Tag: new release

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Artists Worth Checking Out Reviews

shirlette ammons shatters barriers with latest release

shirlette ammons is set to release Language Barrier, her sophomore CD on Friday, February 5 on SugarQube Records, in conjunction with Durham, North Carolina based Churchkey Records.  SugarQube is the brainchild of ammons and her twin sister Shorlette.

“shirlette is such a fantastic artist, and we’ve wanted to work on a record with her for years—we’re thrilled and flattered to be working together with the Ammons twins as they launch SugarQube Records,” explains Kyle Miller and Steve Jones of Churchkey Records.

What barriers does the release shatter?  Well, for starters, the barrier between indie and mainstream artists.  This release features ammons with several top tier mainstream artists, including Grammy winning duo The Indiego Girls, Amelia Meath, German rapper sokkee and Meshell Ndegeocello.

“To have an opportunity to work with Meshell, The Indigo Girls, Amelia, Hiss Golden Messenger—and all on one record—is a dream come true,” ammons says.

The release also shatters the genre barrier, as it seamlessly flows from one style to another, including indie and classic rock, hip hop and ambient.

“As a part of the whole Language Barrier concept, I wanted to write an album that explores the ways we love across imposed and implied barriers.  In this sense, Language Barrier is an album about love as an act of resistance.  I also wanted to approach genre as a ‘barrier’ then break it down.”

All of the music was composed by Daniel Hart, who has worked with such diverse artists as St. Vincent and Broken Social Scene.

Leave your biases about indie music behind and give a listen to this great new release.  Find out more by checking out her website and Facebook pages, following her on Twitter and Soundcloud, and subscribing to her YouTube channel.

 

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Artists Worth Checking Out

Chris Lind’s “Drive” is the perfect travel companion

Every once in a while, a new artist emerges that has the potential and drive to reach the masses.  Thanks to the power of the internet, such an artist can achieve a level of familiarity and build a die-hard fan base long before they become a household name.  Chris Lind is more than capable of joining that elite group.

Lind is a native of South Jersey (near Philly) who became a driving force on the NYC music scene before recently relocating to his dad’s native Hawaii.  He attended Skidmore College in Saratoga Springs, New York, splitting time living, working and gigging in Honolulu, as well as studying Slack Key guitar with renowned artist Ozzie Kotani.  After graduating with a degree in Music, he moved to New York City.  Within a year he began gigging at hot spots like Rockwood Music Hall (ultimately performing on all three stages), The Living Room and Pete’s Candy Store (where he secured various residencies).

Growing a loyal fan base via his headline performances, Lind also opened for John Cruz at Le Poisson Rouge and the legendary Michael McDonald at The Ridgefield Playhouse in Connecticut.  Expanding his sphere of influence, he later performed at The Tin Angel in Philadelphia, The Rite Spot in San Francisco, the Hotel Café in Los Angeles, The Stone Pony in Asbury Park, NJ and Downbeat Lounge and Anna O’Brien’s in Honolulu.  Towards the end of his time living in New York, he recorded and performed at CMJ 2014 with a newly reformed version of Americana power-pop band End of Love, whose members included Wilco’s Nels Cline and Big Star’s Jody Stephens.  Lind’s “day jobs” during this time included teaching guitar at St. Francis College in Brooklyn and managing a prominent rehearsal studio in Greenwich Village.

“Living, working and playing in NYC/Brooklyn these past ten years, I’ve been able to see so many amazing artists who have inspired the development of my own style, vibe and point of view as a songwriter and performer,” says Lind.  “I’ve been exposed to many amazing places and venues, all rich with unique vibes. The guys in my band are honestly some of my greatest influences.”

A few years after catching fire with his singles “What Is Not Yours” and “A Story of Us” – which were featured in two episodes of the CW’s Smallville – and his debut EP Home, the soulful-voiced Lind takes a long look at the colorful history of where he’s been.

He and his band, featuring Aaron Nevezie on guitar, Dave Burnett on drums and Jeff Hill on bass, have completed work on their forthcoming sophomore EP, which will be released in February.  Nevezie and Burnett also had co-producing credits on the project.  In the meantime, the band has just released the first single, “Drive,” which reminds this writer of a hybrid between Tom Petty and John Mellencamp.

The song starts out mellow, with an amazing acoustic guitar rift that announces to the world that the song to come will blow your mind.  Then, as the chorus kicks in, the tempo shifts into high percussive gear and the multi-talented singer/songwriter shares powerful lyrics that perfectly reflect the forward momentum of his emergence as a force in indie pop/rock.  “Drive” is about the desire to move West with someone he loves.  The chorus reaches its climax with these reflective words:  “The only way we’ll ever get there is the shaking of our hearts.  The only way we’ll ever know is if we drive.”   With these hauntingly beautiful lyrics and the remainder of the songs on the EP, Lind declares emphatically now is the time to move on to bigger and bolder opportunities.

This is definitely an artist to check out and to add to your radar.  For more information about him, check out his website and Facebook pages, follow him on Twitter and subscribe to his Soundcloud channel.

Thanks to Jen Lyneis of Ue3 Promotions and Steve Belkin of Open All Nite Entertainment for bringing this amazing artist to our attention.

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Reviews

UK’s Fraser Jane releases music video for ‘Enough’

Fraser Jane is an Irish production based songstress who has spent the past three years learning the art of self production while living in London.   Her vivid imagination and style remind this reviewer of a cross between Bjork and Enya, although others have also compared her to Imogene Heap and Kate Bush.  Despite these comparisons, this songwriter is blazing her own unique trail with a sound and style all her own.

Fraser grew up in a musical household.  Although her first foray into the artistic community was as a dancer, her love and desire for music caused her to abandon that career path and focus instead on singing, writing and creating her own music.

She embarked on her first solo tour in the summer of 2014, playing dates throughout her native Ireland, including Whelans in Dublin and the Cork Jazz Festival.

Her first album Enough was released earlier this year.  She has now released a video highlighting the title track, an alt-pop song that runs the gamut from tribal drums to uplifting string arrangements, climaxing in a stirring vocal finale.  The video itself also brings back memories of another breakthrough video, Peter Gabriel’s “Sledgehammer,” with its quirky graphics and theme, which serve to underscore the lyrical content.

Legendary producer Gary Katz, famous for his work with Steely Dan and for discovering such notable acts as Chaka Khan, Rufus, Jimmy Buffett and Jim Croce, recently had this to say about Fraser Jane:  “Every once in a while, not very often, I hear an artist that is creating distinctive original music that makes my ears perk up and my foot tap.  Fraser Jane is one of those artists.”

If you like original music which stands on its own in a cookie-cutter world, then Fraser Jane may be just the artist for you.  Learn more about her by checking out her website and Facebook pages, follow her on Twitter and Instagram, and subscribe to her YouTube and SoundCloud channels.

 

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Reviews

Lyndzie Taylor’s Phoenix is the perfect vehicle for her musical rebirth

Colorado native Lyndzie Taylor is set to capture the Los Angeles music scene with the release of her new EP Phoenix.  Produced by Mallory Trunnell (one half of the alt-country duo Crimson Calamity), Phoenix allows Taylor to spotlight her true musical talents.

Taylor grew up on the music of 80’s female rockers like Joan Jett and Pat Benatar, and her latest offering provides notice to the world that Taylor belongs in that same category.  All five songs on the EP are impressive, beginning with the first electronic notes of “What do I Know” and lasting until the final note of the title track.

Taylor moved to Los Angeles to attend the American Musical and Dramatic Academy, majoring in Musical Theater and Voice Performance.  Along the way she met Trunnell and Lauren Harding (the other half of Crimson Calamity), as well as other female voices in LA’s indie music scene.  Taylor’s early career could be classified as “singer-songwriter,” and she excelled in that genre.  Now, however, under the direction of Trunnell, Phoenix announces to the world that Taylor has arrived as a true voice on the indie rock scene.

“My music is loud, bold and in your face,” admits Taylor.  “It felt good to match my creative expression with my personality in the studio.”

Definitely falling into that category are tracks 1 (“What do I Know”) and 4 (“Let’s Get Loud”), while tracks 3 (“Rain”) and 5 (“Phoenix”) show a softer but no less powerful side of her musical prowess.

Taylor envisions making a mark as a fiery voice in the LA music scene.  “The emotional core of my music is strength, as a person, as a woman and as an artist.”  We definitely agree.

For those of you fortunate enough to live in Los Angeles, Taylor will be celebrating the release of Phoenix with a record release show at 10 p.m. on December 2 at Club Moscow @ Boardners in Hollywood.  We strongly encourage you to check her out live.  If you can’t wait, you can download her music now from iTunes.

For more info on this amazing artist, check out her Facebook page, follow her on Twitter and Instagram and subscribe to her YouTube channel.

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Reviews

Darby Williams introduces herself with debut album “Me”

“Tall, blond, bodacious and sensual, newcomer Darby Williams commands the stage just as she commands her dynamic vocal range, with artistic creativity and a personal touch not often found today. Signed personally to Roc Cartel by label founder and President Ray De La Garza, Williams captures the essence and the nuances of perhaps the greatest collaborators in jazz history – Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn.”

So begins the press release for jazz artist Darby Williams, which was sent to this reviewer by one of his sources, Deborah Radel, publicist and fellow indie music lover.  Come to find out Williams had recorded a duet with Grammy and Oscar winner Peabo Bryson, which has been released as a single to highlight Williams’ debut album, Me.  With this reviewer’s interest piqued, an interview was set up with Ms. Williams, and here’s how it went:

IV:  How did you hook up with Peabo?

DW:  My manager, Richard Flanzer and my label, Roc Cartel, set up the duet.  We are planning on touring all of my music at some point, but our primary focus is on the duet.

IV:  How did the album title come about?

DW:  My label chose the title “Me” as I am a new artist who they wanted to introduce to the jazz world in particular.

IV:  What makes the duet with Bryson so special?

DW:  The duet is very breezy and fun while the remainder of the album is a collection of Ellington ballads.  Most people are already familiar with those tunes so they wanted them to see what makes my music unique.

IV:  What was your training?

DW:  I started singing in church at the age of 3.  I always sang together with my her Dad, who loved jazz, so I turned into a jazz girl.  We’d get in the car and start singing to Sinatra and others and he’s still singing with me today.

IV:  What other jazz or music influenced your style?

DW:  The Ellington/Strayhorn swing songs were always my favorites but their ballads were what I loved.  They were challenging to perform but such a privilege to get to do them.  They are not easy to sing and emotionally impact me very deeply.  During the recording process, there were many times I would just burst into tears as the meaning behind the lyrics hit home.  This (recording music) is all very new to me and I feel very lucky to have this opportunity.

IV:  Why is recording music is so different?

DW:  It’s like Alice in Wonderland for me.   The whole process is very amazing.  I have two great producers, Jason Switeser and Flanzer, who are legends in the industry.   I’m being well taken care of and loving every minute of it.

IV:  How did the label deal with Roc Cartel come about?

DW:  I was introduced to De la Garza (the label owner) through a friend of a friend of my manager.  When De la Garza found out I was a singer, he was intrigued.  It went from there.  It’s kismet for a girl from Salem, Oregon to get this opportunity.   I subsequently moved from Salem to Portland but am now considering an apartment in NYC to expand my horizons.

De La Garza had this to say about Williams:  “Darby has such a diverse vocal range that her interpretation of these songs makes them relevant and accessible to everyone. We are looking forward to introducing this work to many who are not yet familiar with this legendary music, as well as, to those who hold a deep appreciation for these timeless classics.”

“Darby is a fantastic vocalist with command and range. I’ve sung with the greats and she’s more than holding her own,” added Peabo Bryson.

Williams is currently scheduling her tour to support her album, and hopes to include Europe and Japan on her itinerary.  Her album dropped in August.

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Reviews

Patricia Bahia’s resilience shines through her new release ‘Save Your Heart’

There’s been a lot of emphasis on achieving your ‘bucket list’ since the popular movie starring Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman came out in 2007.  But Patricia Bahia, whose sophomore album Save Your Heart drops on October 23, was already hard at work on her list before then.
Bahia debuted her new album during a CD Release show at the Monkey House Theater in Berkeley on October 15.  Los Angeles residents get their turn on October 25, when Bahia performs at the world famous Hotel Cafe’.
Diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2003, Bahia discovered a desire to write songs during successful treatment for her disease.  Although she had been around music her entire life, she had never written a song before cancer tried to cut off her life.  Consequently, Bahia looked for help in fulfilling this bucket list item, and discovered Songsalive, a grass-roots songwriting organization co-founded by Australian Gilli Moon, who now lives in Los Angeles.
Bahia started her musical career as a soloist with the acclaimed Oakland Interfaith Gospel Choir, where she recorded with Linda Ronstadt, performed with Joan Baez and opened for Bonnie Raitt.
Bahia possesses a silky smooth voice that perfectly delivers her truth.  The message of her bucket list pursuit comes through clearly in this collection of songs, providing inspiration for others to do the same.  You can’t help but be uplifted and inspired by these tunes.  Although every song has a unique message, this reviewer was most impressed with the title song, “The Bridge That You Don’t Burn,” and “Every Day is a Gift.”  Speaking of the latter, the song was one of the winners in the 2015 Songs for Life songwriting competition and will be the opening song on the forthcoming compilation album.  Songs for Life is an annual music contest that supports cancer research.
Save Your Heart was produced by Bahia and Jon Hayes, and mixed by the legendary producer/engineer Bobby Owsinski (Neil Young, Willie Nelson) and mastered by Grammy Award-winning engineer Erick Labson (Joni Mitchell, Ryan Adams) at Universal Mastering Studios in Hollywood, CA.  The album is being released on DreamSongs Records.
Besides working on her own material, Bahia has been hard at work collaborating with other local indie artists, including Sleep Machine, MILCK and Alisha Zalkin.  The resulting songs have been placed in several television shows and movies.
It is quite obvious that Bahia and her music have a mission:  “The healing power of music was a large part of my recovery and music continues to save my life everyday,” says Bahia. “I want to share that experience with as many people who need and want to hear it.”
Save Your Heart opens with the upbeat pop song “Resilient,” which describes Bahia “to a T,” and closes with the hauntingly beautiful ballad “Come Back to Me.”   “Resilient” was inspired by teenage Pakistani activist Malala Yousafzai, who survived a Taliban assassination attempt and went on to receive the Nobel peace prize.  “Whether you’ve been knocked down literally or figuratively,” says Bahia, “this song is a tribute to you and your resilience.”

Bahia is a gifted songwriter with impeccable timing and amazing vocals.  Her music is an inspiration for others to follow their dreams, and will stay with the listener long after the last notes have faded. 

To find out more about this amazing artist, check out her website and Facebook page, follow her on Twitter and Instagram, and subscribe to her YouTube channel.

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Artists Worth Checking Out

Artists worth checking out: Brooke Moriber

One of the best things about writing a blog focusing on indie artists is the opportunity to check out amazing new artists and share them with readers.  Thanks to Jen Lyneis of Ue3 Promotions and Rick Eberle, Indie Voice is proud to share and recommend Brooke Moriber as this month’s “Artist Worth Checking Out.”

Born and raised in New York City (Manhattan’s Greenwich Village to be precise), Brooke Moriber is a singer/ songwriter known for her edgy pop tunes.  She got her start on Broadway at the tender age of eight when she was cast as young Cosette in Les Miserables.  Since then, she has performed in six other Broadway shows, including roles as Nadine in The Wild Party, Iola Stover in Parade and Lily in James Joyce’s The Dead, as well as guest starring roles on television and in the movies, including Law and Order: CI, Swift Justice, A Town’s Revenge, Off-Track Betty, Descent, and As The World Turns.  She also appeared on stage in Follies on Broadway and The Threepenny Opera, the latter with Cyndi Lauper and Alan Cumming.

In addition, she also premiered Randy Newman’s “Stupid Little Songs” in Seattle, portraying Randy’s first wife in The Education Of Randy Newman.  Moriber has been a featured performer on the Tony awards three times and recently performed in a tribute to Marvin Hamlisch at the Delacorte Theater in Central Park .

Not only can she act and sing show tunes, but she has her own style of pop music that is a cross between Amy Lee of Evanescence and Katy Perry.   The Associated Press credited her with having a “clarion voice” with an “immense vocal range.”

Moriber had her first material licensed to Nickelodeon when she was only 15.  Since then her songs have been featured on soundtracks for film and theater.  With her band, she has performed at such New York City venues as Pianos, The Cutting Room, The Knitting Factory and the Red Lion.  More recently, her performance at Revolution Music Hall was filmed for Verizon Fios’ Channel 1 where she was chosen as one of the artists to be featured on Rick’s Rising Stars.

Moriber released her debut EP Fire in August 2015, and has begun performing outside of New York City to support the release.  Last week she visited the Golden State to perform at Los Angeles venues Genghis Cohen and Room 5, where her shows were met with resounding success.

For more information about this artist, check out her website and Facebook page, follow her on Twitter and Instagram and subscribe to her YouTube channel.

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Reviews

Cindy Alexander is one special American girl

The Hotel Cafe is the place to be on Saturday, October 10 when local Los Angeles indie artist Cindy Alexander debuts her latest spectacular creation An American Girl.
I believe David Lawrence, host and executive producer of Net Music Countdown said it best:  “Cindy is the personification of what it takes to be a superstar.  Her writing is insightful and poignant. Her stage presence is utterly unforgettable, and her musicianship is flawless. She also possesses that rarest of charisma that one cannot manufacture: she was born to perform.”
Born and raised in Los Angeles, and despite being trained at the acclaimed USC School of Drama, Alexander decided to forego the acting world and focus instead on just being herself – a brilliant, witty and boisterous singer-songwriter whose songs have touched and affected the lives of everyone who has had the pleasure of hearing them.   Alexander’s songs speak of real-life events, allowing her audience to connect with and accept their inherent truths.
A seasoned writer and classically-trained performer, Alexander’s songs incorporate numerous subjects – not just the classic singer/songwriter confessional laments about dysfunctional relationships, marriage, and motherhood, but also her personal discovery and recovery from breast cancer, the perils of the entertainment business, classic literature, sexuality, spirituality, history and the human condition.   For Alexander, there is no topic which is off limits – she simply tells the truth about the highs and lows of life.
An American Girl, a five-track EP, is easily the best material Alexander has created to date.  A breast cancer survivor herself, Alexander has timed the release to coincide with Breast Cancer Awareness month in October.  Despite her diminutive stature, Alexander has never been afraid to tackle real issues with her songs, and the four original songs on the EP are further proof of that.  To top it all off, Alexander adds her own take to the classic Tom Petty hit “American Girl.”
Despite winning numerous awards and a television reality show, Alexander has chosen to remain an independent artist.  She formed her own label, JamCat Records in 1999 and released five CDs (See Red, Smash, Angels & Demons, Wobble with the World and Every Rise and Fall) before partnering with Blue Elan Records for the 2014 release of Curve.  The partnership with Blue Elan has given Alexander better exposure while allowing her to remain what she truly is – an independent artist.
In addition to being a singer/songwriter/ recording artist, Alexander is a wife, daughter, friend, mother of twins, breast cancer survivor, advocate and Ambassador to BreastCancer.org, animal rescuer, avid reader, hiker, cribbage competitor, baker of OCD chocolate chip cookies, volunteer, and guacamole lover.
When asked what drives her to be an artist, she answered:  “What compels me to share my creativity is what I call the ‘life of song.’ It’s the journey from Inspiration, to a spark or current in my heart, to something that pours from my pen to paper, from my fingertips to my instrument, from within my body and out through voice…to the space between me and the listener and hopefully, into that listener’s heart, where it takes on an additional meaning, if not an entirely different one than I had imagined… And then perhaps, it’s shared with a random friend and the journey continues. That’s the life of a song.  Music is a connection, a healer, and it’s magic.”

Give a listen to An American Girl, as well as her entire musical catalog – we think you’ll agree that Cindy Alexander is a uniquely independent artist with plenty to share.  Don’t miss her EP release show at The Hotel Cafe on October 10.

For more information on this amazing artist, check out her website and Facebook page, follow her on Twitter and Instagram and subscribe to her YouTube channel.  You can find her songs on Amazon.com and iTunes or listen to the stream on SoundCloud.

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Reviews

Alice Wallace is making “Memories, Music & Pride” with her latest release

Alice Wallace is set to debut her latest album, Memories, Music & Pride when she brings her SoCal Americana music to one of Hollywood’s premier venues, The Hotel Cafe’ on Friday, October 9.
Already recognized by the Orange County Music Awards (OCMA) with nominations for best country/americana and best live band, Wallace’s latest release should cement this rising star’s place as one of the best Americana performers in America, right next to Lucinda Williams, Patty Griffin and Honeyhoney.
Co-produced by Kirsten Proffit of CALICO the Band and Steve Berns (who produced CALICO’s debut album), and released on California Country Records, a label created by Proffit and her CALICO co-founder Manda Mosher, Memories, Music & Pride is the perfect marriage between the classic and future sounds of Americana music.  In addition to co-producing the album, Proffit and CALICO bandmate Aubrey Richmond also provide backing vocals on the album.

According to Wallace, “This record is more cohesive, as far as style is concerned,” she says. “I like blues, I like folk, I like country. This one still touches on all of those. But with this album I feel like I was trying to bridge the gap between my influences in old-time country with newer artists like Sturgill Simpson and Jason Isbell, whose albums have opened my eyes to what modern country can be.”  Wallace’s previous releases include 2011’s Sweet Madness and 2013’s A Thousand Miles From Home.

 All of the 11 tracks on the CD are originals, with the exception of Wallace’s cover of the classic 1935 Patsy Montana hit “I Want to be a Cowboy’s Sweetheart.”  Montana was the first major female country and western solo singing star, and Wallace, who took up yodeling after hearing Jewel talk about the old country singing style on her early records, had to reach back to the style of such earlier yodeling recording artists as Montana, Jimmie Rodgers, and Slim Whitman for her interpretation of the tune.  “I’ve never done anything in the style of Patsy Montana, and I was trying to make it true to the original in a way.”
Every track is stunning, with Wallace’s amazing vocals bringing life to her thought-provoking lyrics and melodies.  Everything you like about Americana music is there – the emotions, the vocal range and the steel guitar combine to create songs that are instantly memorable and reach deep inside the listener to connect on a deeper level than most music being produced today.
Two songs that stand out are “Leave” and “If I Didn’t Win.”  You can literally feel the pain and the joy in these songs, with universal themes of loneliness, love and struggle.  Not only are they great songs to listen to, but they are also the perfect soundtrack for dancing.

Among the amazing musicians that play on the record are jazz-schooled guitarist Tom Bremer, who has worked with Wallace for the past five years; drummer Josh Huppert, another longtime band mate; multi-instrumentalist Jeremy Long, now the pedal steel player in Sam Outlaw’s touring group; and bassist Robert Bowman. Special guests on the album include Ted Russell Kamp, a well-known Los Angeles solo artist who plays with Shooter Jennings’ band and is a frequent guest player with CALICO, who contributes upright bass on the track “Leave.”

Wallace, who was born in Los Angeles and raised in St. Cloud, Florida, began playing guitar at the age of 10 but didn’t truly devote her time to music until she was 15.  Over the years, she absorbed a variety of influences, from her parents’  favorites like Gram Parsons and Emmylou Harris to ‘80s and ‘90s country performers like Dwight Yoakam, Patty Loveless, and Mary Chapin
Carpenter and singer-songwriters like Jewel, Alanis Morisette and Sarah McLachlan.
It was these songwriters that brought Wallace back to music:  “That’s why I picked up the guitar again and made a more serious attempt at playing and writing songs – I was so inspired by hearing female artists on the radio.”
Wallace and her family left Florida in 2008 and relocated to Fullerton, California.  By 2013, Wallace was doing music full-time, traveling across the country on the strength of her first two albums, and gathering material for what became Memories, Music & Pride.
It should come as no surprise that “A Traveling Song” (Track 8) was inspired by some of those chance companions on the American byways.  “I’ve spent the last two years getting used to traveling – usually by myself,” Wallace says.  “It’s definitely been a personal learning experience, dealing with being alone a lot, and the songs reflect that.”  In addition, some of the album’s most intimate songs – like “Rough Around the Edges” and “Ohio Boy” – are drawn from relationships that developed on the road.   Wallace continues, “Traveling full-time does not lend itself well to romantic relationships; the few that I’ve had have been temporary, and usually they end badly.  They make for good songwriting material, but I definitely look back and say, ‘All right, Alice, you should have seen that coming.’”
For more on this amazing artist, check out her website and Facebook page, follow her on Twitter and Instagram, and subscribe to her YouTube channel.  And if you’re lucky enough to be in Los Angeles, don’t miss her release show at the Hotel Cafe’ on October 9.
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Women in Entertainment

Future Women in Entertainment: Meresha brings a “New Revolution” to the indie music scene

Happy new (fiscal) year!  It’s time for another article in our Future Women in Entertainment series.  This month we feature 18-year old Meresha, an Alien-loving vegan singer, songwriter, musician, composer, and producer, who has plans to take over the world.  We believe she just may be destined to join the ranks of those artists like Björk, Beck, Gaga, Madonna and Cher who are on a first name basis with their fans.

While many artists talk about chasing their dream and following whatever path is laid out in front of them, most of them never leave their hometowns and cities and expect it all to come to them.  This is definitely not the case with Meresha. Born and raised in Warsaw, Poland, she was deeply influenced by artists such as Robert Plant, Joss Stone, Freddie Mercury, Björk, Hayley Williams and James Blake as she learned and honed her craft.  She and her family relocated to Florida when she was 15 so that she could pursue her music career.

Meresha is a trendsetter and became the first artist to launch an EP exclusively on the new social media site tsu, one week before it was available publicly.  She made videos with the CEO, prominent tsu users, the tsu leadership team as well as prominent charities ahead of the launch.

New Revolution is a four-track EP in the electronica and electro-pop genre.  The title track has already cracked the Top 100 and appears to be headed for the Top 40.   “New Revolution” is a celebratory song that Meresha hopes each listener will interpret to be meaningful for his or her own “revolution.”   It’s an upbeat song that was designed to get listeners to dance and sing along and was written and composed to lift spirits and simply have fun.   Explains Meresha, “I created this song as a celebration of the past, creation of the new and a respect of the classics.  But it really can be about many things and people can interpret it in many ways. It can be applied to music, innovation or even technology.”

Meresha wrote and sang every song on her album, as well as performing them  as a pianist, guitarist and drummer.  Her sound is described as a combination of a soulful voice with modern beats, and is truly unique.   That’s not just hyperbole, since the EP has already either won or been a semi-finalist in several global music competitions, eliciting praise from the music press and extensive global radio play.

For the “New Revolution” video, Meresha enlisted five-time MTV VMA nominee David Rousseau (Pitbull, Magic!, Enrique Iglesias, LMFAO, Christina Aguilera, Lil’ Wayne) to helm the director’s chair.  You can check out the results here.

For more information about this rising star, check out her website and Facebook page, follow  her on Twitter, and subscribe to her YouTube channel.  You can also listen to her stream on Spotify, Soundcloud and iTunes.

Once again, special thanks to Jennifer Lyneis of Ue3 Promotions for introducing me to this electrifying artist.