Mr. December & The Redwood Flowers at The Lost Church

Mr. December is a Folk band from Sonoma County, CA, with Jimmy Horn on ukelele & banjo & guitar, Andy Tester on upright bass, Jesse Shantor on saxophones, Scott Knippelmeir on trombone, and Marco D’ambrosio on trumpets and melodica. Blending sounds of old-time, rag, bluegrass, swing, country, and folk; colored with a punk rock edge, Mr. December brings a unique flavor to the Sonoma County Roots/Americana scene.

Listening to The Redwood Flowers is like taking a long walk up a mountain trail, wading through a cool creek, then sitting on the edge of a precipice to take in the view. A moniker adopted by musician Kirana Peyton, The Redwood Flowers’ songs tell the stories of lives well lived.The familiar yet vibrantly original style is reminiscent of classic alt country, indie folk and a pinch of garage rock.

Raised in the Midwest, surrounded by cornfields, Kirana Peyton cut her musical teeth playing bluegrass and country songs by such luminaries as Loretta Lynn, Emmylou Harris, Patsy Cline, Bill Monroe, and Ralph Stanley, as well as songs from forgotten musicians that have simply been passed along through time.

At 21 she moved to the Blue Ridge Mountains and became fast friends with other women musicians who lived there. Together they’d laugh, make pie, and sing their own renditions of classic 70’s folk rock songs. Eventually, she’d accept an invitation to drive with two cats across the country in a green Volkswagen bus, landing her in Northern California. In a new territory of influences, Kirana took musical explorations that went from psychedelic rock to classical Indian, and electronic ambient, but folk musical traditions have remained in her life throughout. After playing and recording a collection of original tunes as Black Bird Stitches, she went on to receive a degree in music at Sonoma State University. Invited to record and tour with Drag City artist Faun Fables, as well as to join in other ventures with founder Dawn McCarthy, these shows led to opportunities, such as opening for Nick Cave, Deerhoof and Bonnie “Prince” Billy. Kirana continued to work with many other talented musicians and artists. She has worked with notable engineer Oz Fritz (Tom Waits, Bill Laswell), opened for Amanda Palmer in a living room in Oakland, opened for Duo De Twang at Phil Lesh’s Terrapin Crossroads, and played with Les Claypool at the Hopmonk Tavern. Most recently she has collaborated with songstress Joni Davis and toured with Sub Pop and Memphis Industries artist Jesca Hoop. Shows with Ms. Hoop included Paul Simon’s farewell concert in London’s Hyde Park, Glastonbury Music Festival, and Austin City Limits.

Along with her musical experience, Kirana’s lifelong love affair with global mythology infuses her songs with stories of the soul. The heart of The Redwood Flowers sound reflects simply living in this beautiful and complicated world. The voice, guitar and the connection songs bring create a depth to her music that can be felt as well as heard.