Coyote Motel

Coyote Motel is at the forefront of Cosmic Roots Blues, blending the deepest foundations of traditional American music with the cutting edge. The Nashville-based quintet has been described as a mix of Muddy Waters, Pink Floyd and the Band. Fronted by Ted Drozdowski, formerly of internationally touring Mississippi-hill-country inspired band Scissormen and editorial director of Premier Guitar magazine, and Luella, ex-frontperson of Luella and the Sun, Coyote Motel has released its debut feature film and soundtrack, The River: A Songwriter’s Stories of the South. The film is currently playing festivals and has won laurels for best international film (Polish Film Festival) and best original soundtrack (Queen City Film Festival), among other awards.

The crowdfunded movie uses musical performances, storytelling, cultural history, psychedelic light art and aerial dance to create a journey through the lives, lore and locales along the Cumberland, Mississippi and Tallahatchie rivers. It was conceived and written by Ted, and directed by Richie Owens. Ted wrote nine of its 10 songs. The band is currently scheduling screenings combined with live performances.

Besides Ted and Luella on vocals, guitars, and other instruments, Coyote Motel includes Sean Zywick on
bass; Kyra Lachelle Curenton on drums; and Laurie Hoffma on Theremin and glockenspiel—casting a sonic spell that’s both otherworldly and deeply rooted.

You can see and hear music from The River: A Songwriter’s Stories of the South at coyotemotel.com. For information, write to ted@coyotemotel.com.