Fully in line with the daring and adventurous mix of jazz, indie and classic pop influences that drives her music, singer-songwriter Xenia Dunford left the safety net of her hometown of Boston for the high wire of Los Angeles a few months after releasing her self-titled 2011 debut EP. Joining forces with longtime musical compadres and fellow Bostonians Scotty Mlodzinksi (guitar) and Forrest Pettengill (bass), and later drummer Adam Farley, she discovered a deeper artistry that inspired a moniker for the new band that perfectly defined where they are from and where they’re headed. With songs colored by the experience of uncertainty in finding their way in a musically competitive city, Xenia Dunford & The Eastern Exile make their collective debut with their infectious 5-track EP Lonely Streets. Although Dunford cites legendary female singer-songwriters like Carole King, Laura Nyro and others “who changed the map of songwriting” as chief influences, her music—like that of Norah Jones, to whom she is favorably compared--is imbued with subtle elements from a variety of genres (including Americana, country and rock) and in many ways epitomizes her love for jazz.
She performed frequently at numerous Boston and Cambridge venues, including the Lizard Lounge, TT The Bears, All Asia, Think Tank, various coffeehouses and art galleries and even ventured down to NYC to play at the famed club The Bitter End. It didn’t take Xenia and The Eastern Exile long to make inroads in L.A., playing everywhere from Molly Malone’s and Bar Lubitsch to a showcase at Hollywood’s Renaissance Hotel. They have headlined an extended residency at Bar Pico in Santa Monica, and recently returned East to perform at the 5th Annual Singer-Songwriter of Cape May event in New Jersey, all amongst avidly gigging in the Los Angeles area.
May 16 2012
“The Only One” was included in Indie Music Reviewer magazine’s latest installation of Indie Overdose, a collection of 15 tracks from emerging artists!! Click here for a FREE DOWNLOAD of all the tracks!
May 11 2012
Indie Music Reviewer Magazine rates Lonely Streets and gives us a stellar review! Make sure to check out the full article!!
May 1 2012
Mark your calendars… we’ll be coming to The Hotel Café Monday May 14th! Click here for more info!
Apr 26 2012
“I’d like to refer to ‘Lonely Streets’ as songs worth listening to because each number has real-deal substance. I also love the fact that each track is completely different from the next… Xenia Dunford & The Eastern Exile prove their talents on ‘Lonely Streets’, which I feel should receive major recognition.”
Apr 24 2012
Clip from our show during the SS Cape May Fest 2012 at Congress Hall! Xenia Dunford & the Eastern Exile - Best I’ve Ever Had (acoustic)
Apr 24 2012
Get yourself a copy of ‘Lonely Streets’ and maybe a couple for your friends while you’re there!! Keep checking in as we will be adding merchandise such as posters and Ts for all our fans!!
Apr 21 2012
Get a couple tracks off ‘Lonely Streets’ for FREE!! But hurry, by midnight tonight Record Store Day will be over and these tracks will no longer be free! Happy Record Store Day folks!
Apr 18 2012
Listen in on my interview with Brian Lush from Albuquerque’s online radio ROCKWiRED for their segment of ROCKWiRED RADiO PROFiLES featuring Xenia Dunford & the Eastern Exile! Click here for the podcast, and click the link below the advertisements and you’re in!!
Apr 18 2012
May 4th I’ll be performing in a Friday night singer-songwriter round, called “Hello LA Shindy”, hosted by Ashley Alexander at the Sunset Strip venue called Pi on Sunset.The Hello LA Shindy at Pi introduces new up and coming artists to Los Angeles music lovers in one of the only listening rooms…
Apr 18 2012
“Bands like these make my job easy. I can’t even remember the last time I listened to an album (or an EP for that matter) from start to finish, without breaks. But for this one, I made an exception. I couldn’t help myself.” Read full review here.
Apr 4 2012
4/8 O’Briens Pub Santa Monica 915PM, Free
4/9 Skinnys Noho 830PM, $5
4/10 Bar Lubitsch West Hollywood 10PM, $8
Mar 27 2012
Let’s get Lonely Streets on the streets and in your ear! Help us reach our goal by donating to our project on Kickstarter! Not only will you be supporting a good cause, but there’s lots of special rewards in it for you too!
Mar 27 2012
“Xenia Dunford has a new EP! She is now performing with Scotty Mlodzinski on guitar, Forrest Pettengill on bass, and Adam Farley on drums, forming Xenia Dunford and the Eastern Exile…” Click here to read full review
Mar 22 2012
Wanna get to know us better? Check out our new promo video!
Mar 17 2012
Now available for your listening pleasure… ‘Lonely Streets’!! Enjoy & tell me what you think!!
Mar 16 2012
Listen to Xenia Dunford & the Eastern Exiles debut EP Lonely Streets! Info on how to purchase coming soon…. ENJOY!
Mar 11 2012
Xenia Dunford & the Eastern Exile is in exile no more! Our east coast debut is only three weeks away! Click here for all you need to know!
Mar 5 2012
DTLA photo shoot with photographer Anthony Papamarkakis for the new EP! View the album here…
Feb 29 2012
Only one month away!! Visit SS Cape May Fest 2012 for showcase listings!
Feb 26 2012
Have a listen to our new song “Home Waits For Me”. Live recording from 2/9’s gig at the Renaissance Hotel!
