GENERO
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GENERO

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"GENERO means 'to create'"

Montreal duo to launch soulful first album By Julia Gerke, The Suburban

Samia O’Day and Talia Kadishson formed GENERO in 2005.

GENERO’s power duo of Samia O’Day and Talia Kadishson are going “organic” with their music. The two Montreal musicians have not been getting much sleep lately, spending most of their time in the studio mixing and tweaking their first album, Overture. Both are excited about the natural sound that is starting to emerge.

“It is almost sounding as if we’re playing live, which is our strongest point,” said Samia in an interview last week. “It’s like you are right there; without electricity it would sound the same. There are no loops, no samples or over-processed bits. We love that. We have recorded music before, separately, and we have always been overproduced. Not with this one.”

Samia and Talia, who are both in their 20s and live in Dorval, will launch their new album at a concert tomorrow (Thursday) at the Entrepot theatre in Lachine. Inspired by musicians such as Sarah McLachlan, Tori Amos, Dido and Joni Mitchell, their music is marked by edgy acoustic drives as well as Latin and Mediterranean influences. Samia plays the piano and provides vocals, while Talia plays guitars and bass and also sings.

Featured musicians at their show are Joanna Peters on percussion and Gwendolyn Smith
playing the cello.

Talia and Samia have known each other for a while, working together at Samia’s music school. Talia joined the academy four years ago to teach guitar, but it wasn’t until last year that the two of them decided to collaborate on stage. “One day, she came to the school and said, ‘play something,’” said Samia. “Then she was just standing there and said, ‘why are you in administration? Let’s play together.’”

As GENERO, the duo first performed at a peace event last year, to rave reviews. “It was an amazing reaction; people were in tears,” said Samia, adding that many of their poetic songs speak out against issues such as child abuse or the destruction of the environment. Other songs, however, are more upbeat and poke fun at human nature. “We have a serious and a funny side, and for us, they belong together.”

The launch of the CD is a dream come true for Talia and Samia, who have been active in Montreal’s music scene, on radio morning shows, the Montreal Jazz Festival, and opening for bands such as Blue Rodeo. Together, they are ready to take their music to the next level.
But, “we’ll only take it there if it feels right,” said Samia. “There are really nice people out there who I want to work with or not at all. It’s about finding the right team.”

GENERO will perform Oct. 26 at 7:30 p.m. at the Guy Descary Cultural Centre’s Pavillon de l’Entrepôt, 2901 Saint Joseph Blvd. Tickets are $15. Call 514-376-8742 or go to www.generoband.com. - The Suburban


"GENERO PRESS AND INDUSTRY SUPPORT"

“Incredibly talented”
Blair Bartrem, Program Director, Classic Rock Q107, Toronto, former Mix 96, Montreal
“If the mandate of FACTOR is to nurture and develop Canada’s future on an artistic level, then a grant would be money well spent …passion for music is deep-rooted and never-ending, and is well deserving of the grant.” - Blair Bartrem, Program Director, Rock Q107, TO

- “By far the best track (for 9/11) I’ve heard!” Casey Kasem, American Top 20

- “I consider “Barely Breathing” a potential Top 40 hit.” David Tyler , Q92 , Montreal

- “We are supportive of Genero and will seriously consider playing there next single on Q92” – Q92, Montreal

- “Excellent!” – Mark Bergman – Mix 96 (Top 40)

- “Incredible musicians. Outstanding!” – Tracey McKee – Global TV Morning Show Host

- “…Bright, delicate and sophisticated… thoughtfully composed, lushly but modestly arranged and beautifully sung songs that reflect shades of jazz, soul and classic songbook in equal measure…” – Jowi Taylor – CBC Global Village

- "WOW and boy do I mean WOW! I don’t think any of us imagined that we were going to be honoured with such an unbelievable, beautiful STUNNING performance… truly outstanding." Peace festival organizer, Montreal Dialogue group, 2006

- “Brilliant arrangements and fluid musicality packed into an exciting live show. Don’t miss it.” Laura Yaros, Matrix - Community Radio Centre Ville, Montreal

- “An organic mix sure to delight and enchant…!” The Suburban

- “I couldn’t have asked for a better way to end one of the best weekends of the summer.” - Final Act - Outdoor Festival Organizer, Montreal

- “An amazing performance.”- Ted Bird, CHOM, Montreal, Morning Show - RADIO AND NEWS QUOTES 2007-2008


"“Incredibly talented”"

“If the mandate of FACTOR is to nurture and develop Canada’s future on an artistic level, then a grant would be money well spent …passion for music is deep-rooted and never-ending, and is well deserving of the grant.” - Blair Bartrem, Program Director, Rock Q107, TO - Blair Bartrem, Program Director, Classic Rock Q107, Toronto, former Mix 96, Montreal


"“By far the best track (for 9/11) I’ve heard!”"

“By far the best track (for 9/11) I’ve heard! - Keep up the excellent work" - Casey Kasem, American Top 20


"“I consider “Barely Breathing” a potential Top 40 hit.”"

“I consider “Barely Breathing” a potential Top 40 hit.” David Tyler , Q92 , Montreal - Q92 Radio, Montreal, Canada


"“Excellent!”"

“Excellent!” - Mark Bergman – Mix 96 (Top 40)


"“Incredible musicians. Outstanding!”"

“Incredible musicians. Outstanding!” - Tracey McKee – Global TV Morning Show Host


"Bright, delicate and sophisticated...""

“…Bright, delicate and sophisticated… thoughtfully composed, lushly but modestly arranged and beautifully sung songs that reflect shades of jazz, soul and classic songbook in equal measure…” – Jowi Taylor – CBC Global Village - Jowi Taylor – CBC Global Village


""WOW and boy do I mean WOW!...""

"WOW and boy do I mean WOW! I don’t think any of us imagined that we were going to be honoured with such an unbelievable, beautiful STUNNING performance… truly outstanding." Peace festival organizer, Montreal Dialogue group, 2006 - Peace festival organizer, Montreal Dialogue group, 2006


"An exciting live show. Don’t miss it!""

“Brilliant arrangements and fluid musicality packed into an exciting live show. Don’t miss it.” Laura Yaros, Matrix - Community Radio Centre Ville, Montreal - Laura Yaros, Matrix - Community Radio Centre Ville, Montreal


Discography

Genero's First Album "Overture" was released October 26th, 2006

Genero is currently in studio recording their second album.

Photos

Bio

This singer-songwriter-instrumentalist duo has banded together bringing a wealth of experience to their growing number of Montreal and Canadian grassroots fans. Letting it all loose in their new creation: GENERO (which incidentally means "To Create" in latin...) Talia & Samia, wrote, arranged, recorded and mastered their first album within a few intense, sleepless weeks in the summer of 2006, releasing their first album, Overture to critical acclaim.

Now with another album in the works, Genero has explored and written new material flooded with ethno-acoustic, groove oriented, outspoken, edgy and senstivite songwriting backed with intense, intimate vocals & superb live performances. These two talented young women simply bring it all together with haunting vocal harmonies, world grooves, thought provoking lyrics and outstanding instrumental performances.

GENERO combines their experimental sound and world grooves with the traditions of female singer-songwriters like Bjork, Feist, Sarah McLaughlan, Tori Amos and inspired by the trail-blazing, original female singer/songwriter/instrumentalist: Joni Mitchell. They are silent about nothing - writing about everything from unrequited love to the burning environment: "The dollars sign's godly, and the godly unworthy.... ". Genero's first CD "Overture" showcases their intense poetic songwriting with skilled piano and guitar tracks, ambient percussions, warm string arrangements and stunning vocal harmonies. The duo wrote the album, and performed (piano, guitars, bass, percussions and all vocals), programmed, arranged, produced, and mixed it all themselves during the summer of 2006. Combined with mastering by Chirs Potter (Sarah McLaughlan's engineer) the album is outstandingly well crafted and timeless.

Having shared the stage with bands such as Blue Rodeo, played as soloists with orchestras around the world, received airplay on Top 40 radio stations, and won several awards like the FACTOR Independent Award and ACUM, band members, Samia and Talia, have combined their rich musical experiences, poetic drive and creativity to bring us the compelling sounds of Genero.

Their first collaboration for a peace event in 2005 marked the duo's birth, and garnered loads of positive feedback.

Event organizers had this to say: "WOW and boy do I mean WOW! I don't think any of us imagined that we were going to be honoured with such an unbelievable, beautiful STUNNING performance." "It was such a privilege to hear you both perform... You are truly an outstanding duo."

Genero is currently in studio working on their second album and touring Canada and the U.S. with their new material. Their first album, "Overture", was released in October 2006 receiving excellent industry and media acclaim.