asia mei

Artist Information

Biography

Pianist/singer/songwriter asia (ah-sya) mei puts her own slant on melancholy rock with her classical background, jazzy vocals, introspective lyrics and irresistible choruses, crafting a fresh and distinctive sound.

Mostly working behind the scenes as an arranger, musical director, composer and production assistant, with credits with Bruce Springsteen, Moby and Annie Gallup and a tour with Andrea Boccelli, asia has come back to apply that experience to her own material in the highly anticipated "introverse" released 6.11.11

Introverse is her second release after debut shards (’06) and single big apple tree (’09) and has received overwhelmingly positive reviews for its artistry, originality and soul.

asia mei’s moody piano heavy sound finds its place with the fans of such artists as Muse, Jeff Buckley, Tori Amos, Antony and the Johnsons, Regina Spektor, Radiohead and Coldplay.

asia currently resides in Northampton, MA via New York City, Boston, Israel and Russia.

Instrumentation

Asia Mei - Piano, Vocals

& The Waters:
Guitar, Bass, Drums

Discography

"introverse" - 6.11.11
"big apple tree" (single) - 2009
"shards" - 2006

Links

• Facebook
• MySpace
• Last.fm
• Twitter
• youtube
• blog

Audio

• big apple tree
  Listen  
• a bus to sunshine
  Listen  
• you (wedding song)
  Listen  
• i fall
  Listen  
• maps
  Listen  

Lyrics

• big apple tree
• a bus to sunshine
• you (wedding song)
• i fall
• maps

Video

Photo Gallery

Press

• "introverse" review [+ Show ]
  

  "Singer/songwriter and pianist Asia Mei welcomes you to her "introverse" with a series of mournful j..."Singer/songwriter and pianist Asia Mei welcomes you to her "introverse" with a series of mournful jazz songs... Mei's voice is perfectly suited to the piano music it accompanies. Her voice has the tinkling softness of a music box ("I Fall"), showing greater vocal depth on songs like "Saved" and "Big Apple Tree." The songs on Introverse weave between jazz, rock, classical, and indie styles, but are held together by their common themes of loneliness and social disconnection... Her lyrics are simple and emotive, little verses of poetry set to accompany a beautiful backdrop of piano and string arrangements."

• "Rocking the Yellow Sofa" 2011 [+ Show ]
  

  "Take her signature song, "A Bus to Sunshine," for example, a sultry tango in which she explores the..."Take her signature song, "A Bus to Sunshine," for example, a sultry tango in which she explores the intersection of hope and reality with passages of wordless abandon.... Musically, there's something special about it... There's an energy that evokes reaction from the audience..."

• "big apple tree" review [+ Show ]
  

  "Asia was born in Russia, raised in Israel, and can now call herself a one-time New Yorker too. Whil..."Asia was born in Russia, raised in Israel, and can now call herself a one-time New Yorker too. While traveling and honing her craft, she’s thrown her hand into many phases of music making, from writing, to arranging, to autotune editing for other artists in the studio. The feelings of restlessness and movement comes through in her writing as well, full as it is of shadows and light, and boltered by playing that is the product of formal training at Boston’s Berklee School of Music.... "

• 6.18.11 Philadelphia show review [+ Show ]
  

  "asia mei plays a moody piano offset with her dramatic voice. Her songs are simple and passionate. T..."asia mei plays a moody piano offset with her dramatic voice. Her songs are simple and passionate. The lyrics are tiny vignettes of emotions."

• Peformance Review, 2010 [+ Show ]
  

  "cradling a guitar, she chatted with the audience how she recently moved to the area and usually pla..."cradling a guitar, she chatted with the audience how she recently moved to the area and usually plays piano... mei gave some background about her new in-the-works album "introverse"... "

• Artist Feature and Interview, 2010
  

  Artist feature and interview in a national Hebrew language publication

• Junior's Cave Spotlight and Interview 2010
  

  "amazing singer/songwriter..."

• Asia Mei - May I? 2010 [+ Show ]
  

  "I've listened and I can't get it out of my head. Asia's smooth, beautiful voice will give you goose..."I've listened and I can't get it out of my head. Asia's smooth, beautiful voice will give you goose bumps"

• Eugene Foley review [+ Show ]
  

  I've received many submissions in the genre over the years - but this is among the best. The vocals ...I've received many submissions in the genre over the years - but this is among the best. The vocals and piano chops attack with a passion that is rarely seen. The tone and production and both outstanding as well. A+ across the board.

• Asia Mei spotlight and interview 2007
  

  "Asia Mei is making her presence known in the indie culture..."

• "shards" review, 2006 [+ Show ]
  

  Written, sung, arranged and prodiced by Asia Mei, her first album, "Shards", is a testament to the m...Written, sung, arranged and prodiced by Asia Mei, her first album, "Shards", is a testament to the musical ability and intelligence within Mei...
  jazzy track two, Cruel Little World, a song thatyou want to play over and over again, allowith the bass and piano to sink deep into your bones while having Mei's soothing vocals wrap around you...
  Both track three, The Ocean Sang the Blues, and track ten, Sleeping, are soothing songs... Mei shows her ability to take control of her piano ballads and make them her own. A calm comes over the listener during these two tracks, like that easy feeling you get when you hear a lullaby...
  "Shards" is a testament to the power of Mei to control her music and show her kaleidaskopic musical ability."

Setlist

asia mostly performs sets either solo with her piano or as a duo with fellow guitarist/singer/songwriter Andres Wilson.
Together they share their originals, and cover unexpected gems.
The sets are either acoustic or semi-electric, and range from introspective to intense to head-banging, depending on venue and mood.

On special occasions asia assembles her rock band for an energetic, dynamic and edgy rendition.

Basic Requirements

Calendar