Vagabond Motel

The LONG Story- The band name Vagabond Motel does bring to mind a certain image, one of musical drifters and transients, telling their stories in humble surroundings. It wasn’t always that way. Late in 2013 Natasha Ramirez was an established opera singer in northern California. “My life was filled with beautiful music and people and in many ways it was wonderful. Still, I longed for something to call mine, for music that contained all of the different styles and elements that had influenced me. I needed to sing music that was deeply personal.” Her search eventually brought her back to her hometown of Baltimore. As Natasha began to re-think her life she soon began spending time and eventually working with many of her old musical friends.
Guitarist Mike Gehl , keyboardist Mark Reilly and bassist Fred Louden started to appear with Natasha at local coffee houses. Jam sessions became song writing sessions and by early 2015 they had penned several dozen songs. These songs captured a wide melodic and emotional range and allowed Natasha to shift gears from ethereal to soulful. Mike explains, “Natasha came home with a restlessness and hunger that I could feel from the start. I knew we would be able to make music that had vitality and could bring inspiration. I felt it was something many people could relate to.”
The multi-year separation brought an interesting dynamic explains Natasha, “When we first played together my influences were the singers of the time like Joni Mitchell and Kate Bush. During the next decade plus I was immersed in the classical world. Then, like a time machine, I fell back into a world of Pink and Adele and cool indie bands like Lake Street Dive. Now I’m looking back at everything I missed.”
Their first recordings have been done at two local studios: the home studio of long- time friend Lawrence Bertoldi (his production credits include Lungfish and Boister) and new friend, Roy Wallan. As they work toward a CD release they begin with a simpler goal.” I wanted to provide an atmosphere and recording technique that would allow the original mood and spirit of these songs and this chemistry to shine through.” Gehl adds, “I guess we are always going through a transition from one life phase to another. Maybe it’s those times in between that tell us the most about ourselves.”