2009
Indiegrrl Songwriting Contest Winners
1st Place - Sonya Heller from New York, NY
for her song "Justine"
|
|
|
|
2009
Indiegrrl Songwriting Contest Winners
1st Place - Sonya Heller from New York, NY
for her song "Justine"
|
Her
music speaks for itself and simply emanates from life on the streets
of NYC and an old hip soul. With loyal roots to contemporary folk
music, she' infused those early influences with a love for Jazz, blues,
and stylistic explorations into her three octaves of vocal bliss.
She's also been recognized by the Songwriters Guild of America for
excellence in songwriting and an original Soundtrack out on award
winning film "Sisters in Resistance" now in European theatre
and TV and currently being aired on PBS nationwide. She started playing
the streets of NYC right out of college, and continues to tour and
play concerts around the country. Her music can be heard on the radio
coast to coast in the US and to Spain and beyond. As a soloist, Sonya
consistently graces every event with her well seasoned vocals, and
her very unique brand of guitar playing, so get ready for some serious
stage presence! Sonya recently signed with Mosaic Records in France
bringing a much awaited "American" spin with International
appeal to the French stage and airwaves. Her 2009 release, "West
Eleventh Street" was introduced by Mosaic Records in late February
of 2009, with a US release in Jan 2009. Her new Album “West
Eleventh Street” has already been picked up in France by Rolling
Stone, Crossroads, Blues Again and Marie Claire magazines! Her song
“Justine” is one of eleven songs on that project.
With
a smoky voice and poetic lyricism borne of her rich Gulf Coast heritage,
Wendy Colonna crafts songs that groove, waltz, and swagger through
love, heartache, transformation, nostalgia and prayer. Colonna’s
savory sound is reminiscent of a bevy of important female artists:
the brash bluesy thing of Bonny Raitt, the pop genius of Carole King,
the raw emotion and huge pipes of Joan Osborne, and the soul shout
of Queen Aretha. It’s this kind of talent that brought Colonna
acclaim as Austin American Statesman's "Best Singer-Songwriter
in Austin 2007," helped her to win multiple songwriting awards
and Famecast's Grand Prize in the pop category of their international
talent competition. In her 12 year musical career Wendy has toured
extensively throughout the US and Europe, and has released three critically
acclaimed studio albums as well as a double live album/DVD. Wendy
is also an activist and a certified yoga instructor and has recently
released a yoga DVD & Workbook entitled "Yoga To Go”,
which is designed to bring the benefits of yoga to the busy lives
of traveling professionals. In the fall of 2009, Wendy will be releasing
her much anticipated fourth studio album.
Halie
Loren is a singer/songwriter who, at 24, is carving out a unique musical
niche within the Northwest jazz and alternative music scenes with
her jazz-infused, multi-genre style. Her richly textured and emotive
voice, compelling song interpretations, and evocative songwriting
have garnered critical praise and multiple awards (Billboard Int’l,
John Lennon, among others) over her decade-long career. Originally
from Southeast Alaska, Loren now resides in Oregon and performs around
the Northwest to promote her new jazz CD, “They Oughta Write
a Song”. 
Kari
Groff-Denis, MD is a physician and filddle player living in Brooklyn.
She comes from many generations of musicians starting from before
the Civil War and plays on her grandfather's fiddle that he played
on for over fifty years. She loves all sorts of Americana Music and
enjoys playing in bluegrass, old time, and country projects in NYC.
She inherited her passion for writing music from her grandparents
and parents, particularly her mother who has written hundreds of songs
for children. She is currently working on an album called "Jumping
Through Hoops", a collection of songs and skits dedicated to
mental health issues kids face today. When she is not writing music
or playing fiddle, Dr. Groff sees patients in her private practice
in Park Slope, Brooklyn and is currently authoring a book on child
psychiatry. 
A
Southern abstract folk artist, Lauren Fincham has performed in various
bands and duos, most notably: The Savants and Rosary. Her other Indie
adventures include: various regional compilations, concerts, benefits,
studio session work, and commercial spots. She was the featured artist
for independent and internet radio, and podcasts across the US and
abroad, and received airplay on over 100 stations, such as: Pandora
Music, KRIM - Payson AZ, Suffolk ‘n’ Cool, Laney Goodman's
Women In Music, XM Satellite Radio, The Next Big Thing, and Sven’s
World Radio Viking Podcast. She is currently working on her 4th CD
and more puppet videos...and seeking that ever elusive perfect cup
of coffee. Discography: Perfect Pain – 2007, Burning Tree –
2001, Show & Tell – 1997. CDs can be purchased at all live
performances and at http://www.laurenfincham.com and http://www.cdbaby.com/fincham.