FACE PAINTER PRESS REVIEW:
“This second EP from Brisbane piano chanteuse Emma Dean explodes with life, and further showcases the extraordinary talent this 23-year-old possesses. From the highly infectious opener '3 Meals' and its killer chorus (seriously, you can't hit the repeat button quick enough) ‘Where do I belong? Is it in your arms or is it somewhere I can learn to be strong?’ to the stunning 'Chai Tea', where Dean delivers an intimate and graceful serenade. The record echoes Regina Spektor in its flawless exchanges between rock, pop, jazz and folk; at times you'll be jumping around your lounge ('Good Song') and at others you'll be sharing a revealing glass of wine with the lady herself ('Too Fat For Ballet'). If the thought of finding yourself in a record entices you, then let Emma Dean guide you."
Time Off (Brisbane, Australia) 20-26 December 2006
FACE PAINTER CREDITS:
Emma - vocals, piano, violin, hammond
Dane Pollock - electric guitar, acoustic guitar, brontilini
John Turnbull - bass guitar
Tony Dean - drums
The EP was produced by Ben Stewart and Emma Dean
Recorded and mixed by Ben Stewart assisted by Elliot Hudson (301, Byron Bay)
Recorded at 301, Byron Bay & the Dean household
Mixed at Wavelength Studios
Mastered by Matthew Redlich at Massive Masters
Artwork design and photography by Lee Hutchison
Choir on 'Chew Love': Angie Miles, Anette Askvik, Alana Beasley, Alex Makar, Amy Macdonald, Claire Wills, Dane Pollock, Emma Dean, Edward Guglielmino, James O'Brien, John Turnbull, Jim Forbes, Lee Hutchison, Megan Washington, Melissa Forbes (and baby Forbes), Nathan Moore, Pippa Bonney, Stacey Erbacher, Stuart Fisher.
ABOUT EMMA:
Emma Dean is a young piano-based singer/songwriter from Brisbane Australia.
At the age of three, Emma began her ‘studies’ at the Stoliarsky School of Music and this is where she started playing the violin and amongst other things, learnt quite quickly 'Who took the cookie from the cookie jar?!' Not long after, an upright piano became an added piece of furniture in the Dean household and before long, Emma was writing songs!
After performing as part of the duo 'Bittersuite' for three years, Emma began an exciting solo career with the release of her debut EP 'Hanging Out The Washing' in 2005 (also available at CD Baby). On this EP, one reviewer (Time Off) wrote:
“When has this inventive singer/songwriter ever put a foot wrong? Retiring her folk-pop duo Bittersuite to strike out on her own, 21-year-old Dean continues to take risks with her solo work and still pulls off every lilted note with absolute class and chilling intuitiveness.”
Since her solo debut in 2005, Emma has performed in many music venues around Brisbane (eg The Troubadour, Spark Bar, The Zoo, QPAC Concert Hall) and at venues along the Australian east coast (eg The Vanguard Sydney, Cornish Arms Melbourne). She has also performed at festivals (eg Groove and Grape Festival, 2 High Festival, Queensland Biennial, Brisbane Festival, Woodford Folk Festival) and at corporate events (eg Australian of the Year Awards).
In November 2006, Emma performed alongside five other women in Brisbane’s famous annual production 'Women in Voice' (WiV) and in December, she performed alongside David Campbell in the 'Spirit of Christmas' concerts with The Queensland Orchestra. This show was telecast nationally in Australia on ABCTV on Christmas Day
Emma’s voice is as sultry as it is beautiful and her music has been described variously as quirky, original, inventive, jazzy, soulful, honest, and dynamic.
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