San Francisco based Rykarda Parasol (reh-kaer-dah) along with her band, The Tower Ravens play "rock noir" that evokes moody atmospheres and gin-drenched romanticism. Aptly describing the sound as underhanded and white-collar criminal, the music draws comparisons to Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, Nico and the Velvet Underground, Black Heart Procession, and Johnny Cash. These cinematic songs tell stories of bad deeds andrykarda parasol betrayed loves with stark simplicity. Parasol began the first incarnation of her band after returning to her native San Francisco in 2002 following some years living in both Los Angeles and Texas. Her experiences during the next four years became the true-life inspiration for poignant songs about isolation, detachment, bad love, and death. Those true-life accounts have a dominant space on the Three Ring Records album “Our Hearts First Meet”, the follow-up to the well-received EP “Here She Comes" (Blood of the Young 2003). You can catch a sample of the songs at MySpace.com. With each evolving lineup, Parasol recorded tracks along the way. Nonetheless she has created a connected and conceptual work. In the past two years, changes to her lineup have yielded a very focused and assured presence. The album features performances by Colleen Browne (ex Pale Saints), Rich Douthit (the Drift), and Jeffrey Luck Lucas. Along with a production collaboration with Eric Drew Feldman (Captain Beefheart, PJ Harvey, and Polyphonic Spree).