Posts tagged ‘singer-songwriter’
The melancholy sweetness of Meagan Trees’ voice cannot hide the force of nature in her quietly confident delivery and rock-steady guitar playing. Music pours out of this young girl like a cool breeze on a summer’s day, but is lyrically and emotionally delivered as a dramatic mountain landscape. Meagan’s first single “Haven.”
Nature and love of life influence this Dumaguete-based singer-songwriter, who cites Lisa Hannigan as her biggest songwriting influence. Though some have compared her sound to that of Australian electronic duo Vallis Alps, few who have heard her can really compare her to any other artists.
Meagan Trees. Photo by Miles Brandon.
As a child, Meagan always loved singing. While she took some formal guitar lessons at age 11, she soon stopped and instead played along with Youtube videos. “Having a guitar teacher felt like an obligation to learn, rather than doing it because you love what you’re doing,” Meagan explains, “but it helped me start up my interest of playing the guitar.” While growing up, she listened to 80’s music her father played, along with Jack Johnson, Norah Jones, John Mayer, The Beatles, and Irish indie singer Lisa Hannigan.
For a long time she mostly played covers, her favourites being old songs from the likes of blues artists like Nina Simone, Peggy Lee and The Beatles, but also Frente, and Sixpence None The Richer. As a Biology student living in Dumaguete, she would jam with local artists regularly including members of a blues and jazz fusion band, a reggae group, and local indie artists. However, after attempting to audition for a spot on a compilation project album run by The Belltower (an organization that supports local artists), she was motivated to work harder towards a goal of being an original songwriter.
Cover Art Painting and Design by Jofre
A big break came when Meagan spontaneously performed with Dragonfly Collector, when he passed through Dumaguete on his Philippine tour, The World Is Your Oyster eventually leading to a single recording project.
Meagan’s first single “Haven,” is available as of March 10, 2017 on digital stores worldwide.
Listen to Haven on Spotify
BUY THE DIGITAL SINGLE:
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Sydney’s Best-Kept Secret Bryan Estepa Releases Fifth Studio Album with The Tempe Two
May 19, 2016
Christine Mazur
Announcing the worldwide release of acclaimed indie singer-songwriter Bryan Estepa’s fifth studio album, ‘Every Little Thing.’
One of Sydney, Australia’s best-kept secrets, Estepa has reached a new level of maturity as a songwriter with this carefully-crafted collection of songs that holds the power to lift the heaviest heart with lyrics that are simple but wise, and melodies that are catchy but thoughtfully composed.
Bryan Estepa | Photo by Peta Caswell
Growing up in a musical family in Quezon City, Philippines, Estepa’s ears were filled with the sounds of The Eagles, Simon & Garfunkel and 60’s Rock and Roll. After his family moved to Australia when he was nine, he went from being a budding songwriter at age 15 to growing a strong following in Spain and across Europe. Cutting his teeth on the Sydney 90’s pub scene as a member of a local band, his recording career blossomed, taking him across the USA and Europe, and earning him respectable indie radio play – especially in Spain, Sweden and London, England and parts of the East Coast, USA and festival invitations. In 2015, Estepa toured Europe including London, England, Spain and Sweden, while writing songs for his latest album, ‘Every Little Thing.’
His musical influences are across the map, ranging from Muddy Waters to 90’s Alternative music and Hall & Oates, but his constant go-to artists are The Beatles and their respective solo projects, Neil Young, The Beach Boys, The Band, You Am I, and Elliott Smith. The Beatles are very evident in the sound of “Every Little Thing, ” especially in songs like ‘Count Your Blessings’ and ‘Object of My Disaffection’ with catchy, repeating melodies well-balanced with complex harmonies. Likened to a cross between Alt-Country and Power Pop, Estepa calls himself simply a singer-songwriter, citing more recent inspirations as Brian Wilson, Ryan Adams and Wilco, the latter of which, incidentally, would be one of Estepa’s dream collaborators. The other would have been the late great Beatle, George Harrison.
Despite many years of recording and touring, Estepa says, “It’s only really in the last couple of years that I think I’m finding my feet in this craft and a sense of me as a songwriter.”
He says his songs come from everywhere and at anytime, inspired by life and friends, and now that he is a father, his family. “Just recently,” he said, “I wrote my first song for my very young kids. More a conversation on the realities of life ahead, rather than a straight declaration of my love for them.”
Bryan Estepa & The Tempe Two
Currently Estepa is working with two talented Sydney musicians who call themselves The Tempe Two, consisting of Dave Keys on bass, and Russell Crawford on drums. While they often back him for performances and for recordings, Estepa continues to perform as a solo artist.
His strongest feat of songwriting to date, ‘Every Little Thing’ holds appeal for anyone seeking a satisfying listening experience of thoughtful lyrics, memorable melodies and rich layers of well-rendered harmonies.
Watch the music video to the introductory single “Object Of My Disaffection”
Every Little Thing by Bryan Estepa & The Tempe Two is available in major digital stores and streaming sites worldwide under Lilystars Records and in CD format under Rock Indiana Records.
Buy Links: iTunes | Bandcamp | Lilystars Shop
Also available on Spotify | Apple Music | Deezer
Follow Bryan Estepa:
Official Site
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