An In Depth Interview with The Lucky Losers!
We talk to Cathy Lemons and Phil Berkowitz of the Lucky Losers about their New CD, the Future of the blues and so much more!!
Danger meets sophistication in the soulful music of The Lucky Losers, San Francisco’s premiere male/female duet fronted band. Accompanied by a dynamic six piece ensemble, veteran Bay Area artists, Cathy Lemons and Phil Berkowitz deliver a truly signature sound, layering elements of Stax/Volt styled R&B, electric Americana, and psychedelic rock atop a Chicago and Texas blues foundation. The Lucky Losers perform powerful original music about transcending the dark side of the American dream, the beauty and pain of being alive, and devotion in all it’s complexities.
Cathy Lemons and Phil Burkowitz of Lucky Losers blues band portrait session at their home.
Photo Credit: Victoria Smith
Described as “the finest light skinned blues singer in the U.S.!” (Real Blues), fiery Dallas born entertainer, Cathy Lemons has a velvet voice with a gritty edge and the rebel conviction of a woman risen from the ashes. “Top-flight blues singer/harmonica player” (San Jose Mercury News), New Jersey native, Phil Berkowitz is The Lucky Losers’ mysterious leading man. Phil possesses a polished tenor that recalls legends of the past and his expert musicianship fuels the passionate dialogue with Cathy. The stark contrast between incandescent Cathy Lemons and elegant Phil Berkowitz makes for a captivating musical union, breathing new life into American songwriting tradition and the vanishing art of duet singing.
Since July of 2014, The Lucky Losers emerged onto the scene and have been entertaining audiences across America ever since. In June of 2015, Cathy Lemons and Phil Berkowitz delivered an outstanding debut album, “A Winning Hand”, which was engineered and co-produced by Kid Andersen at his famous Greaseland in San Jose, California. The Lucky Losers recruited top West Coast players, such as Grammy award winning guitarist, Steve Freund (Sunnyland Slim), Andersen himself, and Ben Rice, who won the 2014 International Blues Challenge for “Guitar” in the Solo/Duo category, to make their dreams come alive.
Since it’s release, “A Winning Hand” peaked at #5 on The Roots Music Report’s “Top 50 Blues Albums” and reached #1 on Blues 411’s “A Baker’s Dozen of Blues”. Soon after, Chef Jimi Patricola nominated the record in the Jimi’s Award “Best Traditional Album ” category. Dan Akroyd (Elwood Blues) chose The Lucky Losers’ original song, “Change in the Weather” as “Bluesbreaker of the Week” for his internationally syndicated “Bluesmobile/Everything Blues” radio show.
“A Winning Hand” was featured in “On the Radar” from the globally popular “The Alternate Root,” and was recognized by Richard L’Hommedieu, king of the “Indie Blues” movement, on “Making a Scene”. The Lucky Losers landed the cover of the November 2015 issue of French magazine “Blues and Co.”. Living Blues, Elmore, Classicalite, Blues Matters, Blues Blast, Blues Bytes, and more agreed that The
Cathy Lemons and Phil Burkowitz of Lucky Losers blues band portrait session at their home.
Photo Credit: Victoria Smith
Lucky Losers were holding a winning hand. In fall of 2015, The Lucky Losers embarked on a 16-date national tour in support of “A Winning Hand”, performing for full houses in Missouri, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Tennessee, Louisiana, Texas, Alabama, Oklahoma, and Florida. It was a grand success.
At the top of 2016, The Lucky Losers returned to the studio to record with Kid Andersen, which evolved into “In Any Town”, their forthcoming sophomore release on Dirty Cat Records. Inspired by music of the 60’s and true events from their beautiful, twisted lives, Cathy Lemons and Phil Berkowitz serve up medicine for wayward souls, offering glimpses of paradise through a veil of tears. Featuring stellar musical contributions from Kid Andersen, Paris Slim, and Jeff Jensen, “In Any Town” is bound to carry on The Lucky Losers’ epic winning streak. Slated to drop on July 15th, 2016, music lovers will find “In Any Town” on The Lucky Losers official website and CD Baby.
Next up, The Lucky Losers will take “In Any Town” on the road, rolling the dice through the Midwestern cities of Lincoln, Omaha, Eau Claire, Kansas City, St. Louis, and Chicago. Love conquers all.
