"Emiko" and "Andrew Kurtz" Tour 2006-2007
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"Emiko" and "Andrew Kurtz" Tour 2006-2007

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The best kept secret in music

Press


"Songwriters Hall of Fame"

“i’ve showcased literally hundreds of artists for the songwriters hall of fame new writers program over the past 13 years...they say no one’s perfect. well, i disagree...emiko’s perfect!” - Bob Leone, National Projects Director


"MTV"

quot;I got sucked in! Emiko totally sucks you in! Incredible live!" - Lisa Farsadi


"Washington Post"

"Cathartic and catchy...RAW ROCK!!!" - Mark Jenkins/Eric Brace


"FM Sound Magazine"

Emiko has a funky, fresh sound that combines sensitive, interesting lyrics with cultivated musical skill and strong energy. Her songs are honest and interesting while remaining catchy and accessible.

Emiko’s rare blend of talent and fresh creativity has its origins in a strong musical background. She was considered a musical child prodigy, and was performing classical music by age six. She released her first album at age sixteen in 1997, and her latest album, Here Lies Tinkerbell, was released by OA Entertainment in 2001. Among her long list of accomplishments, Emiko´s song

”Brand New Man” was incuded in the Songwriters’ Hall of Fame compilation CD, and the artist was named number 7 of Radio Crystal Blue’s Top 25 Artists of Spring 2003.



My favorite song on the album is “The Tongue,” which is about the complicated meaning of a kiss. The melody is haunting, deepening the emotional dimensions of the simple and poignant lyrics. The clean piano-vocal combination leaves room for the emotion that the song has to offer.



The lyrics of “Emergency Man” are the words of a girl keeping her distance in order to protect herself from another run-around: “Don’t taste me then decide that you don´t like it...Don´t make me love you and then break me in half.” “Temper¨”is a narrative of a power struggle where anger takes the forefront, hearkening back to the storytelling of Alanis Morisette. The chorus lifts each verse into the next, making a song about a difficult situation feel more hopeful and forward-moving.



The lyrics of “Speak” are simple and poignant: “Speak and I will listen, touch me and I will feel.” The song combines a straightforward vocal melody with piano, guitar, drums, and layered vocals to produce a fuller sound than some of her other tracks. The piano comes in over the other instruments to build tension and feeling.


Emiko’s songs are catchy and memorable without sacrificing content. The choruses always add emotion and movement, making the different elements of each song come together in an interesting and enjoyable way. Emiko has a fresh, energetic musical talent, and her honest, creative lyrics combined with superior skills make her a diamond in the dust of female pop/rock. Here Lies Tinkerbell is an excellent album that is sure to bring this artist closer to her dreams. - Kim Chase


"Soul Tree Records"

“when I came across [her], I was blown away. [Emiko’s] music is awesome!! Both the content and quality are superb!!!”
- Eddie Territo, President


"A fantastic journey of infinite sonic adventures and emotional explosions"

Emiko is a young Japanese-American songwriter who gives "rock and roll" a fresh, new meaning. She entices the listener with her viceral piano playing, bright harmonies, and "naughty-girl" lyrics (not to mention all that leather!) while leading them through a fantastic journey of infinite sonic adventures and emotional explosions. Currently promoting her newest record, "Here Lies Tinkerbell" Emiko encourages you to "clap your hands if you believe!" - Dot-Bands.com (UK #1 Unsigned Artist Site)


"UK Review"

"Peter Pan's addicted to LSD," declares Emiko on "Stuck in Neverland". Well how else do explain a liking for green tights and pixie boots? But it's boy trouble of all kinds that features big on most of 'Here Lies Tinkerbell'. Indecisive boys on "Emergency Man", stroppy boys on "Temper", noncommittal boys on "The Tongue" and Napoleon Bonaparte on "Mal Maison".

But there's no twee Britney-style "Does he really like me?" musings here; this is raw, articulate, confessional stuff. "You seriously expect me to relax if you're holding back so much?" Emiko asks on "Lay". The lyrics are direct and evocative in a way that Alanis Morissette seems to have forgotten about.

Intense as it is, 'Here Lies Tinkerbell' opens its heart against a rich and varied musical background. There's the spiky blues of "Emergency Man", the haunting slow-grind of "Speak" and the simple piano-led "Heroine". "Lay" gives us meandering Marlene Deitrich cool before exploding into a killer chorus, while Emiko even finds time to bring the funk on "Knitting Factory". But I suppose if you've been playing music since the age of two and a half, you're bound to put on a pretty good spread.

There's even a little sampled porn on the closing "Brand New Man". But it's this track's subtle storytelling that stands out. A man tries to eradicate every trace of the woman he shouldn't have let get away: "You see your mother every weekend, because it's better than being alone." Peter Pan may be whacked up on glow sticks, but this is where we meet the new Lost Boy. And it's typical of the album; arena-sized tunes have never felt so up-close and personal.
- Overplay


"Emiko Rocks College Campuses!!!"

My students really enjoyed your show. I have been doing student activities at UMM for 27 years and last Friday night was the first time my audience asked for an encore. Best wishes to you and your band members. It was a pleasure to work with you!


Peder K. Moe
Coordinator of Student Activities
University of Maine at Machias - University of Maine/Machias


"Sensation, deep and Penetrating"

Emiko is a young Japanese-American songwriter who gives "rock and roll" a fresh, new meaning.

Her unique type of rock music embraces and mesmerizes you, totally involves you and leaves you a slave forever. The music is sensational and the text of her songs deep and penetrating.

- Black Cat Media


Discography

EMIKO*

"Becoming Marina" (OA Ent. 2005)
"From There to Here" (OA Ent. 2004)
"Here Lies Tinkerbell" (OA Ent. 2001)
"Live at the Triad" (OA Ent. 2000)
"Scene of the Crime" (OA Ent. 1999)
"Songwriters Hall of Fame Best New Artist Showcase Compilation- Vol. 1" (SHOF 2003)
Overplay UK Rock and Pop Volume 1 (Overplay UK 2003)
BandTattoo Compilation Vol. 2 (BandTattoo 2003)
Indiegrrlpalooza 2004 Compilation CD (Indiegrrl 2004)

ANDREW KURTZ*

2006 - Evening Song

Photos

Feeling a bit camera shy

Bio

EMIKO*

"A wild, interactive, and honest experience. Hyper and in-your-face as much as she is understated and haunting, Emiko's sound is big enough to fill an arena even when she is just whispering in your ear." --CDbaby.com

She’s Japanese. She’s American. She’s Unique. She’s Emiko!

A rare breed of rock n’roll of the biggest kind and sensitive,
introspective songwriter, Emiko breaks new ground as a female frontperson, who not only sings, but plays keys, takes her own solos, and is unafraid to say what others only dare to think. After rising to #1 on the Overplay UK Pop/Rock charts and staying there for a record setting 17 weeks, Emiko was nominated for a 2004 Brit Award in the Unsigned Rock category. Here in the US, she was voted Best New York City Rock Band of 2002-2003 by RadioCrystalBlue and nominated for the New Century Music Award, Best Female Rock Performer of 2002. Emiko is a three time veteran performer in the Songwriters' Hall of Fame showcases was featured on their “Best of the Songwriters Hall of Fame New Writers Showcase” CD compilation (Volume 1)in April 2003. She appeared in Billboard Magazine, and was named New Century Productions # 7 artist of 2002 overall after reigning as the Number 1 artist of November 2002. In December 2005, Emiko continued her U.K. rule, by wining the Rock division, and coming in fourth overall, of Overplay UK’s Rate & Play competition. This latest accomplishment has European media all a buzz, with Germany’s DTV station working to set up an interview on Emiko fast! A banner year it was for Emiko in 2005, with her ASCAP Plus Award, her Sam Ash Endorsement, and artist sponsorship interest by Yamaha. Legendary guitarist Steve Lukather has agreed to play on her next album, which is in the works (maybe produced by Phil Ramone). She also had her music placed in shows for the E Channel, and currently you can catch her song “Speak” on VH1.

If that were not enough, Emiko has now founded the Asian American Music Group, an organization dedicated to networking Asian Americans together in today’s music industry and bridging the gap between Asian and the Western World in music.

Emiko has also signed on as an AAHP Artist for the Artist Against Hunger & Poverty Program of World Hunger Year, which was founded by the late artist advocate, Harry Chapin. The AAHP program has attracted top names such as Bruce Springsteen, Michael McDonald, Natalie Merchant and Aerosmith. MTV has said that Emiko is" incredible live!!!! She totally sucks you in!"
Her latest release, "Here Lies Tinkerbell" (OA Entertainment) features Emiko's most seductive and inviting songs. Whether she is wailing on the B3 organ, funkin’ it up on the clav, taking a Wurly solo, or getting back to her classical roots, Emiko always manages to weave her music together with intense, bold lyrics. In her songs, she shares her feelings about love, heartbreak, frustration, and fear in ways that make her listeners not only move and groove to the music, but also react and relate on a much deeper emotional level.

To fully appreciate how Emiko’s music has evolved, one should know she was considered a child prodigy playing by 2 1/2, Emiko was performing classically in front of major audiences by age 6 and composing "mini-masterpieces" by age 7. After spending most of her childhood in conservatory in Washington, DC, Emiko discovered rock music and started conjuring up a secret operation to retire from the classical stage and pursue her dreams of rock n' roll and world domination.

Currently making her home in New York City with her band, The
GeminiStation Project, Emiko can be found touring the US, Europe and Asia, likely her last stop before she hits the stratosphere, because as she says, “If there’s life on Mar’s they’ll buy my record!”

ANDREW KURTZ* http://www.andrewkurtzsongs.com

Andrew Kurtz was born in Boise, ID.

He grew up as an athlete, and a working cowboy. He eventually was a cow-boss on a number of cattle ranches across the Western US at the age of 19.

After attending Eastern Oregon State University for one year and riding broncs on the rodeo team...he quit school, and left to travel the world in search of his true identity.

Through a number of experiences worldwide, he first started writing music in London, UK in 2003. Since then, the young and prolific writer has been touring, and concentrating fully on his music.

In 2006, Andrew came out with his first EP, Evening Song. Written and Produced by Andrew Kurtz, the album is full of love songs.

Andrew is currently working on film soundtracks, and touring nationwide w/ a big name artist, Emiko.
He is also recording TWO full length albums at the same time...set to be released in late summer of 2006.

Check out his website for touring dates...
http://www.andrewkurtzsongs.com

Andrew also has a side project called "KUbist Hall"
Check out the trio's stuff at: http://www.kubisthall.com