By 1969, pioneering West Coast all-female psych-rockers Ace of Cups had already written an astonishing 60+ brilliantly original songs and were a formidable live act, fielding accolades from the likes of Jimi Hendrix, Grace Slick and Jerry Garcia. The band’s new 'Extended Play' E.P. uncovers four ‘lost’ songs written during that magical, lysergic era, and completes a remarkable run of three albums since their sudden reemergence in 2016 to begin recording their debut album – a goal that had eluded them when their star was burning hot and quick. 'Extended Play' channels the band’s wild electricity into patience and strength - spacious acoustic guitars frame beautiful vocal harmonies on “Baby Come Home” while “You Don’t Understand” shimmers with Byrdsy jangle and simmering Spectoresque tension. The music is imbued with honesty, confidence and wisdom, and a lifetime of shared history and deep musical bonds.
Featuring David Grisman, Sid Page, David Freiberg, Terry Haggerty and Steve Kimock.
NEW! Music Videos from the Ace of Cups’ new album Extended Play
From “Lucky Stars” Music Video Director Monty Miranda
“I am so happy the Ace of Cups continue to embrace vinyl. In part I owe my filmmaking career to the vinyl record. My first recollection of playing a record was playing songs released on Red Raven Records. You see, to play a Red Raven Records properly you needed a mirrored top that when placed upon the top of one of their colored 78s would reflect back imagery from the record label creating motion via persistence of vision. For hours I would watch mesmerized. My earliest experience with recorded music was inextricably connected to motion pictures. When I heard Ace’s song “Lucky Stars” I knew immediately this would be a great fit. This is it. I would tell the story of Lucky Stars by creating my own Ace of Cups imagery on the label. To me “Lucky Stars” and the film is about discovery, the discovery of something old but most importantly discovering something new. I hope you enjoy this presentation as much as I enjoyed making the film - maybe those original fables weren’t so silly after all.” –– Monty Miranda (Read the full statement here)
From the Self-titled Debut Album:
Singles from the first official studio album
by Ace of Cups
The first studio releases by the original all-female rock band of the late ‘60s San Francisco scene are now available, featuring contributions from Bob Weir (Grateful Dead, Dead & Company), Jorma Kaukonen and Jack Casady (Jefferson Airplane, Hot Tuna), Taj Mahal, Buffy Sainte-Marie, Peter Coyote, and many more.
Order the album now.
Meet the Legendary Ace of Cups
The Beloved All-Female Rock Group from the 1960s San Francisco Psychedelic Scene
From 1967 to 1972, the Ace of Cups were at the epicenter of the ‘60s cultural and social revolution. From the Acid Tests to the protests, from the free concerts in Golden Gate Park to the ballrooms of San Francisco, they shared stages with everyone from The Band to the Grateful Dead, and were chosen to open for Jimi Hendrix the week after his groundbreaking performance at The Monterey Pop Festival.
Despite eliciting music industry interest for their exceptional songs, sublime harmonies and exuberant live performances, the Ace of Cups never got the chance to make a record…until now.
The 2nd Album: Sing Your Dreams
Available now, the second official studio album from the legendary Ace of Cups highlights the band’s longstanding attitude of total creative freedom and fierce commitment to humanity. Built on a rock-solid foundation of blues and soul, infused with the ageless tendrils of folk melodies and world music rhythms, the new album reveals the power of song and the maxim of love and togetherness that is core to Ace of Cups. These women are part of a generation for whom social justice was—and still is—a major concern, and in the light of the tension and tumult of recent events, we could all benefit from their courage and positivity.
Sing Your Dreams is a new collection of 12 songs and stories, and features collaborations with Jackson Browne (who duets on album closer ‘Slowest River’), Sheila E.and the Escovedo Family, Bakithi Kumalo (whose iconic bass-playing was integral to the sound of Paul Simon’s Graceland), jam-band guitar luminary Steve Kimock, peace activist and counterculture icon Wavy Gravy, Jack Casady (Jefferson Airplane, Hot Tuna), and David Freiberg (Quicksilver Messenger Service, Jefferson Starship).
Music Video: “Jai Ma”
The lead single off the new album Sing Your Dreams, featuring Sheila E. and the Escovedo Family, Bakithi Kumalo, and Steve Kimock.
Ace of Cups’ Denise Kaufman explains: “‘Jai Ma’ may be translated from Sanskrit as ‘Victory to the Divine Mother- the energy and power of all creation. May She triumph over all destructive forces within each of us and everywhere in this world.’ This is a song honoring, loving and exalting the Divine Feminine in all Her forms. It’s about taking back patriarchal stories from various traditions which demean the feminine. It’s about raising Her up and celebrating Her, celebrating love, sensuality and the juiciness of life.”
In the News
The Ace of Cups dropped by World Cafe to perform and share stories about Ken Kesey's Acid Tests, the Summer of Love and their lives since then. Listen in the player.
Fame Eluded The Ace Of Cups In The 1960s. Can They Reclaim It In 2020?
The all-female psychedelic band petered out before making an album. Now, as senior citizens, they’re sharing their second via GRAMMY.com — and they have one hell of a story to tell. READ MORE
A Dream Deferred: Pioneering All-Female Rock Band Finally Having Its Moment
They were arguably the first all-female rock band of importance. Original and openly feminist, the act never scored a record deal. Until now. READ MORE
Billboard: Lost '60s Rockers Talk Band Resurrection
Although the group shared the stage with the Grateful Dead, Jefferson Airplane and the Jimi Hendrix Experience, they never recorded a proper album...until now. READ MORE
The Return Of San Francisco’s First-All Female Rock Band
There are second acts. Guitarist Denise Kaufman answers Pollstar’s questions about the group’s journey from the ‘60s to hitting the studio today. READ MORE
Decades After Fading from SF’s Psychedelic Scene, the Ace of Cups Arrives
Formed in the Haight Ashbury during the Summer of Love, the Ace of Cups was the first and only all-female rock band on the scene in those heady psychedelic days a half century ago. READ MORE
KZSC Interview With Carol Riewe: Denise from the Ace of Cups
The Ace of Cups, one of the first all-women rock bands emerging in the mid-sixties, were at the center of the SF music scene and the summer of love in 1967. Listen here to an interview on the Test of Time with Ace of Cups’ guitarist & bassist Denise Kaufman.
SF All-Female Psychedelic Rock Band Overlooked in Patriarchal ’60s Rises Again
For decades, Ace of Cups was just a curious name that appeared on vintage psychedelic rock posters alongside more familiar names. READ MORE
The 1960s All-Female Band Finally Record Their First Album
If you were around in their heyday, the Ace of Cups are already legends. They opened for Jimi Hendrix and were friends with the Grateful Dead. READ MORE
KQED: Long-Lost All-Woman Band Releases First Single Since 1967
Ace of Cups' return from obscurity continues with the release of the all-woman rock group's first single since forming more than 50 years ago in San Francisco. READ MORE
“The Well,” new Ace of Cups single featuring Bob Weir
Denise hanging at Laughing Tiger studios, working on the Ace of Cups album (guitar solos on Bobby's vintage Gretch and lead vocals to melt your heart on "The Well"—listen here)!
GuitarGirl Magazine: Ace of Cups
The first studio release by the only all-female rock band of the late ‘60s San Francisco scene features contributions from Bob Weir, Jorma Kaukonen and Jack Casady, Taj Mahal, Buffy Sainte-Marie, Peter Coyote, and many more. READ MORE
More from the Ace of Cups
People Helping People
Recorded LIVE - October 28, 2020
Put A Woman In Charge
The Ace of Cups Celebrates the 100th Anniversary of Women’s Voting Rights!
The Ace of Cups is releasing their new track, Put a Woman in Charge, to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the 19th Amendment. The song premiere is supported by a narrative video honoring the timeline of women’s suffrage as told by a diverse group of female luminaries. More than 40 inspiring and luminary women from all walks of life participated in the video, including politicians, musicians, producers, directors, authors, and teachers.