A new star is born: Anna Blue; A young artist, self-described as an outsider, who has found music as a vent for her emotions. With her pure passion for music, it won’t belong for her to take her place in the ears, and hearts, of the world.
Anna’s music touches many subjects that are close to her heart. By transforming emotion into words and melody, she takes the listener into an authentic world of self-reflection and unhindered emotion. Also apparent from Anna’s music is enormous passion for music, which brings her to the fore.
Her debut single “So Alone” doesn’t just reflect Anna’s thoughts and dreams but also shows that music can guide us through testing times. That, despite the crushing feeling of loneliness that the song describes, Anna’s hope-tinged voice helps transport the listener into a world where emotion and longing mix seamlessly.
Recognized at an early age as a vocal talent, Anna found out what music was to her at just 11. In her lyrics which site sadness, loneliness and the search for one’s true place in the world we can hear that behind it all is Anna’s longing for love and understanding.
Anna Blue has created an online world for herself into which she can escape from everyday life. Here she can be herself without needing to pretend or conform. She can also exchange ideas, feelings and dreams with the like-minded people who gravitate around her. So if you want to find the real Anna, look for her online, she might just be a click away.
TANADRA combines powerful vocals with intense guitar driven music to create a refreshing new alternative/hard rock sound that reaches down into the greatness of what Rock-n-Roll has to offer.
My debut alternative/hard rock EP is about not being afraid to speak your mind. Trust me, I’m NOT afraid to speak my mind or express myself openly, even to the point of vulnerability. I have been through HELL and back! What shapes the very essence of this album is my personality and life experiences. I’ll tell you one thing, the songs will get you PUMPED UP, PISSED OFF, BROKEN UP, TURNED ON, and TORN DOWN. In other words, we can all relate to the message, so much you might even think the EP is about you!
I was always a distinctive kid growing up in a small New Jersey town, and was never one to be lost in a crowd or a follower. My influences include Guns ‘N Roses, Tina Turner, Led Zeppelin, Alanis Morissette, U2, David Bowie and Joan Jett. I wrote my first song when I was 12 years old titled “Who Cares.” It was about those people who were just haters and always trying to put me down ’cause I was different. Life can teach you so much at such an early age, forcing you to realize talents and abilities that have always been there but just needed to be unleashed. Sometimes life just does that to you!!!
I can honestly say that for me the songs on this EP are timeless because they speak to such emotional times of my life, of all our lives really. I didn’t begin writing intending the songs to be that way . . . I mean hell, you just can’t do something like that . . . but it certainly feels like that’s what I’ve accomplished!!
The self-titled album from Michala Todd announces the arrival of a shining new star on the Canadian scene. The 16 year old singer is already an audience favourite in the South Simcoe, Ontario, area in which she has grown up, and this strikingly accomplished record now proves she is ready for prime time.
Michala Todd is the result of a fertile creative partnership between Michala and two heavyweight songwriters and producers, Cyril Rawson and John Acosta. They have had songs recorded by the likes of Keith Urban, Gretchen Wilson and Reba McEntire (Rawson) and Sky, Acosta-Russell, and Toya Alexis (Acosta). The dynamic duo are now frequently writing together, with Rawson concentrating on lyrics and Acosta the melody.
Their complementary songwriting skills proved the perfect vehicle for Todd’s striking voice. After taking time to learn Michala’s personality and musical influences, they came up with original songs that reflected both, and the singer responded with enthusiasm and hard work. “She came very prepared for every session, and the recording went very smoothly,” says Rawson.
The team concentrated on writing and recording a song a month, and over the course of that year, Michala’s pure voice also gained in power. Her own musical tastes broadened into pop-rock territory, and this helps account for the stylistically diverse nature of the album. “We asked Michala what she was listening to through the stages of recording, and then we put that data into focus,” explains Acosta. “The latter part of the record shows Michala’s tastes evolving to the next stage.” Artists Todd cites as inspirations and influences include Kate Voegele, Rihanna, JoJo, and Miley Cyrus.
The first single, “Me,” is an instantly captivating slice of dance-pop. Co-written by Acosta, Jason Blume and Swedish songwriter Fredrik Hult, it fuses Michala’s vibrant and clear vocals with an irresistible groove. The rock feel of “The Next Time” is neatly enhanced by a hint of grit in Michala’s voice, while the catchy “Tongue Tied” has a cool ’80s synth-pop vibe. On “Close Enough To Fall,” Todd shows she can also handle a big emotional ballad with graceful ease.
Despite her tender age, Michala Todd is far from a musical novice. She began taking singing lessons at Alliston’s Modern Conservatory of Music at age eight, and quickly impressed her tutors there with her natural talent. After five years of study there, she switched to a renowned Toronto vocal coach, Ryan Luchuck, and continues weekly vocal lessons with him. Michala’s commitment to her craft is a strong one, and she is now also learning guitar, on the instrument she won with her victory in a Schomberg Idol talent contest.
Todd has also shown both a passion and flair for musical theatre. She has shone in area productions of such musicals as “Bye Bye Birdie,” “Copacabana,” “Once Upon A Mattress,” and in the lead role of Barrie’s Theatre by the Bay’s “Cinderella.” Michala’s talent is certainly no secret to those living in the Tottenham, Alliston and Barrie area. She performs regularly in coffee shops and cultural and community centres in the region, and appeared with distinction at five Barrie festivals last year, including the major Celebrate Barrie event.
In November, Michala’s international singing debut was a real triumph. After placing second (out of 2,000 entries) in an online talent search designed to raise awareness of Mastocytosis and Ehlers Danlos Syndrome, she was invited to perform with other winners at a large benefit concert in Washington, D.C.. The five songs she performed there were very warmly received.
She has been quick to assist local charities by performing at their fundraising events. “So many people have reached out and supported Michala, and she feels the best way for her to help others and give back is through her voice,” explains her mother and manager, Karen Todd.
With a heart as big and warm as her voice, Michala Todd is destined to make a real musical mark. This is a young artist to watch closely.
For more information, contact www.myspace.com/michalatodd and www.michalatodd.com.
written by: Kerry Doole
Michala’s collaboration with Nashville’s Don Somerville and Michael Lee yielded “House of Glass” (currently airing on GRR) and “In-Between.” Building upon that obvious success, Michala recently reunited with Somerville and Lee to record three new tracks — “Make It Work,” “Invisible,” and “The Dare.” We’re looking forward to giving these tracks a listen!
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A new star is born: Anna Blue; A young artist, self-described as an outsider, who has found music as a vent for her emotions. With her pure passion for music, it won’t belong for her to take her place in the ears, and hearts, of the world.
