Classically trained in voice and piano. Driven to write Pop-Rock songs that inspire. Christa Borden is not just a unique and intelligent voice, but also a storyteller and survivor.
Straight A student. Socially awkward kid. A passion for studying classical music and opera. That’s the back story that eventually led Christa to find her comfort zone, her place of belonging. Classical and Romantic music filled her hungry heart and mind as she devoured the darkness of Hugo Wolf’s Lieder and the brilliance of Mozart’s operas. Eventually the classical training and influences gave way to pop culture and everyone from the legends to the obscure. “As I made my way out of my “nerd” stage The Cure, David Bowie and Leonard Cohen became the soundtracks of my youth. In the 90’s I was all about Bjork and the Smashing Pumpkins.”
Today, Christa continues to draw inspiration from her idols Kate Bush, Radiohead, The Cure, and her Dad, Fred Borden, the secret poet. Her creative influences span the media, film, art, sculpture, fiction and her own life. “Brooklyn’s MGMT, Bertolt Brecht, DaVinci, Deepak Chopra, Robin Sharma, Don Miguel Ruiz, Leonard Cohen, Anne Rice, Patricia Cornwell, and Maurice Sendak. Songs, books, films, or pieces of art, all find a place to plant seeds inside my ever-creating mind.” Her songwriting paints a picture and invites you to step through the looking glass into the heart and mind of the matter and comes from a place of survival and truth.
In addition to her powerful, sometimes self effacing lyrical honesty, it was also her voice that brought her to the attention of iconic music producer Bob Clearmountain (Bruce Springsteen, Paul McCartney, The Pretenders & others) and one of musics most acclaimed songwriter-producers, Jeff Trott, (Sheryl Crow, Stevie Nicks, Counting Crows, & others) Clearmountain mixed 6 of the tracks on the CD. Trott, who produced those same 6 tracks, describes his time in the studio with Christa - “Positive energy! It’s such a rarity nowadays but it’s the driving force behind Christa Borden. You mix that with a tremendously powerful and expressive voice and you can’t go wrong. For me, to work with this type of artist is a dream because she’s not afraid to try anything. It’s so refreshing to collaborate with someone who is so fearless.”
“I have struggled fiercely to find out where I fit in, who I am and why I am so haunted by my own actions. I have finally discovered that building your own empire is the only way to still that struggle. Igniting an inner dialogue that forces me to evolve everyday has helped me find who I am and taught me to accept life’s unexpected twists and turns with a smile – and then pour my heart and the words and lessons I’ve collected out onto the piano and see what takes form.”
The form it took - I Rhyme With Orange -will renew your faith in intelligent pop. Artfully penned lyrics befriend infectious rhythms and melodies, making her an artist to watch. The songs really do have an intimate, confessional quality even though the production is big. Consume a dose of sweet, raw heartache in her mega ballads “Drowning” and “Homesick”. Like many of the songs on the debut, “Cut Me Loose” is nothing short of a Rock ballad anthem with a resonating guitar solo that will make you hit ‘repeat.’ “Empty Bottles” and “Tonight” skillfully ride the edge between catchy pop sounds and classic rock riffs. “I Will Wait” delivers a powerful full-band chorus, dripping with attitude and honesty. This is not your average pop-rock album. I Rhyme With Orange is a tasty dish with a full serving of musical and poetic nutrients in every song.
