Charlene Lite
New York City, New York, United States | SELF
Music
Press
“She has a voice as rich as honey with enough soulfulness to embarrass someone like Joss Stone. She is unique, powerful and as soulful as they come.” - garageband.com
"From LA based singer/songwriter Charlene Lite, comes the title track and single from "Grown," her LP. This single captures the warmth, emotion, and dynamics of her vocal range in a story about growth that could be interpreted in the context of many different types of relationships (male/female or father/daughter). This is the type of song that Charlene excels at - one with enough profoundness to sink her heart and voice into. Radio programmers and music supervisors should take notice and make use of this gripping ballad." - http://www.musesmuse.com/mrev-charlenelite-grown.html
"Singer/songwriter that brilliantly meshes pop/rock accessibility with soulful authenticity. Talented, creatively driven and emotionally reflective, led by dazzling, yet poignant vocals.” - kingsofar.com
“Her presence was as powerful as her music. Being a drop dead looker in her case, may sometimes invite prejudgments, however, musically, she didn't disappoint. Her voice was a powerful one as she delivered her songs with an almost fury and rage, but yet done in sweetness and kindness. The bonus was her humor and ability to connect with an audience in between songs that made it a well rounded performance. (She definitely knew how to handle and defuse a drunken heckler). Yeah, no flaws. I tried to find them. I want to say her humor was offbeat, maybe it was, but in a good way. Her exit was even offbeat. She finished her performance, packed up her stuff, and left. Yes, just left as in waltzed out the door never to return. Yea, that's the ticket, leave the audience wondering and wanting more!" - Larry Ravenswood
Discography
"Grown" - LP - Itunes, Rhapsody. CDbaby, Amazon
Photos
Bio
Charlene Lite believes in working hard. Born and raised in Southern California, she was hooked on becoming a performer after watching the movie, Grease. Although she was known in her family as the "shy" one, Charlene found comfort in singing and performing, and knew it was a path worthy of exploring.
Growing up in a working class family, music and the arts were not highly encouraged. "Singing was always a secret passion that I knew one day I'd pursue wholeheartedly." By sixteen, at her own will, Charlene began taking singing lessons. She studied with Michael Goodrich, a Seth Riggs associate who was one of the first people to believe in her talent. At his recommendation, she applied and was accepted to the California Institute of the Arts program at Cal Arts University in Valencia, California.
After graduating from the University of California, San Diego with a Bachelors Degree in Communications, she decided to pursue music more seriously. "I was always told I had all this potential, but the minute I got up in front of someone, I'd choke." She began breaking through her fears by taking weekly performance workshops from Musicians Institute Department Head, Mike Campbell. Through his encouragement, she started taking piano lessons to learn how to write her own music. From there, she started performing at Open Mics around Los Angeles, had completed her first three-song demo and found herself performing regularly at various venues around L.A. including Highland Grounds, Genghis Cohen, Tempest, Knitting Factory, Viper Room, Key Club, The Rainbow Room and Lava Lounge.
In 2002, she picked up the guitar for the first time and taught herself how to play. In January of 2003, she took a trip to the Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah and sang and played guitar on a street corner while handing out CDs.
In 2005, she packed up, quit her “day job” and moved to New York City to pursue music full-time. She released her first full-length album, Grown in 2008 and continues to perform regularly at venues all over the city.
It was clear from the beginning; Charlene has always followed her instincts. She sings with passion and through her songs, tells stories about self-discovery, independence, hope, love and disappointment. She is a hybrid of vulnerability and fierceness, sincerity and sensuality. Her style ranges from sweet to sexy to angry to silly, but she is always honest and her songs always reflect what's in her heart.
Band Members
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