With the raw simplicity of bare hands in the dirt, Vanessa Torres writes folk songs that blend tender honesty with a strong call to action. Her songs weave delicate harmonies with old-time instrumentation and vivid imagery. Freight trains and mockingbirds, bottomless wells and surging rivers, and crumbling levees and graveside elegies illuminate her earthy meditations on contemporary life. In a rich dusky voice fueled by hope and compassion, Torres calls for justice and understanding in an often dispassionate world. Featuring 13 original songs, Witness was produced by the critically acclaimed Boston producer David “Goody” Goodrich, best known for his work with roots legend Chris Smither and alternative contemporary folk artists Peter Mulvey and Jeffrey Foucault. Goodrich also recently produced the breakout disc that has helped launch the career of Mainer Moses Atwood. Witness was recorded by Mark Thayer at the Signature Sounds Studio, one of contemporary folk’s premier record labels. Joining her on the c.d. are a cast of incredible musician. Among them: David Goodrich on guitars and piano, Corey Dimario (of the acclaimed old-time band 'Crooked Still') on double bass, Tamara Torres on harmony vocals, Ra Criscitiello on banjo and accordion, and Phil Nyokai James on the Shakuhachi flute. An important new voice on the contemporary folk scene, Vanessa Torres has recently performed in showcases at two of the music industry’s major national conferences: The Folk Alliance in Memphis, Tennessee, and South By Southwest in Austin, Texas. She will be touring throughout New England this summer with her band Touching Ground, as well as performing at the Moab Folk Festival in Utah as part of a west coast tour in the fall. Vanessa and her band have opened for Kaki King, Erin Mckeown, Natalia Zukerman, Anais Mitchell and Sarah Bettens among many others.