Madison Violet

JOHN LENNON SONGWRITING CONTEST "SONG OF THE YEAR" GOES TO CANADIAN DUO, MADISON VIOLET

The pair surpassed thousands of entries with "The Ransom" to take top annual prize.

New York, NY (July 27, 2010) --- The Alternative Country duo, Madison Violet, has been announced the winner of the coveted “Song of the Year” from the 13th annual John Lennon Songwriting Contest for their original composition, “The Ransom.” The duo made up of Brenely MacEachern, who sings the lead vocals on the track, and Lisa MacIsaac, who sings the harmony, will be awarded $20,000, in addition to other prizes.

Known for their extensive touring routine, Brenely started writing the song in Australia nearing the end of a 2 month long trip when she was longing for home. Lisa later helped her finish the song in Grenada. The pair recorded the song in Pro Tools with an acoustic guitar, a snare kick and hi-hat, an upright bass, an organ and a lapsteel guitar.

Both hailing from Scottish small towns in Canada, Brenely and Lisa have chosen a musical path that channels their parent’s vintage record collection that comprised the likes of Neil Young and Dolly Parton.

A total of over $275,000 in cash and prizes will be distributed this year by the year-round contest open to both amateur and professional songwriters. Visit www.jlsc.com to listen to Madison Violet’s winning song, download their photo and enter the current contest.
- www.jlsc.com

? 2010 Juno Nominee for Roots & Traditional Album of the Year: Group

? Winners in the Folk Category (Session II) for the John Lennon Songwriting Contest.
(Winners in all categories will compete for the final Maxell Song of the Year)

? Madison Violet won the grand prize in the Folk category (Session I) of the 2009 John Lennon Songwriting contest for their song "Ransom."

? Winners of the 2009 Canadian Folk Music Awards for Vocal Group of the Year!

? 2010 East Coast Music Awards Nominations:
*Group Recording of the Year
*SOCAN Songwriter of the Year ?Small Of My Heart?

? No Fool For Trying named – The Best of 2009 Critics Choice in Country Music People’s Magazine UK.

? Madison Violet made it inside the 150 amongst the Top 200 best bands of all times at WDRW Radio in Cologne. This was voted by 120,000 listeners at one of the biggest stations in Europe, beating out bands like The Hooters, The Corrs, The band etc.

? ?I'm Your Lady" made it to #1 on the Country Channel on Ourstage.com for July.

? Top 5 Singer Songwriter albums on iTunes Canada.

? #3 – Small Of My Heart – Madison Violet The Mojo Playlist – Mojo’s Top 10 – December 2009 issue

QUOTES

"strong collection of songs, country tinged music that I like, the kind with heart and soul and bags of originality" – Dave Paskell

“Lovely voices, superb harmonies and great musicianship delightfully served up by two charming and bubbly singers.”
-Crakerjack.co.uk (8/10 live review).

“They started out as a pop duo, but have now become one of Canada?s hottest alt.country tickets, and with songs that will simply just break your heart and a recent 8/10 review of their third album, No Fool For Trying, there?s little question why people are calling Brenley MacEachern and Lisa MacIsaac – better known as Madison Violet – the best female duo to come out of Canada since The McGarrigle sisters.”
-Americana UK

“Madison Violet weave magic into their music. Sweet close harmonies with just a touch of the bluesy and syncopated, places them in an interesting and articulate modern folk space. Add the easy way they have on stage with each other
and the audience, and it is a wonder they are not better known Stateside. The latest effort No Fool For Trying should change all that!”
-Musicfrog

“The song that's really sticking with me is "Small of My Heart."
—John Platt, WFUV

“No Fool for Trying is Madison Violet's third release, and it follows on tours under The Indigo Girls, Runrig, Ron Sexsmith, and others, wowing crowds near and far. If the disc doesn't prove to nab them the recognition they richly deserve, then I may have to turn in my critic's card and don a hairshirt, 'cause it'll be more than obvious there's no justice in the world. This CD is a certified gem with the warm tarnish of perfection.”
-FAME

“Completely a stellar knockout of an album.”
-Chris Spector, Midwest Record, Chicago

"With precise two-part lead vocals, rich, organic arrangements and tight, yet old-timey feeling, instrumental parts, Madison Violet create modern folk-pop with deep roots."
-Vintage Guitar

?No Fool For Trying is the kind of album that will quickly become a new best friend.?
– Sonic Boomers

“ A Canuck duo who travel on the self-same road taken by the McGarrigles, Mad Vi represent the best in pop-bluesgrass. The back-ups may be minimalistic but the out front harmonies just swell to size.”
-– Mojo’s Top 10 – December 2009 issue

"A wonderful album… I think you're going to find „Crying? completely irresistible"
-Bob Harris Saturday Programme - BBC Radio 2 - 1.8.09

?Madison Violet represent the BEST in pop-bluegrass?
Mojo Magazine

“The verdict - Top album… in every way.”
-AllGigs (5/5)

?(No Fool For Trying) has taken them down a road lush with harmonies, banjo, fiddle, pedal steel, mandolin and upright bass. The songs are infused with heartache and loss but the listener will always find an uplifting twang in their sound, one that may invoke the essence of Lucinda Williams or Steve Earle.”
-Maverick Magazine September 2009

“If this was a vinyl album you could drop the needle practically anywhere and hear a gorgeous tune floating beneath the best female voices you will hear all year. Every word is clear, even every note played speaks to you”
-Pennyblack Music UK

“The profundity and poetry of the songs are worn lightly and swathed in glorious harmonies and delectable melodies. There is not a weak track to be found on this magnificent and consistent album.”
-Country Music People CD of the Month (5/5 – August 2009)

“Understandably, No Fool For Trying is a melancholic affair, with beautifully wrought two-part singing on hurtin? songs about lost loves and lonely nights, like something Vanessa Williams might sing if she was from Cape Breton”
-Ottawa Sun

“This Canadian female duo formerly known as Madviolet has a flair for telegraphing emotion, especially the melancholy kind. The ache in their voices reminiscent of the 1980s and „90s country duo Sweethearts of the Rodeo.”
-Ottawa Citizen

?The inherent beauty of two pure voices singing together helps shine a little light on the oft-melancholy material, as album highlight „Small Of My Heart? illustrates. To date, Madison Violet have had more impact in Europe and Australia than at home. No Fool For Trying deserves to change that.”
-Exclaim!

“A newly minted piece of classic Americana.”
-Manchester Evening News

“While they're known as the ''road hogs' due to their extensive touring, there is nothing hog-like here. This is a truly beautifully crafted album.”
-Daily Music Guide UK

''No Fool For Trying' is certainly in a class with the works of Gillian Welch or Lucinda Williams.' - All My Music “Quiet, thrilling, acoustically designed songs of breathtaking beauty - and some personal tragedy. Hardly ever has alternative country/ folk sounded more intriguing. 5 out of 5*****” - Country Music News (Germany)

"Thoughtful, poetic, deep, soft, and sometimes pleasantly melancholic... reminiscent of Emmylou.” - Schattenblick

“Canadian duo Madison Violet stole the show on the opening night at South Nesting Hall with a stunning performance of their bittersweet brand of Americana and tight, heavenly harmonies.” - Neil Riddell , The Shetland Times

“Exquisite harmonies and lush instrumentation, seasoned with banjo, mandolin, pedal steel, accordion, harmonica and fiddle, meld to create something hauntingly lovely and refreshing.” - Bruce Leperre, Winnipeg Free Press - Various