Fortune Falling
Gig Seeker Pro

Fortune Falling

Irving, Texas, United States | SELF

Irving, Texas, United States | SELF
Band Pop Singer/Songwriter

Calendar

This band has not uploaded any videos
This band has not uploaded any videos

Music

Press


"Album Review: Ashley Gatta’s “Where the Humble Go”"

Soulful, Funky. Spunky. Beautiful. All good adjectives to describe Where The Humble Go, the new album from Denton singer/songwriter Ashley Gatta. In fact, those are pretty good adjectives to describe Gatta herself.

The album will be released this week on Friday, May 14 at the Christian Campus Center (the old Delta Lodge). The first thing you must do before listening to the album is drop any preconceived notions you might have about Christian music, no matter how correct they may be. This is not just a good Christian album, it is a good album period. From the opening guitar strums on the CD’s first track, “A New Song,” the genuine emotion and talent of Gatta is clear. She says a few years ago she found God, or perhaps He found her, but it has been the main inspiration for Gatta moving forward both musically and personally. This is the foundation on which this album is built. And it seems to be the foundation on which she is built as well. Rarely do you meet an artist with a brighter outlook on life or a bigger supply of cheer than Gatta. The album as well as the artist are a breath of fresh air in Denton music.

While the inspiration is clear, the sound is a bit more difficult to figure out. It is a little bit reggae, a little bit folky, and maybe with a hint or two of rock ‘n’ roll mixed in. Think Jason Mraz meets Norah Jones.

Playing sixth on the CD is one of the album’s high points, “Slower in Texas.” It is a fittingly dreamy song marked by Gatta’s outstanding vocals. This is where she is at her very best as a singer. The warm, slow, honey-like lyrics can lull even the most turbulent soul. It is easily my favorite song on the album.

One question that still remains is what an Ashley Gatta album would sound like if it were totally untethered from the musical sub-genre in which she currently resides. Whether she would admit it or not, the fact is that being labeled as a Christian musician can build a barrier between you and the mainstream audience, an audience who would most likely embrace and celebrate an artist of such quality as Gatta. But then again, she might not even notice. Those in the Christian community have already begun embracing Gatta as a musician, and with this upcoming release, her following is sure to grow. This is a video of Gatta’s Texas Christain Songwriter’s Association 2009 Song of the Year, “Ain’t Nobody.”

Her crossover potential is limitless. She will no doubt find fans who otherwise might not turn listen to Christian music with Where The Humble Go. So rather than choose one side of the fence or the other, Gatta would probably be best suited to continue to put out albums like this one. Its message is clear but certainly not preachy. It is wonderful to listen to and quite enjoyable for all audiences, not just those in the Christian community.

The bottom line is this: Don’t for a moment hesitate on buying this album. It is quite good, and Gatta seems poised to take that next step into greatness. Where The Humble Go is as approachable as Gatta herself, and just as uplifting as well. - by Josh Hogan, My Denton Music, May 10, 2010


"Song Revelation Interview (Aryn Michelle)"

Aryn Michelle is an alternative pop/rock singer from Dallas, Texas and is our latest StarNow competition winner. Aryn’s talent and fanbase has recently allowed her to raise $50,000 to fund an album recording and release. Despite her incredibly hectic schedule with the ensuing promotion we were delighted when she agreed to complete a feature interview for Song Revelation. Read on to discover what Aryn’s been working on for the last 12 months, what advice she would give to upcoming singers and what it’s like to live in Dallas, Texas.

Q: If you could use a tagline of less than 20 words to describe your music and who you are what would it be?

Aryn Michelle, an alternative pop/rock songstress, seeks to capture the writing souls of contemporary and classic artists like Ben Folds, Elton John, Carole King. Her music is driven by piano and a variety of influences.


Q: What is your musical background?

My parents are both musically talented and actually met in high school choir. I grew up singing in church, sung in the choir in school, dabbled in musical theater and began writing my own music at age 15. I went on to study classical voice at Southwestern University and then got a certificate in songwriting from the Berklee College of Music.


Q: How have the last 12 months been for you?

Awesome! I released a new, fan funded album entitled “Last One Standing,” as well as three music videos for songs from the album. I’ve also been doing a little gigging with my band and ran a college and AAA radio campaign to promote the album. At the end of the year I started a new YouTube channel called New Tune Tuesday where I release a brand new song every week.


Q: Who inspires you musically?

I’m most inspired by songwriters who really take care with the music and lyrics that they craft. I think singability and mass appeal are important, but I think

using your art to make people think and feel something greater than they have before is even more important. So, I’m inspired by musicians like Sondre Lerche, Polly Paulusma, and Ben Folds.


Q: Which modern day artists do you look up to?

As I already said, I really respect Ben Folds because you can tell through the scope of his career that he has tried to be honest about who he is and what he creates. So much of music today is too commercial and not original enough for my taste. Other modern artists I look up to…I guess I’ll give some shout outs to some friends who are amazing writers who need to be more known like Maddy Zani, Dylan Galvin, Ashley Gatta, Michael Jade, and Katie Thompson.


Q: Is there anyone you would like to collaborate or gig with?

I love to collaborate and co-write. I’ve co-written country songs, and ballads and folk pieces with other writers. The best part about collaborating is the creation of a “songwriter” that is really the culmination of two or more people’s writing and life experiences. I can’t think of anyone specifically that I’d like to work with right now that I’m not already working with, but if Ben Folds needs an opener tell him to call me!


Q: What songs are on your ipod at the moment?

Arcade Fire’s album “The Suburbs” They won a Grammy for this album and I think its well deserved. I’ve been following them since “Funeral.” I’ve also been listening to Sia, Oh Land, and Lykke Li’s latest albums.


Q: What is your creative process for creating a track?

Well, it’s a back and forth, inching along, trial and error process for me. I usually start with an idea, or what a teacher of mine used to call a “song seed.” Its usually a bit of lyric with a melody that goes along with it. I start building the song from that little kernel of inspiration, one line and one chord at a time. If I’m making a demo track, it totally depends on what the vibe of the song is going to be. Often times I’ll record a scratch vocal and a piano accompaniment, and then go back in and fill in bass, drums, extras and then re-record the lead vocal.


- SongRevelation.com


Discography

coming soon!

Photos

Bio

Aryn Michelle and Ashley Gatta met in 2009 at Mokah Coffeebar while both performing in the Dallas/Fort Worth singer/songwriter circuit. Both ladies have bands of their own, but decided to being collaborating in 2011. They are currently recording their first demo and and organizing their first tour as Fortune Falling.

More about Aryn: arynmichelle.com

More about Ashley: ashleygatta.com