Cristen Grey and the Moving Dunes: Bio

Cristen Grey - Lead Vocal - Lead & Rhythm Guitar

A veteran musician with a touring history, she opened up for the likes of Quiet Riot, Cinderella, Missing Persons and a few other “Glam” bands during the late eighties as a rhythm and lead guitarist for the regionally successful metal band “All Eyes”. Under the auspices of All Eyes she flourished as a songwriter and artist paving the way for her most recent incarnation as Cristen Grey and the Moving Dunes.

Since forming her indie power-rock AC band in 2007, Cristen Grey and the Moving Dunes have demonstrated a superlative talent for blending adult contemporary rock with everything from country and blues to metal-tinged power ballads.

Her newest release entitled 10,000 Things reflects the flow of unique life experiences and the themes that tie us together—fear, love, joy and sorrow and how we manage to somehow draw the resiliency needed to pick ourselves up when we we’ve hit the ground hard. Grey's smoky alto voice gives her a hard rock feel, while acoustic guitars soften the sound, taking the dullness out of adult contemporary. Drawing from a myriad of influences, a few such as Classic Heart to Sheryl Crow, these influences are but one component of irresistible rock adult contemporary laced with the bittersweet lyrical grit of life experience perfectly reflected in tracks like the award-winning “So Much Better,” in which she exults in finding that special person to connect with, riding out all of life’s ups and downs; award-winning acoustic mid tempo ballad “Absolute,” a hard hitting emotional summary of lost relationships and the difficulty involved in accepting that they’re gone; and the vocal harmony driven “Stir Up A Swarm,” which is about the power of careless words and the damage they can do.

Grey is actively working on licensing songs for film and television and composing soundscapes for both media. Over the past few years, many of her songs have received recognition from the New Mexico Music Awards: “Absolute” and “So Much Better” were awarded Best Rock-Adult Contemporary Song in 2007 and 2008 respectively, also 2009 garnered another nomination for “Bad Emotion” under the Mainstream-Rock Category, all of which were produced and engineered by Grey and Brian Widger. Cristen also has been the only artist selected to perform three years in a row at this event.

Cristen Grey and the Moving Dunes have performed over the past few years at festivals such as the Hyperactive Music Festival and most recently at this year’s southwest’s favorite Thirsty Ear Festival (on the bill with artists such as Keb’ Mo’, Bela Fleck and Steel Pulse) and at regional hotspots like the Santa Fe Brewing Company, Cowgirl Hall of Fame, Catamount, El Paseo Burt’s Tiki Lounge and El Rey Theatre.

Film Placement:
2006 ‘Out of Control’ was licensed for a film short called ‘Bloodline’; a detective story that was a part of the national 48 Hour Film Project

Artist/Writer Accolades:
2009 Nominated for 'Cross-Over Song of the Year' by the NMHEA (NM Hispano Entertainers Assoc.) for 'So Much Better'
2009 Nominated for ‘Main-Stream Rock’ by the NMMA (NM Music Awards)for 'Bad Emotion'
2008 Nominated for ‘Best Rock-Adult Contemporary’ and awarded ‘Best Rock-Adult Contemporary’ by the NMMA for 'So Much Better'
2008 Selected again this year to showcase at the Hyperactive Music Festival in Albuquerque in front of record industry executives
2007 Nominated for 'Best Song' and awarded ‘Best Rock-Adult Contemporary’ by the NMMA for 'Absolute'
2006-2008 Selected to showcase at Hyperactive Music Festival in Albuquerque in front of record industry executives
2004 Placed as semi-finalist in the national 2004 Billboard Magazine Independent Music World Series (IMWS) competition
2003 Material selected for the Durango Songwriters Expo where it was performed for select industry professionals
2002 Nominated for ‘Album of the Year’ by the NMMA

Please hear sample sound-scapes entitled:
Montage I
Montage II
Montage III

Brain 'Brain' Widger - Lead & Rhythm Guitar-Synth Guitar, Backing Vocals

Brian Widger: Not much is known about 'Brain' yes that's correct 'BRAIN'. He's so far removed from societal integration due to his hermetic musical genius. You know the type, mismatched colored socks, couldn't tell you what day it is. When asked to describe his music, "I'm kinda like a feathered fist", yes these are in his own words...you get the picture.

Mark Clark - Drums, Percussion and Backing Vocals

A native of Santa Fe, Mark has toured the world with various renowned musical acts. Aside from playing with Cristen Grey and the Moving Dunes, Mark records and tours with Sony Music recording artist Ottmar Liebert and Rainsong Records recording artist Jono Manson. Mark endorses Latin Percussion, Zildjian Cymbals, Vic Firth Sticks and Aquarian Drumheads.

James Maldonado - Bass and Backing Vocals

James Maldonado is a New Jersey native who spent most of his childhood on the move. Before his 8th birthday, James had lived in San Paolo, Brazil, Albuquerque, New Mexico, New York City, and finally New Jersey. Starting at the age of 10, James began his music career on saxophone, and has since continued to add many new instruments to his musical ability. Today, James' repetoire includes playing guitar, saxophone, rudiments percussion, voice, and electric and upright bass. Since his beginning with music James has immerced himself in many different musical genres, including wind ensembles, concert bands, choirs, symphony orchestras, rock bands, drum lines, chamber groups, jazz bands, latin combos, and multiple other musical projects, as well as song-writing.
Some of James' background in instruction and private tutoring includes: Linda McNight, teacher of double bass at Montclair Sate University, New York University (Manhattan), Columbia University, and The Manhattan School of Music; Buddy Booker, Electric bass player and teacher out of New York City; Dennis Delucia, rudiments in percussion; Lewis Winn, Jazz guitarist in Albuquerque and Santa Fe; Robert "Milo" Jaramillo, Bassist in Albuquerque and Santa Fe. In addition, James has also attended Victor Wooten's Bass/Nature Camp in Tennesse, where instruction was given by bass-playing greats such as Victor Wooten himself, Steve Baily, Richard Bona, Stu Hamm, Adam Nidi, ANthony Wellington, and the great Chuck Rainey.
James is currently furthering his musical ability as he finishes his last semester at the College of Santa Fe's Contemporary Music Program where he was featured as a Spot Light Student. He has recently been featured as a bassist on recordings for the Mediterranean Ensemble's "Mezze" release. He can also be seen around Santa Fe playing with the Nacha Mendez Group (latin jazz), Cheverendongo (salsa), Human Family (R&B) and Mayamundi (world music brought to you by Ethnosphere Muisc Lab), as well as many other groups.

Justin Bransford - Bass

Master bassist of modern music. Plays with "Sol Fire", "Jetpack Rental" and other local artists. Santa Fe native; teaches music at Santa Fe Prep and also the United World College of the American West. Plays piano and bass for National Dance Institute of New Mexico.