Darcey Hile
Demo 2001
By David Chiu

Darcey Hile wears her influences on her sleeve really well. You could trace elements of Joni Mitchell, Suzanne Vega, and Aimee Man in her voice and style of acoustic guitar playing. She's not, however, an imitator of those aforementioned singer songwriters-this young Ohioan and former New Yorker is capable of forging her own style, and she's got a warm, subdued vocal style. Hile writes edgy introspective and slice of life songs that penetrate the emotional surface conveying a sense of longing and yearning in "Before We Kiss," "Heaven Girl Eyes," and "Much Too Young." There's a natural and honest quality to these home demo recordings (which can be heard on mp3.com) that would seem tainted if given over to the typical slick production. It's a tribute to how pure Hile's songs are. Overall, her songs are melodic and poetic yet stark and haunting.

http://www.mp3.com

Erica Smith
Live in Her Living Room EP
By David Chiu

Erica Smith fills the void for music listeners, particularly folk persons, seeking a sound that is pure and natural not dictated by trends and excised of slick craft. This is true of her self-released EP that when played sounds like Smith is playing in your living room (or bedroom or kitchen, etc.). With acoustic guitar in hand, Smith plays traditional songs ("Wayfaring Stranger," "Oh Death") and originals ("A War is On," "He's Gone Now") sure to draw fans of Appalachia and English folk. She sings with a soothing and assured voice on this sampling of things to come.

http://www.maidmusic.com

Lost in the Sauce
Fun and Games: The Demo
By David Chiu

Lost in the Sauce's music is spirited funk and rock. This live recording broadcast for radio captures the band at its prime and muscle. With a predominant beat, pummeling bass line, Nile Rodgers-like funk guitar, and call-and-response vocals, the Sauce runs through a couple of songs with eccentric titles like "Hoochie Koochie Momma Thang," "Boogie Snot," "It's Alright," "Chinese Food For Breakfast," "Poofy," and It's All Good." You can tell by the crowd response that the band was hot-if you need reference points, think of Dave Matthews with the little freeform playing of the Dead. They're not so much a band for the college crowd-their appeal is also universal and very likeable

Count to Infinity
"Jessica"
A Different Drum
By David Chiu

Count to Infinity is the moniker of John Giacobello, who is the mastermind behind this infectious, synthesizer-dominated maxi-single. With the additional background vocals of Sarah Silbert, the music on "Jessica" incorporates dance elements: phat beat, grooves, and melodies, not far from Depeche Mode nor Nine Inch Nails (and thankfully not a musical retread of those aforementioned groups). Giacobello's own voice lends a relaxed, if haunting, element to the proceedings; the three other versions of Jessica never lets down in terms of projecting really solid dance rhythms and beats. "Flowers of Evil" lives up to its title in that the mood evoked is haunting, maybe sinister, but buoyed by its melody; "Sleepless" is a perfect mood closer to this CD. This type of music certainly has a place in the dance and techno clubs, and if in a better and just world, mainstream radio.

The Windlasses
Kindred Spirits

It was by pure accident that I put this self-released tape on my deck Sunday morning. Remarkably, it fit the mood perfectly. This pure, acoustic folk album is soothing and very introspective. The Windlasses are made up of the trio Glover-Donna, Daphne, and Stephanie, which may be the most unique musical folk family since the McGarrigle sisters. The harmonies and the strumming of the acoustic guitar dominate this fittingly titled album. The material draws from original material ("The Patient Mistress," "What If," "Left Standing"), traditional songs ("When Will Be Married," "Tarry Trousers") and unique arrangements ("Ophelia's Lament" from Hamlet). Even without full-out instrumentation, the record shows the power of the human voice without relying on histrionics or gimmickry. Kindred Spirits by the Windlasses is very likable folk music that will leave you relaxed and beaming right after the music is finished.

Erica Smith
Eureka Joe's
March 10, 2000

The homespun café atmosphere of Eureka Joe's in New York City's Gramercy district was the perfect setting for Erica Smith's music. Ms. Smith is looking to make her mark on the folk and Americana scene and her performance on this Friday night was case in point. Ms. Smith's influences was certainly evident in her music-traces of Bob Dylan and Woody Guthrie, no doubt-but she also taps far deeper into the catalog of pure traditional music from Celtic sounds to the American blues.

With her strong, reticent voice and acoustic guitar, Ms. Smith shone through her nearly one-hour set. Her repertoire consisted of both covers and original material. She interpreted Merle Travis' "Dark as a Dungeon," the traditional tunes "Maid of Constant Sorrow," "Pretty Polly," and "House of the Rising Sun" (popularized by the Animals). Her own material reflect her unique experiences and sensibilities such as "Trepanned Blues" and "All the King's Horses, All the Hanged Men" (co-written with Maia Miller and Sean Dolan, respectively).

Though times have certainly changed, hearing this type of music in an intimate setting like Eureka Joe's evoke for one moment the Greenwich Village '60s folk coffeehouse scene. In a fickle music scene, it was a pleasure to hear some good, real, pure music, something that Ms. Smith relished in conveying to an appreciative crowd. Like a young folkie such as Eliza Carthy, Ms. Smith pays deep respect to her influences and tradition. As long as she continues to write more material and hone her playing on stage, it would not be a mistake to say we will be hearing more from her in the future.

There's a sense of ironic detachment in the songs from this debut disc. Ticket to Mars-consisting of Ian Bell (vocals, guitars, keyboards) and Colin Held (guitars, bass, vocals, thumb piano)-make affecting music without the histrionics of other bands. "Left Behind" conveys the feeling of abandonment; "Useless Day" is about the everyday grind of life; other songs like "Damage" and "Squirrel" evoke similar themes and real life experiences, Bell's expressive voice provides emotional counterpoint to Held's musical accompaniment. What's great about the music is that it doesn't go over the top-they let the lyrics and the acoustic playing speak volumes. Hopefully their approach and instincts can be their tickets to wider recognition.

Fatima
self-titled demo cassette

This New York City-based singer/songwriter has a maturity that goes well beyond her young age. Fatima has the voice that is on a par with today's female singer/songwriters that you usually hear on radio. Her voice is clear and reedy with a lot of soul. Her music is rooted in many different styles aside from a pop/soul foundation. That is evident on the opening "Fly Away" with some funk inflections. There is also a sense of pop sophistication on "Cast Away" and the buoyant-sounding number "Universe." "Dear John" is a sad but touching tribute to the legendary Beatle In contrast, "Revolution" is a folk rock number that would make Tracy Chapman proud. "Stay" is a tender song in which the male protagonist wants to strike out on his own but his lover wants him to be closer to her. That song's drama is heightened by the use of fuzz tone guitar. If this wasn't just a demo tape, you would have thought to have hears a polished-sounding album whose music is engagingly catchy. What makes the songs real is definitely from her soothing voice and her harmonies contributes heavily to the songs. Her lyrics speak of a young woman who is both strong and vulnerable--it's isn't full of clichés but genuine life moments. It would be a matter of time when the major labels will finally take notice of this burgeoning talent.