My week has not been fine
There's no rules for how to write my life
Stick to facts go back to practice
still all this distraction
~ Duality Cupcake, Denise Hudson

Singer-songwriter Denise Hudson is based in Austin, Texas. Don't let the Texas put any LeAnn Rimes ideas in your head though, Tori Amos road is more the right direction to head while trying to figure out Denise's unique style. 

I met Denise through an online songwriting contest called SpinTunes and was quickly charmed by her moody-rich piano work, quirky lyrics and arresting vocals.  Smokey, growly, wispy and sweet by turns, Denise's voice is definitely one that fascinates.  I'm not the only intrigued one either, she's in high demand for collaborations with many of the other musicians involved in the contests she has participated in recently!

Join me this Tuesday from 9-10am Central to get to know Denise, and to get your weekly dose of songs by female singer-songwriters!  Denise will be calling at about 9:30. Read more about Denise at LyricalVenus.com.

If you're feeling useless baby,
all you gotta do is just focus
on the movement of the moon.

~ A Great Notion, Stephanie Nilles

Bored with playing other people's songs, classically trained pianist Stephanie Nilles turned to writing her own.  Tiring of New York City, she hit the road in 2008 and found her way into the indie/folk/coffee house circuit, booking herself about 20 shows a month and playing for tips on nights she didn't have an official show.

Stephanie's music has earned her comparisons to Ella Fitzgerald, Regina Spektor and Tom Waits.  Her subject matter "address issues ranging from drug busts in her neighborhood to the challenges and joys of life on the road."  She is a modern day troubadour, and these are songs that make you pay attention. 

Tune in Tuesday and get to know Stephanie Nilles!  Lyrical Venus starts at 9am, Stephanie will be calling around 9:30am.

Here I can be myself
Here I can look right at you
Here I can sing the song of my soul
and I will be heard by you.
~ Blessed Community, Kristi Martel

Avant-garde songwriter and piano diva Kristi Martel has recently recorded demos for her next full-length CD, Sacred Whore. From her website: "The work is more jazz and soul, and focuses on the universal in our human experience and our need for inner and world peace."  The stripped-down demos certainly don't feel like anything is missing - Kristi's beautiful voice and vibrant piano fill the space of the stories perfectly.

Join me Tuesday from 9-10 am Central for the Lyrical Venus Radio Hour.  We'll kick off with some seasonal songs and the interview with Kristi will start around 9:30am!

So something must be in the stars because I somehow got to interview TWO musical redheads recently and both of them play the piano and have A-mazing voices to boot! That's not to say they aren't each wildly unique!
Bonnie McKee surprised the Cafe Paradiso open mic last Wednesday with an impromptu performance and stopped by the station the next day to talk about her experience in the movie August Rush, her songwriting process and what she's learned since her first album Trouble.
Kristi Martel is a Fairfield favorite, returning to Cafe Paradiso on Saturday, May 31st after over 4 years away! Kristi took some time out of her busy touring schedule to tell us about her latest album Ravengirl, how she got started singing and what she's been up to since her last visit.