KiwiMusicMix 14 – The Angel and the Underdog
Angel Now – Daphne Rubin Vega
An accomplished Broadway Actor, Daphne Rubin-Vega first lit up with her debut as Mimi in the original cast of ‘Rent’. It earned her a Theater World Award, a Tony nomination as Best Actress in a musical and one for the Drama Desk Award.
Panamanian by birth, Daphne moved to New York as a child and began her career in earnest at an early age. She sang on the soundtrack to George Lucas’s Labyrinth (starring David Bowie). Daphne completed two albums with the girl group Pajama Party
In 2004, Daphne Rubin-Vega received her second Tony nomination for best featured actress in a play for Nilo Cruz’ ‘Anna in the Tropics’. Angel Now is from the album Redemption Songs released in 2006. A swift reggae styled beat also blends in the best of Skaa from the Specials among others.
The Underdogs – Jenn Foster
Texas-native Jen Foster is an award-winning singer, songwriter. Jen got her real education listening to the Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin and The Beatles and performing in the clubs and coffee houses of Los Angeles. Jen headlined, opened for such diverse acts as Sophie B. Hawkins, K’s Choice, Crash Test Dummies, Lisa Loeb, Allison Moorer, First Prize recipient in the Great American Songwriting contest’s Pop division, and no doubt played a part in her winning ‘Best Debut Recording Female’ at the 2004 Outmusic Awards (her entire album was honored.)
Working with acclaimed producer Jeff Trott (Sheryl Crow, Stevie Nicks,) ‘The Underdogs’ follows ‘Everybody’s Girl’, Jen Foster’s debut CD, which was released to consistently favorable reviews in 2003. The Underdogs is a pop rock statement of this decade. Her sound is totally consistent with other strong female voices from the west coast. This song grows on your quickly.
Jill Sobule
Jill Sobule was stirred by Al Gore’s spectacular speech on the clear and present danger of climate change. The time for action is now, Jill thought. And so she wrote a song. But since everyone else was so down about the impending collapse of ecological systems, which could lead to floods, drought, hurricanes, mosquito overpopulation and species extinction, she decided to write a happy song about global warming. Jill is courtesy of Ted Talks (http://www.ted.com)
What to do with Michael – Candy Butchers
Candy Butchers started out in the early 90′s as an acoustic duo in Boston Mass. They had a stripped down sound armed only with an acoustic guitar, a snare drum, and Everly Brothers style harmonies. They played wherever they could find a gig; opening up for comedians at comedy clubs and occasional stints crashing karaoke nights in the suburbs of Boston, and of course the subway.
Candy Butchers have been through many incarnations over the years since the acoustic duo days; power pop trio, full on rock band, orchestral pop ensemble with horns and strings, but at the center of it all is always Mike Viola’s voice and his songs. ‘What to do with Michael’ is great ditty that could pass for an eighties pop song.
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