Callaghan: A Coat of Many Musical Colours

I love discovering new music. I love hearing an artist for the first time and being blown away. I love listening to a singer and having their words touch me emotionally and move me. It’s not always that I get to hear a new artist who can do all of those things, but it recently did happen. Her name is Callaghan and her debut album is about to be released and heard by the world.

Hailing from London and transplanted here in the states in the summer of 2010, Callaghan started to work on her debut with Grammy nominee Shawn Mullins. The result of all of her hard work and effort is entitled Life in Full Colour, a courageous twelve song journey, full of emotion and honesty that will make you smile and it will make you cry. You see, Callaghan is a rare breed in today’s turbulent music industry. She writes or shares writing credits on all twelve tracks and is also a skilled musician. She sings from her heart and conveys so much emotion in her vocal delivery that you feel it deep inside.

Her album opens with a toe-tapping little number entitled “Best Year”, which would sound right at home in an Old Navy commercial. Callaghan seems to draw on relationships in more than one song on this album. “To Be Loved by You” is another upbeat number that taps into being appreciative for that special person in your life who loves you for being you.

“Nothing You Say” gives a peek into a more emotional side of Callaghan that really does shine bright. This is one of those songs where she seems to open up and write from the heart. It’s a poignant and emotional song of reassurance from one person in a relationship to the other.

“It Was Meant To Be” is one of those songs that you can get lost in. The emotion that she conveys in her voice really does touch your heart. This is when Callaghan is at her best; when she slows things down and exposes herself emotionally for all to see. Her vulnerability and honesty is something that can be universally felt and any listener can relate to. It’s a beautiful song and one of my favorites on

 the album.

Callaghan is a story teller, an art form that is sorely missing in music today. The best example of that on her album is “Get Me Through the Night”. It’s a story, an acoustic guitar and a woman with a voice as beautiful as the woman who possesses it. I’m not sure if she has experienced such a pain personally, but it certainly comes across in her voice on this track. It’s simply an amazing and heartfelt track. She even gets a little bluesy and soulful on the track entitled “the Edge of Love”.

On Life in Full Colour, Callaghan proves to be a coat of many colors. She combines elements of pop, folk, blues and most importantly authenticity as she takes us along this wonderful ride that she has ventured off on. The album is solid from beginning to end and that in itself is another rarity these days. In an industry that seems to be focused more on singles than an entire album’s worth of great songs, Callaghan has twelve tracks that can stand on their own.

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Kama Linden: A Testament To Positivity

Kama Linden is the embodiment of positive energy. I stumbled across her recently on MySpace and her infectious music immediately commanded my attention. Upon further investigation, I soon discovered that I was about to uncover a shining gem in this bleak music industry.

Kama began recording in 2000 for her debut release entitled "Uninhibited", which was released in the summer of 2004. Her overseas market quickly embraced her and her music, especially in Australia and the UK. A constant barrage of live performances has also helped to showcase her talents to an inviting public.

Her second CD entitled "Better Late Than never" was released in June of 2008 and the media machine got cranked up again. Touring the states and overseas again helped to showcase her talents on a live audience who could see that this young lady is extremely talented and not just a manufactured artist. I asked her how the new CD compared to her first effort? "I think it is much better and more autobiographical. This one took less time to make yet it has a story from beginning to end."

Kama, whose influences include Pink and Melissa Etheridge, describes her sound as ambitious, enthusiastic and intuitive. She can be somewhat of a camillion when it comes to pinpointing her sound. Her new CD has standout rock tracks such as my fav "If Looks Could Kill" and "Drink" to dance songs such as "Been There, Done That" and the title track. She then pulls the rug out from under your feet with a touching ballad entitled "You've Forgotten Me".

Kama is also a skilled yoga instructor. "Sometimes what starts out as your survival job becomes your other life. My idea is that people have been taught by yoga instructors how they need to look and they end up getting hurt. 90 degree feet, head through arms to look at the belly button, take your foot in pigeon and yank it sideways so you can tear your meniscus. I teach people how to use neutral spine, their own turn out and flexibility," stated Kama.

After doing a little research on Kama, I noticed that the term "angrychik" seemed to pop up alot. Is there a story behind this term? "Yes....women with an opinion are considered bitches. How dare you say what you feel, not just wait for your Mrs. degree, get ahead in business and in life. Think Alanis...with a plan."

One last question for you Kama. I am curious to hear your answer to this one. If you were stranded on a desert island with only one store bought CD, what would you want to have there with you? "It would be a tossup between Pink's 'Funhouse' and Evanescence 'The Open Door."

If you like your music upbeat and positive, then I suggest checking Kama out. Her CD is diverse and the styles switch up quicker than you can keep up with. She will always keep you guessing. One constant throughout all of her styles is a message of positivity and hope. Give her a chance and check her out at www.myspace.com/kamalinden or at www.kamalinden.com. With all of the bad news that we seem to see and hear from our various media outlets each day, Kama and her music are a welcome relief.

Eva Kathryn, Not Your Typical Artist

Most girls when they are young play with Barbie dolls are have tea parties. That sounds pretty typical of most young ladies, wouldn't you say. How many start writing their own musical compositions before turning 10 years old? Well, you usually don't unless you're 20 year old Eva Kathryn. You see, Eva was obsessed with music scores at a very early age. She would go to Saturday matinees and then come back some and sit at the piano and and try to recreate the amazing music that she had just heard mere hours before. She could, after a little persistence, play by ear what she had just experienced in the theatre. Not bad for such a young person.

Her obsession slowly began to get noticed. She actually had a connection with another musician who had seen some pretty big hits during his career with his group Kansas. You remember them from the 70s with such hits as "Dust In The Wind" and "Carry On Our Wayward Son"? Seems that both Eva and Kerry Livgren go to the same church in Kansas...no pun intended there. "I approached Kerry one day and told him that I wanted him to record the most amazing songs ever and I told him that they were mine. I told him that I wanted to record in his studio and he said that we would see. My mom actually told me to keep bugging him until he said yes. Kerry and I have been friends for a while and he has been like a mentor to me both musically and spiritually. He even referred me to my acting manager, Bill Evans, about 3 years ago," said Eva.

How does such a young person approach songwriting when they should be watching cartoons? "I usually write when I am pissed off. When you're numb, the emotions that come out are pretty intense. I just tinker around with a melody and the words just start to come out. I just love Celine Dion and her arrangements. My mom actually bought me a karaoke CD of hers when I was real little and I loved to put on concerts to it. Today my tastes are little more diverse. I love progressive rock with groups like Underoath and Dream Theater. I would love to work with David Foster someday. He is such an amazing person."

Eva's music will draw comparisons to many of today's women in music, but after listening closely you see that this young talent is very diverse and how so much to offer. She is reminiscent of Alicia Keyes on her song "Somebody" yet her song "It Was You" has almost an operatic or show tune feel similar to Phantom Of The Opera. Where does she see herself 5 years down the road? "I want to be doing what I am doing for the right reasons. It's not about the money. I have always wanted to be a songwriter for Disney movies. I would also love to compose scores with some of the greats. You have to stay humble and remember why you are doing this. Too many people tend to lose focus on that in their careers."

Of course, my last question was the one where you are stranded on a desert island with only one CD, what would you want to have with you? "Wow, tough one to call. It would have to be that makes me feel alive. Probably anything by a band called Emery. They have great songwriting and the music gets you pumped up and screaming."

Eva told me that her CD should hopefully be ready sometime in 2009. She currently has a 5 song demo that is available. She is an amazing talent and a truly gifted songwriter and vocalist. Check her out on MySpace or her website. With her hard work and persistency, hopefully she will not get lost in the shuffle in the turbulent music industry that is upon us.