Flower-Powered Artist - April 2009

Amie Miriello

If at first you did not succeed, maybe it was not meant to be. Well, perhaps you should try again but it's prudent to learn from your previous attempt. Our April 2009 Flower-Powered Artist started out with a rock band where most of the members were picked up after the debut album was already written and recorded. As a result, it was a project that failed to take off because the members of the band never really had the time to form a bond with each other. We are talking about the now-disbanded Dirtie Blonde. This month, allow us to present the singer/songwriter who emerged from the ashes of the band and pursue a successful solo career, Amie Miriello.

Amie was born in Connecticut to a musically-inclined family, which explains where she got her musical sensibilities. Singing was a part of her early childhood. This was reinforced when she was about 10 years old by her dad having her sing several rock and jazz standards. At school, she had started acquiring more experience by participating in musical theater. Being able to sing is one thing but being able to act is another. Amie wasn't really into acting, which led to her being cast on bizarre roles like “Orphan #7” in Oliver and the actual yellow-brick road in The Wizard of Oz.

Perhaps the biggest factor that led Amie to become a singer/songwriter was her picking up of the guitar as her primary instrument at age fifteen. It was clear to her that aside from singing, in order to become a successful artist, she must be able to play and write music. She took a brief formal music education by attending a boarding school for music and theater followed by enrolling at the New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music in New York City for a year.

Amie's musical journey wasn't quite a smooth ride as she had to bartend for five years at several venues while waiting to jumpstart her musical career. During that time, Amie -- along with her collaborator and friend, Jay Dmuchowski -- had started playing acoustic gigs all over Manhattan. It was a coincidence when they were discovered by a talent scout sent by famed producer Billy Mann (Pink, Martina McBride) to a show at Arlene’s Grocery where they were the opening act. The scout took an interest in Amie and Jay instead of the headliner. Through Billy Mann, Amie befriended A&R executive Teresa LaBarbera Whites (Destiny’s Child, Beyoncé and Jessica Simpson). Immediately thereafter, she became signed under Jive Records.

With a burning desire to leave bartending and get serious with her musical career, Amie and Jay along with a handful of other collaborators wrote songs for a planned debut album in a span of two weeks. The resulting self-titled album was recorded and released on Jive Records in May 2006 under the band name, Dirtie Blonde. As there wasn't really a band, selling the record under the guise of a band effort and touring posed a problem. It was quickly remedied by hiring full-time band members. Touring ensued and they got to open for big acts like Nick Lachey, INXS and Teddy Geiger.

Amie didn't really feel comfortable with the materials she had at that time, as most of the songs owed its sound to the collaborators. That, plus the fact that the band itself was falling apart at the seams, led to the album's demise which ultimately resulted in their disbandment. That didn't stop Amie from continuing her musical career. In fact, it became her stepping stone.

In the next round, Amie intently took her time crafting songs that not only depended on the brief luster of a catchy hook, but also on the merit of a lasting appeal. It took a year-and-a-half to finish the new album. This album would be released as a solo record. LaBarbera Whites started her own imprint under Jive Records, Bellasonic. Amie was the first artist who was signed to Bellasonic and her new solo record was its first official release. I Came Around was then released in September 2008. The new album instantly achieved enormous success, something the Dirtie Blonde record had failed to do.

KGRL proudly presents our April 2009 Flower-Powered Artist, Amie Miriello. Amie and her long-time collaborator Jay Dmuchowski joined us for an in-studio exclusive performance shot in high-definition video and audio. Read our CD review of I Came Around and take a gander at the professionally-shot, quality photos taken by our dear friend Jeff Koga. Also, check out our comprehensive interview that comes in video, audio, & transcribed form.

As per our usual monthly feature, we are giving away three signed I Came Around CDs! Just e-mail me at contests [at] kgrl.fm and tell us why you deserve to win. Don't forget that you can request a FREE copy of the FPA live session DVDs as well!

KGRL Amie Miriello Interview

KGRL recently sat down with the gorgeous singer / songwriter Amie Miriello for a comprehensive interview right after our KGRL FPA Live Sessions held at The Alley Studio - 01.24.09.

Amie Miriello Video Interview (Click to launch the player!)
You can use the "pause" "back" and "forward" buttons to skip back or forward each of the Q&As.
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I Came Around CD Review

So what do Britney Spears and our April 2009 Flower-Powered Artist Amie Miriello have in common? I can feel that some of you winced at that question, but let me reassure you it's not what you think. They share the same record label, Jive Records/Zomba Label Group. And thankfully, that's all they have in common. You can breathe easy now. I Came Around, Miriello's debut solo effort, was released on September 2008 under the Bellasonic imprint. What is it that makes the solo effort more successful than the previous failed attempt with a band? Read on and you'll find out what this former Blonde-mate has to offer this time around.

One thing is certain as the first song plays: the powerful voice that we've grown to love in Dirtie Blonde is intact, if not graciously improved. The title track, I Came Around, offers danceable upbeat acoustic folk pop that opens up the new record guns-a'-blazing. It's hard not to think of this song as a declaration that Amie is back, stronger and better than ever. The vocal work is exceptional and relentless throughout. The impeccable and forceful delivery of high notes wrapped in distinct and effective hoarseness is enough to remind us that we are not just listening to another pretty pop idol.

With the next track, Pictures, we are given a hard-edged rock ballad that never drowns in the sorrow of the song's heartbreak theme. This track has radio material written all over it. It's got that pop catchiness that mainstream listeners will easily identify with. That's not to say that I don't appreciate that type of pop stuff. I admit that this immediately caught my attention as I was listening to the record. If I'm not mistaken, this song was one of the first couple of tracks I played from the album for KGRL listeners. It's a great track to introduce Amie to someone who has not heard of her music.

The new American Idol judge Kara DioGuardi appears as a co-writer in the following track, Coldfront. The song starts out slowly and serenely with a surprising dash of country twang in the upbeat chorus, a testament to the flexibility of Amie's voice. It also sparingly indulges us with Amie's well-done falsettos.

The totally flirtatious upbeat alt-country/folk track, Brand New, is ultra-seductive. The delicious danceable beat and playful instrumentation can easily cast a spell on any listener. Some people will appreciate the use of profanity but I'm sure there are others who will have a problem with that. I suggest getting past it and enjoying the track for what it is. Actually, minus the profanity the beat is perfect for ad placements. I can see it playing in an Old Navy commercial – except “brand new” will pertain to the clothes. The melody is simply that catchy.

So after a totally flirtatious and crazy upbeat track, we are suddenly taken to sentimental boulevard by the slow and emotional ballad, Snow. The subdued background instrumentation definitely highlights the expressive vocal work. While it's not exactly my favorite track, it's a good showcase of Amie's voice.

Gray may not have the '70s-'80s overtones of Dirtie Blonde's record but the vocal style is heavily akin to it, perhaps due to the way she playfully roll words off of her tongue as well as the phrasing. This is the poppiest-sounding track on the album. It's something that I tend to skip when playing the CD, although I don't mind playing it once in a while.

I really love it when Amie does rock-edged ballads. The next track, Beauty Of Goodbye, is no exception. The vocal, once again, is nothing short of impressive. The falsettos are spot-on. Catchy hook, check. Gorgeous melody, affirmative. It's not surprising to see this track amongst the listeners' favorites from the record. It is definitely one of mine.

One of my jaw-dropping moments happened when I first listened to Mother Cries Wolf. It's simply heavenly. The melody and song structure demand a display of Amie's vocal prowess and pristine falsettos. This is one of the two tracks that undeniably demonstrate her wide vocal range. The instrumentation successfully transitions from electric to acoustic and back to electric throughout the whole song. It's very effective in shifting the mood of the song. That is not to say that it doesn't work in a purely acoustic fashion; allow me to point you to the acoustic FPA Live Session version of the song below.

The acoustic-piano-and-guitar-driven ballad Who You Really Are drives me back to sentimental boulevard and this time I am invited to stay for more with the accompanying track Drifter. Both tracks have a slow-burning nature. They aren't as flashy as the rock-edged ballads, but they definitely burrow deeply enough for me to fall in love with them.

Another track that demonstrates Amie's wide vocal range is Hey. When I find myself singing along with a track that I can't even sing myself, it's a good sign that I'm helplessly addicted to it. It's a great choice to end the album with an intense and memorable ballad. I know that Amie has the hardest time working with the bridge part of the songs and I'm happy to say that the bridge of Hey is one of the best she has written. It certainly adds flair to the song.

I hope I've given you enough reasons to warrant your purchase of Amie Miriello's I Came Around. If that's not enough, take into consideration that we've included I Came Around in KGRL's Best Albums of 2008. If you failed to catch Amie when she was with Dirtie Blonde, don't worry about it. Now is the perfect time to get to know her. That is not to say that there's anything wrong with the Dirtie Blonde record, but if you're going to be exposed to Amie's music, the solo album is your best bet. Maybe after that, you'll find something to like in the Dirtie Blonde album.

Buy I Came Around on Amazon.com MP3 Downloads(Click Here)!

Buy I Came Around on iTunes (Click Here)!

Tracklist:

I Came Around
Pictures
Coldfront
Brand New
Snow
Gray
Beauty Of Goodbye
Mother Cries Wolf
Who You Really Are
Drifter
Hey

Amie Miriello Photos

KGRL FPA Live Session - The Alley Studio 01.24.09

KGRL proudly presents another installment of our FPA Live Sessions monthly series. This month we present the lovely singer / songwriter Amie Miriello. The streams can be viewed using our embedded flash player. We do hope you enjoy these wonderful exclusive videos shot in high-def video and audio. There are also 720p (1280 x 720 resolution) high-definition videos of Amie Miriello's Hey and Mother Cries Wolf.



And remember, those of you who support the station by donations can request a copy of the DVD. Click here for more information on how to obtain the DVD!


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I Came Around	Drifter	Hey
Mother Cries Wolf	Coldfront	What's Good About Life

Hey 91.3Mb

Mother Cries Wolf 84.8Mb