Lucy Schwartz

http://www.kgrl.fm/fpa/lucyschwartz.php


We first heard of the young and talented singer / songwriter Lucy Schwartz back in 2007, around the time of the release of her debut album Winter In June. Lucy's distinctively sweet and gorgeous melodies instantly caught our attention. Needless to say, her songs have since then graced our streams, even before everyone else was playing them. It is with great pleasure that we present to you KGRL's June 2009 Flower-Powered Artist, Lucy Schwartz.

Lucy's father, David Schwartz, is an accomplished musician who works as a music composer for television and film. It's no surprise that Lucy was drawn towards the same artistic endeavor, songwriting. At around age 8, she took piano lessons with instructor / mentor Kia Colton. Lucy credits Colton for jump-starting her songwriting skill. She started writing instrumental piano pieces that same year and later won the National Reflections Competition for music composition in elementary schools.

While most high-school students spent their time doing their schoolwork and whatnot, Lucy was busy crafting her very first album with the help of her father. By the time she was in her senior year at Palisades High School in Los Angeles, she had recorded and independently released a full-length record, titled Winter In June. While the record was not widely released, it earned Lucy an impressive amount of recognition that includes winning the 2007 International Songwriting Competition for the song I Don't Know A Thing, and being voted as BMI's favorite artist in its October 2007 podcast. A handful of the songs from the same album got into TV shows such as Reaper, Cashmere Mafia, Privileged, South Beach, Runaway and Private Practice. She also provided voice work for the character “Mr. F” on Arrested Development, for which all the music in the series including the theme was the work of her father David.

Chris Douridas of KCRW, a popular radio station based in Santa Monica, California, was instrumental in bringing Lucy's music to the big screen. Lucy's dad David, while on his morning jogging session, approached Douridas on his front steps and offered to provide his daughter's album for the radio station's consideration. It didn't take long before the station began playing her songs. In January 2008, Douridas approached Lucy to write music for the then-upcoming movie, The Women. The film, directed by Diane English, stars Meg Ryan, Eva Mendez, Annette Bening and Debra Messing. Lucy wrote two original songs for the opening and closing scenes of the movie, Count On Me and Beautiful. This opportunity catapulted our young and talented singer / songwriter's career sky-high, which in turn opened up another opportunity to write music for the big screen. Lucy's new song Turn Back Around will be featured in the Fox Searchlight film Post Grad Survival Guide, which stars Alexis Bledel.

After finishing high school, Lucy took a musical course at Occidental College. However, her studies are currently on hold as she gives her full attention to building a stable musical career. This up-and-coming 19-year-old (as of this writing) singer / songwriter can be seen with her band in and around Los Angeles. She has also played the Palo Alto Music & Film Festival, Central Park's Harlem Beer Music Festival and opened for Guggenheim Grotto at the Canal Room in NYC. Currently, she is busy preparing for the inevitable follow-up record.

KGRL is very proud to present our June 2009 Flower-Powered Artist, Lucy Schwartz. Lucy joined KGRL in the studio with her dad / bassist David Schwartz and music collaborator / background vocalist / beatbox master Jay Ryterband, for an exclusive performance shot in high-definition video and audio. Check out our CD review of Winter In June and take a peek at the stunning photos shot by our dear friend Jeff Koga. But wait, don't miss our comprehensive interview with Lucy Schwartz in video, audio, & transcribed form.

As per our usual monthly feature, we are giving away 3 signed Winter In June CDs! Just e-mail us at contests [at] kgrl.fm and tell us why you deserve to win. Don't forget that you can request a FREE copy of the FPA live session DVDs as well!
- KGRL.COM

http://blogcritics.org/music/article/music-review-adam-the-soundtrack/

The task of a music supervisor is often an unappreciated job in Hollywood. That person has the wonderful ability of selecting the artists and songs to be placed on the films soundtrack and used through out the film. For Fox Searchlight Pictures’ film Adam, the music supervisor’s work is a complete success. The soundtrack sets the mood for the film perfectly and may introduce the listeners to some worthy, lesser-known artists.

Released in summer 2009, the romantic comedy about a young woman and a man with Asperger’s syndrome is accented by the acoustic and indie pop-rock sounds of artists such as The Weepies, Joshua Radin, and the beautiful vocals of Lucy Schwartz. The soundtrack also includes the work of Christopher’s Lennertz, composer of the film’s score. Most movie soundtracks only include one or two instrumental tracks of the film’s score, but the Adam soundtrack pleasantly provides five.

Fans of other Fox Search Light films, such as 500 Days of Summer and Once, will not be disappointed with this soundtrack. The indie touch of the album adds to the off-beat, yet beautifully personal feeling of the film. There is an appropriate, subtle theme of personal growth within the lyrics of the songs chosen.

In the song “Someone Else’s Life,” Joshua Radin writes, “And somehow/I'll make tonight our own/I'll show you every way I've grown/ Since I met you.” It’s refreshing to listen to a soundtrack that actually reflects the content of the film, versus those that are just made up of commercially successful artists. A favorite on the soundtrack is “Can’t Go Back Now”, by the folk rock group, The Weepies. The beautiful harmonies of the husband and wife duo are set to lyrics that are sure to become Facebook quotes for indie music lovers. With lines like, “But in the end, the only steps that matter are the ones you take all by yourself,” the listener can start to imagine what the film is about before even seeing it.

Overall, the soundtrack is a great sampler of artists that you may have never listened to before. The album will definitely make you want to see the film if you haven’t already. It’s recommended for use on a relaxing evening with a nice glass of wine. You may just find yourself contemplating the complexities of life while listening. - BlogCritics.org

http://consequenceofsound.net/2008/09/10/lucy-schwartz-to-make-major-motion-picture-debut/

Lucy Schwartz to make major motion picture debut
By Allison Franks on September 10th, 2008



Los Angeles’ singer/songwriter, Lucy Schwartz, will look to become the latest up-and-comer to make her mark in the world of the silver screen. Although just 18-years-old, the high school senior will soon make her motion picture debut in the film soundtrack to The Women, where she will bring her timeless voice and stunning mix of melodic sounds first unveiled in Winter In June earlier this summer, to a brand new audience.

Scheduled to hit theaters this Tuesday, September 12th, the Diane English directed film features an entirely female, star-studded cast, which includes Meg Ryan, Eva Mendes, and Bette Midler among others. In addition to these ladies, the soundtrack, due out September 9th on Verve, is also exclusively female, though Schwartz is the only artist to have two songs featured on the soundtrack. Even better, “Count on Me” and “Beautiful” are the album’s opening and closing songs!

The Women Soundtrack:
01. Count on Me - Lucy Schwartz (end credits)
02. Happiness - Goldfrapp
03. The Races - The Bird and The Bee
04. I’ll Cry For The Both Of Us - Jessie Baylin
05. Everything Good - Ruby James
06. I Feel It All - Feist
07. Womankind - Annie Lennox
08. Someday Soon - KT Tunstall
09. After the Rain - Little Dragon
10. Money Can’t Buy It - Annie Lennox
11. Beautiful - Lucy Schwartz (opening credits)
12. It’s a Boy - Mark Isham - Consequence of Sound

http://aurgasm.us/2009/04/lucy-schwartz/


Lucy Schwartz, whose songs range between stripped-down ballads, jazz-inspired pop and indie folk, is that rare combination of talented songwriter and skilled performer. Lucy’s debut album, Winter in June (2007) offers a glimpse of this young singer-songwriter’s burgeoning talents. The delightfully catchy “I Don’t Know A Thing” is a shockingly self-aware admittance, delivered with a carefree shrug and smile. Lucy continues to surprise, displaying raw vulnerability as well as youthful exuberance in her songs. “Gone Away” is a tender and aching ballad, delicately crafted with a sensibility that belies her young age. Keep an eye (and ear) on this one. - Aurgasm

http://origin.foxsearchlight.com/postgrad/blog/?p=147 - Fox Searchlight

http://papermangodesign.com/2009/08/music-to-create-to-lucy-schwartz-winter-in-june/

I first knowingly heard Lucy’s music while listening to Paste Magazine’s album stream of the soundtrack to the new movie “Adam”. I say “knowingly” because apparently this girl makes the rounds when it comes to movie soundtracks. Only 19 years old with the voice and soul of a seasoned music veteran, Lucy Schwartz sounds like the sweet Colbie Callait-esque girl next door did a “Freaky Friday” swap with Carol King. Piano driven with sometimes soft, sometime sultry vocals it’s easy to see why she’s had such box office success. Hopefully she’ll be able to come out from the anonymity of soundtracks and get a bit of the spot light for herself. Listen to her and check out show dates on her myspace and buy her latest album here.

Happy Listening! - Paper mango

http://www.yamaha.com/publications/allaccess/default.asp?issue=winter2009&page=35

http://www.yamaha.com/allaccess360/ - Yamaha