For well over a decade, Emerson Drive has been a staple in the country music community, known for being a band to crank out the hits, deliver electrifying stage shows and wow audiences all across North America. During their evolving career, the Canadian band has scored numerous hits such as “I Should Be Sleeping,” “Fall Into Me,” “Last One Standing” and their emotional, chart-topping ballad, “Moments.”

Emerson Drive has racked up countless award nominations in both the U.S. country market at the ACM’s and CMA’s, as well as in Canada where they have picked up multiple trophies for Group or Duo of the Year from the CCMA (Canadian Country Music Association). But it was their 2007 hit, “Moments,” that pushed Emerson Drive over the top in country music. The powerful song validated the talent and passion of the band’s drive to succeed in the business they know and love.

“Looking back 10 years ago and seeing where our career first started with ‘I Should Be Sleeping’ and knowing that there was a movement going around us as a new act on the scene … I just remember how exciting and crazy it was, all at the same time,” recalls Emerson Drive’s lead vocalist and founding member, Brad Mates. “We were out there on the road over 240 days of the year for the first six years. I just remember those times being kind of eyes wide open, taking everything in. It was such a great first few years, and now fast forward 10 or 11 years, we’re still playing music and making music. Longevity has always been a goal for me in this band, so to think we’ve now been doing it for 17 years – straight out of high school – is the ultimate. We’re doing something right.”

The band did in fact do something right repeatedly over the years, resulting in the release of several successful studio albums including their Nashville debut, Emerson Drive, back in 2002, What If? in 2004, their 2006 release Countrified and 2009’s Believe.

“After the Believe album was done, it was kind of a weird time,” notes the band’s guitarist Danick Dupelle. “We didn’t have a single in the States, but that’s when Brad had a kid and [our fiddle player] David had his kids. We started slowing down and coming off the road a little bit, and it really opened up a lot of doors for some of us starting to write again. We never had the time before to write songs. We were always so busy. I started to concentrate on writing, and in one year, I think that I wrote 40-something songs. It felt good to finally have the chance to do it.”

After taking a two year break from recording new music, Emerson Drive – comprised of Mates (lead vocals), Dupelle (guitar, background vocals), David Pichette (fiddle), Mike Melancon (drums) and Dale Wallace (keyboard, background vocals) – felt the time was right to head back into the studio to make a new record, but this time under their own supervision without involving a record label. They had the songs, the experience and the drive to make the music in their hearts that their fans were waiting patiently to hear.

Roll, an 11-track album filled with songs mostly penned by the band, and co-produced by Emerson Drive and David Kalmusky, shows the band’s growth and maturity over the past decade with its lyrical content, vocal range and instrumentation that has made them one of country music’s most loved bands of their time.

“I think we’re at a point now in our career where we don’t really have a record label overseeing the project, which puts you in a spot where ultimately you get to decide every song that goes on and every lyric that gets written and the sound that comes out of the band, as well,” explains Mates. “That’s probably one of the key factors in us recording music that we feel might possibly be the strongest content that we’ve done yet for each individual in the band and as a band itself. If it works, we win. If it doesn’t work, at least all the weight is on our shoulders and you can’t kind of point the fingers at anybody else.”

“We’re happy about it,” adds Dupelle. “For the first time, we can call this our record.”

“We felt it was time to turn this thing up a bit and find a place where we are really identifying the instrumentation that we have in the group,” Mates says. “I really feel like that sets us apart from everybody else. I think we know our fan base fairly well, and I know that there are a lot of industry people out there who have heard Emerson Drive over the past decade. I really feel like this is the album and the sound that will keep our band moving forward for another 10 years.”

As they do look ahead to the future, Emerson Drive still sees the touring being front and center. Next year, the band will criss-cross Canada in support of the new project, along with fellow Canadian band Doc Walker on the CMT Hitlist Tour 2013, which starts in March.

“Touring life is still exciting,” says Mates who has been on the road with his bandmates since fresh out of high school in 1995. “I don’t think we would be doing this still today if it wasn’t exciting still. I think that the key element that we’ve always had is the enthusiasm that all of us put into a show and interacting with our fan base and the people who maybe haven’t seen the band play before, to win them over. That has been a goal of ours … to make sure whoever’s there, they’re going to leave knowing that the next time we come back through town, they’re going to buy another ticket or buy a CD when they leave the concert. We always knew if we could play really well live, we’d win in a few different areas that would keep us moving forward.”

And living the dream keeps Emerson Drive moving forward with their career that is no where near being over. “I see lots of great possibilities for the band in the future,” Mates says. “I’ve always felt this band has taken a step forward each year. I feel like we’re recording the best music that we have yet, which can take you in many different places if it gets played in front of the right people. I look forward to seeing what happens in the coming years because there are possibilities for this group to stretch out even further than it’s gone before.”

“I think we’re all the happiest now than we’ve ever been in this band,” Dupelle adds with a smile. “We are truly able to enjoy what we do and love what we are doing now by writing songs and recording music that has our stamp on it. It’s been the best of both worlds.”

Emerson Drive Links:

http://emersondrive.com
https://www.facebook.com/emersondrive
https://twitter.com/EmersonDrive

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Singer-Songwriter and Piano Pop/Soul performer Kristin Errett announces the release of her debut album, Confessions of a Songbird, available on May 21. Showcasing musical influences from Sara Bareilles, Stevie Nicks, Carole King and more, Kristin’s unique vocals combine elements of Jazz and Soul to create a pleasant piano-pop driven aural experience for all to enjoy. The playful lead single “Don’t Call Me Sweetheart” is now available for free download at http://bit.ly/Uwlnts.

23 year old Kristin Errett began honing her craft as a teenager by playing piano, writing songs and performing in regional theater. After reaching a crossroads in her life, Errett ultimately chose to pursue her career as a Singer/Songwriter, telling stories in her trademark tongue-in-cheek style on her debut album Confessions of a Songbird.

Confessions of a Songbird tracklisting:
1. Don’t Call Me Sweetheart
2. Finding Second Best
3. Happily Never After
4. Cross My Heart
5. Sparks
6. Little Pieces
7. All I Want Is Everything
8. Mirror Mirror
9. The Last Time You Said Hello
10. Mr. Imperfect

FOR ALL MEDIA INQUIRIES, PLEASE CONTACT
Lydia Kanuga / Lydia@ei-pr.com / 212-777-6727 x 202

Kristin Errett Links:

http://www.kristinerrett.com
https://www.facebook.com/kristinerrett
https://twitter.com/kristinerrett

The post Piano Pop/Soul Darling Kristin Errett To Release Debut Album Confessions Of A Songbird On May 21 appeared first on Support Kick Ass Music.

Alternately haunting and powerful, THE HUSH’s new track, Hanging by a Thread, is a love sick sucker punch with slippery tones wrapped around silver soaked vocals that make the venom go down easy. Singer/lyricist Jazmine Giovanni’s pitch-perfect delivery is an alluring ride from sweet temptation to calculated chaos. The well articulated rock sound pouring out of the band sets the emotional stage from the first drum beat and intro of seemingly innocent gun-slinging guitars.

The much anticipated release of THE HUSH’s third single on iTunes, cdbaby and other popular digital sites marks much progress toward their upcoming album. The new track joins recently released singles Touch and Go along with Hold You Down, the latter accompanied by their first video that debuted on YouTube April 1, 2012.

After receiving wide praise for their first EP, “Scene of the Crime” (2010), THE HUSH has spent the last two years writing their sophomore effort while continuing to play live in popular Hollywood (CA) venues. With nine more new tunes in the works and their next video in development, THE HUSH is definitely getting louder. For more information, including links to twitter, facebook, Reverbnation and more, go to THEHUSHrockband.com

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Recently I had the opportunity to have an impromptu interview with Austin Webb ~ the vibe you get from him in his music is really who he is. He was real, he was fun with a great sense of humor we had a fun chat. Often you hear musicians say something about doing it for the love of music – well it’s not lip service from him, you feel if from Austin when talking to him. He does not care about ‘fame’ – it is almost as if it is a dirty word to him as he stated, “fame is some crazy word people made up. I think everybody is famous you know.”  When I asked him who he would like to get a shout out from I was taken aback when his answer was “autism speaks.” He would love to work, partner with them in the future.

Don’t get me wrong, he wants us to hear his music thus when I asked what comes to mind when you hear country music with a laugh he stated “when is mine going to be played, is my song next” was one of his answers ~ one of his less methodical ones throughout our conversation.  He did go on to say it evokes many different emotions.

Many musicians talk about how they started playing and singing at a very young age however, Austin’s musical beginning is influenced by his true love, poetry. He began writing poetry when he was 9. The musical part came into play in his teens.  Often times we search to put a musician in a box and “label” them. I had tried to explain Austin’s sound and really found I couldn’t as it is unique.  The more we talked it became clear why. We talked about his “musical roots” and where his inspirations come from “I grew up listening to country music on the radio, of course growing up in SC. I got into Kris Kristofferson and Motown and I was reading a lot of poetry.  A lot of the poetry plus the old country plus the Motown made me become what I am now” This to me explains his sound, the uniqueness of it, especially of his first single “It’s All Good.”  I am excited to hear what he does with it, not only on his debut CD but for the years to come, ~ he has a fresh outlook on music for certain. We could hash out the cliché country not country argument but to me it doesn’t matter good music is good music and Austin gives us just that.  Some of his songs like “Southern Belle” have more of a country flavor than “It’s All Good” does ~ make no mistake about it when he does “country” quote, unquote, he does it very well.  He has a different take on what needs to be in a country song “you can write a country song without putting dirt roads and beer in it” I like the direction he tends to lean towards. I find it very refreshing.  In today’s music world you need to be versatile and willing to think, play outside the box and he does just that.

I asked whom he might like to do a duet with. “There’s this girl named Zaz. She’s a French singer and I am learning French right now so one day I can do a duet with her.” He paused briefly before finishing “her or Adele.”  His unique answer to this standard question is another reason that you can bet Austin will continue to make his music his own.  A few times I mentioned musicians that he wasn’t familiar with such as Sara Dugas or Girls Guns and Glory, once again his love of music shone through as he was quizzical about them ~ showed genuine interest “ I check out all the music people tell me about “every time someone hands me a demo I listen to the whole thing.”  Even though we were on the phone his expressions and sentiments were clear. “I think it’s a beautiful thing I’m very blessed to be able to do what I do. My dad called the other day and there’s this song I wrote called “Even Angels Fall,” he said it changed this woman’s life. That is amazing to me,” you could hear the sincerity as he continued talking “just make stuff up and it can change somebody’s life that is why I do this. I don’t do it for me.  I’m just kind of a messenger ya know.”

Most of his music is autobiographical in one form or another. If you’ve seen him live then you probably know most of the songs he writes are about women, and he likes to equate them to food. One of the most personal songs he has written is ““Getting Even.” It will probably be a single, it is a total redemption song about a girl that would love you through everything kill you with kindness.”

We talked about whom he wants to tour with and places he’d like to play. He’s almost like a kid talking about getting to go to Disney Land, you hear the anticipatory excitement in his voice, and I imagine there was a glimmer in his eyes.

“Tim McGraw ~ is who I want to go on tour with”

Me “that would be cool”

Austin replied with a very heartfelt and expressive “yeah.”

That lead to his dream place to play “I think I want to play in Paris ~ I want to play the Opry I hope to God I get to play the Opry.” But really just living rooms, arenas, I don’t care I like playing music for people, I like meeting new people. Where ever people will listen is where I want to play. That’s what I love” It was another compelling answer into who Austin is and how genuine his love of music is. It’s what it’s about to him, touching people’s emotions with his words and music driven by his interest in life.

One thing that holds true in all his music that I have heard is the intricacy of his lyrics melding beautifully with the music! Outstanding! The true emotions you hear in his words when he sings ~ you feel what he is singing. A song that really moved me when I saw him the first time and has become a favorite of mine is “Even Angels Fall,” I am hoping it makes the album cut!  Hint hint Mr. Webb.  One thing for sure is when performing Austin leaves it all on the stage. He becomes one with the music.  His show is a high-energy soulful show. He is very personable both on stage and off. He likes to mingle with the crowd and get to know who is seeing him. I would highly recommend you seeing him when he comes to a city/venue near you. #RoadTrip

When I asked Austin what the hardest thing he had endured so far career wise “I think that ‘um living with nothing, being broke for a long time, it was hard.” This by far was the most contemplative he had been so far in our chat “ya know I mean I had to work at Starbucks when I moved here. I was literally living off marble pound cake, cake pops and coffee. That was pretty much all I ate, like no joke it’s what I ate. It was tough.” His true good nature comes through as he finished with a chortle “I got kind of fat. That’s all I could eat really I didn’t have a lot of money.”

Austin’s favorite part of what he does “I love writing that is a given. I moved here to be a writer.” ~ You hear the delight in his voice as he said “Being able to do what I love to do and get paid for it is crazy” emphasis on crazy for certain.  “I never had a single doubt in my mind that this is what I was going to do. Ever! I always knew it, I knew I would being doing interviews, I knew I would be playing shows, I knew people would be singing my songs back to me. I never once thought it wouldn’t happen. I think that’s a lot of the reason why it has happened.”  Perhaps part of the reason it he has such an innate belief in himself is because “so did my parents believe in me as well. That was a good thing.”

Even my normal “quick kill” questions turned into fun more in-depth than normal, giving me, us, even more insight into Austin.  Usually I go down the list and get quick one or two word answers for what I call my “quick kill” questions. With Austin it was different we talked about his answers and it actually ended up giving me a lot of the “goods” so to speak that made up my article.

• Q ~ A place you can spend a hours and be happy?

A ~ “oh probably my mama’s house back home in SC, anywhere in SC” he paused then with a devilish tone and laugh, the song writer in him came out “between the sheets with a beautiful women”

• Q ~ Something you couldn’t go a day without

A ~ Coffee –

• Q ~ Whats on your iPod?  He does have quite an eclectic collection I must say.  We got into the meat of his music when we talked about this.

Steve Forman, Nora Jones, Michae Kiwanuka, Kacey Musgraves, Justin Timber, Elivis, Dean Martin, Bob Dylan, Temptations, Tim McGraw

• Favorite color ~

Black ~ everything that Johnny Cash stood for it kind of speaks for a lot of people that speak.

• Favorite Superhero ~

Batman obviously black laughing

• Favorite Cartoon ~

Rugrats, Hey Arnold Sponge Bob Square Pants ~ this question turned into a completely different conversation from his favorites to his view on South Park  – their writers how people can complain all they want but it’s not going to change what they do.

• Favorite book ~

“Oh lord Have Mercy … I like “The Old Man in the Sea” I like a lot of Ernest Hemingway. Right now I’m reading “A Moveable Feast” I like Joseph Campbell “The Power Of Myth”

It was a pleasure getting to know Austin both in our interview and in person seeing his music come to life. He is a unique fun loving guy and I see very good things in his future and someday when he’s up accepting an award, I’ll be saying I remember when…..

Austin Webb Links:

http://www.austinwebbmusic.com
https://www.facebook.com/AustinWebbpage
https://twitter.com/austinlwebb

Interview By Nickie Techmanski

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