Nadia Kazmi

Artist Information

Biography

April 16, 2010 - Combining the edginess of old school Rock and Roll with the raw power of blues music, Singer/Songwriter Nadia Kazmi is able to span multiple genres. With sharp elements of both Rock and Soul, Kazmi's music ranges from Neil Young to Pj Harvey effortlessly and with her own unique lyrical prowess. Raised in a family full of poets, it's no surprise that her introspective and visceral lyrics are at the forefront of her music. Conscious lyrics and catchy hooks have gained the Canadian born musician recognition in the Brooklyn area where she resides part-time.

Produced in a Los Angeles studio, her debut release "Arrival" was recorded with the help of Josh Valleau and Grammy nominee Alex Elena. Produced by some of the engineers who have worked with artists including Alice Smith, Imani Coppola, and John Legend, the album perfectly melds the poetic voice of Nadia Kazmi. Deriving far from the conventional form of Rock music, this subdued and lyrically sharp Artist is helping to redefine what individuals consider Pop music. Several of her songs have been used in internationally syndicated television shows.

Possessing a comprehensive understanding of how to make music and a love for the vastness of the art, Nadia Kazmi's music is ever-changing and evolving. An eclectic music background has set her apart from conventional Pop/Rock Artists. Showing the ability to fit a mood while having meaningful messages, she offers a refreshing glimpse into what may be the future of Pop. Emotional and honest in it's approach, "Arrival" contains a variety of moods and insights delivered in honest and poignant fashion.

Her second album STRANGE SONG came out in February 2011. Comprised of indie rock interpretations of Leonard Cohen songs, this concept album is unique in it's approach: the songs of Cohen modernized like you've never heard them before. Her 3rd album of all original songs comes out in late 2013.

http://www.nadiakazmi.com

Instrumentation

Nadia on lead vocals with a rotating group of players on bass, keys, drums and guitar. Carl Basler on Guitars, Chris Bonner on Bass, Zachary Eldridge on Drums.

Discography

Arrival (2009) -
Produced by Alex Elena and Josh Valleau

Strange Song: The Songs of Leonard Cohen (2011) - Produced by Uri Djemal and Nadia Kazmi

Singles: Julian, Mother, I'm Your Man, My True Love

Official Website

http://www.nadiakazmi.com

Links

• Facebook
• MySpace
• Twitter
• Official Website

Audio

• Lamb In Wolf's Clothing_NEW DRUM & VOX REF
  Listen  
• I'm Your Man
  Listen  
• Came So Far for Beauty *
  Listen  
• Mother *
  Listen  
• The Blues Always Bleed Red *
  Listen  

Lyrics

• Mother
• The Blues Always Bleed Red
• My People
• ARRIVAL
• Julian

Video

Photo Gallery

Press

• The Edmonton Gateway [+ Show ]
  

  "Nadia has an amazing voice that can hit a low growl or a high girly scream; this lady definitely ha..."Nadia has an amazing voice that can hit a low growl or a high girly scream; this lady definitely has something to say and she'll say it any way she can. Calgary born and raised, Leonard Cohen's influence is clearly present in her music."
  

• Elmira Independent [+ Show ]
  

  "Clean and clear, Kazmi's voice cuts across my heart as I listen to Arrival... Arrival demonstrates ..."Clean and clear, Kazmi's voice cuts across my heart as I listen to Arrival... Arrival demonstrates Kazmi's unique talent to blend rock, jazz and soul with her poetic lyrics... Influences of hers such as Queen and Stevie Wonder trickle through her music. Her vocal talent is impressive."
  

• Blogcritics/ Seattle Post Intelligencer [+ Show ]
  

  "...she also bears out her versatility as a vocalist, affecting both subtlety and raw power with una..."...she also bears out her versatility as a vocalist, affecting both subtlety and raw power with unassuming confidence... With considered, well-crafted lines of imagery and metaphors, Kazmi evokes a rare sense of emotional purpose that makes her music all the more compelling."

• Times & Transcript - Moncton NewBrunswick [+ Show ]
  

  March 16, 2010 Nadia Arrival Singer, songwriter Nadia Kazmi now calls Brooklyn, N.Y. home but s...March 16, 2010
  Nadia
  Arrival
  
  Singer, songwriter Nadia Kazmi now calls Brooklyn, N.Y. home but she was born and raised in Calgary. Her debut album Arrival is a unique blend of genres complimenting her strong vocals. There are elements of rock, pop, jazz, soul and even a bit of funk thrown in to her sound.
  
  Nadia isn't going to blow you away with a sound you've never heard before, but her lyrics have a message and are interesting. While there are elements of other great artists mixed into her sound, she still gives her music a unique spin.
  
  ... there is a lot of promise on this debut and it should only lead to more great music in the future.
  
  Highlights include Mother, Tyranny Of The Heart, and Prophets.
  
  http://timestranscript.canadaeast.com/lifetimes/article/985779

• Cornwall Seaway News [+ Show ]
  

  March 10, 2010 Calgary born, Singer/songwriter, Nadia Kazmi’s recent release “Arrival” includes a...March 10, 2010
  
  Calgary born, Singer/songwriter, Nadia Kazmi’s recent release “Arrival” includes a variety of moods, insightful lyrics, telling stories, and an edge that puts me in mind of a mix between Sam Brown (Stop, 1989) and a more melodic Yoko Ono from Double Fantasy. Track three, Julian, is haunting and very pretty. Kazmi is interesting, new, and certainly different. Visit www.nadiakazmi.com for further info. * * * * *
  -Roxanne Deluge
  
  http://www.cornwallseawaynews.com/Entertainment/2010-03-10/article-936488/Local-talent-making-their-mark/1

• Awaken Music Blog [+ Show ]
  

  Canadian artist, Nadia is doing something very special on her record, Arrival. She's got a soulful b...Canadian artist, Nadia is doing something very special on her record, Arrival. She's got a soulful blend of pop and singer/songwriter that eases the world around you. Songs like Mother, are nicely written, recorded, and produced. It's not a stereotypical track you might expect from a pop-rock female artist. Its part Adelea, part Feist, and part Norah Jones; but unique enough to be its own.
  
  Arrival takes on a neat Motown quality. Simply defined percussion and beats, with a vintage pop vocal sound and backing vocals give the album some real throwback. Tyranny of the Heart then gets raw and more rock. Nadia unleashes her chords in a real and provocative way. Imagine Lenny Kravitz as a woman and you have Nadia on this track!
  
  Nadia has the promise to be another Canadian gold mine.
  
  RATING: 4.5 of 5 stars

• Moose Jaw Times - Saskatchewan [+ Show ]
  

  For this review Nic Frey has listened to Nadia's latest release and given his own take on the sounds...For this review Nic Frey has listened to Nadia's latest release and given his own take on the sounds so I humbly step aside and let the younger opinion shine
  Nadia: Arrival
  Gave this a listen and enjoyed the blues feel the
  Vocalist Nadia Kazmi has a smooth sound that
  is strong and versatile. There is quite an assortment
  of instrumental arrangement, in track 5 Tyranny of the
  Heart there are fast paced riffs and quick drum beats while
  in the following track is more chill and relaxed. The song Mother
  done on this album both in Acoustic and Electric is nice and slow,
  emotion and about feelings of disappointment. Her voice changes to
  fit the mood but continues a full soulful, sweet, and silky sound.
  Her song The Blues Always Bleed Red, the title is telling about the
  lyrical content but gives the blues a visual interpretation. A good
  listener if you're in the mood for light blues, and those slower tracks
  strike me as city summer driving tunes. So take listen.
  NiC

• Music Spotlight and Interview [+ Show ]
  

  Nadia Kazmi is bringing something refreshing and new to the music industry with her mix of pop, rock...Nadia Kazmi is bringing something refreshing and new to the music industry with her mix of pop, rock and soul. Nadia is also giving her fans some of the most soulful lyrics, great hooks, and interesting sounds that will have them begging for more. In this recent interview with this extremely talented and beautiful Singer/Songwriter, Nadia gives our Webzine the 411 on what she is all about. Enjoy this super ultra cool spotlight.
  http://www.juniorscave.com/NadiaKazmi.html

• Youthink - Western Canada's youth news [+ Show ]
  

  "...showcases her powerful vocals on her debut album Arrival. Nadia sings as if each lyric comes str..."...showcases her powerful vocals on her debut album Arrival. Nadia sings as if each lyric comes straight from her heart. From her melancholic whispers in Julian to frenzied rock temper tantrums in Tyranny of the Heart. 4 out of 5 stars. Tiffany's favorite track: Julian"
  

• You Sing I Write - New York, NY [+ Show ]
  

  Nadia Kazmi’s debut release, Arrival, combines a unique blend of rock and soul with recognizable inf...Nadia Kazmi’s debut release, Arrival, combines a unique blend of rock and soul with recognizable influences from many of music’s biggest icons. With poetic lyrics and strong vocals, Kazmi brings an eclectic flavor to her 10-track album. Encompassing many genres of music, Arrival, is just a hint of what’s to come for this singer-songwriter.
  “Volcanoes,” draws the listener in right away with Kazmi ‘s powerful and jazzy vocals. The album starts forcefully : “I am a singer who cannot sing/A music maker but I don’t play a thing/Soul of my soul plays a game/I cannot win/This world’s treachery against me/Must be some kind of sin/Why open the door and/Not let me in,” she sings. The listener easily feels her passion and struggle accompanying the song through the musical buildup and moving lyrics. “Given the gift to speak, get close but never reach my peak,” Kazmi sings. An appropriate end to the song, much of the album deals with similar issues and frustrations – a woman’s quest to find meaning in this life.
  
  Another emotional track, “Mother” tells the tale of a sister who kills her brother in his sleep. The woman in the song asks for forgiveness as she has evidently become her mother’s enemy after such a tragic event. Never failing with her unique storylines, Kazmi leaves the listener questioning what is to come next. Songs like “Mother” have a classic, ageless feel, almost as if they belong in another era.
  
  Piano-based track, “Julian” is slower than previous tracks. Throughout Kazmi’s higher vocals the emotion is easily portrayed in a tale that involves reminiscing of a love that no longer exists. “Julian/This melody reminds me of you/Julian/How unfair, how unfair,” she sings. One can only wonder what may have happened.
  
  “Arrival” recalls Queen and at times, Alicia Keys with Kazmi’s powerful vocals while tracks like “Tyranny of the Heart” introduces a different sound. With a slightly 70s styled beat, the song surprisingly resembles more of a club hit than previous ballads.
  
  While Kazmi’s vocal ability is undeniable, the album lacks a cohesive flow jumping from soulful numbers to jazz tunes to club beats. One track especially, “Martians” has little to offer listeners. At times soporific with light guitar strumming and soft vocals, this song does nothing to flatter Kazmi. Her voice is powerful and comes across best when belting lyrics with feeling and the appropriate flattering music.
  
  Despite the lack of symmetry throughout Arrival, most of the album is an appropriate testament to Kazmi’s talent. One example is “Prophets,” an edgier, stand-out track. With catchy percussion beats and Kazmi’s soulful singing (almost chanting style at times), the song hints at Kazmi’s talent and what is to come from this debut album.
  
  Annie Reuter
  
  

Setlist

The Blues Always Bleed Red (Original), Mother (Original), Arrival (Original), When Doves Cry (Patti Smith version), Julian (Original), Tyranny of the Heart (Original), My People (Original), Instant Karma (J. Lennon)

Basic Requirements

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