Tori Amos, Norah Jones, Sarah McLachlan, Portishead, Nina Simone, Billie Holiday, Eva Cassidy, Ani Difranco, Bjork, Eliott Smith, Tom Waits, Fiona Apple, Edith Piaf, Jude, Mazzy Star, Sparklehorse, Cranberries, Poe, Sarah Vaughan, Led Zeppelin.
"We don't see things as they are, we see them as we are."
– Anais Nin –
"When the power of love overcomes the love of power, the world will know peace."
– Jimi Hendricks –
"The only people for me are the mad ones, the ones who are mad to live, mad to talk, mad to be saved, desirous of everything at the same time, the ones who never yawn or say a commonplace thing, but burn, burn, burn like fabulous yellow roman candles exploding like spiders across the stars..."
– Jack Kerouac –
"Success is the ability to go from one failure to another with no loss of enthusiasm."
– Winston Churchill –
"Words have the power to both destroy and heal. When words are both true and kind, they can change our world."
– The Buddha –
Life is just a ride. It’s just a choice right now between fear and love.
We are all afraid. We spend so much time in fear that we learn to keep our hopes and dreams as small and easy as possible so that we don't disappoint ourselves and others. But a seed planted with so little room to grow cannot become a gorgeous sunflower or a tender lily. It is only by seeing fear and acting anyway that we overcome any obstacles and become what we are born to be. I don't believe that we are trapped inside our bodies. We are more than these bodies. We create an energy everywhere we go. I live and make music to aid people in discovering that we are not trapped. That we have tons of power. That we can live passionate, amazing lives. So I make music.
Sounds Like
Frequent comparisons are made with Feist, Regina Spektor, Norah Jones, Inara George, and Fiona Apple. Because Alyse’s major influences run the gamut from Billie Holiday to Led Zeplin to Tom Waits, her songs are at once sultry and unique.
"Blood & Wine" in KCDA Local Lounge with "societe eclairee"
Alyse Black and "societe eclaire" performing "Wouldn't It Be Nice?" and "Stood for Stand for" in the Mansion America Theater
"Too Much & Too Lovely" is out!
The album is available on
iTunes,
Amazon, Zune.net,
CDBaby,
MySpace (through Snowcap), and multiple other websites. Also, "Too Much & Too Lovely" is available for sale through a few Seattle retail music stores – Sonic Boom, Silver Platters, among others. The first 1,000 (physical) CDs are gone! All hard copies (with the really cool vinyl look and elaborate packaging) cost $14 dollars now! Buy a hard copy at CDBaby or Amazon!
Free Song Downloads!
Two songs from "Too Much & Too Lovely" are available for free download at iLike! Check it out!
Who is Alyse Black?
A crimson silk voice set to deceptively lovely pop tunes. In the same vein as Michael Bublé and Norah Jones, Alyse combines jazz sensibilities with a pop sound to create sensual music that is winning the hearts of fans across many genres.
"Black boldly channels Bjork, Billie, and Bush (Kate, not GW). Best yet, this jazzy, arty, oddball epic also sounds like Alyse Black more than any of her influences."
- Roctober Magazine -
About "Too Much & Too Lovely"
While Alyse’s songwriting could be likened to the playful jazziness of Regina Spektor, Alyse’s voice has been described as a cross between the voices of Tori Amos and Norah Jones. Because Alyse’s major influences run the gamut from Billie Holiday to Tom Waits, the tracks of “Too Much & Too Lovely” are at once quirky and sultry.
Seattle-based professional musicians Hans Brehmer (piano), Mark Oi (guitar), Patrick McDanel (bass), Cody Rahn (drums), and Jeff Miller (trumpet) added their respected talents to the project.
The album was recorded and mixed by Reed Ruddy at Seattle’s Studio X and mastered by Will Quinnell at New York’s Sterling Sound.
Alyse's Sordid Tale
Alyse left a short corporate career to sing on the streets of Pike Place Market in Seattle. One day, the pianist for a local jazz group wandered by, listened for a moment, and then explained that he liked her style. He needed another singer for a show that night at a local club. There was no looking back.
Alyse was born into a house of Ragtime piano and musical theater. She learned her first notes on the piano from her father before she can remember. She first ventured onto a stage alone to sing at age six. She began violin at 10 and quit violin at 11 in favor of voice. She began to toy with a guitar around 15. She first recorded in a studio at 17. At 18, Alyse felt the call of the singer-songwriter but couldn't follow. She then freaked out and didn't turn in a completed application to Juilliard at 19. Oddly enough, she went to business school and entered the corporate world. It didn't take long to realize that was a mistake. So she left to follow her passion on the streets of Pike Place Market in Seattle.
From trekking in Nepal to roadtripping the USA. From working for the US House of Representatives in high school to starring in musicals. Completing business school, running marathons, building schools in developing nations, attending modeling school, and living in many other countries. Alyse Black has had an eclectic life, so it’s no wonder her influences are quite varied for her debut album, "Too Much & Too Lovely."
Discography
"Too Much & Too Lovely" released in 2007. The album is available for purchase at most major online retailers as well as Sonic Boom and Silver Platter stores in the Seattle area.
Alyse just won Honorable Mention in the International Free Ride Music Contest 2008! Check out more information on The Human Factor's Website!
On April 2, 2008, this page officially broke 600 song plays in one day!
"Wouldn't It Be Nice?" has been selected for feature on MyCoke.com!
The Singer's Studio is putting together their first compilation of "the best singers" and will include "Sally All My Days" on their album!
Unsigned The Magazine has announced a review of "Too Much & Too Lovely" and a possible feature!
Alyse has been selected as Singer of the Month on SingerUniverse based on "Sally All My Days!" Alyse and "Sally" will be featured on the SingerUniverse website for March 2008!
Roctober's wonderful review is back! Check out Alyse's blog to see what it says!
"Stood for Stand for" just received first place in Billboard's 15th Annual World Song Contest in the category of Jazz! This is a huge honor, and it comes with many benefits - prizes, press, and "all that jazz." Another huge honor is playing at the Branson Music Industry Conference, Workshop and Festival for the chance to win more prizes and "recognition." Stay tuned for more info!
Alyse's music was selected for feature on Hot Rocks music television show. Shooting will take place in late Spring!
A review of "Too Much & Too Lovely" is out in Urban Mainstream Magazine!
"Too Much & Too Lovely" is out! Please check it out at Amazon, CDBaby, iTunes, or here on Alyse's MySpace page through Snocap.
The album release party at The Triple Door in Seattle, WA, was played to a packed house! Video and photos from the event are now up!
Two songs from "Too Much & Too Lovely" - "Emeline" and the title track - are on the Indie Top Ten List for KRIM 96.3 FM in Payson, Arizona! Thank you Kit's Korner!
"Too Much & Too Lovely" is receiving significant reviewer interest! Articles about the album have been announced for future issues of Synthesis Magazine, SoundProof Magazine, and A&R Unlimited Magazine!
"Wouldn't It Be Nice?" has been selected to be on the fourth annual Sonicbids Listen Compilation CD! One of the coolest things about it is that the proceeds go to benefit The Mr. Holland's Opus Foundation! The Mr. Holland's Opus Foundation (MHOF) supports music education and its many benefits through the donation of new and refurbished musical instruments to underserved school and community music programs and individual students.
The Levee Breaking presents a tri-monthly music showcase through largely independent Pacific Northwest coffee shops and bakeries. Alyse will be participating in this quarter's showcase!
Alyse's Levee Breaking Website
"Wouldn't It Be Nice?" has been selected to be on the upcoming compilation CD,
Java with Javelyn
Indie Music Volume 3.
dear alyse - thanks for your request. I really like your music and your voice is just plain WOW! lots of success :-) cheers & a hipswing from zurich - k.
Love it, Alyse! You have a great voice. Thank you ever so much for the request. It's great to be friends, isn't it? Love from Davy Lawrence and Enormous. Xx (Free Enormous EP at www. enormousreloaded. com)
Seriously, I will check out your music. "Seattle and Austin" sounds like a hot mix already. I miss the Texas Chili Parlor off LaVacca. (I have lots of kin folks there, since my mamma's from Fredericksburg) and I;ve enjoyed Seattle, too.
So, maybe you can check out mine: http://newtlove. com/ I've sold a cantata for cathedral organ and double choir, and am working on two operas. I;ve also sold 3 novels to 2 publishers, one just outside of Sante Fe, NM, and the other in Saint Malo, France.
I;d be thrilled for you to check me out, I mean, check out my stuff, I mean my artistic output. ;-P
