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A.V. Madison Picks
"Madison's Clear Blue Betty mastered its bright pop sound on its 2006 sophmore album, Write Your Name In The Sky. That album's packed CD-release show at the Majestic Theatre, featuring guest musicians ranging from a bagpiper to a gospel choir, has been captured on a new DVD, Live At The Majestic. The band's promising a similar collaborative blowout at this release show. Expect mainstream rock with a hint of country, and performances that are tight and polished but never dull."
Isthmus, December 28, 2006
My Top Ten Madison Discs of 2006 (Rich Albertoni)
"Madison-based rockers, rappers and blues players were busy in '06. Here's a list of my top 10 local albums, including work by Awesome Car Funmaker, Clear Blue Betty and the Dorothy Heralds. Every local essential follows below, in alphabetical order.
Clear Blue Betty -- Write Your Name in the Sky
Beth Kille remains our local diva, and her performance dominates Write Your Name in the Sky. The album includes some of the most upbeat Midwestern rock you'll ever hear. (Essential track: "December 31st")"
Read the full article here
The Onion, December 14, 2006
A.V. Madison Picks
"Ever striving toward its dual goals of supporting music programs in Madison schools and promoting the Madison music scene, the MAMA crew continues its series of fundraising shows with some of its voters' perennial favorites... If the Top 40 and adult-contemporary worlds ever abandoned Madison entirely, we'd probably do just fine (arguably better) with the hook-happy likes of Michael Massey and Clear Blue Betty."
Dane101.com, August 25, 2006
Today's Events (Jesse Russell)
"I don't remember the first time I heard Beth Kille of Clear Blue Betty unplugged, but I do remember being struck by how much her already intense vocals stand out without all of the electricity kicking her guitar up a level."
Isthmus, August 25, 2006
Local Tunes 101 (Rich Albertoni)
"Maybe it's not really part of the Wisconsin Idea, but every year UW-Madison students fearlessly sift and winnow large volumes of CDs, MP3s, and live shows in search of the musical truth. For some this is practically an academic exercise, and the early weeks of this year's syllabus include a slew of touring indie bands like Rainer Maria and Built to Spill. They'll be presenting the current take on national pop authenticity.
But here's where the course always gets especially interesting: the topic of local music. Sometimes unexamined by our collegians, local music is where indie values begin. It's where the barriers separating musicians and fans are broken down. And Madison, as it happens, teems with creative local bands and artists in every genre.
From Labor Day through Halloween, there's a multitude of chances for budding musicologists, or interested music lovers, to do some fieldwork. To get you started, here are six diverse opportunities to sift and winnow some Madison-based music - and (here's where we get to the Wisconsin Idea) to drink beer while you're at it.
Clear Blue Betty
Taste of Madison, Saturday, Sept 2, 5:30pm
It's the perfect vibe for a Clear Blue Betty show: Labor Day weekend, smoky grills and beer tents on the Capitol Square, the first Badger football Saturday of 2006. Clear Blue Betty was formed in 2002 by three former members of the UW Marching Band - lead vocalist Beth Kille, drummer Tony Kille (they are married and Tony has now completed medical school), and lead guitarist Rob Koth. They have emerged as Madison's answer to the BoDeans. The band's style of heartland rock may be uncomplicated, but it's distinguished for its honesty, integrity, and passion. The stage presence and charisma of Beth Kille make the price of admission to any Clear Blue Betty show well worth paying (better yet, this show is free). The band will be performing songs from their recent release, Write Your Name in the Sky."
Read the full article here
Rick's Cafe, August, 2006
Monthly Picks
"Clear Blue Betty have established a reputation for well-crafted tunes, tight performances, and the inspired presence of Beth Kille, who just won the Madison Area Music Award for Best Female Vocalist. The Club Tavern will host the straight-up rock n' roll of one of the most celebrated bands in Madtown on August 26. It's your turn to find out what all the buzz is really about."
Rick's Cafe, May, 2006
CD Review (Rick Tvedt)
"If Clear Blue Betty's debut album, Never Been a Rebel, was a confident first step, Write Your Name in the Sky is a giant step forward. The formula hasn't changed that much; singer, guitarist, keyboardist, mandolinist and front woman Beth Kille is still the focal point of the band and the songs emanate from her point of view. The music remains basically uncomplicated rock and pop with the precise and punchy, triple-threat rhythm section of Tony Kille, Jim Smith and Doug Sies shining throughout. It's the flourishes that the band adds in terms of guest artists that lift this album up. It's also the simpler touches; the way the backup vocals get subtly added to the mix, adding just the perfect feathery touch; the percussion choices that Smith and Tony Kille make. It's also the way the lyrics and music come together to add up to that magical something that is greater than the sum of its parts.
Nowhere is there a stronger statement for the wolf in Beth Kille's sheep's clothing than "Bulletproof", a crunching rocker featuring John Masino on lead guitar. Here is where the power of the rhythm section meets its match in the balls-out soloing of Masino and the grit that Kille brings to her vocals. "AO (FTM)" is another groove-rocker with a tough stance and a chorus of vocal "A-O's!" while Kille suggests we all follow our dreams and "f%#% the man". This is a versatile band that can play several variations of the rock format, more often in an acoustic guitar-centric way, but they may want to explore this edgy stuff a bit more.
Another bold step is the down-tempo and very minor key "Small Talk", where the keyboards become the main instrument. The brushed snare and the sultry, dry vocal treatment build the tension of an illicit love affair very effectively.
"Come Over" is a near-perfect exectution of a power ballad that brings in Bascom Hill's Charlie Victor. The vocal phrasing here is fluid and exact, the two voices blending nicely. It's one of those songs that could play on Q106 (Madison's country rock FM station) just about as easily as it would on Triple M (Madison's progressive rock FM station). The bouncy "Days Like These" boasts a nifty bridge. Here, guitarist Rob Koth's soft touch on electric guitar solos begins to make sense and becomes a defining part of the band's sound. "December 31st" tosses in a touch of the worldly with Sean Michael Dargan soloing on bagpipes and J. Scott McMurray adding pennywhistle to the Celtic beat. The backup vocals are cool as well. "The Calling" closes the disc on a high note with the Fountain of Life Worship Center Choir participating in "Can't Always Get What You Want" style.
Write Your Name in the Sky is a solid disc and puts Clear Blue Betty in the running as one of Madison's hottest groups. The undeniable passion of Beth Kille confirms that this band has found their sea legs, hoisted their sails, and is just getting the party started.
Rick's Cafe, May, 2006
Feature Article (Rick Tvedt)
"The lights go down in a hot, packed Majestic Theatre. A drum-and-percussion beat fills the house and the lights come up just as Sean Michael Dargan strolls onto the stage with his bagpipes, serenading the excited crowd with "Auld Lang Syne". Bassist Doug Sies lays down a foundation and guitarist Rob Koth windmills power chords. From the left, Beth Kille hits the stage and a huge cheer goes up. She straps on her six-string acoustic, gives a count to the rhythm section and Clear Blue Betty launches into "December 31st" from their brand new album (and the reason for this party): Write Your Name in the Sky.
Suddenly, the historic Majestic Theater becomes much grander. Kille's shimmery jacket exudes rock-and-roll sass while she struts confidently across the stage. Sies' aqua scarf hangs from the bottom of his bass like a spirit flag and Koth resembles the Edge in a stocking cap and shades. The hues of this beautiful place seem to wrap around the band, embracing them as if to say "This is going to be alright. Don't worry, be yourself, and I'll take care of everything else." It's time to party with Clear Blue Betty.
This dramatic entry signals not only the arrival of the main attraction of the night, but the arrival of Clear Blue Betty as a viable and vital band, more mature and self-assured than ever.
There is little doubt that Kille has star power. She has tremendous passion and later in the set she would rock with ferocity, setting down the guitar and snaking about the stage while guest guitarist John Masino brought the energy to a peak with his blazing abilities. The show's finale would bring the house down with the Fountain of Life Worship Center Gospel Choir filing down the aisle, through the crowd, and onto the stage to join in the refrain from "The Calling".
Read the rest of the interview soon at Rick's Cafe.
Madison Songwriters Group B-Side, May, 2006
CD Review
"Recording studios can be sterile places, but you'd never know it from Clear Blue Betty's second CD, Write Your Name in the Sky. The band is clearly having a great time, and it's easy to get a sense of what they're like onstage. You can even hear lead singer and rhythm guitarist Beth Kille laughing in several places. As on their first album, this recording showcases Beth Kille's steel-and-velvet voice, outgoing personality and tight ensemble work with lead guitarist Rob Koth, bassist Doug Sies, percussionist Tony Kille, and percussionist/rhythm guitarist Jim Smith.
The opening track, "I Still Believe," builds a percussive blues-rock groove that sets the tone for the album, and features some tasty slide guitar work and nuanced lead vocals. The band turns up the heat for "Bulletproof," an infectious tune about living boldly, and then brings it back down for "Come Over," a pretty duet with Bascom Hill lead singer Charlie Victor.
The chorus melody of the poignant pop tune "Fall From Grace" stuck in my head for days after listening to the record. I also especially liked "Mystery" for its outright rock attitude. These and a couple of other tracks are also notable for deviating from the band's penchant for blues-based progressions, and add interest to the disk as a whole. I would like to hear more of this branching out harmonically.
Beth Kille's Natalie Merchant-like vocal style, while captivating in itself, sometimes obscures the lyrics. Some of her fine songwriting reveals itself only on repeated listenings - but then, many of the songs are easy to listen to repeatedly. Write Your Name in the Sky is sure to please old fans and win new ones who appreciate intelligent, vigorous rock & roll. With its rock-solid rhythm section and optimistic attitude, the band will make you want to dance - or possibly clean house, which you probably needed to do anyway."
Contessa Says (Madison-area web magazine), May, 2006
CD Review (Contessa)
"Contessa Says: But It!
"If you weren't able to make it to the Clear Blue Betty CD release party, you missed an awesome show. This CD is a wonderful collection of songs and truly represents the extreme talent found in this band! In addition to band members, Beth Kille, Rob Koth, Jim Smith, Doug Sies, and Tony Kille, the album also boasts the talented accompaniment of Sean Michael Dargan, Len Mormino, J. Scott McMurray, John Masino, Charlie Victor (from Bascom Hill), and the Fountain of Life Worship Center Gospel Choir. This album is extremely polished while still keeping an awesome rock edge! Beth Kille was born to rock! And the variety found in this album makes you believe that bagpipes and a gospel choir belong in every rock collection! Clear Blue Betty is willing to take chances with sound and composition and it shows they 'live life like their bulletproof'!"
WIBands.com, May, 2006
CD Review (Animalien)
"Rating: 5 of 5
To hear a great CD from a great Wisconsin band is important to me; it shows the valuable contibution Wisconsin makes toward music. Clear Blue Betty is a shining example. In their newest album, Write Your Name in the Sky, the band shows the focus and determination to really put out some great music.
The best part about this album (well, besides the band and the music itself) is the names that contributed on this CD. John Masino lends his guitar ability to "Bulletproof". Sean Michael Dargan brings bagpipes into "December 31st". Charlie Victor from Bascon Hill lends his vocals in the duet "Come Over". The Foutain of Life Worship Center Gospel Choir on "The Calling", and many other great names.
The Shining tracks: Well, there are a lot of them. "Come Over" seems to stick in my head the most. "Bulletproof" is a great bluesish tune. "AO" is catchy and it's line is pretty easy to remember. "December 31st" because it's got bagpipes in it. The list goes on and on."
Majestic Theatre show announcements:
The Onion, Apr 27, 2006
"Clear Blue Betty features the 2006 Madison Area Music Award's Best Female Vocalist, Beth Kille, so expectations are high for its sophomore release, Write Your Name in the Sky. The five-piece band's first album, Never Been a Rebel, featured Midwestern takes on standard rock formulas established by the Indigo Girls and Sheryl Crow, but if the lead track from the new album is any indication, CBB is reaching a little bit higher. "Bulletproof", featuring a guest appearance by guitar-slinger John Masino, is a screaming stunner with Kille in full-out rocker mode. Other guests on the disc: Sean Michael Dargan, Charlie Victor of Bascom Hill, harmonica player Len Mormino, and even a gospel choir."
Isthmus, Apr 27, 2006
"Clear Blue Betty vocalist Beth Kille is the straightforward local rockers' not-so-secret weapon. They celebrate a new CD tonight (Friday)."
The Madison Area Music Awards, Mar 2006
Best Female Vocalist
Winner:
Beth Kille (Clear Blue Betty)
Other Finalists:
Brittany Hayes
Jai (Sensuous Enemy)
Carolynn Black
Appleton Post-Crescent, Mar 15, 2006
Entertainment Section (Eric Klister)
"A band on the rise is Clear Blue Betty, which performs a free show Friday at Tom’s Garage in Appleton. The Madison band plays a tasty blend of harmony and crunch that is highly listenable. At the forefront is the rockin’ sultriness of singer Beth Kille, who is nominated for a Madison Area Music Award for Best Female Vocalist. If you dig high energy Midwest roots rock, you’ll probably like Clear Blue Betty."
Rick's Cafe, Jan 2006
CD Review of MSG Made at Home Compilation CD (Kiki Schueler)
"... It is probably only surprising to me, given that I am an avowed non-fan of girl singers, that some of the set's best tracks come from women. Clear Blue Betty's Beth Kille, whose pure, lovely voice accounts for a lot of their charm, gives us the honest "Long Way Tonight." ... "
Rick's Cafe, Jan 2006
Top 10 of 2005 (Andy Ziehli)
"2. Clear Blue Betty live at the MAMA’s fundraiser in Belleville."
The Madison Area Music Awards, Mar 2005
Best Rock Band
Winner:
Awesome Car Funmaker
Other Finalists:
Clear Blue Betty
The German Art Students
Jimmy's Comet
Best Rock Album
Winner:
Clear Blue Betty - Never Been a Rebel
Other Finalists:
20 Reasons Taken - Redefine the Sound
The Dorothy Heralds - Projections
Driftless Pony Club - Janel
Rick's Cafe, Jan 2005
Top 10 of 2004 (Andy Ziehli)
"8. Clear Blue Betty in concert at the opening of the Overture Center.
…
2. Clear Blue Betty’s CD release of Never Been a Rebel. I thought it rocked. Beth Kille is a great songwriter and the band is made up of wonderful people who play for the music not the money."
Isthmus, Dec 31, 2004
2004 Year End Review - Music (Al Ritchie)
"Just a guess here, but it sure seemed like local bands churned out new CDs in record numbers this year. At times, in fact, it was hard for us Isthmus scribes to keep up with it all. Naturally, certain recordings tended to stand out above others, so here are a few personal choices as 2004’s best local songs…
Clear Blue Betty’s debut CD was kinda hit-and-miss with me, but one song in particular stopped me in my tracks. You simply can’t write and produce a more perfect country-pop song than “Go Back", Beth Kille’s triumphant tale of taking a chance on love. If Nashville ever hears this one...."
Online review, Dec 14, 2004
Review of Never Been a Rebel (Matt Krueger)
"Clear Blue Betty is a female fronted rock band from Madison, WI. Their album, Never Been a Rebel, is 12 tracks of original acoustic roots music showcasing the talent of singer/lyricist Beth Kille. Her solid acoustic guitar and mandolin work are a compliment to her rich vocals, and relationship-themed lyrics. Beth's fresh and imaginative rhythm parts hold much of the album together. Doug Seis is one steady bass player. Always playing tastefully, and with precision. The tight and connective playing between drummer Tony Kille and Beth shows an intense sensitivity, and understanding of each others' playing styles. They achieve a comfortable sounding pocket together. Even complex syncopations (like tracks 2, 10, and 12) seem to flow effortlessly from their collective playing. Rob Koth shows some promising guitar work on track 10 and weaves his backing vocals nicely around Beth's lead vocals on track 5. The harmonies and arrangements of chorus sections throughout the album show a high degree of musicianship and reflect remarkable creative intuition in the artists. Backing instrumentation is sparse. The piano work is beautiful, but a little under the mix. The strings are a nice touch, but unnecessary. Tony's taste in percussion, and formidable drum chops add great dimension to the album. There are moments when influences of Fleetwood Mac, the Doobie Brothers, Blues Traveler, and Heart kind of peak out from the music. They're a great band. Check 'em out when you can.
Matt's picks: tracks 3, 5, 10, 12.
Matt's gongs: 4, 6, 11."
Rick's Cafe, June 2004
CD Review (Rick Tvedt)
"Clear Blue Betty is a relatively new band, having formed in 2002. They are a hard-working lot who perform often and exercise ambitious self-promotion. They're also very positive and likeable as individuals. Never Been a Rebel is their first release and was recorded by Jake Johnson at Paradyme Studios. The production, like the band at this point in its development, is straightforward and polished with little risk-taking or flash. As such, this album is a very accurate documentation of Clear Blue Betty in 2004; AAA radio material, which they do fairly well. A trip to their website and a read of their bios confirms these influences.
This is a standard rock outfit. Lead singer Beth Kille plays acoustic guitar, mandolin and some percussion; guitarist Rob Koth plays electric guitar and handles the leads; Doug Sies plays bass and sings backups; and Kille’s husband Tony plays drums. They mix things up tempo-wise, going from ballads to mid-temp pop/rock to more grooving numbers, and finally switch to mandolin on the recording's best track, "Rome", which adds flavor much in the fashion of Steve Winwood/s later recordings. Throughout the recording one can hear other possibilities in terms of instrumentation, especially sax and other horns and keyboards to fill out the sound and add more excitement.
Rythmically, Clear Blue Betty has a very sturdy foundation. Sies is rock solid on bass and Tony Kille's drumming is effective and steady; accurate timing without too many fills. This foundation brings Fleetwood Mac clearly to mind, one of those great rhythmic machines that can be taken for granted for its lack of flash. Check out the album's other standout track, "Go Back". If this were a Fleetwood Mac song it would probably be a hit... The background vocals are pushed to the back of the mix and are layered, giving them that ghostly dimension at which Fleetwood excelled.
Koth's mellow-toned Les Paul is perfectly suited to the song "One Woman" and on the following track, “The News”, he delivers one of his most thrilling solos... "Keep Me Away from Myself" is another gem on the disc, chiefly because the band turns up the heat a little and Koth tries something different with his solo. This kind of energy feels good and could be a direction the band might want to further explore... "Where Love Lives" is a smooth ballad that recalls the Indigo Girls, "Kiss Me" sounds an awful lot like something 10,000 Maniacs may have come up with, and "Rome" is a fine number- uplifting, catchy, and radio-ready.
Clear Blue Betty is Beth Kille's show and rightly so. She has a strong stage presence, a pleasing voice, and a direct and charismatic persona. There is star power here and she's fortunate to have an ace rhythm section that seems capable of handling whatever she throws at them... One hopes that she stretches out and takes a few more chances with the songs, and that they dress them up a bit more with some effective instrumentation and arrangements that offer more surprises.
As a first album Never Been a Rebel has appeal, especially for those fans of Fleetwood Mac, et al. Clear Blue Betty, with the support and encouragement of their fans and peers, has the potential to be brilliant. This is reason enough to get out and see the band, cheer them on to greatness, and pick up a copy of Never Been a Rebel".
Rick's Cafe, June 2004
Live Show Review (Rick Tvedt)
"Clear Blue Betty is one of those hard-working DIY bands who surround themselves with able and willing family members and friends and do a very capable job of promotion, especially in cyberspace. This night was no exception as patrons were treated to CBB coolie cups upon entry and had the opportunity to purchase autographed and numbered copies of the new CD, Never Been a Rebel, as well as T-shirts and glowing CBB pendants. The affair drew a crowd of about 175, one of the better nights for the High Noon Saloon since opening on May 5th and undoubtedly its biggest draw for a local billing yet. The crowd was unmistakably there for Clear Blue Betty as the room filled during opener Mark Croft’s set…
Clear Blue Betty chose the middle slot on the bill – a wise move considering the makeup of the crowd: mostly thirty-somethings. The band is clearly centered around vocalist Beth Kille who writes all the lyrics (the entire band is credited with the music composition but Kille no doubt has a large hand in it) and is an energetic performer. Kille also played some percussion, acoustic and electric guitar, and mandolin. The mandolin numbers were especially well done and gave the band a unique and appealing flavor. Bassist Doug Sies played a beautiful pair of Fender basses throughout the set, is a solid player and was the clearest presence in the mix. Drummer Tony Kille (Beth’s husband) performed with authority; it’s always a pleasure to watch a drummer raise the sticks to ear level. Guitarist / backup vocalist Rob Koth played the “shy-one” role, a role that he should break out of a bit to shine alongside Beth’s dynamic presence. His guitar was lost in the mix, even in solos, and I kept wishing he would crank it up."
Isthmus, May 21, 2004
Interview with Beth Kille (Al Ritchie)
"Bio: Beth, her husband (and drummer) Tony Kille, and lead guitarist Rob Koth actually played together in a band once before – all were members of the UW marching band in the mid-‘90s. Nowadays, they – along with veteran bassist Doug Sies – forgo red-and-black uniforms while laying down a foundation of straightforward bar-style rock with a folky, Midwestern edge.
Recent activity: In addition to playing a busy schedule at clubs and festivals from Middleton to Green Bay (while still maintaining full-time careers), the band somehow found time to record their first studio CD, Never Been a Rebel.
Future activity: You can catch CBB live at the High Noon Saloon on Friday, May 21.
Q: How did your experience in the marching band prepare you for life as a working musician?
I think the performance aspect of the marching band really helped. I was the drum major, so being front and center came naturally after that experience. When you’re throwing a baton up in the air in front of 78,000 people, you get over the fear of a crowd pretty quickly.
Q: As the band’s primary songwriter, what moves you to write and create? Well, my mother is a poet, and her mother – that’s “Betty” – was a poet also. So I guess creative writing cam naturally to me, and was something that I was always encouraged to do by my family. I do a lot of driving – I work in my Monroe, so in my 40-minute commute, a lot of things pop into my brain. Then I get home, I pick up my guitar, and out pops a song.
Q: How do you manage to balance family and career goals while playing in a band every week? We just lose a lot of sleep, that’s all. But when you’re doing stuff you love, that’s not a huge sacrifice. I guess it takes a lot of the pressure off, too. If you play a wrong note, it’s not the end of the world because you’re not going to lose your day job."
Madison Observer, April 2004
Local Spotlight (el guante)
"Clear Blue Betty plays energetic, straightforward rock and roll music with a few bluesy twists. The sheer non-pretentiousness of it is fresh and very enjoyable, and the band plays with so much skill and, more importantly, personality that it’s hard not to feel your inner cynic melting away into a puddle of black goo and emo glasses.
Composed of singer/guitarist Beth Kille, lead guitarist Rob Koth, bassist Doug Sies, and drummer Tony Kille, Clear Blue Betty have been together since 2002, but in the short time between then and now, have managed to play over 30 venues in Wisconsin and today play frequently in Madison and around the state. They have also released one independent collection of songs, The News, and are currently working on a studio follow-up.
The band’s music is refreshing for its simplicity; not a blunt, unpolished plainness, but a full, very mature sound that is at once unique and strangely familiar. All of the band members are experienced musicians (lead singer Beth Kille was twice the drum major for the UW band), and that musical learnedness shines through on tracks like “Go Back”, which displays an acute knowledge of pop sensibilities and the power of a catchy, harmonized hook. The song is upbeat yet subtly sad, with a lyric that perfectly captures the difficulty – and ultimate reward – of taking romantic risks. On the other side of the musical spectrum, the song “The News” displays a funkier, almost darker side of the band. They lyrics are delightfully creepy: “knocked up, knocked out, shooting up and strung out / poundin’ down the devil’s door, c’mon baby gimmie more / ho, give me the news”. In fact, the lyrics for most of the band’s catalogue are poetic and inventive, with quite a variety of subject matter covered.
The band calls itself “Midwestern Rock n’ Roll”, and being from the Midwest, I can tell you that is a pretty apt description. Like the best ‘Midwestern’ rock bands, Clear Blue Betty places the emphasis on having fun and entertaining the crowd when they perform live, nothing more and nothing less."
Rick's Cafe, July 2003
Live Show Review of 2003 Sona Music Fest (Jamie Cummings)
"Clear Blue Betty, a pop/rock quartet led by Beth Kille, came on at 8:00. If Dar Williams had started out with a solid backing band (most notably Doug Sies on bass guitar) it would have sounded remarkably like Clear Blue Betty. The lyrics are intelligent and the music is fun. A definite must-see."
©2002-2007 Property of Clear Blue Betty (ASCAP)
Contact cbb_webmaster@yahoo.com with any questions or concerns.
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