VENICE
Kipp Lennon, lead vocals
Mark Lennon, lead vocals
Pat Lennon, acoustic guitars, vocals
Michael Lennon, electric & acoustic guitar, vocals
Debut album on Vanguard, Born and Raised

Born and Raised is the latest musical chapter from Venice. Borrowing the band's name from their hometown of Venice, California, cousins Kipp and Michael Lennon and their respective brothers Pat and Mark Lennon have cultivated an incredibly loyal following in Southern California.

Venice as a group, and as individuals, have toured or recorded with such artists as Stevie Nicks, Jackson Browne, David Crosby and Warren Zevon.

Bam Magazine named Venice…"the Best Undiscovered Band."

Known for stirring four part harmonies, infectious songs and exciting live performances, Venice has established itself as one of the most respected and eclectic groups on the Los Angeles club scene.

David Crosby has on several occasions referred to Venice as "the best vocal group in the country and one of the best bands of any kind I have ever heard."

Making their Vanguard Records debut, Venice is ready to make the leap from local fame to national / international attention.

"Venice's music is complimented by the soaring vocal harmonies that bring to mind classics like Fleetwood Mac and The Eagles." - Music Connection

In pursuit of an album that would reflect the intimacy, honesty and intensity of their communal live shows, the band opted to avoid the traditional big studio recording and instead set up a state of the art studio in the hills of Vista, California.  Living and working together for two weeks, they succeeded in honing and expanding on a sound that was distinctly their own.  The record is a rare blend of traditional and innovative folk rock that brings the Southern California sound into the '90's.

Born and Raised was produced by Michael Lennon, who achieved his goal of recording and mixing a Venice album that captures the spirit of a band that's cut its teeth on years of live performances.  The mix is just as if you were watching Venice on stage.  What you hear is what you get.  No elaborate overdubs, no bells and whistles.  With the help of engineer Paul Dieter, Michael guided his band mates in the studio, delivering an album of stunning depth and subtlety.  Paul's previous credits include work with Bonnie Raitt, Crosby, Stills & Nash, 10,000 Maniacs, Jackson Browne's last two albums and Shawn Colvin's Grammy nominated new album, A Few Small Repairs.

Warm acoustic moods, pulsing ethnic grooves and fluid electric guitars all combine to make Born and Raised not just a collection of 16 songs, but an album as diverse as the personalities and talents of the members of the group themselves.

From the ocean-like opening sounds of "That's the Way It Is" (reminiscent of vintage Brian Wilson), to the driving acoustic anthem, "If I Were You," to the last chord of the signature "We're Still Here," Venice has finally captured the heart and soul of its music on disc.

If you're wondering if these Lennons are related to the other famous Lennons, they are, but probably not the one you think of first. The Lennon Sisters and famous boxing ring announcers Jimmy Lennon and Jimmy Lennon Jr. are also members of this large 4th generation family, who were all born and raised in Venice. (Hence the title.)

For those who already know and love Venice, Born and Raised will provide a fix of great new songs.  For those discovering Venice for the first time, it will prove to be a warm introduction to a unique band.  One of those records you play over and over again.