaâs songwriting aspiration is to render feeling and thought while exposing her experiences with death, devoted lesbian love, feminism, and pro-peace activism.

Team Smile and Nod is excited to share this debut CD to open-minded music seekers who appreciate lyrics with substance and inventive sound fusions.