We are proud to announce that Denver’s IAN COOKE will release his second album, Fortitude, locally on 11/25/11, Nationally in January 2012, with the help of The Greater Than Collective. The album is availble digitally NOW! and can be previewed on Ian’s Bandcamp page.
Produced by Ian O’Dougherty and mixed by BOB FERBRACHE (SLIM CESSNA’S AUTO CLUB, WOVENHAND) Fortitude showcases the wide array of musical proficiency that Cooke possesses as he switches from playful to dark and sincere at the flick of a cello bow.
Splicing in elements of indie, classical, progressive rock, and more, the album builds on the foundation laid down by his previous album, The Fall I Fell, and expands it with stronger writing and loftier concepts.
Cooke’s talent coupled with his diligent work ethic has earned him several local accolades, including a #1 ranking in the 2009 Denver Post Music Poll and “Best Singer Songwriter,” “Best Album,” and “Best Avant-Garde” nods by Westword.
Nationally, Cooke has been written about in SPIN magazine, featured on a recent DAYTROTTER session and was featured alongside BILLY BRAGG, M. WARD, OWEN PALLETT and more on a JOANNA NEWSOM tribute.
With packaging as engaging as the music it contains, Fortitude is a direct copy of nothing – a truly original and unique endeavor.
“A one-man chamber ensemble, Ian Cooke specializes in forlorn folk built on cello-heavy arrangements and vocals that mimic his instrument’s mournful modulations.” -SPIN Magazine Sept ‘08
“If Sufjan Stevens had been weaned on nothing but recordings by Tchaikovsky, Mozart, Bach and "Eleanor Rigby,” his take on chamber pop might sound something like Cooke’s work. But as it stands, Cooke makes Stevens’s elaborate compositions seem almost prosaic. ” Dave Herrera – Westword Magazine
“Cooke, his cello and his looping effects pedal are now fixtures — icons, even — in Denver’s thriving independent music community. And after years of climbing the ranks, playing clubs, galleries, living rooms and museums, the singer-songwriter-cellist-pianist was voted the top musician in the 2009 Denver Post Underground Music Poll.” Ric Baca – Denver Post
Ian’s Upcoming Tour Date’s
· 11/15/11 in Denver at Larimer Lounge w/ Crooked Fingers
· 11/16/11 in Omaha at Side Door
· 11/17/11 in Des Moines at Mars Cafe
· 11/18/11 in Davenport at Redstone Room
· 11/19/11 in Lincoln at Cultiva Cafe
· 11/20/11 in Des Moines at The Gaslamp
· 11/21/11 in Chicago at Elbo Room
· 11/22/11 in Kansas City at The Record Bar
· 12/2/11 in Denver at Twist & Shout (In-Store)
· 12/16/11 in Denver at Curious Theatre (Record Release)
