FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 18, 2001
The second Asian-American Songwriters Showcase (AASS) brings together nationally touring performers Emm Gryner, Jenny Choi & the Third Shift, and Annie Lin for two exclusive East Coast engagements in January 2002.
The event, which is sponsored by AsianAvenue.com, the fastest-growing online network for the Asian-American community, will spotlight these three independent singer-songwriters at:
* The Kendall Cafe - 233 Cardinal Medeiros Ave. Cambridge, MA. on Thursday Jan. 3
* The Bitter End - 147 Bleeker St. New York, NY. on Saturday Jan. 5
The shows start at 8 pm each evening, and the cover is $5. A free Asian Avenue Plugged-In CD, which features Gryner and other rising Asian Pacific-American artists, goes to the first 50 people in the door at each show.
AASS brings attention to musicians who write their own music and who perform in the spotlight, defying the stereotypes about Asians in music. "We're not the kids who stayed in orchestra, hidden somewhere behind the first row of violins," says Lin. A classical background is in fact something that Lin, Gryner and Choi all share, though their musical
styles are as divergent as the songs they write. The first AASS show took place last year at the Bitter End, and featured Boston folk-singer Kevin So.
Aside from her duties as backup singer, keyboard player and clarinetist in David Bowie's touring and recording band, Canadian independent singer-songwriter Emm Gryner (
http://www.emmgryner.com) maintains a prolific solo recording career. Having released four albums of original material in the last five years, Gryner has just unleashed "Girl Versions," a collection of her popular piano ballad reinterpretations of testosterone-driven rock songs from Def Leppard's "Pour Some Sugar on Me" to Ozzy Osbourne's "Crazy Train." After three years on the Lilith Fair tour, Gryner took a left turn into boy-land rock when she landed the gig in Ziggy's band. With her solo show, she proves that the best of both worlds is at her command.
Chicago's Jenny Choi and the Third Shift (
http://www.jennychoi.com) have been redefining the word "eclectic" with the release of their latest album, "Grand and Ashland." Choi's R&B-meets-pop-punk approach to balladry has been lauded by critics at CMJ, The Daily Herald and Mp3.com. She writes "heartfelt songs about love, loss and regret. Tori Amos is an obvious comparison, but Choi replaces that singer's melodrama and theatrics with a quieter, more innocent slant" [CMJ]. Choi's band has shared the stage with Jill Sobule, Dan Bern and Seam. The Third Shift features Mike Smith on guitar, Tony Aronica on bass, and Philip Stone on drums.
Houston-based singer-songwriter Annie Lin (
http://www.annielin.com) has been compared to such artists as Lisa Loeb and Juliana Hatfield and has won over a loyal and enthusiastic following in Texas, New York and California. She played at events such as the Houston Women's Festival and the Asian Pacific American Heritage Festival in Houston, and shared
stages with performers such as Edie Carey, Rex Navarrette and Canadian chart-topper Sarah Harmer. The Houston Press writes, "Savvy and academically rooted, her music is not the usual pop-folk fare ... Earthy, accessible and fun, Lin is definitely here to stay." Lin is
currently touring the East Coast to promote her debut studio recording "Kicking Stars" (Ariadne Records).
MEDIA CONTACTS:
For interviews with Emm Gryner, contact:
Public Awareness Booking and Promotion
Dana Wagner (New York)
(917) 975-2246
dana@publicawareness.netNicole Rheaume (Boston)
(401) 624-4999
nicole@publicawareness.netFor interviews with Annie Lin or Jenny Choi contact:
Mike Smith, ONA Records
(847) 971-7901
mikesm179@aol.com
