Shanna Zell, The Courtesy Tier and Victory Grin are among tonight's 13 performers for the second night of theDeli Sponsored 5th Annual LC Fest, organized by independent music community Local Correspondents at Bar4 in Park Slope. Shanna Zell (in the picture), whose latest EP, Coming Undone, was just released in January 2011, plays quiet, vulnerable rock songs, while bluesy, electric duo The Courtesy Tier, whose new album "The Resolution" comes out later this spring, blends a Jimi Hendrix vibe with catchy rhythms and uncontrived lyrics. Victory Grin is the new side project of Derek Zimmerman, vocal arranger and keyboard player of Dinosaur Feathers., which combines elements of pop, dance, folk, jazz and experimental music. For the complete schedule of performers for all six nights of the festival, (from May 17th to the 22nd), visit the Local Correspondent website.
Shanna Zell: Press
...The next morning I decide to grab a few CDs from my review shelf, listening fodder for the drive to work. I had listened to Shanna Zell‘s EP once or twice after receiving it, but then circumstances intervened. I get to “When Will They Meet” and it’s immediately obvious that I have to give myself over to this song. It’s one of those star-crossed lovers, will they/won’t they pop songs that reminds me of a more rockin’ inversion of Dar Williams’ “Miss You ‘Til I Meet You.” I might have been more open to it because of the week’s earlier events, but for a few minutes flying down that country road, I’m listening to the perfect pop song. I’m at once grinning and nearly overwhelmed with emotion, grateful that I can feel something again.
How does this happen? How did those chords break open my heart?
Five Minutes with Shanna Zell
I hear there will be a big party going down this Saturday at The Living Room when Shanna Zell releases her latest music - an EP called Coming Undone. I might just have to get on a plane and stop by. In the meantime, here's the scoop on making it, funding it, and what to expect at the bash. Indie Sounds: You have a new EP about to be released - Coming Undone - so what's the background to it?
Read the full interview here: http://indiesoundsny.typepad.com/indie_sounds_ny/2011/01/five-minutes-with-shanna-zell.html#more
Clubbing With a Side of Politics
Friday, June 6th, 2008I always steer away from political fundraisers and events, unless there’s an open bar involved, then I steer toward the Svedka. When art is also involved, I don’t even have to feel guilty. That’s why I’d been excited for weeks to attend Truth Through Action’s first party and short film screening at Mansion.
In a nutshell, this organization makes innovative and in the case of their first film, highly comedic, viral videos encouraging young people to vote and support the Democratic Party. I strongly encourage watching their first movie Blue Balled here. Aside from the film screening, partiers enjoyed a photo exhibit called Political Monogamy by Reka Nyari and a musical performance by Shanna Zell (a tune of hers is also featured in the movie.) It’s always refreshing to feel like you’re taking in a little culture with your alcohol consumption, just because it garners the illusion that clubs don’t necessarily have to be a sinful place.
I Only Sleep With Democrats wife-beaters were for sale and the open bar drinks were appropriately named after political figures like George Bush, Hillary Clinton and John McCain. I stuck with Ross Perot. What can I say? He tasted the best.
And speaking of taste, to my heavy-drinking readers, there’s a new beverage on my delicious list. Truth Through Action included TK KU, an Asian citrus liquor, as part of their open bar.
I don’t know if it’s technically a liqueur or a super smooth version of sake. These details are irrelevant since all you need to know is that for 40 proof, this stuff tastes like heaven. I drank it straight, on ice, at 9pm. Enough said. Making the drink even more entertaining is that it’s presented in, according to their card, The World’s Only Illuminating Bottle. Wow. It was like a light saber and a Grey Goose container rolled into one. And I didn’t let the fact that whatever makes the liquor bottle shine will most likely be pinpointed as a cancer-causer ten years from now bother me at all.
Illuminating liquor, art and indie film all in support of a good cause? What better evening-out launch party could anybody want?
Shanna Zell Sings Her Way Into Our Hearts
You’ve gotta check out Shanna Zell, the singer/songwriter that stole our hearts with her performance at our Home Three event last Sunday. I was FLOORED with the amazing voice that came out of this petite adorable creature that night. Her writing is amazing, you will get lost in the lyrics. Check her out, and be prepared to see much more of her in the upcoming months. We are in talks to get her involved with some of our summer parties so stay tuned….
Shanna Zell (New York, N.Y.)
Alternative Pop
Shanna Zell is young in age but old in the soul, where it counts the most. At 23, Zell has already been performing for seven years, writing and singing songs about the vagaries of love, the wonders of sex and the truth of life. Zell's 2005 debut full-length, Hurricane Season, has garnered plenty of local airplay on WAIF, she's played dates at the Southgate House and has been a previous MidPoint featured artist.
Dig It: Lucinda Williams and Ann Wilson channel the spirit of Love (Arthur Lee's band and the emotion) and Rock.
Shanna Zell (New York, N.Y.)
Pop/Rock
Whether backed by a full Rock band or just singing with her acoustic guitar, singer/songwriter Zell's voice echoes with a passionate, aggressive force that makes her music stand out from some of her more timid peers. She dove into the NYC scene a few years ago, playing successful shows at esteemed venues like The Knitting Factory. Her first full-length album, Hurricane Season, features backing from musicians who have worked with everyone from Smashing Pumpkins to Tony Bennett and it has received good response from radio and Internet music sites. The album features the sultry Rock cut, "The Flatlands," which was chosen for the soundtrack of the awesomely-named indie flick, Dykeotomies, a comedy about a lesbian stand-up comedian.
Dig It: Alanis Morissette, Aimee Mann, Lisa Loeb. (Mike Bree, Music Editor)
With lyrics that expose the naked side of messy relationships and a voice that nails you to the wall, it’s only a matter of time before the spotlight lands on Shanna Zell. (www.myspace.com/shannazell)
The word "passivity" pops up in Zell's track "The Dig" and it just doesn't sound right coming out of her mouth. That's because there is no passivity in this young singer-songwriter's power folk that channels Tori and Ani in equal measure, with a ripping rock core.
Shanna Zell @ Sidewalk Cafe - 7/20/06
Usually I would wait until after seeing a show to review it, but I already know how great Shanna Zell's performance is going to be at the Sidewalk Cafe (6th & Ave A) this Thursday at 8pm. (New York-based Jeremiah Birnbaum will also be performing.)
Why do I know it will be great? Trajectory.
I'm a big fan of physics (and the Sidewalk Cafe, among other things), and Shanna Zell's career has been following a trajectory that's so 'outta this world' you can't help but jump on the rocket ship. Over the past several years, Shanna has matured into a soulful and ecelctic singer/songwriter with something to offer everyone (including Hip-Hop, Jazz and Country Western fans such as yours truly). Her gritty style and poetic lyrics keep your ears tuned and your heart in check -- and I'd be hard-pressed to think of a better thing to do than listen to her on a Thursday night at the Sidewalk Cafe.
Read an interview with Shanna on WildWritings.com!
Hello
Your music makes me wanna have sex, smoke cigarettes and walk the streets at night, go play europe, say hi to a bird, eat a good sandwich
All the best
/Chr.
"Janis Ian meets Spinal Tap: Never has quiet been so rocking."
A wind is blowing hard into the New York music scene. Soulfoul like Tori, a bit of Alanis’s anger mixed with the rock edge of a Liz Phair, 22 year old singer-songwriter Shanna Zell provides a breath of fresh air with melody and touching lyrics perfect to bring the public out of the doldrums of today’s manufactured pop, lame hip-hop, or whiny ballads. Read full review here: www.cdbaby.com/shannazell
Shanna is a gifted performer, who's voice and lyrical prowess prove her to be wise beyond her 22 years. With emotional grit and raw sexual honesty reminiscent of Lucinda Williams and Tori Amos, she moves effortlessly from guitar to piano and back. She is a true talent to watch, a star on the rise.
Thank you for making me a GEM!
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