Album Notes

Courtney Collins is a singer/songwriter based in Madison, Wisconsin, "whose sultry, expressive voice would sound great singing just about anything," according to The Onion. She previously sang in the electronica band Voltress and in the now defunct power pop band Arena Venus. Collins released her first solo CD, Violet Night - a varied mix of indie pop, lounge, and electronica, with both original songs and eclectic covers. She brings out the classic "Cry Me A River" in a modern style, takes Cheap Trick's rock anthem "I Want You To Want Me" and turns it into a melancholy western-inflected dirge, and puts an electronic spin on Idlewild's "Roseability." Other surprising covers and pop and electronica-infused originals round out the disc. Recorded in Minneapolis, Minnesota, with Andrew Thomas and Jeremy Ylvisaker (Andrew Bird, Fog, Eyedea, Mark Mallman, Alpha Consumer), the album features members of Andrew Bird, Fog, Happy Apple, Redstart, Tarlton, and more. Collins is also the producer of "Chad Vader," a comedy video series that has been featured on Good Morning America, VH1, in the New York Times, and has over 50 million downloads online. "So In Love" from Violet Night was featured in episode 3, and Collins lends vocals to the final episode of season 1.
Collins recently recorded a holiday/winter CD with Jeremy Ylvisaker, titled "Welcome To Christmastown." The disc is available at:
http://cdbaby.com/all/arenavenus

CDs by ARENA VENUS, Courtney's former band, are also available on CD Baby. Check out the Christmas lounge CD and the power pop EP at:
http://cdbaby.com/all/arenavenus

CDs by VOLTRESS, another former band, are available at this link: http://cdbaby.com/cd/voltress

"...Courtney Collins, whose sultry and expressive voice
would sound great singing just about anything."
- The Onion

"Thirteen Men" is a vampish-sounding bass-heavy delight.
Collins’ temptress tones are at their best. "Used To" an original,
resembles Blondie in their punk pop glory. Collins is both a
gifted interpreter and a good songwriter in her own right.
- Anna Maria Stjarnell, Collected Sounds

" An amazing, sultry voice."
- Saara Myrene Raappana, Actionman Magazine

"All in all, a pretty remarkable solo debut."
- Tom Laskin, Isthmus

"Courtney Collins’s seductive vocal style meshes with a surprising range of musical genres from lounge to tear-in-your-beer to Blondie-ish punk. A mix of original and cover songs, my favorites are “Used to” and the unexpected takes on “I Want You to Want Me” and “La Isla Bonita.”
- Mel Goldsipe, Go Girls Music

"The eclectic ability of Courtney Collins to adapt to a style is uncanny. Violet Night is an excellent recording that should be sought out by all musical thrill-seekers and by those who appreciate the injection of some mystery into their rock. Courtney Collins is Madison's Marianne Faithfull"
-Rick Tvedt, Rick's Cafe