SAN FRANCISCO (24 March 2016): Even before Shannon Bryant “Light” was released, CBC Radio Canada’s “Fresh Air” made the ten-song singer-songwriter session mixed by multiple GRAMMY® winner Joe Chiccarelli (Jason Mraz, Alanis Morissette, U2, Elton John, Frank Zappa) a “Top Pick” for February. Midwest Record hailed the intimate collection issued on the Belle Estrela Music label as “one of the best confessional singer/songwriter sets,” a sentiment echoed by Exclusive Magazine’s emphatic confirmation “Yep, this album of tracks completely written and produced by Shannon Bryant is just that damn good.”
As airplay for the “Light” album grows in March at commercial, NPR and college radio stations, the topical title track confronting guns and domestic violence will air throughout April on Women of Substance Radio’s “Music with a Conscience” as well as be programmed on an episode of the Women of Substance’s podcast, an award-winning iTunes topper that highlights new independent music releases.
Gracefully plying her expressive soprano voice, Bryant’s studies in philosophy inform her highly-personal lyrics on this, her third album. The London, Ontario native and longtime San Francisco resident communicates with candor and revealing slice-of-life poetry. For instance, “Fresh Air” host Mark Rheaume singled out “Milk & Honey” for a spotlight segment, a song memorializing Bryant’s late mother with a series of fond remembrances. On “Light,” contemplative ruminations about love, relationships, spiritual direction and empowering affirmations of self-worth and discovery are paired with alluring melodies – beautiful, pristine notes and harmonies that breathe life and color into Bryant’s stories. The acoustic accompaniment organically underscores her messages with several tracks benefitting from sparser instrumentation. Live strings throughout the proceedings add depth and lushness while ratcheting the emotion.
Bryant will perform music from “Light” at the Shelton Theater in San Francisco on May 15. In the meantime, the targeted national radio and press campaigns shall continue to illuminate the path for listeners to discover Bryant’s music. For more information, please visit www.ShannonBryant.com.
“What Bryant delivers is one of the best confessional singer/songwriter sets…the lyrics are heartfelt and real, and the music and playing provides a sterling setting for it all.” – Midwest Record
“The collection of ten quality, hugely personal tracks come together as if the fates had requested them. Yep, this album of tracks completely written and produced by Shannon Bryant is just that damn good.”
–Exclusive Magazine
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