MySpace.com - Miranda Barber-2 songs in top 10 for ASA Awards! - Melbourne Aust, AND, UK - Acoustic / Folk / Blues

Miranda Barber-2 songs in top 10 for ASA Awards!
Acoustic / Folk / Blues

		""A truly excellent debut album" Seatwaves" Melbourne Aust, AND, London and South East United Kingdom Profile Views: 50764 Last Login: 8/20/2008
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Contacting Miranda Barber-2 songs in top 10 for ASA Awards!

MySpace URL:

http://www.myspace.com/mirandabarber

Miranda Barber-2 songs in top 10 for ASA Awards!: General Info

Member Since

1/17/2006

Band Website

mirandabarber.com

Band Members

Sketch_of_Miranda_with_ukulele_at_The_Ginglik_Big_Secret_by_Galen

Miranda on vocals & keys...occasionally some rusty ukulele. Sometimes joined by double bass, rat-tat-tat and backing vocals.

Influences

Early influences are Billie Holiday, Nina Simone and Roberta Flack. Tom Waits and Leonard Cohen are oceans of inspiration.

Joni Mitchell is the queen and king of "the song".

I'm also hooked on Devendra Banhart, Jolie Holland and Richard Hawley. I listen to Feist, Jacques Brel, Johnny Cash, Nitin Sawney, Fela Kuti, Radiohead, Odetta, Bob Dylan, Led Zepplin, PJ Harvey, Manu Chao, Donny Hathaway, The Bad Plus, Herbie Hancock, Goldfrapp, Curtis Mayfield, Martina Topley-Bird, Bebel Gilberto, Beth Gibbons, Bjork, Buena Vista Social Club, Charles Mingus, Cinematic Orchestra...ah name it, I'll listen.

Sounds Like

Gravel being dragged through honey! A potent cocktail of Joni Mitchel, Tori Amos, Shirley Bassey and Nina Simone. "Smoky piano lauded balladry with vintage croons." Black & White Magazine

Record Label

Barbershop Records, Unsigned

Type of Label

None

Upcoming Shows

( view all )

Aug 28 2008

8:00P

Downstairs @ The Troubadour

London

Sep 10 2008

8:00P

The Big Secret @ The Ginglik

London W12 8PH

Sep 17 2008

8:00P

’Julia Biel presents a double bill with Miranda Barber @ Cafe Koha (basement)

Julia Biel and Miranda Barber double bill!!!

Oct 2 2008

8:00P

Viva Viva - Julian Hinton’s The Precious Sessions

London

Oct 20 2008

8:00P

Dead Or Alive @ The Old Queens Head

London

Oct 31 2008

8:30P

High Barn

Essex, Bardfield

Nov 27 2008

8:00P

Blue Velvet Acoustic Night, Remix Bar, Woking

Woking, Surrey

Dec 4 2008

7:30P

Headlining LONDON UNPLUGGED @ The Ballroom @ The Cavendish Arms, Stockwell

Stockwell, London

Miranda Barber-2 songs in top 10 for ASA Awards!'s Latest Blog Entry [Subscribe to this Blog]

Spilling my innards, reflections & the Australian Songwriters Association Awards (view more)

Lips’ Decision on itunes & super new Album Reviews!!! (view more)

Album review from Vanguard Online - Lips’ Decision (view more)

Big kisses for your support- Album release today- sweet new album review- singing for my soul (view more)

Lips’ Decision album review in Music Entertainment Focus UK, 17th June 2008 & taster tracks! (view more)

[View All Blog Entries]

About Miranda Barber-2 songs in top 10 for ASA Awards!

Here are twelve taster tracks from my first full length release, Lips' Decision. These songs are my Lips' Decisions. Stir them into your coffee or let them breathe with a bottle of red... the world can wait.

[Lips' Decision] "is an album oozing sexuality, in 1950's smoky jazz bar feel. There are some gorgeous bluesy piano moments and soul that would melt even the coldest of hearts..." Leigh Rafferty, Glasswerk. co. uk

"Soulful, sophisticated and fun, Lips' Decision mixes the smouldering, late night jazz singing of Billie Holliday with piano-led Joni Mitchell-style confessionals......With a little luck the smooth MOR of Lips' Decision may just end up being the soundtrack to your summer." Ian Sinclair, Tourdates

"...no gimmicks and no overstated production. Miranda can be serious, jazzy, cheeky, raunchy even; but always classy, as this album illustrates...a truly excellent debut album." Peter Coulston, Seatwaves

To buy "Lips' Decision" complete with artwork & lyrics, click below or simply download from itunes HERE!

Live footage from the recording studio during the making of debut album, Lips' Decision - meet the musos!

Live recording of My Roof has Got A Hole In It @ Goldtop Studios

Australian-born Miranda Barber moved to the feisty fray of East London in 1999 and has not quite made it back home. Her brew of smoky piano lauded balladry with vintage croons, is a fresh mixture of intelligent lyricism, melodious hooks and the kind of song writing that hasn’t been heard since the 60s. Likened to Joni Mitchell, Kate Bush & Billie Holiday, Miranda's influences include the likes of Nina Simone, Roberta Flack, Tom Waits and Jolie Holland. This might account for why she holds high the banner for the acoustic singer/songwriter, whilst effortlessly sailing in and out of the waters of blues, jazz, soul and folk. Miranda has a stunningly powerful voice - soulful, husky and sultry, and her ability to also tell a great story makes for a curious mix of the real, the romantic and the quirky.

On 7th September 2007, out of 600 songwriters, Miranda won the first ever singer/songwriter showcase on www.slicethepie.com by public vote, and received finance to make her first album. Produced by Charlie Winston, the album was recorded live at Goldtop and Mi7 Studios in London, and was released on Miranda's own label, Barbershop Records on 30th June 2008.http://www.mirandabarber.com/listen.html

Below & above are some silly Album Video Blogs put together during the course of making the album. See them all at http://www.youtube.com/mirandabarber

Video blog 4 & Eliza...

Cheeky ditty on ukulele, live at home...

Video Blog 1

Video Blog 2

Video Blog 3

Theremin Blog

Album launch photos taken by http://www.rogerkellerphotography.com

Studio photographs taken by www.myspace.com/stephdray

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SOME WEE REVIEWS
GLASSWERK.CO.UK, 29 July 2008
[Lips' Decision] "is an album oozing sexuality, in 1950's smoky jazz bar feel. There are some gorgeous bluesy piano moments and soul that would melt even the coldest of hearts..." Leigh Rafferty http://www.glasswerk.co.uk/index.php?db=national&page=reviews,review&id=7054

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TOURDATES, 25 July 2008
"Soulful, sophisticated and fun, Lips' Decision mixes the smouldering, late night jazz singing of Billie Holliday with piano-led Joni Mitchell-style confessionals...Barber's music is all about escape...With a little luck the smooth MOR of Lips' Decision may just end up being the soundtrack to your summer." Ian Sinclair

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VANGUARD ONLINE - Lips' Decision album review, 30.06.08
"Skinny legs, check; jazzy backings, check; jazzy inflection, check. Could Miranda be coming from the school of Amy Winehouse circa debut album - Frank? Well, just a bit but not too much. The style and sass and swing are there though. The voice is the difference, not a soul-jazz voice like Amy, this is a quirky voice.

The sound is jazzy and runs on piano and strings and a double bass. Organic sounds like cello and viola are added, along with, oh joy, a man impersonating a trumpet. The whole thing is full of catchy tunes and quirky inflections. The tone is a lot like early Ben Kweller in its joie de vivre and it’s nice to catch something leftfield like this and give it a boost.
It’s the joy that wins through, with a bounce and a sexy swing to the backing – simple-ish arrangements and a nice acoustic like you dream it might be in the front room of your local with your favourite singer. The darker, slower pieces are full of atmosphere too and, as Captain Beefheart said – “if you’ve got ears, you got to hear”. Ross McGibbon http://www.vanguard-online.co.uk/0807AMB.htm

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URBAN PLANET - SUMMER ONES TO WATCH, 11 July 2008

"If you like some old school soul and husky vocals sound, with a twist of jazz and live piano then Miranda Barber is well worth listening to. Her tracks are intriguing and chilled out alongside a few surprises. For a listen be sure to stop by her MySpace." http://www.urbanplanet.co.uk/showArticle.aspx?loadid=00957
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SEATWAVES BACKSTAGE PASS, ALBUM REVIEW LIPS' DECISION, 30.06.08

"As for the album, it has been eagerly awaited and is everything that I hoped it would be. Having been a keen follower of Miranda for some time, I am glad to say that it is all about Miranda and her music; no gimmicks and no overstated production. Miranda can be serious, jazzy, cheeky, raunchy even; but always classy, as this album illustrates...It was produced by Charlie Winston and recorded at Goldtop Studios in London and is a truly excellent debut album." Peter Coulston http://backstagepass.seatwaveblogs.com/2008/06/album_review_miranda_barber.php
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ENTERTAINMENT FOCUS UK, ALBUM REVIEW LIPS' DECISION, 17 June 2008

"Lips' Decision is a 12-track collection of piano-led songs that dip their fingers into jazz, blues and soul. Opening track The Num Num Song is a finger-snapping, uptempo jazz-tinged number that sets the album off on a happy vibe. Elsewhere on the album Bad Man is the kind of jazz number that requires the singer to be draped over the top of a piano is a smoky New York bar whilst My Roof Has Got A Hole In It is a surprisingly fragile and moving ballad.

Barber's refusal to stick to one genre is definitely one of her strengths. Lips' Decision succeeds in being a varied and interesting record. The songs aren't over-produced and their raw magic is intact.

Lips' Decision is money well-spent as far as our ears can tell. We like the fact that the album isn't over-polished. The raw quality and energy of the record shines through and it reminds us of what so many albums these days are missing. Barber is a refreshing new talent and she has proven the public made the right choice with this impressive debut." http://music.entertainment-focus.com/reviewalb355.php

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This Australian born, London based singer/songwriter excels at crafting smoky piano lauded balladry with vintage croons. "Blues Day" starts off this 7-song EP (5 songs + 2 worth while bonus tracks) with the eerie presence of old time greats (Ella, Billie, etc...). While it's evident that Barber is a very capable musician, handling the elaborate keyboard work on this EP, she definitely possesses a monstrous talent as an accomplished vocalist. Her strange versatility as a seductive lounge singer meets operatic diva makes for some stunning moments. "Paprika Haze" is the EP's most straight-forward pop arrangement, and very immediate...but Barber is in her natural element when sparse and haunting pianos, guitars, and double bass lurk in the background of her powerful vocals. This is an artist who definitely won't stay on the outskirts of indie-dom forever. A major label talent for sure. www.theblackandwhitemag.com

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For more reviews and press, visit the press page on Miranda's website at http://www.mirandabarber.com/press.html

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Displaying 50 of 2243 comments ( View All | Add Comment )

Sooz.	Aug 20 2008 3:53 PM 'Woah' is what I think. The album is on my birthday wishlist. Sooner the better! Hopefully come and see you when you play in Surrey. Luck and love x
Mike Wilde	Aug 19 2008 12:34 AM Cheers my Dear ... Really enjoying your groove God/dess Bless
damon lorthridge	Aug 18 2008 4:30 PM NO THANK YOU MISS BARBER THE PLEASURE ALL MINE.. LOL I WILL DO (ITZ DIZZy YO)
Steve Halliday	Aug 18 2008 3:22 PM Hi Miranda Just saw your album reviewed in the London Tourdates paper. Many congratulations! Steve
Mescadets	Aug 17 2008 3:29 PM Hey, how are you? x
FREYjA New Album OUT NOW!	Aug 14 2008 2:07 PM i read your facebook message....fantastic news...yes! go to australia...well done...you deserve it am listening to your album to celebrate...it is blaring on the speakers in my wee apartment in paris as i spring clean xxx FREYjA xxx
arcoDave	Aug 12 2008 5:44 PM Long shot, I know, but just in case you're in London next week: To mark the tenth anniversary of the release of Arco's debut e.p. Longsighted, we're playing a gig in London! This is the only Arco performance on UK soil since October 2004. As our next UK gig will, therefore, quite probably be in 2011, I would suggest it might be worth popping along. Here are the details: on Mon 18th August arco play the electroacoustic club @ The Slaughtered Lamb 34-35 Great Sutton St London EC1V 0DX (Farringdon / Barbican / Old Street tube - directions) Doors 8pm, on stage probably around 9-9:15pm £6 door, £5 advance. ARCO began making music in 1998, releasing the "longsighted" and "ending up" eps on dreamy records in the uk. then came the "coming to terms" album in 2000 (also on pehr (us) and pastel in korea), the "transparency" compilation (2002) on pehr, and the "restraint" album (2004). in 2005 they played a short tour of the us west coast, and they are recording again in 2007. "mesmeric - the aural equivalent of a human being pausing for thought as the world speeds on around." [Q MAGAZINE]... "...
Astrid Brook	Aug 8 2008 10:51 PM Wow you songs sound amazing Miranda...well done to you, you are fabulous. I hope you're having lots of fun xxx
The Beatmaking Housewife is Divorced	Aug 7 2008 7:07 PM May the games begin
Uwe Franz	Aug 7 2008 3:00 PM Hello Miranda, how are you ? hope all is well :) kisses from Berlin, your Uwe
Humming in the shower [en pleine ébullition !]	Aug 7 2008 12:14 PM Thanks a lot for your comment. We really appreciate your songs too. Take care eLle and Lui (means Her and Him in english ... we want to keep our identities secret ;)).
Renaissance Dell'Arte	Aug 6 2008 7:14 PM Thanks for connection. Keep up the great music. Kiss Renaissance Dell'Arte
kitten meets fawn!	Aug 6 2008 12:53 PM
Jason Still

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