Jeneen Terrana, Chris Smythe , Scott Dennis, Ricky Dennis
Influences
Dusty Springfield, Bob Dylan, Travis, Nick Cave, Willie Nelson, Patty Griffin, Emmylou Harris, Leonard Cohen, Nina Simone, Joni Mitchell, K.D. Lang, Lucinda Williams, Karen Carpenter, Ella Fitzgerald, Eric Clapton, Etta James, Billie Holliday, Dolly Parton, Colin Hay, Robert Plant, Debbie Harry, Brenda Kahn, P.J. Harvey, Heather Nova, The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Eva Cassidy, Sade, Sting, Feist, Alanis Morissette, Barenaked Ladies, Damien Rice, Jeff Buckley, The Pretenders, Queen, Supertramp, Susan Tedeschi, Johnny Cash
Biography
Jeneen's music is driven by her haunting vocal style mixed with alternative rock and blues akin to artists such as
Patty Griffin, K.D. Lang and Lucinda Williams.
She grew up in Buffalo, New York, and was strongly influenced by her Sicilian grandfather who sang every
Sunday after dinner. “My grandfather would put on a full opera,” Jeneen says, “he played all the characters
himself.” After studying music and moving to New York, Jeneen became involved with the local music scene
and started writing.
In 2002 she released her first CD “Just Me”. The album is a mix of gentle melodies (I'm fine, Are you still in)
and sarcastic wit (FU, Goodbye) each song reaching for a specific resolution and finding it. The follow up
release “My Creation” has a new wisdom (My Creation, Little fish) as well as the sarcasm we loved in the first
album (New Book, Money Tree). The Howl Brothers, three talented musicians add their own special flavor
with western guitar riffs and driving bass lines, and even some backing vocals on one of the tracks.
It is still the live shows that keep her fans coming back. Her easy rapport with her audience, catchy lyrics and
her lilting vocals wrapped around her acoustic melodies always leave them wanting more.
"Jeneen Terrana is a special talent, and My Creation is one of the most breathtaking introductions to an artist I've ever
experienced. It makes me sorry I missed her debut in 2002. Buffalo, NY should be proud, and New York City music fans should make every effort to see and hear the musical gem playing among them while they can. If there's justice in the world of music, New York City won't be big enough to hold Terrana in the long run. Between her voice and songwriting talent, and
the impresario backing band The Howl Brothers, there's nothing this musical outfit can't accomplish. My Creation is, without a doubt, a Wildy's World Certified Desert Island Disc. It's a classic album that deserves to be heard far and wide. What are
you waiting for?"
For Obama’s Inauguration, Let’s All Sing “My Creation!” January 14, 2009 by cliveswersky
“The lyrics to Jeneen Terrana’s song, My Creation, emphasize that we all have within us the power to choose what we want
to create for our lives without being shackled by decisions of the past, and themes of love and peace, as well as being
courageous and fully self expressed, reverberate throughout the song,” says Clive, “so I can’t think of a more appropriate
song for us to sing on the eve of Barack Obama’s inauguration, especially in these challenging economic times.”
NEW YORK (Top40 Charts/ Bitesized Records) - Introducing a rock chanteuse who picks up her guitar and sings her heart
out, a woman whose songs and hypnotic vocals, packed with a solid delivery, work their way into your brain, and seduce
your creative senses.
This chanteuse is Jeneen Terrana, utilizing a delicious mix of rock, blues and rockabilly, her hypnotic vocals , her rock soft
style elicits mass appeal due to it's wondrous diversity.
Sweet and melodic, with a biting agressive element, Jeneen brings a freshness to the music scene, her new cd, MY
CREATION is a joy to behold, totally defining the genre of adult contemporary.
Her tales of love and lost, captivate you, her haunting vocals, both gorgeous and evocative, lead the listener into a new
dimension of auditory enjoyment..
Girls gone wild (for the love of music) at L.I.C. Bar by Tiffany Razzano, qboro Contributor
However, you might not realize that if you looked in your own backyard you’d find a bevvy of talented female songwriters, which is why L.I.C. Bar teamed up with GoGirlsMusic.com, an online community that promotes independent women musicians, to present The Queens of Queens on Dec. 1. In an effort to cultivate the burgeoning local scene, this free show, which even offered the audience a free catered dinner, brought together nearly a dozen female songwriters and musicians
based in western Queens — mostly from Astoria and Long Island City — in celebration and recognition of their musical talents. And while all were singer-songwriters, the musicians represented a wide spectrum of genres, from blues and jazz, to Americana and folk. So there was a little something for everyone.
The evening was hosted by Astoria-based acoustic indie rocker Jeneen Terrana, originally from Buffalo. Listening to her mix of alternative rock and blues, it’s easy to appreciate her wind range of influences from musicians such as Nick Cave and PJ Harvey to Dusty Springfield, Patty Griffin and Harris.
Joe Ruvel, Lookey Dookey Magazine
“Disclaimer: I am a sentimental bastard. When a woman picks up a guitar and sings her heart out, its hard for me not to enjoy
it.
With that disclaimer out of the way, I introduce you to Jeneen Terrana. After only a few listens to her album, Just Me, I am on
her side. Her tales of love and lost are overlaid on simple songs, that slowly start to work there way into your brain.
Sometimes its catchy lyrics and a tight song that draw you in, like on the opening song “Good Folks”. Other times on the
album, her haunting voice lulls you while you sit with her replaying a moment in her life.
Jeneen is not all sadness either. One of the high points on the album is the song “Fuck you”. This country tinged anthem of
sorts is at times funny, stirring, and down right fun. Jeneen says it all with the words, “So fuck you / Fuck your planning/
Fuck the way you treated me / If I wake up and I’ve made a mistake / I’ll just have to say fuck me.” You also have to give her
credit for having the word fuck repeated about 10 times in one song.
By the time you think you understand the album pretty well, Jeneen surprises you with a gorgeous rendition of “O Sole Mio”.
It not only acts as a definitive ending to the album but a window into another side of Jeneen’s life.
If you are a sentimental bastard like me, then you will enjoy this album.”
Anna Maria Stjärnell, Ectophiles Guide to Good Music
“Jeneen Terrana's music is gorgeous and evocative. It's a fine debut by any standards. Jeneen Terrana combines sharp lyrics
with memorable tunes. The langourous “Someone Else Has been Loving you” really gets to me. Its heartbreak is almost
touchable.
The irresistible singalong “Fuck You” gets me to merrily sing the chorus over and over. It's not unlike Ani Difranco's “Untouchable face” in that respect. “Superman” is quirky and cute. “Losing You” has a strong sense of desperation to it. “Something's dying, I need healing” sings Terrana as if her life depended on it.
The version of “O Sole Mio” that closes the album really shows Terrana's voice at its best. It's a great way to end this lovely
album.”
Jeneen, tHANKs so much for the add! We enjoyed your show at Mulligan's in Amsterdam, my daughter and me listen to your cd a lot. There are also some pics I made in my Live Music album, here for you
Hi Jeneen... you were absolutely lovely on Sunday and am listening to your album right now!!! Superb!!! Keep in touch... How's the tour going? Luv Dave xx
Hey Jeneen, thank God for today:). have a great trip to Europe...Its absolutely inspiring! I can't wait to hear about it...hopefully see you before you strike off!
Thanks for asking me to join you and Gus last Thursday night. I got your message after I got home...otherwise I would have loved to join you guys. I am sure you both did awesome as always :)
Thanks Jeneen, it was great to meet you and hear your set! I love your song "My creation." The positive message is something we all need to be reminded of - in a light way how you framed it! :)
