Sometimes you’re in a completely new situation. You don’t know anyone, aren’t totally sure about what you’re doing, and you’re kind of afraid to talk to anybody. Alyse Black is the fearless and outspoken girl who will extend her hand and start telling you about how she was once in the exact same situation.

Alyse exuded confidence on Thursday night as she sang with her ‘just perfectly raspy and deep’ voice and conversed with the audience. She told stories that were unique and interesting, yet completely familiar to audience members. Her music and her personality are for ‘real’ people. Though her physical beauty and music are enjoyable, there is a wonderful grit to her that makes her easy to relate to.

Her song “B-17 Bomber Girl” was a ‘feel good about yourself’ song with a twist. It would have worked for The Disney Channel if it wasn’t about the wide-hipped women B-17 Pilots put on the side of their planes to help them when they got lonely.

Black truly looked like she was doing exactly what she was meant to throughout her set, embodying her songs with deep emotion and a smile. After almost every song, Black would take a moment to laugh with her bandmates as if she was having the time of her life and truly felt at home. Black is Seattle-bred, but has lived in Austin for the past 3 years.

Black is one of those rare singers that regardless of your taste in music, you cannot ignore the uniqueness and beauty in her voice. The perfect yet rare moments of breathiness, the strong yet beautiful vulnerability in the melodic cracks in her voice show glimpses of how much passion and emotion Black has inside her.

Alissa Jandt’s percussion kept the songs steady and added a gentle layer to the ukelele and guitar on Black’s songs. Jandt also did a great horn/baby voice vocal effect that lent playfulness to songs like “They Say Honesty” (check out the video below).

Black’s set included covers from some of the singers she is most often compared to — Ingrid Michaelson and Regina Spektor, and she completely held her own with their catchy songs (“The Way I Am” and “Sampson”, respectively), as well as playing songs from all of the albums she currently has out.

She told the audience a little story near the end of her set about the end of her corporate career.  Eventually she realized she would rather jump off the roof of the building than stay in another meeting. Now we have Alyse Black, inspiring Seattle singer-songwriter extraordinaire. You’ll know when you  listen to her music that she made the right choice.

http://www.ssgmusic.com/alyse-black-at-the-triple-door/

About to leave for Houston, but I wanted to let you guys know I just pasted a brand new (to me) cover of "Honey" by Fiona Apple - one of my favorites of hers!

Check out my vLog on how I ended up moving to Austin, TX!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wSG6vWhjkB0

Alyse will be playing at Nyne Bar & Bistro in Spokane this Friday, August 13th, at 9 pm!  Kari Marguerite & The Seent Six will open as well! Come check it out!

She wept and wailed
Her body played 
like some horrid Instrument of greif

This wind that weaves
So thoroughly
Through her trees
There's no escape
There's no escape
None that she can see

She crawled and crept
Her fingers searched
Like some hungry
Dogs in need of light

Once there they find
No sun or kindness
Through his mind
There's no escape
There's no escape
This will never be put right.

This dark that thrives
So heartily
Upon her love
There's no escape
There's no escape
And she's too weak to stand and fight

'Willowing' is one of the most intense songs on the album. Black's purring melody writhes within an exotic, swirling musical elixir as she sings about being caught 'willowing.'

''Willowing' came from a late night over my piano with a glass of red wine in hand,' Alyse revealed. 'I think it speaks to people on a really deep level, cutting through in a very visceral way, so sensual and powerful that I . . . I can't even explain it.'

Black's music hits with the impact of a well-timed whisper and the irresistible force of a primal urge. She has crafted a mesmerizing album that plays ' quite alluringly ' with light and shadows.

www.AlyseBlack.com
www.MySpace.com/AlyseBlack

Check out the review with pics (along with reviews of Diane Birch & Hanson among others):
http://www.scribd.com/Songwriter-s-Monthly-July-10-126-Issue/d/33694707

Her music seems to give off a touch of class one would expect to find when they listen to artist like Nora Jones, Erykah Badu, or Michael Buble'.

Alyse Black   (AP PHOTO)

Alyse Black           (AP PHOTO)

Alyse has been playing music since a very young age, and it seems that she just keeps getting better with time.  Her music has a way of reaching out and grabbing you, one cant't help but to be drawn to it.  Although, this may not be the type of music you would normally listen to; it is believed that once you take the time to listen to several of her songs, such as "Both Ways", "Forever Fairytales", "Hold Onto This", or "Wouldn't  It Be Nice" ,all found on the following site, (plus several others) www.ourstage.com/epk/alyseblack/songs , you will find yourself wanting to hear more.  Something about her voice seems to keep drawing you back.

There is a reason why jazz is still around after all this time; it is now and has always been the type of music one could plan a night of romance around.  So,take a chance on something new.  Alyse will be performing at the Northgate Tavern in Baton Rouge www.myspace.com/northgatetavern on May 12th.  Go buy yourself something nice to wear, then grab a date and let Alyse Black's music be the last stop on your evening.  A nice dinner, maybe a romantic walk downtown, then the sultry sounds of some classy music, who wouldn't consider this a night to remember?  So, start planning now.

You can learn more about Alyse Black on her website www.myspace.com/alyseblack

Seattle singer/songwriter and pianist who won the 2007 Billboard Song Contest (jazz) for her tune "Stood For Stand For." She's quirky in a pop/light jazz sort of way, and her voice is reminiscent of Regina Spektor (all right!) and a slightly less-pouty Fiona Apple. Best of all, she writes catchy, upbeat songs that don't tax the brain or overdo the quirk factor. Listen & learn: www.alyseblack.com.

8 p.m. Tuesday, May 18 at the Sentient Bean, 13 E. Park Ave. With Ashley Brooke Toussant.