Such Cool Stuff!

Where I've been

Just wanted to check in. Due to various things (work, family situation, other life stuff) posting has been intermittent lately and will be for awhile.

If you're waiting to hear from me about scheduling your feature or about...well..pretty much anything, I'm not ignoring you! It's just going to take awhile for me to get back to everyone.

Thanks y'all!

FP

Shayna Zaid & The Catch

Blending elements of folk, jazz, indie pop and cabaret, Shayna Zaid's melodically-inclined lyrical work leaves traces of solace, reflection and affection. The combination of Zaid's dynamic stage presence, her powerful smokey voice and her playful jazzy swagger lends an enchanting display.
Shayna Zaid & The Catch's live shows have been packing crowds in NYC, Southeast Asia, as well as colleges and festivals throughout the U.S. East Coast and MidWest. Recently awarded first place in the Performance category of the International Songwiriting Competition; having shared the stage with Norah Jones' 'Puss & Boots', Emily King, the Kin and most recenty G-Love at this year's Summerfest; with a brand new self-titled EP ready to be released; Shayna Zaid & The Catch will be ones to watch out for in the months to come.

How do you describe your music to people?
Blending elements of acoustic folk, jazz, indie pop, and cabaret

Tell me about how you originally got into your craft.
I've been singing for as long as I can remember- performed in dance, theater, and music productions since I was a child, was always very active in the arts. Started writing when I was 13 after picking up the guitar and decided to audition for a Southeast Asian talent show called Asia Bagus and was chosen as one of the youngest contestants to participate. Played my first original song on the show, did pretty well and soon after, the appearance lead to a number of great opportunities and interest within the entertainment world. My mom used to sneak me into a Jazz/Blues club when I was 14 so I could jam with the house band - I loved it. From then on, I knew this was a path I wanted to continue to pursue passionately.

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The Blue Seeds

Formed by the association of singer Amélie Laflamme and musician/songwriter François Dufault, The Blue Seeds is completed by Simon Blouin on drums, Martin Farmer on bass and Roger Miron on lead guitar.

In the fall of 2004, shortly after its creation, the band released a limited edition demo-EP in order to promote its music and create a platform from which to launch its new full length album. The demo-EP was very well received by both the public and the press in Quebec, Canada, the USA and Europe: it was voted one of the best CD of 2004 in Le Journal de Montréal, The Montreal Gazette and Voir, and was also nominated for best EP of the year at the 2005 MIMI Awards.

Produced by François Dufault, the new album was recorded in Montreal (Canada) at Masterkut Studio and in Faenza (Italy) with the collaboration of Dustin O'Halloran (Marie-Antoinette Soundtrack, Sofia Coppola) from the American band The Devics.

Recorded with an "indie" sensibility, the 11 songs comprised on the record reveal rich arrangements that include a wide variety of instruments ranging from electric guitars to analog keyboards, mellotron and vibraphone. The result is one that is unique and original. Cinematic and very evocative, each song leads the listeners into a reverie as if they were part of a fictional road movie. On stage, the band delivers an outstanding performance, pushing the songs to their fullest while leaving the audience into a daydream and sometimes stunned by the energy displayed by the musicians.

How do you describe your music to people, Francois?
... cinematic soundscapes, sultry vocals and sweet melodies...

Tell me about how you originally got into your craft.
Tired of watching me playing air guitar on a shovel as a teenager, my parents bought me my first guitar. After that, well it is as simple as the love for music and the need for creation.

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