Carly Tefft

The Boston Globe called 19-year-old Sandwich singer-songwriter Tefft “a phenomenon on Cape Cod.” Now studying music at Boston’s distinguished Berklee College of Music, Tefft wrote her first song when she was seven, a ballad about Santa Claus, and performed at Coffee Obsession in Falmouth at 15. She has a new album out in the spring. - Cape Cod Magazine

Emerging Boston based singer songwriter Carly Tefft has released her stunning debut album, Tell It All. The effort is an inventive and melodic mixture of bombastic acoustic rock mixed in with a strong lyrical rmindset that makes it hard to ignore and one that definitely stands among the crop of other albums released within the respective genre.

We start things off with my favorite song off the disc, "Sincere Soul". The song is the perfect introduction to Carly's incredible vocal abilities which help amp up the instrumentation and allow it to coast along at a comfortable pace that gives the audience the ability to explore the confines of the song and pick up on different parts of the song they admire individually, a truly unique and breathtaking track. "Effortlessly" winds it down a couple of notches with a piano based melodic interlude providing the backdrop for a eloquently and well displayed track that perfectly accentuates Carly's smooth and introspective vocals, and also allows you to see the diverse amount of songs available in her arsenal. "Would You Like To Know" is an extremely well written and musically deep track that ventures even further inside Carly's musical persona, and understand where she is coming from lyrically and how the words are formed to tell a story that some members of the listening audience can relate to. "Shades" is a musically advanced track that sees Carly's voice weaving in and out through the rich, musical texture of the song and gives the track more clout and added dexterity that bodes well for the rest of the album to follow.

The second half of the disc gets underway with the title track, a rapturing and gripping tune that takes it to a whole another level with soft, gentle acoustic guitar melodies weeping through the drifts of the song like a gentle, ocean breeze and gives the listener another facet of Carly that we're slowly starting to unravel with each song that passes by. We get ready to close out the disc with "Honest Sunrise", an upbeat and riveting tune that slowly starts to bring things together with brilliant instrumentation from everyone involved that showcases everyone's musical strengths and how well they communicate and are on the same page musically as well. "Taxicab" ends it all here with a blasting, hard rock edged tune that shows a sassy and rebellious side of Carly that we have yet to see on this album, and is a great way to close out one of the more musically diverse and adventurous albums that I've listened to in quite some time and ends it all here in bold fashion. I checked out Carly in concert a couple of months ago at Cafe 939 on Boylston St., and I was quite impressed with her stage presence and her ability to communicate eloquently with her audience, and allow them to be a part of the act and learn more about how these songs get created and what inspires her each day to write music. A truly unique and gifted songwriter that I hold great promise for moving forward.

In conclusion, a terrific and standout debut from Carly Tefft, who has definitely staked her claim among Boston's fast rising crop of singer-songwriters that all offer something different for the masses, but Carly has the charm and sophistication to definitely break on through in a big way moving forward.

Album Score: 4/5

Track Listing:
Sincere Soul
Effortlessly
Would You Like To Know
Shades
Tell It All
Honest Sunrise
Taxicab - MusicBoxPete

-Patrick Rosso

Fox Point at the University of Massachusetts Boston will be alive with sound every Sunday in August as WUMB 91.9 FM and the Berklee College of Music team up for their WUMB and Berklee: Fox Point Music Series.

The free acoustic concerts every Sunday afternoon will feature a number of acts including Adrianne Lenker, whose music was featured on the MTV hit The Hills and Carly Tefft, the 18-year-old singer-songwriter phenomenon from Cape Cod.

The series will be held Aug. 5, 12, 19, and 26 at 2:00 p.m. at 100 Morrissey Blvd. on the Harborwalk adjacent to the JFK Presidential Library and Museum.

The first concert, Aug. 5, will feature the musical duo The Dwells, whose melodic sounds and creative recording techniques have generated both a national and local following.

To find out more about the concerts and the series, which are sponsored by Natixis Global Asset Management, click here.
- Boston.com

Carly Tefft is an 18-year-old singer-songwriter from Cape Cod, Massachusetts with inspirations including the Police, Carol King, Gavin DeGraw Jason Mraz, and Colbie Calliat. Tefft, a Berklee student, puts a contemporary and alternative spin on the singer-songwriter genre.

A guitarist since she was 13, Tefft began writing songs in high school, and at end of her senior year, released her self-produced EP, Carly Tefft, on which she played all of the instruments (drums, bass, guitar, piano, and vocals) on ten originals.

Tefft has performed alongside Canary, Hannah Christianson, Entrain, and Emily Elbert, among others, at locations throughout Massachusetts, including the Cape Cod Melody Tent. She has also performed on several Massachusetts radio stations.

She plans to release a five-song EP, Loud and Clear, in 2012.
- Berklee College of Music

-James Thomas

Savvy observers of Cape Cod’s singer-songwriter scene have been looking forward to this month, when Forestdale native Carly Tefft drops her first first studio EP, Loud and Clear.

One of our finest homegrown talents, 18 year-old Tefft has been a strong presence on the local scene from a young age. Although she can still sing you her first original song (about Santa Claus, when she was seven) her first real gig came at Coffee Obsession in Falmouth when she was only 15, performing a slate of originals for “mostly family and friends.”

A regular on the open mic circuit, the diligent Tefft has since climbed the ladder from popular opening act to respected headliner. Along the way she’s had the opportunity to share a bill with local acts Phone Calls from Home, Beautiful Tuesday, Jackson Wetherbee Band, Paul Goode, and Entrain at venues ranging from the Knights of Columbus to the Melody Tent.

Tefft credits her presence on local radio as a big part of her ascent. She’s presented live, in-studio interview concerts on 92.9 WBOS, 95.9 WATD, and 90.7 WKKL. Songs from her self-produced, self-titled 2010 album also gained regular rotation on 92.7 WMVY.

These days, Tefft has found a home away from home at the Berklee College of Music in Boston.

“Berklee is the right place for what I am trying to do,” she says. “I've never worked so hard in my life and I’m loving every minute of it. The professors and fellow classmates are so driven and inspire me to be a better musician. We are all here for the common goal of music, which really gives a sense of community. I've met and played with some of the best musicians in the world, who I am humbled to call friends.”

It was through a Berklee performance program that she met Elton Charles, a Boston-based producer. He offered to record a few of her demos on campus, but in the process suggested that her songs deserved to be “taken to the next level.”

Tefft launched a campaign through Kickstarter and social media to successfully fund the project. The resulting five-song EP Loud and Clear was recorded at The Record Company in Boston and is scheduled for release in late February.

Feeling the music
The album will include a new recording of Perfect Harmony, the biggest hit from her first album, but the focus is on her emotional experiences transitioning away from home.

“I've written all of the songs throughout this past year, except for Perfect Harmony. I feel these are the songs that best represent who I am as a musician right now, because this past year has helped me mature not only as a musician but as a person,” says Tefft.

Asked how her new environment is affecting her craft, she says, “I try to balance being relatable without being cliché, and being advanced enough musically and harmonically without putting in a lot of crazy chords that don't make sense. I want my music to reach all ages. I want it to be something kids, teens, and adults can enjoy and relate to and most importantly feel something from the music.” - InsideOUT Cape Cod

-Kathleen Szmit

It has been said that music soothes a broken heart. If that’s true, then anyone who’s ever experienced the bittersweet joys and woes of romance will want to get a copy of Loud and Clear, the dynamic debut album of Cape Cod’s own Carly Tefft.
In a powerful voice accompanied by excellent musicianship, Tefft brings to life the challenges of love, adeptly capturing the tangled emotions that come in the wake of a relationship’s end, as well as the unwavering hope of being in the throes of happiness.
The album opens with “Won’t Shed a Tear,” a deliciously scathing homage to a bitter breakup. “You’re a selfish, worthless fool,” Tefft sings to whomever it was who broke her heart, her raw anger fresh and real, and easy to identify with.
From there she moves through “Handle a Hurting Heart,” which explores the struggle often felt as one navigates life post-breakup, occasionally, if not often, wondering if the right decision was made. In this case it was, and Tefft, with a wisdom that belies her youth, urges the person to whom she sings to move on, singing, “You’re way too good for him, honey.”
In the tune “Perfect Harmony,” Tefft offers a soulful melody of longing for a simpler, happier time. Haven’t we all been in this place where we believe that love will make everything better?
The album’s fourth piece, “Jayden,” is both a letter to a friend and a means of remembering his place in her heart. While encouraging him as he makes his way through a new life adventure, Tefft evokes a sense of wistfulness regarding his absence in her life.
One can’t help but wonder while listening to the engaging tune if the singer’s lyrics aren’t meant for her also, especially when she sings, “My friend, you’ll be fine.”
The final song of the album, “Never Say Goodnight,” offers a tribute to love’s highs. “You make me feel like this dream is endless, this night is never gonna stop. You make me wanna never say goodnight,” Tefft sings, evoking the heady rush of new love when the idea of saying goodnight seems utterly ridiculous. Why not just watch the sun come up together?
Unlike many first albums, which can come across sounding as though recorded in a basement with an old tape player, Tefft’s work is exemplary, a seamless and harmonious mix of strong vocals, guitar, bass, drums, piano and percussion, thanks to the obvious skills of Tefft’s ensemble performers, Rick Carrizales, Kyle Billings, Christian Saint-Louis, Ben Marino, Moez Dawad and Elton Charles.
The result is magnificent, an album that could easily hold its own against the likes of Gwen Stefani, Hayley Williams, Sara Bareilles and, yes, Taylor Swift. Any one of Tefft’s masterful works could go up against these Top 40 icons and garner serious attention. Oh, did I mention that Tefft also wrote each piece?
It is easy to imagine the songs from Tefft’s album floating across the airwaves of not just Cape radio stations, but stations across the country as well. Loud and Clear should find its place among the “best new artist” racks, and to your ears, and soon. - The Barnstable Patriot