Someone sure likes to sing about knowing a thing or two. Thanks to a varied upbringing, the music of singer/songwriter Chantel Upshaw is a genuine reflection of vast influences and well-earned insights. Raised through the foster care system in BC and Ontario from age seven to seventeen, her soundtrack was the Oldies, Motown soul, and Greek songs that her immigrated foster father introduced her to. "On road trips," she reflects, "I remember sitting in the back seat listening to Gene Pitney, Patsy Cline, Nana Mouskouri & traditional Greek, and the doo-wop hits. Some of it I loved, but the cheesier stuff is mostly nostalgic and stuck in my sub-conscious. Recently though I've come to appreciate it."
From her earlier childhood came the influence of her birth parents' selections such as Pink Floyd, Queen, Lynrd Skynrd, and Duran Duran. She also confesses to mainly living on the road with her real parents, meaning there was a lot of 80's hit radio. "Actually, my mom got me a Roxette tape when I was seven. That was my first cassette," she laughs, "and I still stand behind the Joyride album!"
Add to this in Upshaw's cache are gospel tones inspired from singing in church, shades of Broadway while appearing in regional musical theatre, and at times a vocal girlishness akin to Gwen Stefani or Cyndi Lauper. Mix in a slew more inspirations for her debut full-length release, and this is set to be one adventurous endeavor. "Classical, ethereal beings, opera, cartoons from the 40's, Disney, and some favorite movies all blend into it. I'm spurred on by so much more than songs alone."
While she is clearly no music purist, there is a string that ties it all together: an innate soulfulness that manifests from within. Upcoming songs, such as the bassy, contemplative 'Feast or Famine' are darker while others such as 'Case Closed' feature a wonder-struck love story set to a bouncy pop format. All the while, her 'quirky soul' sneaks in across the board. "I guess that tells me I should be using it, cuz it's in my nature." The duality between Chantel's songwriting and her part coy, part exuberant vocals lends well to a fresh original ready to spin her take...and given her background this is a deep-seated effect.
In penning the new album, Chantel aimed to reveal the hopeful side instead of indulging in angst without pardon, a theme close to the heart of one who has taken in stride the imprint of a richly experienced past. The result comes off as childlike yet wise in the best of ways, revealing a bright-eyed curiosity, pouty temperaments, and unsuppressed emotions. "When I feel, I really feel. I think kids are like that, everything means something. I feel like the same person as when I was six...plus a few more observations," she smiles. "My goal is to be the fun, funky old lady who finds joy in it all. It's more fun to be a kid forever, dont'cha think?" Well this kid knows something about something.
To date, Chantel has opened for Juno-winning artists LIGHTS and Alex Cuba, a collaborator on Nelly Furtado’s new Spanish language album. She has shared the stage with Canadian divas Divine Brown and Lee Aaron and was featured on stage producer Tom Jackson’s site based on her recorded vocal performance. She is a chosen artist to be featured in the Canwest/HevyD National marketing campaign to hit major news publications in winter '09. Keep your ears peeled for more to come from this promising young Canadian.
I have heard there are troubles of more than one kind. Some come from ahead and some come from behind. But I've bought a big bat. I'm all ready you see. Now my troubles are going to have troubles with me!
Had a thought while driving home and I wanted to share it. Hope you don’t mind…
When we truly let go of past hurts, hang-ups and disappointments and choose to live in the moment, in the now, in the PRESENT, life truly can be a GIFT.
Hope you liked this one. :)
Also, if you like these, shoot me comments letting me know, join me on my Facebook page and when I send you a link to my website once it gets finished next week, be sure to go it and sign up and I’ll send these to you there as well. Take care
Hope all is well! Thanks for the contacts! I've been meaning to call you for like 2 weeks but am under a mountain of stuff to do! You should come over for my CD release! It's October 18th.
Well thanks right back atchya for the gorgeous vocals. We set out to achieve an angelic sound and thanks to you we did! Looking forward to the show... x
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