Folk tunes, a kids record called Music Machine, Beethoven, Mozart, Tchaikovsky, Chopin, Schubert. Old musical feature films like Mary Poppins and The Sound of Music. Broadway show tunes. The Beatles. Old school David Bowie. Old live recordings by Billy Joel and Elton John. Classic Rolling Stones.
Sounds Like
"Christine Anderson is a world class pianist and composer, who rolled up her sleeves one day and showed the world what she was made of on Live Summer Session. Recorded during a bout of improvisational whimsy at the artist's humble living room piano, this stunning live debut delivers 17 poignant original songs, as raw and real as music gets: a stripped down, bare bones duet between Anderson's heavenly pipes and possessed by Beethoven piano playing. Her ability to improvise like a jazz player and compose much of her music on the fly reveals not only a confident player of consequence, but a champion songwriter with a very bright future."
- MUSIC CONNECTION
Hot New Artist To Watch, 2007
"The infectious melody of her bittersweet anthem 'Hollywood Trainwreck' is sweetening up the airwaves as it racks up spins at a growing number of FM radio stations across the US, giving the young singer-songwriter her first taste of crossover success."
- ROCKDOGZ MAGAZINE
Top 40 Emerging Artists of 2006" issue
"The brave risks Christine Anderson takes in her music are wildly successful in their payoff to the listener! 'Hollywood Trainwreck' is intensely personal and sensual in the way that Joni Mitchell, Shakira and Sheryl Crow come across in their songs. Rock strong in 2006!"
- JASON DIDNER
MySpace Music Review, 2006
"Beyond spotlighting Anderson's heartbreaking voice and tremendous piano skills, Live Summer Session marks the rise of an outstanding new songwriter in the vein of old time John Lennon and Paul McCartney, with chops you don't hear on records by Fiona Apple or Tori Amos. Enchanting and original, Live Summer Session establishes a serious, versatile artist..."
- DISCOVER MUSIC
Artist Spotlight & CD Review, 2006
"Pianist and singer-songwriter Christine Anderson is the latest artist to burst onto the LA music scene, having won the 13th Annual Los Angeles Music Award for Composer of the Year this Thursday, following a unanimous decision by a panel of industry judges. With a preternatural gift for indelible melodies and soulful storytelling, it is Anderson's unique theatrical fusion of classical masterpiece, crafty piano pop, and provocative lyric that sets her apart from thousands of other talented musicians, and has her poised to bridge an uncharted gap between the sounds of the great concerts halls, Broadway, and pop radio."
- LOS ANGELES MUSIC AWARDS
Composer of the Year Press Release, 13th annual LAMA
Hi! I'm Christine, and the songs I have up right now are from a little recording I made in my living room one summer called Live Summer Session. It came out in 2006. I recorded the whole thing (17 tracks and 47 minutes of music) live in one take, using some old lyric ideas and making up the music as I went along. Like everything I play, these songs are inspired originals and each is a little slice of my soul.
Christine Anderson's Official Press Biography
One hot summer afternoon in Los Angeles, CA, Christine Anderson sang into a simple instrument mike at a Yamaha digital piano and recorded an entire album, live in a single take. Guided by a foot high stack of her scribbled, half-finished lyrics, she composed as the tape rolled, turning out inspired performances of 17 original songs. Today, highly improvised Live Summer Session is hailed by critics as "creative brilliance," served "as raw and real as music gets."
With an intriguing stage presence that seems to rise up and take over during her performances, Christine is best known for her talent as a live performer and impromptu composer. Thanks to internet technology, word of mouth, and a little marketing savvy, she's begun amassing an enthusiastic following with her soulful voice, passionate songwriting, and world class piano playing. The Los Angeles Music Award winner has appeared in special features on ABC, MTV, and MuchMusic, but has turned away traditionally coveted "record deals" to remain independent and in complete creative control of her art.
Following the success of Live Summer Session, Christine left Los Angeles and moved to Ashland, OR, where she has penned upwards of 77 new songs. This new music is being recorded and official releases are in the works.
I love music more than I can say in words. When I was really little, I wanted to be like Schroeder from the classic Peanuts cartoons. There was something about that Beethoven he played that made the hair on the back of my neck stand up. When I was nine, I discovered my friend's piano and BOOM that was it. I knew no matter what, I was going to play that thing. Determination or not, I was lucky enough to be really good with the instrument, a natural, so when my very first piano score won first place in the first State-wide composition contest I ever entered, I had the confidence to find every other piano competition available to me, and win it. Thanks to various wonderful teachers, I began to gain experience playing with symphonies, and I honed my craft at every masters class and summer music camp possible. I loved it. It made me who I am, and it made me happy.
By the time I was a teenager, I'd even begun making a name for myself, thanks to some mentions in the local newspapers and little stories about my piano competitions on the evening news. I was on my way to becoming a classical recording artist when I had an experience that, in one delicious electric moment, changed the course of my life forever. I was 14 years old when, on a hot summer afternoon (summer is such a magical time, lol), inspiration struck me as it often did like a lightening bolt outta the sky and into my head, and filled me with instant, beautiful music. I'd composed a lot of solo piano music by then, but something was different this time, because along with the music... came words!
By the time I was seventeen, I had a notebook full of original songs, and I was writing a new one almost every day. Contrary to my experience with the piano, however, I was no natural vocalist. My range was barely five notes, and they came out sounding constipated even on a good day. But something in my heart told me that yes, somewhere down in there I had a voice, so I just kept at it, and kept waiting for it to come out. All this was a hobby, though; I wasn't even allowed to play "my" songs until I'd practiced my syllabus repertoire for at least a solid hour (and that's not counting the 30 minutes of scales and arpeggios I always warmed up with), and then at 18 I headed off to college.
I spent the next four years practicing 2-3 hours a day, eyeball-deep in advanced music theory, earning degrees in music composition and piano performance... but just I couldn't help how bored I felt every time I had to play more of that damned Bach. I know, I know: Bach's only the greatest composer-intellectual of all time. hello! Right? But still, that's how I came to realize I'm happiest writing my own songs and telling my own stories. My professors were not at all pleased, of course, but I followed my heart.
I worked hard for years, playing gigs all across the US and writing as many songs as I could. But it wasn't until discovering MySpace that everything seemed to blow up. I'd just recorded Live Summer Session, which was forty-five minutes of me singing, improvising, composing songs impromptu, and succumbing completely to the inspiration as it consumed me. I posted four of the 17 tracks here on MySpace, and once again, in what seemed like a matter of no time at all, my life changed course forever.
Years of hard work and hours of daily practice finally paid off, as word spread, my fanbase exploded, and Live Summer Session began selling by the hundreds, then thousands, on my website, ChristineAnderson.net.
When radio deejays stumbled across my music here, all they had to do was send me a message, and before I knew it, "Hollywood Trainwreck" was getting airplay on actual radio stations............ even some of the traditional corporate whores like KISS FM. Kinda cool, right? But by the time that happened I'd been growing as an artist and improving as a vocalist, so even getting airplay and being a guest on radio shows wasn't satisfying, because, to me, that was now old music. And I could do better. So on to the next thing, right?
Which brings me to Ashland, OR, a place that looks like it came straight out of a Mary Poppins sidewalk chalk drawing, and which appears, from all empirical evidence, to be the most romantic place in the world, full of a lot of talent and surprises in unexpected places. And where I've discovered that making cool music doesn't require a big expensive studio in Hollywood, just a Zoom mic, some maryjane, and the sweet vibe of home. And that spelling and grammar and syntax aside, for all intents and purposes, and hopefully for all the right reasons, all u need is luve. But more directly to the point, I'm making some pretty cool music out here. And new creative prospects are suddenly on the horizon. Good thing I looked up.
I'm hoping to release a lot of new music this year and possibly a video too. If you're a local musician or audio-visual guru and you want to collaborate, let me know by emailing littlemissmozart@gmail.com. If you're with a music magazine or website and you want to review my material, email me and I'll get you a press kit. If you're with a record label that respects creativity and doesn't think I'd be better off if I tried sounding more poppish and lowest-common-denominator-esque, then you can email me too. But if you think I'd be a good fit for the next all-girl act you're pitching to Sony, forget it. I'm not interested in being anyone but me. And I mean it. I've been approached by agents, attorneys, A&R guys, label suits, you name it, and I've heard it all as far as people promising me the world, or promising to make me a star. I decided long ago that I don't want fame and recognition if it's at the cost of my artistic vision, so it has been pretty easy to stay true to myself and not sell out. I could have a very different life right now, if I'd so chosen, but I only take on projects that speak to my heart, I always write my own music, and that's that!
From where I'm standing, it looks like I made the right choice. I may not have the exposure of a sell out, but my fans are devoted and they'll buy anything I release, even before it's released. That's why it's so important to me that I never betray them by releasing crap just to make money. I spent the last three years growing and learning as a pianist, singer, songwriter, woman, human and while I surely could have been releasing music all that time (if I'd had the resources), I believe that I am just now, in 2009, starting to find my true voice. Even so, I know from all the letters I receive how long you've been listening. It's so humbling and incredible to know that, somehow, my songs are touching people's hearts. Truly, it is a gift from God. People tell me my music has changed their lives, that it helped save their relationship, or it made them realize they wanted to play the piano again. One 15 year old girl wrote to me and said, "you don't know me from adam, but i was gonna kill myself because i'm stupid and i hate my life. I dunno why but I heard one of your songs and I didn't want to give up."
In this crazy world we call the music business, I've learned that your greatest accomplishment isn't always the one that pays you the most money, but the one that enables you to touch the hearts of others on your journey towards the stars.
Bookings/Commissions: Hire Christine! You can hire Christine to perform for you, anywhere in the world!
Make your special event one to remember with an unforgettable musical performance by Christine. Christine is available for hire and travel worldwide. Send a message to littlemissmozart@gmail.com requesting rates, riders, and availabilities. Please include your name, address and phone number(s), as well as detailed information about the nature of the event you are planning, beginning with the date, time, and location. A booking agent will be in touch with your promptly. Inquiries submitted without a vaild phone number will not be considered.
You can also hire Christine to compose an original song for you!
Does your heart long for someone, but you cannot find the words to tell them? Or the melody? Whatever your situation, Christine can compose an inspired, beautiful, one-of-a-kind song for any occasion, based entirely on your story and what you want to express to someone. Depending on your individual needs, you can have CDs manufactured with your special song on it, a live performance of your special song, or both. Send a message to littlemissmozart@gmail.com requesting a price quote. Please describe in detail what kind of song you are looking for, and if there is a deadline to consider, such as a birthday or anniversary. Be sure to include your name, address, and phone number(s). Inquiries submitted without a valid phone number will not be considered.
Just wanted to wish you a Happy & SAFE 4th of July. Here's some helpful or funny advice.
3 THINGS TO MAKE SURE YOU KNOW 1 ...where you're going 2 ...when it's time to leave 3 ...where you live (well enough to tell someone else how to get there)
Hello Christine,
In the spirit of Freedom throughout all the earth, on all levels, and in all dimensions I wish you a liberating 4th of July weekend.
Peace, Love, and Freedom,
David
Hello, Christine.You deserve to be happy. It gives us great pleasure to send you an abundance of love, peace, happiness, and prosperity. Every aspect of your being is miraculous and beautiful. As for us, we have had better days. Lately, we have utterly lost our minds. Please allow us to elaborate. As strange as it may sound, while grocery shopping about two days ago, we were attacked by a buck in the cereal aisle. We were stabbed by its antlers in various places, including the chest and thigh. Scared out of our wits by such a sudden and outlandish occurrence, we bolted out of the store, buck in swift pursuit, and ran toward our car. We sped off, accelerating haphazardly to about 97 miles per hour, and were soon pulled over by the highway patrol. The highway patrolman pointed out a service station's nozzle and severed hose protruding from our gas tank. Clearly, we were perplexed and baffled as to how we allowed ourselves to be set up. You are most delicious and we want you to have all the beautiful things that you desire. We feel fortunate to have shared this perceived reality with you. Take care and best wishes to you.
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