Melineh Kurdian

Artist Information

Biography

Born in Wichita and raised by her Armenian family, Melineh earned her degree in French and adores all things Japanese. After living in New York City she relocated to Los Angeles, which she now calls home. In her younger years Melineh wasn’t allowed to play with the kids out and about in her neighborhood until she had completed an hour of piano practice each day. A task which as a six year old may have seemed unfair but one that she is more than grateful for now. In those years she performed in countless recitals and competitions however it wasn’t until she stumbled across an old guitar under her mother’s bed that she found her true musical calling.

She has undeniably come a long way from that young girl teaching herself how to play an E Chord in her bedroom and listening to her fathers Jazz collection, classic rock and girls with guitars. She has embarked on two hugely successful tours of Sweden, which holds an overwhelming fan base for her as well as graciously catering to her US based fans by performing in much revered venues such as the Bitter End, CBGB’s Gallery (New York City), The Knitting Factory and Hotel Cafe (Los Angeles) as well as Tin Angel (Philadelphia), just to name a few. Her arrestingly honest song As Good As You was placed on MTV’s The Real World.

Melineh also graced the stage at the National Womens' Music Festival this year, which in previous years has played host to the likes of Melissa Ferrick and Cris Williamson. She was honored to be asked to present an award at last years Armenian Music Awards in front of a crowd of over 7000 people at the Club Nokia (Los Angeles).

After the triumph of her debut album From Where You Are, Melineh has just emerged from recording her new EP The Where and How. The Where and How has been in the making for more than a year. It debuted on Saturday, October 23rd, 2010, at the Hotel Cafe to a packed audience eagerly awaiting the new material. Her beautifully melodies are undoubtedly reminiscent of a young Shawn Colvin or sultry Janis Joplin. The EP is filled with rhythmic guitar phrasing and soulful vocals. “ This is not an overly produced project by any means”, said Melineh in a recent press release. “There is such a lovely attention to detail with every instrument, with the vocals, and with the arrangements, that I still find myself discovering new little pieces each time I listen to the songs”.

The New York Times has dubbed her music “soulful and amusing”, and upon watching her perform live you instantly understand where they were coming from. There is an expressive and poignant quality to her voice, not to mention an honesty that can be hard to find these days. Coupled with her zest for life and her hilarious knack for storytelling, Melineh effortlessly takes her audience on a journey with her music. Before they know it, they have fallen in love.


“… a voice with a measure of Patty Griffin's ability to wrench the heart.” -- Jon Sobel, Blogcritics.org

Instrumentation

Melineh Kurdian, vocals and acoustic guitar
Steve Krugman, drums
Eric Holden, bass
Carl Byron, keyboards and accordions

Discography

"The Where and How" - 2010
"Live from Hotel Cafe EP - Benefit for Natl. Center on Domestic and Sexual Violence" - 2007, Girl Parts Trio
"From where you are" - 2004, debut album
JANE Magazine Reader Compilation CD #4 includes Melineh's "As Good As You."
Peace Songs for a Better World Vol. II includes Melineh's "World."
GoGirls Compilation 2006 includes 'As Good As You'
Catherine J. Snow Stroke Foundation - Musicians for Stroke Awareness includes 'World'

Just some of the places you can hear her music: www.harrisradio.com
www.netteradio.com
www.radiocrystalblue.com
www.femininegroove.com
Michiko&Chris Radio Show in Japan
Swedish public radio
WBAI Pacifica 99.5 fm in New York
KJHK 90.7 fm in Lawrence, KS
WJFF 90.5 fm, "Out Loud & Queer," New York
www.rubyfruitradio.com
www.wholewheatradio.com

Official Website

http://www.melinehkurdian.com

Links

• Facebook
• MySpace
• Twitter
• YOU TUBE

Audio

• Between Me Now
  Listen  
• You're Not There
  Listen  
• Sending Boxes
  Listen  
• Only One
  Listen  
• Have A Little Heart
  Listen  
• As Good As You
  Listen  
• Santa Maria
  Listen  
• World
  Listen  
• Goddamn n Just Do
  Listen  

Lyrics

• Between Me Now
• You're Not There
• Only One
• Sending Boxes
• Santa Maria
• As Good As You
• World

Video

As Good As You

Photo Gallery

Press

• Performing Songwriter Magazine [+ Show ]
  

  Layered acoustic guitars solidify the rhythm on Los Angeles resident Melineh Kurdian’s debut record....Layered acoustic guitars solidify the rhythm on Los Angeles resident Melineh Kurdian’s debut record...“Goddamn and Just Do” carries the energy of an out-of-control freight train as Kurdian instructs a suffering sop to “Pack your heartache, put away your bellyache.”
  Kurdian’s vocals move from smart and sassy to sweet and sultry. Arrangements are kept sparse—a cello here, mandolin there—to let her literate lyrics shine through. Acoustic pop fans take note—Kurdian’s From Where You Are is the real deal, poised to grab you wherever you are.
  

• Hyperactive Music Magazine [+ Show ]
  

  Ah, the sound of female vocalists possessing rock n’ roll backbone with singer-songwriter brilliance...Ah, the sound of female vocalists possessing rock n’ roll backbone with singer-songwriter brilliance. Bring Melineh Kurdian to a public which already knows Ani DiFranco, Dar Williams, and Lucy Kaplansky, and you will make joy. This album shouts funky harmonies and a rocking sound with impulsive lyrics - you WILL sing out loud. Her sound is passionate and playful, desiring and warm. Tracks like “Icarus Kiss” underline a stellar sound, while harmonica supports an already strong guitar throughout... Today, this is a definite winner, a must-listen for all of us. Hail, Kurdian! - Mallory Richard
  

• 12 Out Artists on the Rise [+ Show ]
  

  Melineh Kurdian's bold, wise voice sounds too seasoned to have only been captured on one CD so far. ...Melineh Kurdian's bold, wise voice sounds too seasoned to have only been captured on one CD so far. Nevertheless, her debut album 'From where you are' was just released in June, and its rhythmic riffs and harmonies prove that this singer/songwriter in on the rise.
  A Kansas native of Armenian descent, Kurdian is no stranger to standing out in a crowd. After studying music and language for years, she moved to New York City in 2000 to see what she could make of her talent in a bigger pond. . .
  Armed with an acoustic guitar and often backed by a drummer and bassist, Kurdian's music reflects her greatest influence: the Indigo Girls. "I'm not just a folkie, though," she says. "All music is fair game due to my father's jazz records, my brother's love for classic rock, and my cousins' infatuations with hip-hop. They've all laid their claims in my subconscious."
  ONE OF KURDIAN'S GREATEST SELLING POINTS IS THE VIBRANCY OF HER LIVE SHOWS. Her dynamism comes naturally and balances out the apprehension that can come with artistic revelations. "Rejection's a scary thing, but I'm not going to let my fear of it stop me from expressing myself truthfully through my music," she says. (KC)

• Melineh at the Bitter End [+ Show ]
  

  New York-based singer songwriter blending rhythmic folk guitar, rock, jazz, and blues with intellige...New York-based singer songwriter blending rhythmic folk guitar, rock, jazz, and blues with intelligent lyrics and a soulful voice.

• Scene and Heard: Melineh, Kate and Lourds Get Noticed! [+ Show ]
  

  As a female singer/songwriter in New York City, Melineh Kurdian faces the obvious challenge of how t...As a female singer/songwriter in New York City, Melineh Kurdian faces the obvious challenge of how to get noticed among the crowd. For me, there's only one way to do it, which is to play out live, and do it so well that I put down my glass of PG and take notice. And that's just what this Kansas export of Armenian descent managed when I saw her recently, upstairs at Piano's.
  
  Like many solo artists, Melineh sometimes extends her sound with a backing band, a combo that's featured on her debut album From Where You Are, released this summer. It's a collection of tunes that crosses styles from the funky "Icarus Kiss" to the Ani-ness of "Goddamn 'n Just Do" and the more mainstream slow-dance pop vibe of "Santa Maria."
  
  Melineh's honest lyrics provide the common denominator to the songs, drawing on her own experiences of growing up, love and coming out. Featured recently in GO NYC as one of "12 Out Artists on the Rise," Melineh says: "Rejection's a scary thing, but I'm not going to let my fear of it stop me from expressing myself truthfully through my music." Which is something she does beautifully. Check her out at www.melinehkurdian.com. - Pete Harris
  
  

Setlist

'Between Me Now' / 'Santa Maria'/ 'You're Not There' / 'Only One'/ 'Sending Boxes' / 'World' / 'Goddamn n' Just Do' / 'Have a Little Heart' / 'As Good As You' / 'Three Years and a Day' and then perhaps a rousing rendition of Bill Wither's 'Ain't No Sunshine' or Morrissey. Her sets are usually 45 minutes to 1 hour 15 minutes.

Basic Requirements

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