Radian Records Blog

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Sonia Montez Launches Kickstarter Campaign for New Album

Watch the video: Visit our campaign webpage at Kickstarter.com and get a sneak preview of Sonia Montez performing new material for upcoming album.  The campaign video, directed by filmmaker Ryan Gielen, was filmed at our RedBird Studio in Midtown, and features an impromptu live recording of one of Sonia’s most personal compositions. While there are many independent artists vying for attention in today’s evolving media landscape, we feel that nothing speaks more clearly than the music itself.  We hope you will enjoy, and support the development of extraordinary independent music.

PRESS RELEASE June 1st 2011:

New York, NY - Musician Sonia Montez begins a 90-day fundraising campaign on Kickstarter.com today to fund her first full length album. The campaign, developed with independent production company Radian Records, has target budget of $10,000 pledged in diverse amounts. With rewards from $1 to download an MP3, to $5000 to join the project as an executive producer, backers of all financial ability are invited to show their support.

As a singer-composer, Brooklyn based Sonia Montez echoes her fascination with humanity and myriad of experiences. Early influences include Ella Fitzgerald, The Beatles, Mercedes Sosa and the like but she does not shy away from comparisons to her more contemporary counterparts, incorporating her adept musical phrasing and personal wit.

Sonia began her musical career at age 6, joining El Coro de Ninos de San Juan, the world renowned children’s choir. Studying voice and violin, she eventually tired of rote classical training and set out to teach herself the guitar. Following her love of jazz, pop, alternative rock, and folk, she emerged as a songwriting force, dazzling audiences and critics.

At the age of fourteen, Sonia began playing the New York City open-mic scene with veterans Kimya Dawson and Regina Spektor. She went on to share the stage with legendary songwriter Chip Taylor, and has opened sold out shows for Matt Nathanson, Jessie Bailyn, Kaki King, and The Mountain Goats.

Sonia is currently in pre-production for this 2nd release with producer Andrew Felluss at Radian Records.  Sonia’s live performance of “For…” can be seen in the Kickstarter campaign video reel, which was produced & directed by filmmaker Ryan Gielen.

Kickstarter is the largest funding platform for creative projects in the world. Every month, tens of thousands pledge millions of dollars to projects from the worlds of music, film, art, technology, design, food, publishing and other creative fields. Project creators keep 100% ownership and control over their work. Instead, they offer products and experiences that are unique to each project. It’s all or nothing funding on Kickstarter, a project must reach its funding goal before time runs out or no money changes hands.

Campaign URL:
http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/radianrecords/sonia-montez-2011-album-project
OR
http://tiny.cc/soniamontez

Radian Records is pleased to present our 1st Underground Acoustic Showcase this Saturday, June 19th from 6-8pm.  The unamplified free event will be held in the Times Square Subway entrance under 40th and Broadway.

Featuring Kites of Saturn, Futurist and Sonia Montez.  Flyer designed by Emiliano Ortiz.

No Cover, Donations Accepted.

Radian Records artist, Sonia Montez, will be playing an acoustic set on Monday, May 10th at Gavin and Joey DeGraw’s famous National Underground. The show starts at 7:45pm at the downstairs stage. $8 Door cover, Age 18+.

“Little Jealousy” Written and Performed by Sonia Montez,
Featuring Kiernan McMullan, Produced by Andrew Felluss
From the Radian Records EP release Of Tears And Honey

Video Directed by Matthew Gielen. Starring Nick Vergara, Cassandra Starr, Katy Wright-Mead, Ross Chestnut, Lacey Jo Anderson and of course Sonia Montez and Kiernan McMullan.

Matthew Gielen is a producer and director and his most recent feature “The
Graduates” can be watched for free at Hulu.com:
http://www.hulu.com/watch/92154/the-graduates

Or purchased on iTunes:
http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewMovie?id=320697556&s=143441&uo=6

thanks Benedict for the beautiful work.

by Bambi Weavil at OutImpact.com

We discovered this beautiful Brooklyn (and vegan) songstress, Sonia Montez, thanks to our friends at Girlie Girl Army. Her new album, Of Tears and Honey, is organic and acoustic, part jazz and part folk-pop, a complete effort of love and passion, and undoubtedly a album expressing a collage of experiences.

“Little Jealousy” expresses a need to not let life pass you by, instead of misery dominating your life for years to come as you get over someone. “Red Moon” is heavy and sweet as red wine and could easily be done with a strong country influence (for instance, we love the strength of violins) or straight out pop-filled jazz.

“Secret” featuring Kiernan McMullan is a sweet love song, and a even more gorgeous duet between the two. They could easily do a entire record together and it wouldn’t be overkill. “No Regrets” showcases Montez’s strength as a natural jazz artist, with the smooth poetry of her lyrics.

“I Miss You,” a song that I connect to the deepest, is a fiery declaration of distance between two becoming a reality and what it will all mean to the relationship. “Heart Symphony” is the last track on Of Tears and Honey, a acoustic-pop, peaceful, reflection-based atmospheric track that is a audio painting of beauty, love, stars and emotion.

We have nothing but love for this socially-conscious, talented artist, and we believe she’s one of the best undiscovered, real talents we’ve heard this year! Check her out on MySpace, and Facebook!

Radian Records artist Lola Johnson plays tonight at the 11thst Street Bar with Mark Wynegar.

11th Street Bar is located at 510 E 11th Street, NYC