Athena Reich

Artist Information

Biography

Athena Reich is an award winning singer/songwriter, actress, TV Host/Personality, Lady Gaga Impersonator and Arts Educator. She has performed and taught in schools, performance halls, colleges, and on radio & TV across North America & Europe. Athena is originally from Toronto, but is currently based out of New York City.

Athena is thrilled to be the host for "The Curious Cook", a fresh new cooking show. Watch for news and the upcoming debut episode in March!

Recently, Athena was chosen to appear in Lady Gaga's "Edge of Glory" Google Chrome commercial which aired during the season finales of Glee, SNL, Billboard Awards and more. She has been sweeping the nation as "renowned Lady Gaga impersonator Athena Reich" (Washington Times), and now Lady Gaga herself has taken notice.

Athena’s first video, LOVE IS LOVE, charted #1 on MTV’s LOGO. Her 5TH CD, LITTLE GIRL DREAMS, received 5 Outmusic Award nominations and LOVE IS LOVE won Best Outstanding Pop Song of the Year 2009. Her newest video, THE LOGICAL SONG (cover of the the Roger Hodgson tune) premiered on Curve Magainze and was nominated for Video of the Year 2011 on MTV LOGO also charted for weeks in the top 10.

LITTLE GIRL DREAMS was produced by the Emmy/Grammy Winning Cynthia Daniels and LOVE IS LOVE was co-written with the multi-platinum songwriter Lorraine Ferro. Athena’s music is alternative pop, and can be compared to Annie Lennox, Sarah McLaughlin, and Regina Spektor.

Athena has fans and friends across North America and Europe. She has performed at venues such as the Jacob Javitz Center, The Knitting Factory (NY/LA), The Railway Club (Vancouver), The Living Room (NYC), Swan Bar (Paris) & Regal Room (London). She has received countless press in newspapers, TV stations, national magazines and commercial radio such as Fox Business News, Food TV, Curve Magazine, She Magazine, Village Voice, Toronto Star, AM New York, About.com and more. She sells 30+ CDs at her shows. She has shared the stage with Sarah McLachlan, Jim Carrey, Peaches, Janeanne Garafalo, Nellie McKay, Stephen Schwartz and more.

Athena wrote the theme song for two TV pilots, LIVING IN CAPTIVIY which premiered at the ITV Fest in LA and NY Television Festival, (Athena also performed at the opening Red Carpet party at ITV Fest); and 16TH & 8TH, a soap opera camera currently being shopped to networks.

As a host and arts correspondent, Athena has worked for PBS, Air America Radio, The Food Network, 103.9 FM in Toronto, and Here! TV. Her ‘How To’ videos on Songwriting and Acting on ExpertVillage.com and YouTube.com have garnered millions of hits.

As an actress, Athena has appeared in numerous commercials, Film, TV and Off-Broadway productions including Love Sucks at the New York Musical Theater Festival (which was adored by the NY press), Fran in The Day They Shot John Lennon and principle roles on the History Channel, CNN, etc. She won Best Comedy at Canada's YTV Achievement Awards (Judge Eugene Levy). Athena was commissioned to compose music for the play Lemon Meringue, and held the role as "Gail, the therapist". Most recently, Athena appeared as Juror #4 and Mr. Les Doyle in "Where Do I Come From" at Kentucky Repertory Theater and Roy Arias in NYC. As a writer, Athena was commissioned by the Wildlife Conservation Society to write a poem for the opening of the Alien Stingers Exhibit at the NY Aquarium.

As an inspirational speaker, Athena has lectured, and facilitated workshops on LGBT rights, childhood abuse, Music Marketing, and the Secrets of the Entrepreneurial Spirit.

Athena’s sense of humor, insight, ability to connect with all ages, and overflowing talent continues to touch lives internationally.

Instrumentation

ACOUSTIC SHOW
Athena Reich - vocals, guitar, piano, ukulele

BAND SHOW:
Plus: Glenn Firester on drums & chromatic harmonica

BAND SHOW
Drums
Stand-up Bass
Lead Guitar
Piano
Chromatic Harmonica

Discography

1. Little Girl Dreams (2009)
2. Stories from the Road (2005)
3. Stranger Things Have Happened (2004)
4. Athena Under Attack (2003)
5. a sly sardonic grin (1998)

PLUS NUMEROUS COMPILATIONS AND DANCE SINGLES RELEASED IN 2012.

Links

• Facebook
• Athena's Love is Love music video
• MySpace
• Athena's YouTube Channel
• Twitter
• Last.fm

Audio

• Love Is Love (Legion of Many Remix) 24 bit (44.1 khz)
  Listen  
• Little Girl Dreams
  Listen  
• Love is Love
  Listen  
• Mr. Fly
  Listen  
• The Great Divide
  Listen  
• Trouble
  Listen  
• The Logical Song
  Listen  
• White Bandages
  Listen  
• Hey Little Girl
  Listen  
• My Cat is Magical
  Listen  

Lyrics

• Love is Love
• Little Girl Dreams
• Bones
• Mr. Fly
• The Great Divide
• What About Love?
• The Logical Song
• White Bandages
• Just Me
• White Bandages
• Hey Little Girl
• My Cat is Magical

Video

"The Logical Song", from Athena's 5th CD, LITTLE GIRL DREAMS (a cover of the original by Supertramp)

Photo Gallery

Press

• Athena featured in Broadway Sings for Pride [+ Show ]
  

  In addition to Athena Reich, "Broadway Sings for Pride" also featured Rory O'Malley (Book of Mormon)...In addition to Athena Reich, "Broadway Sings for Pride" also featured Rory O'Malley (Book of Mormon), Tracy McDowell (Rent), Cristy Candler (Wicked), Sonja Tremont-Morgan ("The Real Housewives of New York City"), Reichen Lehmkuhl (“The Amazing Race,” “The A-List: New York”), Randy Jones (The Village People)

• Critic's Choice of the Week
  

  Pop Indie Vocalist Athena Reich performing at Arlene's Grocery

• Underexposed Indie Upstart
  

  Underexposed Intriguing Indie Upstart Athena Reich

• Editor Pick of the Week! [+ Show ]
  

  Featured in Go Mag as the Editor Pick of the Week in promotion for Broadway Sings for Pride, June 27...Featured in Go Mag as the Editor Pick of the Week in promotion for Broadway Sings for Pride, June 27th, 2011.

• Unpretentious and Disarming [+ Show ]
  

  (Translation from Dutch) I can't help it, but Athena Reich's Little Girl Dreams makes me think a ...(Translation from Dutch)
  
  I can't help it, but Athena Reich's Little Girl Dreams makes me think a bit of the long row of singer-songwriters that passed by the pop landscape in the 90's, with names like Billie Myers and Nathalie Imbruglia. Armed with the same kind of alternative sound, Reich lets us hear in her opening number 'Love is Love' what it is all about: "Love is love is love". Without pretension Reich starts her album, which appears very disarmingly.
  
  Little Girl Dreams sounds are diverse - jazzy songs are followed by piano ballads - but the album never loses its coherence. When Reich involves string players and sentences like "My skin remembers fire/And my heart remembers waves' ('Bones'), then it's like I'm listening to the work of Fiona Apple - where the biggest part of the album keeps reminding off. Still, Reich doesn't copy. We have here a musician who has found the right balance between music that sounds just a bit different, and texts that go around woolliness and that touch you. For the past ladies - Imbruglia, Myers, Apple - this was enough for a number of excellent pop albums where quality
  was above hit potential. And according to me Athena Reich is heading the same direction.
  
  -Niels Vonberg

• One of the most unique artists that I’ve heard [+ Show ]
  

  Article and interview (here's an excerpt): I cannot remember exactly where I first met Athena. I th...Article and interview (here's an excerpt):
  I cannot remember exactly where I first met Athena. I think it was a little variety show that she organized at Cafe ShaSha in the West Village of NYC, maybe some 6 to 8 years ago. Gosh, it seems like yesterday. Anyway – I find it hard not to like Athena, I think she’s one of the most unique artists that I’ve heard. Always trying new things, always pushing the envelope, not needing to fit into easy, descriptive boxes. She had a song I really liked where she played electric guitar and also clucked like a chicken. Sounds weird maybe, but it was amazing. Fearless. Nothing like her one of current songs, the emotional and positive “Love is Love”. Still fearless, still 100% Athena. We love it.
  
  Athena was a frequently invited featured artist during the old monthly showcases of Chicks with Guitars – and also had a track on the now highly-collectible Chicks with Guitars compilation CD from 2004. I’ve been enjoying watching her evolve, and we’ve caught up with her to get a glimpse of what her life is like in 2010. Enjoy!
  (Click link below for more of the article & for the interview)

• Lady Gaga's been bumped off my iPod by Athena Reich [+ Show ]
  

  She's young. She's adorable. She's queer. She's Jewish. She's Canadian. What's not to like? Athena R...She's young. She's adorable. She's queer. She's Jewish. She's Canadian. What's not to like? Athena Reich fills the stage with great vocals, catchy pop tunes, easily accessible lyrics and an overall stage presence that makes you feel as though she's reached out and hugged you with her smile, her soul and her wonderful voice. I spotted her first at this cool little cult show in a West Village gay bar. This weekend, this girl will be part of the Girls Rock lineup this Sunday at Webster Hall. Check out this video of her Lesbionic anthem: Love is Love:

• Off the Chain! [+ Show ]
  

  "Sedona did it again with major talent...the only woman out there to do Supertramp's "The Logical So..."Sedona did it again with major talent...the only woman out there to do Supertramp's "The Logical Song" and do it justice...Her voice is reminiscent of a wilder Sarah McLachlan and the vocal highs of Annie Lennox but it was Reich's writing that kept me seated. "Little Girl Dreams" is filled with the odyssey of her life's recent years. The title track tells a story of discovery. It will be felt by many who have been just a little lost at times. As for me and a few others, we laughed about her "My Cat is Magical" and felt a little self-righteous when listening to "Money Whore". Not only does Ms. Reich sing the songs, but she entertains well with comfortable commentary. It enriches her storytelling because Reich doesn't play to the audience, she interacts and invites the audience into her world making the industrial setting of the Oak Creek Brewery work. My favorite? "Love is Love" is off the chain!" -Hollywood Jim reporting from The Sedona Times

• Renowned
  

  Renowned Lady Gaga impersonator Athena Reich

• Practically a lesbian household name [+ Show ]
  

  Athena Reich, who is an indie rock/pop chick and practically a lesbian household name, won the award...Athena Reich, who is an indie rock/pop chick and practically a lesbian household name, won the award for Outstanding Pop Song of The Year for "Love is Love" from her 5th CD, Little Girl Dreams. Reich is a singer/songwriter, actress, TV Host/Personality, and Arts in Autism Educator originally from Toronto currently based in New York City. She wrote the theme song for “Living in Captivity,” a TV pilot accepted into the ITV Festival in LA this summer (animated by Emily Hubley of Hedwig & the Angry Inch). Most recently, Reich appeared in an Advil commercial (singing “Little Girl Dreams’) and on $12 Challenge on the Food Network.

• Athena’s songs take you places only the spirit goes.
  

  Athena’s songs take you places only the spirit goes. She's wonderful. What a joy.

• Her energy and comedic talent is infectious [+ Show ]
  

  To witness the grace and electricity of an Athena Reich show is an experience.. In her shows, Athena...To witness the grace and electricity of an Athena Reich show is an experience.. In her shows, Athena expertly intertwines stand up comedy and storytelling into her energetic performances. IN one show, you'll laugh and cry and, at the end of the night, wish you could take her home with you. Her energy and comedic talent is infectious...

• Refreshing Alternative [+ Show ]
  

  ...contains the kind of densely packed and 3 dimensional lyrical motifs and layers that are not part......contains the kind of densely packed and 3 dimensional lyrical motifs and layers that are not part of any mainstream pop vulture...A Pop Vulture in which even as brilliant an act as Lady Gaga has nothing to say and that nothing is pretty big and very heavy-- all artifice and no art...(Athena's music is) such a refreshing alternative to the solipsistic nihilism that passes for pop song writing...
  
  The topics she waxes eloquently on are multifarious: from the anti-authoritarian bent of What About Love, the excellent cover of Supertramp’s. The Logical Song with its leftist celebratory sangfroid, to the personal angst ridden almost pathetic cri de coeur of 'Money whore's line ‘Flying free across this false democracy’. Athena takes you there and won’t let go till you get the message. She is a thorn in the side of any sedentary ether surrounded by machinery in which as someone once pointed out cogently that this ‘Technology arranges things so that you don’t have to experience anything’.
  
  This Early Dylanesque free verse is achingly married to catchy listener friendly pop musings. As well the production of each number is different from the last—little repetition in the imaginative use of instrumentation and composition is witnessed here.
  
  For this reviewer, Athena was wise to leave the ‘farm’ and she should stay in OZ and keep writing and singing. It can only get better.
  
  Two thumbs up for this CD.
  

• Laughing hysterically at her banter [+ Show ]
  

  If she doesn’t have you laughing hysterically at her banter, you’ll be sobbing into your sour-apple ...If she doesn’t have you laughing hysterically at her banter, you’ll be sobbing into your sour-apple martini with her brutally honest lyrics and a voice to die for.

• A hefty amount of press and loyal fans [+ Show ]
  

  She has meshed comedy, classical piano, guitar, TV and film appearances with theater and original so...She has meshed comedy, classical piano, guitar, TV and film appearances with theater and original songs in a career that has generated a hefty amount of press and loyal fans.

• Far exceeded our expectations [+ Show ]
  

  (Athena) far exceeded our expectations as a solo performer... Ms. Reich was able to connect with our...(Athena) far exceeded our expectations as a solo performer... Ms. Reich was able to connect with our audience, which was very diverse as to gender, age and ethnicity... Because of her passionate portrayal through song of her first hand experiences with violence, she expresses honesty and survivorship. As a professional, Ms. Reich is also a pleasure to work with. She is honest, skillful and very cooperative. The Women's Center truly enjoyed her performance and has invited her back...

Setlist

ORIGINAL SET LIST
1. Love is Love
2. Logical Song
3. What About Love?
4. Hey, Little Girl
5. Little Girl Dreams
6. My Cat is Magical
7. White Bandages
8. Back to Canada
9. Bogey Man
10. Trouble
11. The Great Divide
12. Bones
13. Mr. Fly
14. Just Me

30-120 minutes

GAGA SET LIST
1. Bad Romance
2. Telephone
3. Paparazzi
4. The Edge of Glory
5. Born this Way
(More or less depending on gig. Can be 3-9 songs, with or without costume changes and with or without back-up dancers.)

COVER SET
Athena can also perform a full evening's worth of covers, from jazz, to pop, to folk, to cabaret. She has experience with many combinations of players, from solo to quintets. She has entertained festivals, restaurants, outdoor events and more.

Basic Requirements

Calendar