Mary Lemanski

Artist Information

Biography

Mary Lemanski started her professional music career at age 11, playing pipe organ. For the past 13 years, Mary has released her original music as MP3s on the Internet. In 2004, she placed runner-up in the Song of the Year Contest, had a Top 10 Hit on Broadjam.com's New Wave charts, and performed at the One World Festival in St. Cloud, MN. In 2005, she was showcased at Earth Mother Mind Jam in Tempe, AZ, the Putt Putt Pub Crawl in St. Louis, MO, and the Millennium Music Conference in Harrisburg, PA. In May 2006, Mary won honorable mention in the R&B/Hip-Hop category of the Song of the Year Contest. In 2010, Mary Lemanski released her first full-length CD, "Eclectic." Since releasing "Eclectic," Mary has performed at Six Flags Great America and was a Semi-Finalist in the 2011 Song of the Year songwriting contest. She was also a Regional Winner in Flavorpill's A Band Apart competition and was featured on the Chicago Regional Winners mixtape. In 2012, Mary released, "Speechless," an album of instrumentals in various genres.

Mary earned a Music/Business Administration degree from Millikin University, a certification in audio engineering from the Conservatory of Recording Arts & Sciences, and an MBA in e-Business from the University of Phoenix. She is the Chicago coordinator for Songsalive!, an international songwriting organization. Mary has worked widely in the music industry, including Epitaph Records, BMG Entertainment, Clear Channel Radio, Razormaid.com, and Rhino Staging. Mary has done songwriting, marketing, and image consultation for many record labels and individual artists. She wrote columns for GoGirlsMusic.com and LooseyLucy's Headquarters and opened for Marky Ramone & the Speed Kings, D.I., and Val Emmich. Mary currently teaches piano and performs classical and pop. Her other interests include spending time with her son, acting, dance, writing, and reading.

Instrumentation

Mary Lemanski - vocals, keyboard, and drum machine/synth programming

Discography

1999 - "Six Songs Just For You" EP/demo (Painted Girl Records)

2000 - "Open Dress Rehearsal" EP/demo (Painted Girl Records)

2002 - "Mary Lemanski & The Addicktives: Live at the Phoenix Hard Rock Cafe" EP/demo (Painted Girl Records)

2003 - "Hello Out There" featured on "Kid Antrim Music Compilation CD 2003" and on "Black & Red Records Ska/Punk Compilation"

2004 - "Mary Lemanski" EP/demo (Painted Girl Records)

2005 - "Mary Lemanski: Live at the Millennium Music Conference 2005" EP/demo (Painted Girl Records)

2007 - "Last, But Not Least" EP/demo (Painted Girl Records)

2010 - "Eclectic" CD (Painted Girl Records)

2012 - "Speechless" LP (Painted Girl Records)

Links

• Facebook
• Last.fm
• MySpace
• Twitter

Audio

• Lullaby
  Listen  
• Life Goes On
  Listen  
• I Don't Want
  Listen  
• A Better Place
  Listen  
• Fly Away
  Listen  
• Man of My Dreams
  Listen  
• Whatcha Doing
  Listen  
• Sunshine Yellow with a Touch of Blue
  Listen  
• Anyway
  Listen  
• Gone
  Listen  
• Groove Me
  Listen  
• Leave Me Out of It
  Listen  
• Deep Sleep
  Listen  
• Passage
  Listen  

Lyrics

• Lullaby
• Life Goes On
• A Better Place
• Fly Away
• Man of My Dreams
• Whatcha Doing
• Sunshine Yellow with a Touch of Blue
• Anyway
• Gone
• Groove Me

Video

Whatcha Doing - Mary Lemanski

Lullaby (Live) - Mary Lemanski

Photo Gallery

Press

• Review of CD, "Eclectic," by RockinMoms.com [+ Show ]
  

  ...While a term this reviewer had never before come across, ‘swirled pop’ is an apt description for ......While a term this reviewer had never before come across, ‘swirled pop’ is an apt description for the music, as she’s applied her chops to New Wave, Hip-Hop, Blues, Pop and Classical music in the past and Eclectic’s 10 originals are, true to its title, equally wide ranging...in “Man of My Dreams” and a “Song for Aiden” her singing calls to mind the bruised hopefulness of “Whitechocolatespaceegg” era Liz Phair. Lemanski’s earnest but world wise lyrics are also somewhat Phair-esqe, as they take on the often-thorny particulars of contemporary relationship without necessary providing easy answers.
  
  Ultimately, its Lemanski’s willingness to stretch both her vocal and range of genre and mood to fit the song, which makes Eclectic an interesting listen. “Such a Mess” calls to mind a track for a musical such as “Rent,” while the punk pop of “Leave Me Out of It” owes a nod to “Blondie.”
  
  Review by Deborah Crooks for Rockin' Moms (www.rockinmoms.com)

• Interview with The Mic Online Magazine - KJAG Radio [+ Show ]
  

  March 24, 2005 The Mic: What got this band together and started in this business? Mary Leman...March 24, 2005
  
  The Mic: What got this band together and started in this business?
  
  Mary Lemanski: I started playing piano when I was 5 and singing even before that. For awhile I went through a love/hate relationship with music because I was always good at it when I was younger, but it wasn't fun because it was a job. My parents and music teachers were overbearing at times. I was also a church organist throughout high school and part of college. When I was about 11 or 12, I got sick of playing other people's music and started writing my own. I've always played music so it was only natural that I get involved in it as a career.
  
  
  The Mic:Who writes and produces all the material for the band?
  
  Mary Lemanski: Me...Mary Lemanski...I do everything!
  
  
  The Mic:The band played in front of or with any acts our readers would know from the Mainstream?
  
  Mary Lemanski: When I had my punk band, Mary Lemanski & the Arrangements, I opened for Marky Ramone & the Speed
  Kings and D.I. As a solo artist, I've opened for Val Emmich.
  
  
  The Mic:Where can people access your music on the web?
  
  Mary Lemanski: Visit www.marylemanski.com. There is a link, "Music," that has a listing of everywhere that you can find my music on the Internet.
  
  
  The Mic:Any embarrassing moments on stage?
  
  Mary Lemanski: One time I went to the ladies room right before I went on stage, and when I was zipping up my jeans the zipper broke. I just pulled my shirt down and played my set with my fly wide open.
  
  
  The Mic:Any good stories you want to tell us?
  
  Mary Lemanski: Last year, I played an unofficial showcase at SXSW for GoGirlsMusic.com. I had a couple friends go with
  me on the trip to Austin. One of the friends was wanting to haul some cattle to sell. So...we hooked the trailer of cows up to my Durango and made our way to Texas from Arizona. I was not driving because I'm small, and they didn't know if I could handle the weight of the trailer. We were a funny sight. A Durango with an AZPunk.com sticker on the back, hauling cattle, and blaring Ice Cube. To make a long story short, somehow it took us eight hours longer to get to Austin than it should have. I think we were going the wrong direction for four hours. I made it there 15 minutes before I was supposed to go on. Talk
  about being stressed out!
  
  
  The Mic:Who is the bands musical influence?
  
  Mary Lemanski: I listen to all types of music, which is why I am comfortable writing in different genres and even mixing genres. Overall, I think my piano playing is influenced more by guitar players, like Jimi Hendrix, than pianists...especially my solos...but I do hear influences like Tori Amos and Billy Joel. As far as singing, my parents are older than most kids of my
  generation so I grew up listening to people like Doris Day, Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday, and Judy Garland. I can hear their influence on my singing as well as more contemporary singers like Kate Bush and Alanis Morrissette.
  
  
  The Mic:How did the band get together?
  
  Mary Lemanski: As of right now, I am a solo artist. I perform with a keyboard and drum machine/sequencer, into which
  I have programmed beats.
  
  
  The Mic:What is your musical background like?
  
  Mary Lemanski: I began taking piano lessons when I was 5, but my parents tell stories of how I used to walk around the
  house singing "You Light Up My Life" at the top of my lungs. Through grade school and high school, I was kind of pushed into music...although I enjoyed it. I just felt a lot of pressure. I entered college as a Music Performance major, but decided that I could perform without a degree, and I changed my major to Music/Business Administration. I also studied Musical
  Composition. I've been performing original material as a singer/songwriter/pianist for 8 years now.
  
  
  The Mic:Any other members in your family that are musicians?
  
  Mary Lemanski: My grandfather used to host and perform in a minstrel show called the Sunshine Minstrels in
  Springfield, Illinois. He died in 1969...six years before I was born. My father plays piano. In fact, he taught me my first piano piece, "Chopsticks." He always used to play piano, and I'd sing showtunes.
  
  
  The Mic:What is the TOP reason why you want to play music?
  
  Mary Lemanski: I honestly don't know what I would do if I did not play music. I feel like I have something to share with the world, and I share it best through music. Music can transcend all boundaries and move mountains. One day there will be a song that unites the whole world, and I want to be the one to write it.

• Mary Lemanski Runner-Up in VH1's Song of the Year Contest [+ Show ]
  

  Tempe, Arizona resident, Mary Lemanski recently received the honor of being named Runner-Up by the...Tempe, Arizona resident, Mary Lemanski recently received the honor
  of being named Runner-Up by the Song of the Year
  (http://www.songoftheyear.com/) songwriting contest. Song of the
  Year is an international songwriting contest supporting VH-1's Save
  the Music Foundation. The Song of the Year judges are some of the
  biggest names in music including many Grammy Award winners.
  
  Song of the Year is excited to recognize Mary Lemanski for her
  exceptional songwriting ability for the song, "Fly Away." Ms.
  Lemanski competed against songwriters from all over the world for
  this honor.
  

• VH1 Song of the Year Contest: Critique of "Groove Me" from Mary Lemanski EP/Demo [+ Show ]
  

  VH1 Song of the Year Contest: Critique of "Groove Me" from Mary Lemanski EP/Demo You have s...VH1 Song of the Year Contest: Critique of "Groove Me" from Mary Lemanski EP/Demo
  
  You have some very creative and catchy lyrics with good word usage. The organization of your lyrics has a good natural rhythm. Good work...The melodies are clean and have a nice feel, a sense of attitude. Good composing!
  
  

• Austin Translation: A Phoenix Passport to South By Southwest [+ Show ]
  

  Phoenix New Times: March 25-31, 2004 "Austin Translation: A Phoenix Passport to South By Southwes...Phoenix New Times: March 25-31, 2004
  
  "Austin Translation: A Phoenix Passport to South By Southwest" by Michele Laudig
  
  Her songs are vaguely bluesy and her voice is deceptively sweet, with a hint of naughtiness during the choruses.
  
  

• Review from IUMA.com Website [+ Show ]
  

  There is no pianist like Mary! She is ONE OF A KIND! Brilliant display of emotion like none other!!!...There is no pianist like Mary! She is ONE OF A KIND! Brilliant display of emotion like none other!!!
  
  -Kevin M. Thomas

• Songsalive! Showcase Review [+ Show ]
  

  ...Mary Lemanski ended with a full-band set of funky-folk, which was a lot of fun, and brought a end......Mary Lemanski ended with a full-band set of funky-folk, which was a lot of fun, and brought a end to this very diverse and well-put together Showcase, which impressed the songwriters and the audience alike.

• "Six Songs Just For You" Demo/EP Review
  

  …I see a bit of Fiona Apple or Tori Amos fame in her future.

• "Open Dress Rehearsal" Demo/EP Review [+ Show ]
  

  "Make It Go Away" by Mary Lemanski: This wistful song by Mary Lemanski has a lovely melody and bea..."Make It Go Away" by Mary Lemanski: This wistful song by Mary Lemanski has a lovely melody and beautiful arpeggiated minor modal piano accompaniment. It is similar to early Tori Amos songs, back when Amos was a stronger melodist. It is a song about the revulsion that the modern world can invoke in people, and features intelligent lyrics...Mary, age 25, comes from a strict religious background, like Tori Amos, and I think you can hear it in her music that she is not jaded and sick of the world. I usually don't say this sort of thing, but since it will drive more visitors to her page, Mary is just as cute as a button.

• Review on Listen.com [+ Show ]
  

  Angelic-voiced pianist plays stark, melancholic arias that are as scary as they are pretty. The soun...Angelic-voiced pianist plays stark, melancholic arias that are as scary as they are pretty. The sound of loneliness.

Setlist

Set length: 1 song to 2 hours

Typical Set List for 1-Hour Set of Originals:
1. A Better Place
2. Fly Away
3. Groove Me
4. Sexy Thing
5. Man of My Dreams
6. Slipping Through the Cracks
7. Impromptu
8. Life Goes On
9. Anyway
10. Lullaby
11. Such a Mess
12. I Don't Want

Basic Requirements

Calendar