DANYELLA DEVINO Vocalist/Composer/Lyricist/Guitarist
Danyella grew up surrounded by a love for music, although, none of her family was musically inclined, somehow she was born with musical abilities. Her father and her shared a passion for collecting old records from the 50's, 60's, 70's and 80's. Inspired by such a wide array of influences from Aretha Franklin, Marvin Gaye, Led Zeppelin, Dylan, Jimi Hendrix, Pink Floyd, Pat Benatar, Heart, as well as classical music and conventional jazz and countless others in her childhood, she felt drawn to learn an instrument. Danyella taught herself guitar at a very early age, stubbournly shunning conventionality, although she did take voice lessons in her early teens, and was part of the school band previously, but didn't really feel the trumpet was her calling! Obscure and unusual music became more and more of a spark to her own creativity as she embarked on her own journey. A sampling of her biggest influences currently are Patty Griffin, Zero 7, Sia Furler, Jose Gonzalez, Damien Rice and Lisa Hannigan, Nick Drake, Radiohead, Cinematic Orchestra, Goldfrapp, Mandalay, Mark Murphy, Patricia Barber, RES, Poe, The Shins, Esthero, Bjork, Sigur Ros, Chris Whitley, Ben Harper, Jonah Smith, Joan Osbourne, and Ryan Adams to name a few.
After ignoring her personal musical calling and largely dismissing it as a "side hobby" for many years while pursuing a college education, becoming a single mother, as well as getting her feet wet as the lead vocalist in a high energy Greenfield-based funk and soul cover band, Everyday People, for a couple of years from 2002-2005, finally Danyella opted to get back into her own music and immerse herself more fully in the creative and production process.
In 2005, she began collaborations with then, newfound friend and writing partner, Chris Dixon, to embark on the body of work that would grow into the project that has now come to be known as INTONITION. The band is now fully formed with the latest additions in late 2007/early 2008 being Belchertown-based drummer, Mr. Billy Klock and Connecticut-based bassist, Mr. John Sarra.
The band has begun recording sessions for the next batch of brand new originals and is looking forward to many exciting and ambitious new projects, including the production of their first video this year, an acoustic mini-album, as well as a double-length original album by the end of 2008. Intonition has invited guest musicians such as a cellist, a keyboardist, and a horn section from another local band to record on the new tunes.
CHRIS DIXON Guitarist/Songwriter
Chris grew up (the term being used very loosely!) in Cleveland, Ohio and migrated to Western Massachusetts in the college years. Among his first musical memories are the Beatles pouring out of an old AM radio, followed by immersion in the classic rock of the times. An old guitar of Dad's led to the securing of his first electric guitar and the die was cast. Garage and basement bands quickly followed, covering everything from folk to Hendrix.
Later bands ran the gamut from jam bands to fusion to modern rock then right back to Jimi-approved roots, with nods to favorites like Jeff Beck, Pat Metheny, and Eric Johnson, as well as Kottke, Allman, Landreth, Knopfler, and countless others. He considers a large selection of musical tools both acoustic and electric to be his palette of colours for this musical canvas. A side career as a sound engineer/provider has blessed him with exposure to a multitude of styles and influences, as well as close-up contact with many heroes!
As satisfying (and fun!) as guitar rock could be, there was always a lyric sensibility lurking in Chris's guitar playing and musical ideas. Many of his male guitar heroes also sang, but from the very earliest introduction of female greats such as Joni Mitchell or Bonnie Raitt, Chris was captivated. There was just something about the melding of thoughtful and fiery guitar coupled with a soulful female vocal that intrigued Chris. Many of his compositions had long felt like they were backing tracks just waiting for a voice...
So enter the melding of minds with the soulful vision of Danyelle Devino. Her songs would provide a perfect context to apply that lifetime of guitar, and even better, some of Chris' ideas holding the possibility to become vehicles for Danyelle's exquisite lyrical and melodic, unique touch. Danyelle's innate and distinctive guitar style, with all its rhythmic quirks and naturally clever modal open-string technique, would prove and inspiration in and of itself. Danyelle is an open, thoughtful, and creative soul who remains heartfully receptive to the The Muse in all her fickle manifestations. The result is a rich but cohesive musical tapestry. As Chris is fond of saying, it's like a really good story where one simply cannot wait to find out what happens next...
...just listen!
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