Artist InformationBiography
Power! Range! Versatility!
The Voice of
CLARISSA
Singer / Songwriter
Indie ~ Alterna ~ Rock ~ Pop ~ Folk
BIO
Clarissa Campbell began singing as a child everything from gospel to country to blues to rock ‘n roll. She’s a POWER singer! Her voice is unique, distinctive, versatile. And although she is technically a Mezzo Soprano (aka Dramatic Soprano), the voice packs an over three-octave range. Power, Range and Versatility are the words that best embrace her voice. She is originally from Knoxville, TN, grew up in VA and now resides in Baltimore, MD. Clarissa still studies voice and piano from various independent instructors from the Peabody Conservatory of Music in Baltimore. Additional background includes 10 years of classical training in jazz and modern dance and choreography, five years of ballet and three years of professional modeling in New York and Baltimore. She continues to study dance privately.
Her live touring experience is vast and includes shows, festivals and events in Baltimore and up and down the East Coast. Plans are to widen the touring scope and to continue integrating classical instruments into the live rock band's performances. Clarissa states that she has always been drawn to the sound of mixing it up with classical and rock instrumentation. Her music’s core genre is Rock ‘n Roll. But some of her songs have crossed over into other categories such as Pop, Folk and Alternative, obvious and further evidence of the Singer / Songwriter's versatility. Music Monthly Magazine said, "...and the singer seems quite at home mixing it up with the louder stuff. Whether it’s the balladry of “Crimes” or the sonic sting of the aforementioned “Fall From Grace”, on "Free To Be", CLARISSA seems to be at home in any musical setting.”
The Singer has many awards and accreditations to her name including awards from VH1, Billboard Magazine, Song Prize, WOMDA, SPA Records and Music Monthly Magazine.
The Passion of Singing!
Clarissa is a natural born live performer, whose voice is frequently described as “haunting” and “unique”. Her high-energy shows are a spontaneous blend of her dance background, clear and powerful vocals and a sincere, emotional delivery of the message that is being conveyed through her lyrics. These are the reasons that her second album was recorded live. Music Monthly Magazine wrote, "...The lyrics are raw, kind of edgy, and so is her voice. It’s freaky how her voice and the music go together--it’s like they become one. Very interesting record, "Free To Be" is. If you like women who rock, and CLARISSA does, thought provoking lyrics, and pounding rhythms, you should check out CLARISSA." CD Street said, “CLARISSA Rocks! This band fronted by Clarissa Campbell has a rockin' groove, tight and edgy... Clarissa has a unique voice and combined with her band, they ROCK!" Clarissa’s live performance is frequently compared to Gwen Stefani’s of No Doubt by those in the know.
Her voice is sometimes described as a cross between Debra Harry of Blondie, Melissa Etheridge and a female version of Kevin Martin of Candlebox. When asked what drives her to continue performing, writing and recording, her response is a matter of fact, “I can’t NOT do it. Music is not a choice for me, the drive for it is unrelenting.” She is the Co-Songwriter for both albums and is currently responsible for all of the band’s bookings, it’s management and promotional efforts. She Co-Produced “Free To Be” with former guitarist and songwriting partner, Mike Berger, and she Produced the “CLARISSA Live!” album.
The third album is expected to be released sometime in 2008.
The Band
A Time Line
CLARISSA is a four member original rock band based out of Baltimore, MD. Clarissa Campbell, lead singer/songwriter, and Mike Berger, guitarist/songwriter originally joined forces and established a cover band in early 1999. Their band, Yellow #5, consistently toured the Maryland, Virginia and Washington, D.C. circuit from early 1999 through the Spring of 2001. Clarissa and Mike, although continuing to play cover music in some venues, redirected their focus to concentrate on their original music.
The debut CD, “Free To Be” was released in September 2001. This nine song CD features the collaborative efforts of Clarissa Campbell and Mike Berger. The music of this CD is a diverse blend of the melodic to the somewhat edgy. The overall theme of the music is “change”....... in life, love and the human experience. The lyrical content is honest and direct and the music written for it was designed to keep its integrity and support the message it sends. The overall sound of Clarissa's vocals and Mike's music is unmistakably their signature and therein lies the consistency that ties the entire collection together. 2002 was spent touring the East Coast on “Free To Be”, increasing the music’s exposure and diversifying it’s audience. “Come See About Me”, “Before” and “Free To Be”, the debut CD’s title track, have secured considerable airplay on both regular radio stations and web radio. Local Music Warehouse wrote, "...You must see this band live to fully appreciate their music... Clarissa sings from the heart and it’s apparent in every track on “Free To Be”. As a former Yellow #5 fan “Free To Be” is a must have CD..........”
Again, in late 2002 and 2003, Campbell and Berger wrote and arranged the songs for the about to be released, “CLARISSA Live!” CD, which was recorded “live in front of a studio audience” on January 16, 2004 at NP Productions in Towson, MD. Music Monthly Magazine released in late 2002, “Clarissa is busy working on her next CD.... She’s a very smart lady, with a very good voice. And, she was born to do music, which is what she does. Thank God, if she didn’t what a waste it would be."
“CLARISSA Live!” was released October 2004 and consists of eight new songs and five from the “Free To Be” album. The entire CD features additional classical instrumentation, violin and flute, and some new arrangements on the re-recorded tracks. “CLARISSA Live!” contains the same diversity of “Free To Be”, with increased and intensified emotionalism, beautiful melody and dynamic, yet driving music.
Types Of Shows:
We do it all!!!!
CLARISSA and her band perform both full electric band shows - originals and covers - and acoustic/unplugged (2 - 4 piece) shows depending on the needs of the venue. Shows vary in length between one and four hours. “Free To Be” and "CLARISSA Live!" are both recordings of the full rock band, however a taste of the acoustic style can be heard in such tracks as: “Voice Inside”; “Come See About Me” and “Before”.
The CLARISSA Unplugged Project
Acoustic Trio:
CLARISSA Unplugged is the acoustic side of the music. They play the same original songs found on both Free To Be and CLARISSA Live!, similar cover music, BUT played unplugged and with differing arrangements as a Trio.
SOME PRESS & NEWS:
13th Annual Billboard World Song Contest ~ 2005
announces CLARISSA Honorable Mention in Songwriting excellence for "Away"
"This Honor demonstrates the talent and dedication it takes to write a "Hit Song"
VH1's "Save The Music" Song of the Year ~ International ~ 2005:
Voted CLARISSA "Excellence in Songwriting" Awards within the genre of Rock:
* Runner Up ~ December 2005
* Honorable Mention ~ March 2005
* Finalist (w/in the Top 4) for the Single "Away" ~ January 2005
SongOfTheYear.com/winners/2005/012005.htm
songoftheyear.com/webawards/c/clarissacampbell.htm
The H.M.D. Music Resource Guide:
CLARISSA voted by H.M.D.'s "Best Of 2005"
* No. 1 for "Best Live Album or Track"
* Finalist for "Best Single or Track" for the single "Away"
* No. 1 for "Best Press Kit / EPK"
TheHMD.com
New Artist Radio:
Voted CLARISSA for one of their Best Interviews of 2005 on their "Best of 2005" radio show.
Aired Jan. 2006
NewArtistRadio.com
WOMDA ~ Artist of the Year Nomination
CLARISSA has been nominated as "Artist of the Year" for the International Music Awards "2006"
Music Monthly:
CLARISSA Voted #1 in the Mid-Atlantic Region by Music Monthly's 2004 "Best Of..." Readers' Poll for: Best Instrumental: "Female Vocals" & "Female Front".
INITIATIVES:
* CLARISSA at the Fire and Rescue Workers charity benefit concert on April 16, 2005. This event will be held at the Olde Town Firehouse Cue in Gaithersburg, MD
April 2005 Gaithersburg, MD
* Participant in the 6th Annual Grills & Grapes / Monticello 2004 Charity Event by donating copies of “Free To Be”. The events purpose is to benefit the children of Camp Heartland, a children’s camp for kids impacted with HIV/AIDS. Participation is sponsored by Broadjam.
September 2004 Monticello, Wisconsin
* Performance at Music Monthly’s 20th Anniversary Celebration. All event proceeds go to Music Monthly Magazine to assist in their ongoing efforts to support local music in the Mid-Atlantic Region.
September 2004 Baltimore, MD
* Performance at The Special Olympics Benefit Festival. CLARISSA’s performance and all sales proceeds from the “Free To Be” CDs and t-shirts were donated to The Special Olympics.
July 2004 Staunton, VA
* “Involved Artist” in Radio Devil’s and One World Beat’s “Keep A Child Alive” program of 2004 by donating copies of “Free To Be”. This is an initiative of AAAW (Artists Against AIDS Worldwide). The one week event was broadcasted by Radio Devil.
March 2004 Worldwide
CLARISSA Contact Info:
http://www.clarissamusic.com
http://www.myspace.com/clarissamusic
info@clarissamusic.com
410-935-0364
MP3s and Electronic Press Kits available at
http://www.sonicbids.com/CLARISSA
http://www.clarissamusic.com
http://www.myspace.com/clarissamusic
Instrumentation
Discography
DISCOGRAPHY:
CLARISSA Live!
Released: October 2004
Producer: Clarissa Campbell
Recorded & Engineered: Jason George, N P Live
Mixed: Drew Mazurek, High View Studios
Mastered: Ty Ford
Art Design: Rick Hallquist, Dactyl Media FX & Clarissa
Lyrics & Music: Clarissa Campbell & Mike Berger
Free To Be
Released: September 2001
Producer: Clarissa Campbell & Mike Berger
Recorded & Engineered: Mike Potter, Orion Studios
Mastered: Doug Milton, Cyberella Studios
Art Design: Kevin Hoppe
Lyrics & Music: Clarissa Campbell & Mike Berger
"Away", “Come See About Me”, “Before” and “Free To Be”, the CD’s title track, have secured considerable airplay on both regular radio stations and web radio.
Links
| http://www.clarissamusic.com |