Cady Groves - This Little Girl

Where do I even begin when talking about Cady Groves? Singer? Check. Songwriter? Check. Force of nature? Oh yeah.

22 year old, Oklahoma-born Cady has already released two independent EPs "A Month Of Sundays" and "The Life Of A Pirate" and in 2010 was signed to RCA Records. She has released two singles from her yet untitled major-label debut, the infectious tribute to friendshit...er..friendship "We're The Shit" and "This Little Girl" - a warning to all guys to treat their ladies right.

Cady has has a distinctive voice, that honestly I can't compare to anyone. It's equally at home with a acoustic folksy ballad or a full-on heavily produced pop-rock tune.

I've really grown to admire her, not just because of her abilities, but because of her sheer honesty. I have *never* seen an artist, let alone a major-label one, be so completely open. From silly, crude jokes, to heartfelt advice given to her fans, she's in one breath, a take-no-prisoners veteran of heartbreak and in the next a sweet, vulnerable girl who you can't help but love.

She's an amazing example, that you don't have to change who you are to make it in the industry. I don't think anything will ever change her, and I hope nothing ever does. It'd be a tragedy. Cady, if you happen to read this. Please keep being you. Don't change for anyone. I think all your fans would agree with me :)

So do yourself a favor and get to know her, I think you'll see all the things I have.

Her official site is CadyGroves.com and if you sign up for her mailing list you can still get a free download of "This Little Girl"
Also follow her on Twitter and Facebook!

This Little Girl by RCA Music Group

Shannon Curtis

I first noticed California-based singer/songwriter Shannon Curtis when she released her 2007 EP "Boomerangs & Seesaws" and I've been a fan ever since. Shannon show herself to be a exceptional songwriter, and goes the gamut from torch song, to dramatic ballad, to joyous love song. Lately her music has had a more electronic edge to it, and she uses it to good effect as an accent to her already amazing songwriting and vocal prowess.

"Brightest Light In The Room", "Book Of Fiction" and her most recent release "Let's Stay In" are all incredible, emotional songs and I can't recommend them enough. Of course, that's not to say her earlier works aren't also amazing. Personal favorites are "Boomerangs & Seesaws" and "Get Outta Town"

To accomplish everything that she's done without the benefit of a record label is a testament  to both her talent and her drive. She also tours often so you should really check out a show if she's playing near by (I've only had the good fortune to see her once, due to bad scheduling luck on my end)

Shannon is now offering pre-orders for the mega-singles for  "Let's Stay In" not only do you get the original song, you get several re-mixes, a b-side and a really special treat for a lucky buyer. One of the singles will have a "golden ticket" which is redeemable for a custom song written and recorded for the winner by Shannon herself. That's too good to pass up!

Please check out her music on her Official Site and iTunes and follow her on Facebook and Twitter

Changes

So after doing a little soul searching I've decided to make a little change to my editorial policy. While I will still post about indie acts, I didn't think it was fair to exclude signed acts, some of them are still struggling to find an audience as much as many unsigned acts.

I'm not likely to be posting about Gaga or Katy Perry, but some acts like VersaEmerge and Cady Groves aren't exactly household names and honestly deserve the attention and I've already bent the rules by posting articles about Lights and Halestorm, so I might as well make it official.

There, that's pretty much it. Just a little change, and a slightly altered title. I'll be posting my next profile in the next day or so. If you have any opinion on the matter, please feel free to make a comment.

Lights - from Feburary Air to Siberia

I was planning on waiting to write about Lights until after her new album "Siberia" launched next month (Oct. 4) but one thing I'm starting to learn about writing, what you need to write about isn't always what you want to write about, and inspiration doesn't happen on a schedule.

Since tonight was the Canadian debut of her latest music video for "Toes" I guess now is as good a time as any to write this. I'll follow up with a review and impressions of "Siberia" when it's in my hands.

I've been following Lights ever since I saw the video for "Drive My Soul" on MySpace back in January 2009 and was immediately taken by not only her vocal and songwriting talents, but by her imagination as well. I didn't get involved with her fan community until around August of that year, when I knew she had a show in my city coming up and I wanted some advice about a token gift to give her in appreciation.

...and that's how my life changed.

I got to know her fans, and to this day I count some of them amongst my closest friends, even though I haven't had the pleasure of meeting many of them in person. We're all very different people, different ages, from different countries, but bound by the love of a very special young woman.

Lights, I've watched you grow enormously as an singer, a songwriter and as a person. I've seen you become more confident at every show I've been to. You've got so much talent, drive and determination. and I know that you are going to go as far as you want to in your career.

I'm so proud of you, and I haven't even heard more than two songs off the new album, because I *know* it's going to be incredible. It has to be because it's the product of your mind and heart, and I know you're brilliant and have the biggest, most generous heart I've ever known.

Thank you, for the friends, the inspiration, the courage, for changing my life for the better. For giving me faith in people when I just had cynicism, for helping me to remember the good in the world, and how that the bad stuff really doesn't matter in the long run. Thank you for all the good times in the past and the amazing times to come.

Most importantly, thank you for being you.

Can't wait to for the album and the tour. It's going to be amazing!!!

So, now that I've embarrassed myself enough, here are some links to check out.

Lights on Twitter Facebook YouTube and her Official Site

P.S. I hope I'm forgiven for not waiting for the US release of "Toes" - I'll admit to being weak :)