Album Notes

A journalist from the Nashville Scene once described April McLean's music as 'sinewy confessional pop', which speaks to both the vulnerablity and strength found in her melody-driven songs. April's writing draws on influences as diverse as Sarah McLachlan, the Beatles and Tori Amos. Her disarmingly transparent lyrics explore themes of insecurity, empowerment and healing. Whether she's singing with a band or alone at the piano, April's moving live performances connect with listeners of all ages and backgrounds.

Throughout her childhood and teenage years, April learned how to play piano by ear and writing songs became a form of self-expression and a means of transformation from a place of hardship to personal growth and maturity. At 19, April's intensely personal yet universally-themed music found an audience at Berklee College of Music in Boston, where she won a number of songwriting competitions.

After college, April moved to Nashville to hone her skills as a songwriter and performer and she wrote under contract for two years with Warner Chapell Music's Los Angeles branch. In 2000, April was asked to record her song 'Inside Out' for a multi-artist album called 'The Mercy Project'. Martina McBride and Amy Grant were among the other artists featured and the proceeds were donated to a program that helps troubled girls and young women around the world.

April released her first independent cd 'Becoming' in 2002 and received glowing reviews from a variety of journalists including AllMusic.com: "An emotional and melodic triumph, 'Becoming' showcases a brilliant artist who stands shoulder-to-shoulder with Sarah McLachlan, Shawn Colvin and Jonatha Brooke." Several songs from 'Becoming' were featured on the hit WB show Felicity in prime time and in syndication and are also included in the best-selling DVD & Video releases of Felicity's 1st & 2nd seasons.

In the fall of 2007, April released her second cd entitled 'Darbytown Road'. One of the standout songs, 'Everything's Gonna Change', was placed in a special episode of the hit MTV show 'The Hills'. The episode was called "Whitney Looks Back: From the Hills to the City" and aired on Dec. 10, 2008. Another standout song from the 'Darbytown Road' cd called 'Head Over Heels' was placed in 2 episodes of the WB TV show 'What I Like About You' starring Jennie Garth and Amanda Bynes. Both episodes were aired in prime time on WB and have also aired in syndication on the CW.