Eye97 - Artist Spotlight

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Artist Spotlight

Sophie

Anglo-Maltese singer/songwriter Sophie's 2nd single, K.I.S.S. (Keep It Simple Stupid) launched on the 21st September 2009, and it's already getting rave reviews from industry insiders.

Jeff Smith, Head of Music at the UK's biggest and most widely listened to radio station, BBC Radio 2 and the highly prestigious BBC 6 Music says: "It's a well put together and very catchy commercial pop song". The UK's The Daily Star called it, "a massive portion of 90s pop topped with glitter sprinklings!"

As one of the music's most respected personalities, Jeff Smith's comments are making others in the music industry sit up and take note of the rapidly rising Sophie, the phenomenal 15 year old emerging talent. Sal Amato from 1Club.fm, says: "It reminds me of The Ting Tings - only much better!"

K.I.S.S. (Keep It Simple Stupid) has already spent two weeks at No.1 in Malta. It's Sophie's 2nd No.1, following her cover of the Shirley Ellis 60's classic, The Clapping Song, which spent three weeks in the top spot.

Sophie has just completed a short sell-out tour of the UK and dreams of making it in the States - so come on America - show that you love her!

K.I.S.S. (Keep It Simple Stupid) is co-written by Sophie and her producer, Elton Zarb, and is released on the UK based f2f Music label.

http://www.totallysophie.com

Jeevs

A fine young singer/songwriter who was born to musically inclined parents, Jeevs demonstrated talents in singing & performing at a very early age. He has a creative mind for writing songs that are relevant to the current "market" today and at the same time showcases great arranging ideas and skills. However, that's not all! He also has a knack for producing his own songs and coming up with his own beats. His vocal ability is also known to be soulful to many and his confidence gives him a commanding presence on stage.

His first single, called Coming Home (2003), was written at the age of 18 and it received great reviews and showed the listeners what this artist was capable of. Since then, he had left the scene, as he needed to concentrate on his studies.

Now, in 2008, he is back with 2 new singles!!

Don’t You Say Goodbye (currently playing on EYE97); a catchy song with a sweet, yet a haunting tune to go with a beat that has “bounce”.

I’ll Be There For You; Jeevs collaborates here with MC Rishi, a good friend of his. It is lovely to hear how Jeevs blends the style of the Rap and his R&B style of singing into this song. Such an easy-going song, a song you can just listen to over and over again!

Jeevs is currently working on other songs and the release date will be out soon!

This upcoming musician has a foundation built upon a high level of musicianship. Moreover, he possesses great attitude and is a wonderful person to work with, is talented yet down to earth & humble, hard-working and his inherent musical instincts are praiseworthy. He is also currently on the verge of joining the Berklee College of Music in Boston to pursue a degree in Songwriting. He is one to look out for in the near future, maybe even sooner. For more info, please visit his site at http://www.myspace.com/jeevanmenon

Michael Paige

Born in Bronx, New York to an Austrian father and Cuban mother, Michael Paige grew up in a multi-cultural setting. As a child, he studied piano and played at the Carnegie Hall for the Children’s Concert Series, knowing at the age of 14 that music would be a big part of his life. Michael has Bachelors in music and now resides in Las Vegas where he’s currently completing his masters in music at UNLV, and continues to perform at such prominent hotels as in The Mirage, The Bellagio, Treasure Island, The Luxor and Rio.

Michael Paige’s journey as the “New Voice of Romance” has just begun. The assortment of Michael’s self-titled debut album encompasses love ballads and dance music crossing over to a blend of continental flavors. Michael’s style and hands-on approach makes him multi-talented in all aspects of music; writing and publishing his own music, singing in six languages and playing the piano. Michael’s recording label, Astrum Records has also surrounded his project around some of the most talented people in the record industry. Michael is also working on a reality show called The Indie Decision.

Rachel Brown

On her debut CD "Love, Life & Relationships" Urban Music Group recording artist Rachel Brown introduces a new and exciting R&B sound. With powerful vocals and insightful lyrics, Rachel delicately blends urban dance grooves, love ballads and inspirational messages as she explores the deepest emotions within our heart and soul.

"Love, Life & Relationships" is a breath of fresh air and fills a much needed gap in the R&B marketplace. Rachel oozes with class, style, excitement and sheer urban elegance as her smooth and sultry vocal timbres grab you and lead you on a journey of personal rediscovery. Her love and respect for R&B music is evident in every lyric and beat.

If you ask Rachel what makes her most excited about her debut CD, she will tell you it is the ability to have a positive impact on her listeners. "I cannot tell you how many times listening to "Rise Again" helped get me through the day when I was going through my divorce," a devoted fan mentioned. For Rachel, this is the ultimate joy.

Signed to Urban Music Group in 2006, Rachel's early notoriety came about because of the success of her debut single "Let's Fall In Love Again," which reached #1 on the Billboard R&B Single Sales Chart in the spring of 2007. The single has generated airplay on over 30 radio stations in the U.S., which landed it on the Mediabase Top 100 R&B songs chart.

With inspirational tracks like "Rise Again" and "Learn To Love Me," Rachel's debut CD delivers a powerful melodic and lyrical punch. Other songs such as "Where Did We Go Wrong?" challenge us to examine the lyrics of today's music, while "Make It Official" examines the complex issue of relationships without commitment. So, whether it's an up or mid tempo groove with a catchy hook or a classic slow jam with a memorable melody - Rachel's music is filled with messages that will uplift, encourage and empower.

Justin Lanning

If you had to label singer/multi-instrumentalist Justin Lanning with just one word, it’d be “positive.”

It is his indomitable spirit that defines him and his music. Lanning is not just confident about his future and the effect that music can have on people’s lives; he’s so self-assured that it is absolutely infectious. This optimistic spirit permeates his debut CD Behind These Eyes.

Behind These Eyes references many of the twenty-one year-old Lanning’s idols: the glossy, power-pop sheen of Bryan Adams; the storytelling prowess of Billy Joel; the classic harmonic sophistication of the Beatles and the Beach Boys; the youthful exuberance of James Blunt; and the energy of blink-182. But like those musical heroes, Justin is his own man, and his personal songs come from a deep emotional well that is unique to him.

The debut single “Take My Breath Away” perfectly captures the innocence of finding a new love and the overwhelming allure of female beauty. More universal issues are tackled on “Voices,” where Lanning takes the listener along his search for meaning in the cosmos, highlighting the depth of his spiritual consciousness as the simple melody gradually builds to a multilayered peak centered on an urgent guitar riff. The album’s title track encapsulates Lanning’s uplifting message of self-esteem, personal growth and championing your inner child.

Eliot Popkin

After a critically-acclaimed debut, Eliot took a few years off to write, what will be, his breakthrough album into the mainstream entitled "Endless Ride." With a fine supporting cast including Grammy-nominated Producer Luigie Gonzalez (Juan Gabriel) and seasoned players (James Taylor, Chaka Khan), Popkin delivers an 11-song collection of pop and acoustic rock gems. From the infectious title track, to the painfully beautiful ‘The Reason Why’ to the acoustically simple ‘For A While’. The arrangements are classic, allowing for Popkin's expressive voice to weave in and out of stories of relationships, family, childhood, and spirit. "Endless Ride" showcases an artist taking chances, while giving mainstream radio something to remember.

For more info on Eliot Popkin, please visit his web site http://www.eliotpopkin.com/