“I was put on a course into the crazy business and bohemian lifestyle of a musician shortly aftter I was born. At my baptism, the preacher told my parents he had a vision that I would be a strong willed child (my mother will vouch for that) and grow up to be a singer. Ever since I was first told that story as a child this little feeling nagged at me. I actually started trying out for bands at the age of 19. My second audition was for “The Rose Chronicles.”

ROSE CHRONICLES:

“I guess the Rose Chroncles thought I passed the test because they asked me to join after that first audition. 3 months later, after only two gigs, we were signed to Nettwerk records. Rose Chronicles’ full length debut garnered a Juno award in 1994 for best alternative album. The album had sold about 15,000 copies last time I checked.”

Rose Chronicles toured across Canada a few times and also performed in a few cities on the East coast of the US.

“Actually, before Everclear were huge rock stars they opened for us at a small all-ages show in Minneapolis .”

DELERIUM:

Through her connections with Nettwerk Kristy was asked by Delerium to sing on their first release through Nettwerk. She was the only featured vocalist on “Semantic Spaces” and two of the songs she wrote and sang on became popular MuchMusic and radio singles. “Flowers become Screens”, and “Incantation”. The album itself has sold over 130, 000 copies.

The follow up to “Semantic Spaces” was “Karma” which featured Kristy’s writing and singing on 4 songs. Also featured on “Karma” were Sarah McLachlan and Lisa Gerard (Dead can Dance).

Karma sold over 450,000 copies worldwide and Kristy’s single “Heavens Earth” reached #2 on the Irish music charts and #4 in Australia.

Other songs from “Karma” featuring Kristy have been heard in movies like “Get Carter” (starring Sylvester Stallone) and HBO feature productions.

SOLO CAREER:

Kristy’s solo career has marked a return to songwriting, touring, and working towards the perfect album. One of Kristy’s songs appeared in the soundtrack for the for Genie Award-winning film “Kissed” and Kristy was nominated for a Genie for “Best Movie Theme” Kristy’s performance of the song at the Toronto Film festival was broadcast live on MuchMusic.

With her own band, Kristy has toured the West Coast 3 times, and played numerous shows in LA, New York, Philadelphia, and of course, Vancouver.

Kristy also continues to work as a guest singer and songwriter on Various projects. Balligomingo -She co-wrote and performed the song “Heat” on the upcoming Balligomingo CD, which will be released in 2002 by RCA Records.

Kristy is exploring new musical territory by writing and producing her forthcoming album in LA with producer Eric Rosse (Tori Amos, Lisa Marie Presley, Nash Kato of Urge Overkill).

Check out Kristy Thirsk’s latest release:
Under Cover EP

For more info on Kristy Thirsk visit:
www.kristythirsk.com
myspace.com/kristythirsk

She’s worked with BT, Chicane, and Oakenfold. Had tracks featured in movies like American Pie and Hackers 2. Yet, strange though it may sound, Jan’s current story kicks off a few years ago in a bargain bin in Manchester.
January 95: BT (Brian Transeau) is over from the US doing some studio work and is busy rifling through the city’s Bluezone second hand record shop. Picking up a vinyl copy of “Paris”, with a b-side of “The Prayer” (which he later sampled and with Taylor produced “Calling Your Name”). Impressed by the face on the sleeve, he promptly buys it (for 50p no less!)

You know what DJs are like. Nine months later, he’s finally listened to it. “This voice came out and I just fell on the floor. I simply had to track this woman down and work with her.” It was, however, another nine months before he managed to contact the elusive songstress. Jan says: “Brian was over in Manchester for one day only. He asked if I was free, we hit the studio, and laid down “Remember”, our first collaboration, which was later used in Hackers 2.”

Everyone loved it. Offers flooded in, and, as well as immediately flying over to LA to work on new material, Jan was soon lending her distinctive vocals to a plethora of other artists: Chicane on “Love Will Come”, “Take Me By the Hand”, by Victor Imbres’ Submerge project and Freefall’s number one club hit “Skydive”. On top of this, she and BT did a sell-out 30-date tour of the States from San Francisco to Florida. Which is how she captured the eagle eyes – and ears – of a certain well-known DJ:

“Paul (Oakenfold) pulled me aside one night after the show and whispered in my ear, “I want to sign you.” I was initially a bit cautious because I’m more singer-songwriter than dance diva, but he assured me I’d have free reign. And I obviously had a lot of respect for his reputation in the industry.” Jan signed to Perfecto in Summer 99. Relocating to LA to record with US producer Jamie Myerson, they worked on and recorded Jan’s debut album in the first six months of last year.

A subtle marriage of Jan’s open lyrics and Jamie’s quietly understated production, the forthcoming album “Emerging” is testament to the strength of traditional songwriting that can and still exists within a dance sensibility: “I can’t bear the idea of not communicating something to my audience. I love combining dance influences beats and breaks here and there with everything I’ve experienced over the years in relationships and life generally. I want to pull people’s emotions, make them feel what I feel. If they do, then I’ve succeeded.”

Tracks range from the painful experience of a relationship breakdown in the epic “No Excuses” through to the nascent sense of finding inner peace in title track “Emerging”; along the way Jan also covers the Carpenters’ classic “Superstar” (“purely to put myself up against a great artist!”) and ends with the pensive prayer to a higher being, “God’s Plan.” First single “Flesh”, released April 9, is, as its title suggests, a paean to somewhat more biblical pleasures, in the less holy sense of the word!

Born and bred in the gray swathes of Salford, Jan was intent on doing the right thing by her parents and getting a job in the local bank, despite a natural vocal ability. Yet instincts can only be suppressed for so long, and soon she’d formed a duo called JJ, flirting with chart success after the band was signed to Sony. Following their subsequent departure from the label, Jan was signed as a solo artist to A&M, where she released a handful of singles, including the aforementioned “Calling Your Name”, as well as a critically- acclaimed album “Naked But for the Lilies.” Which is where BT comes in, which brings us up to the present. Heck, she even featured on his latest club smash “Mercury and Solace”.

# 1. Jan on life: “I think I’m a genuine gypsy. Most people couldn’t bear to stand on quicksand. I seem to relish getting up to my chin and then crawling out again. I’ve been floating for years now, and even sold my house to pursue this dream. I know it will happen. You have to fight in life.”

# 2. Jan on her music: “It’s like Joni Mitchell and George Michael rubbing up against 4 Hero and Ricky Lee Jones.” You can’t say fairer than that.

For more info on Jan Johnston visit:
www.janjohnston.com
myspace.com/officialjanjohnston

A destined encounter between singer/songwriter Elsieanne Caplette and drummer Stephane Sotto led to the creation of Elsiane, a duo that combines much more than its creators’ given names. Elsiane perfectly reflects this creative duo’s symbiotic relationship and creative approach. Musically, Elsiane is a hybrid of styles and influences. Their evocative compositions organically blend a pop sensibility with influences that range from classical music through jazz, rock and electronic. At once universally appealing and surprisingly intimate, their songs combine a polished surface and musical virtuosity with emotional depth and a highly personal vision. Creatively, Elsiane is a perfect fusion of these two musicians’ talents; drummer Stephane Sotto creates the rhythmic foundation that gently supports Elsieanne’s idiosyncratic and hauntingly expressive voice. The result is a lush musicality that intrinsically intertwines rhythm and melody – Elsiane is the sound of two hearts beating as one.

Born into a musical family, Elsieanne Caplette grew up in Peru. She studied classical music, however her own creativity blossomed when she studied under a mentor who advocated the exploration and integration of other traditions and genres. She played guitar and sang in bands in Peru before immigrating to Montreal in 1999 where she met Stephane Sotto. An accomplished musician and vocalist, she writes the melodies and lyrics for Elsiane’s songs, as well as playing synths and keyboards, and orchestrating the strings on their debut album. The other half of the Elsiane hybrid, drummer Stephane Sotto, was born and raised in Montreal. A self-taught musician, his collaboration with Elsieanne has allowed him to intimately explore the relationship between rhythm and melody. His study of Art History lends a conceptual sensitivity and awareness to both the musical and visual elements of Elsiane.

All of Elsiane’s songs grow out of a melody. The process starts with singer and songwriter Elsieanne; “Very strong melodies are the seeds, it always starts with the melody.” Elsieanne uses her voice as an instrument. “Lyrics come as I sing, they emerge from the melody.” Drummer Stephane joins the process as the pair arrange the songs. “I feed off of her vocals,” explains Stephane. This intimate relationship between Elsieanne’s voice and the melodies and rhythms of the drums and other instruments is a hallmark of Elsiane’s music. Floating between worlds and genres, Elsiane create orchestral dreamscapes that plumb the depths of human fragility and longing. Theirs is a physical and emotional music – sensitive, evocative and deeply touching. “This music is based on life,” says Elsieanne. “Life is an emotional journey that’s translated through these notes, this music.” What we hear is the sound of our own heartbeat echoed in Elsiane’s haunting music.

Check out Elsiane’s latest release:
Hybrid

For more info on Elsiane visit:
www.elsiane.com
myspace.com/elsiane

Melodyguild are often described using phrases such as “shoegaze,” “indie rock,” and “dream pop.” As elusive as it may be to fully define the Los Angeles-based band’s sound, it is safe to say that they aspire to embody a sweeping range – a broad sonic spectrum in the music they create. The individual band members each possess a focus, a particular energy which drives Melodyguild toward its goal. When grouped together, the result is both honest and extraordinary.

It begins with Suzanne Perry, angel-voiced singer from the successful ethereal duo Love Spirals Downwards. Her vocals set the tone for the rest of the band, while her ability to elicit emotion connects Melodyguild to its audience. It continues with Nicholas Pallos, who brings to the band his unique, personal drumming style and knowledge of multiple instruments, adding a gentle intensity to the mix. Next is Cris Miller, who contributes his proficiency in production, transforming musical ideas into full arrays of melody, further completing the vision Melodyguild sets out to achieve. Matt Gleason adds lush guitar and effects, both of which fuel the band’s beautiful tone. And finally, Rodney Rodriguez deftly secures the link between rhythm and melody on bass.

To date, Melodyguild’s dynamic live performances have been warmly received by the Los Angeles community; the band’s ability to shift gears from subtle to intense, hypnotic to jazzy, not lost on the city’s tough-to-please audiences. As for Melodyguild’s future, we look forward to new recordings and more of their engaging live shows. Every moment retaining that varying style, that inspired energy, that gave Melodyguild life from the very beginning.

Check out Suzanne on Melodyguild’s latest EP:
Aitu

For more info on Melodyguild visit:
www.melodyguild.com
myspace.com/melodyguild

For more info on Love Spirals Downwards visit:
www.lovespiralsdownwards.com
myspace.com/lovespiralsdownwards

Club 8 was formed in 1995 by Karolina Komstedt (from the band Poprace) and Johan Angergård (Acid House Kings, Poprace). They made simple bedroom recordings of their three first songs and sent them to their ten favourite labels. The response was just as immediate as it was good with half of the labels wanting to release the band. Club 8 chose the Spanish label Siesta where they released their debut single »Me too« later the same year and the debut album »Nouvelle« the year after..

The sound on the debut album was definitely a bit naive and twee. And as charming as a lot of people found the debut the follow up »The friend I once had« (1998) felt like a big step forward for the band. Their mix of bossa nova, glittery guitars, shiny pop melodies and small hints of dance music made this album an indie-success. They also debuted as a live act with a performance at CMJ in New York in 1999.

Striving for constant change and improvements Club 8 moved away from the bossa nova influences and direct pop songs of »The friend I once had« with the self-titled follow up. »Club 8« (2001-Parasol/Labrador/Flavour of Sound) was both darker and slower. Still, they managed to expand their audience and had somewhat of a hit with »Love in december«. The only real problem the band had experienced was the fact that recording on limited studio time was a hindrance to their experimental lusts. Late 2001 Club 8, along with fellow band Acid House Kings, set up their own recording studio – Summersound Studios.

With 24/7 access to a recording studio of their own Club 8 entered their most creative and productive phase to date recording the diversified, semi-electronic and slightly experimental, but intensely emotional »Spring came, rain fell« in 2002 (Parasol/Labrador/Dodgie Disc) and the more guitar-based and kept together follow up »Strangely beautiful« (2003-Parasol/Labrador/Quince). The latter contained the song »Saturday night engine« which was, very accurately, described as ” a storming (very) Northern soul-inspired track bursting with an excitement that sounded quite out of place in that quiet group’s discography” and a forerunner to Johan’s band The Legends according to All Music.

After the release of »Strangely beautiful« Club 8’s activity slowed down while Johan formed The Legends and released three albums with the band between 2003 and 2006, plus the album ”Sing along with Acid House Kings” with Acid House Kings in 2005. During this period Club 8 only did a few minor tours in Asia and Europe.

Summer 2006 Club 8 was about to burst of creativity and urge to start recording again and in September they started recording their 6th album.

»The boy who couldn’t stop dreaming« is Club 8’s most profound to date, balancing perfectly between sunshine and melancholia. Twelve songs that’ll make you sing along about death to while dreaming of summer days. A glorious return to say the least.

Check out Karolina on Club 8’s latest release:
The Boy Who Couldn’t Stop Dreaming

For more info on Club 8 visit:
www.club-8.org
myspace.com/club8

“The woman I could be” is no longer a question for the English singer Ruth-Ann. Her first solo album “What about us” gives us a clear understanding about how it all began nearly ten years ago.

“It started off, just as my voice and a simple backing track, almost a cappella,” Ruth-Ann describes, of the first creative meeting she had with the ex-Simply Red keyboarder Tim Kellett in 1994. She is referring to the song “You’re Not Alone”, which shortly after, became the first # 1 UK single for the newly founded band OLIVE. They signed with RCA Records and released their debut album “Extra Virgin” in 1996, which was successful in many countries around the world. By chance some months later, Madonna listened to a concert of OLIVE and was so enthusiastic that she asked them to contribute on the Next Best Thing-Soundtrack, which resulted in a second contract, this time, with the Madonna record label “Maverick”.

During the production of their second album “Trickle” Ruth-Ann met Michael Cretu, head of ENIGMA, who had heard one of her songs and he invited her to participate on his fourth album. “Her voice was so natural and appeared to float over the ground in keeping with the ENIGMA sound”, he said. She sang the lead vocals on two tracks on the ENIGMA album “Screen Behind The Mirror” in 1999 and also performed vocals for the “Voyageur” album in 2003.

Because of their great success they both decided to work on a solo album, which was then produced in the A.R.T. Studio on Ibiza. “From the very beginning Ruth-Ann influenced the creative process with her strong, but uncomplicated personality. For me she is a ‘Silent Fighter’,” Michael Cretu explains.

And this is what the songs are about. “What about us” wants to be heard as a silent fight against emotional misunderstandings and for the dream of deep, memorable feelings. Ruth-Ann sings “Life will be beautiful”, in one track, then completes with “It’s not the end of anything, this is the start of everything. Believe in me.”, in another. It seems to be easy to believe her, as the songs are telling personal stories from a feminine perspective, with an angel’s voice. In “Dancing to Hell” she warns of the mortal power of drugs and in “Letter to Heaven”, which she dedicated to her dead father, she sends him a message.

Ultimately this is someone presenting her first solo album stating: “That is my life to live and not surrender.” She is no longer a woman who could be. Ruth-Ann is …

Check out Ruth Ann’s latest album, released only on iTunes:
What About Us

For more info on Ruth Ann visit:
www.ruthann-music.com
myspace.com/ruthannfans

The Tallahassee, FL, dream pop quartet Mira formed in 1996 with singer/songwriter Regina Sosinski, guitarist Tom Parker, bassist Sam Riles, and drummer Alan Donaldson as its founding members. The group released the Something Ventured EP on Tesseract Records soon after they began playing. After Riles departed, Mira went through several bassists and guitarists before settling on guitarist Mark Davidson. All the while, the group continued recording and released the Dry EP, which featured an early version of the song “Cayman” that ended up on the Projekt compilation A Cat-Shaped Hole in My Heart. Next was 1999’s limited-edtion Cowhausexclusive EP, which Mira released to celebrate their first show in nearly a year. Soon after the release of Dry, Projekt signed the group and they began working on their self-titled debut album, which the label released in early 2000. Apart followed in the fall of 2001.

For 2005, Mira returns with their most focused, mature, and fully realized release to date. There I go daydreamer is a testament documenting the band’s attention to detail, ear for texture, and desire to capture the intensity of their live shows. From the unnerving guitars of the album opener “Say When,” Regina immediately sets the tone: “I’ve drawn the line, walked it too many times.” Thus begins the daydreamer journey, taking the listener through fear, hope, and catharsis as Regina poses and plays with the questions plaguing her. Never before has she been so open and candid in her lyrics. The album shifts from danceable hits such as the shoegazey and spacey “Highs in the Lows,” and the brief, but brilliant, drive of “Heavenly Slumber” to grand epics like the heavy folk stylings of “Long Division” and the bombastic “Nearest Exit” from which the album is named. In the midst of all of this are the most crystalline and brilliant songs Mira has written, from the jazzy feel of “No Other Way,” to one of the album’s greatest songs, the sparse and ghostly beautiful “Adrift.” “Hinterland,” the album’s closer, is a return to the tension out of which the album began, returning Regina to her questions, searching for a brave face. The lines “inside a cave I will hibernate / when the seasons change I will not even wake” are some of the most painful, as the album builds, explodes, and collapses under its own weight. This latest album from Mira, more than any other, establishes the band at the forefront of the current darkwave/shoegaze/post-punk revival, and cements their place in the annals as one of the best of the bunch, not only on Projekt records, but also across the whole of music today. Absolutely brilliant, an instant classic.

Check out Regina on Mira’s latest release:
There I Go Daydreamer

For more info on Mira visit:
www.mira.nu
myspace.com/mira