Mel Keith & The Strombachs

**"Mel Keith & The Strombachs" ECMA 2010 Pop Recording of the Year nominee**

**Music New Brunswick 2010 Female Artist of the Year, Pop Recording of the Year, and Anglophone Recording of the Year Nominee.**

“There's nothing else in life that gives me what singing does. It's freedom,” notes Moncton, New Brunswick-based singer Mel Keith.

Soft-spoken and inviting, Keith's charming conversational tone is only a taunting hint at the powerful, enigmatic voice featured on her self-titled independent debut solo effort. If singing is freedom, with one swoop of her velvety delivery, impacting lyrics and captivating harmonies—bolstered by a backing outfit she has dubbed The Strombachs—Keith liberates all on this marvel of eponymous magic.

Yet while Keith humbly belies her disarming gift exemplified on engaging tracks such as “Amazing,” “Is Anyone Here” and “Just Like Kathleen,” deeming her natural skills as, “nothing extraordinary,” a host of rousing enthusiasts and national praise resulting in a nomination for an East Coast Music Award assert the enviable power of her abilities.

“I think my honesty and sincerity help me to stand out. When you're honest and true to yourself, others gravitate towards it naturally,” Keith admits, delving into how singing has played a crucial role in her life since childhood, turning into a natural hobby, habit and eventually calling.

“I've loved music ever since I was a little girl. I can't ever remember not having music involved in my life. I used to take great pleasure in listening to my parents' records back in the day. As I grew, I started to learn instruments and then wrote my own songs and started performing. That just led into pursuing it as a career.”

And how exactly does someone with Keith's inherent talent initially recognize her ability? Through the folly of adoration she beams, noting that a musically-indiscriminate upbringing found the likes of diverse acts such as pop/punk stalwarts The Dead Milkmen finding equal footing with celebrity singers including Cindy Lauper in her personal catalogue.

Naturally those disparate influences took hold. Keith inevitably soaked up such rich artistry, which lent a broad autonomy and distinction to her craft while still adhering to one common theme: candied melodies and singable hooks. The results are indisputable on her gem-filled debut.

While Keith notes that the album's pop sensibility and rock foundation is prompted by outside genres, resulting in a truly diverse and unique aural experience, she is adamant about ensuring that a heartfelt sincerity also permeates all of her lyrics in an effort to ensure her music is as enjoyable as it is cathartic.

“The last decade of my life is on this album,” she declares with pride. “I was thinking a lot about family and my personal experiences; how I've grown and changed when I wrote this record but family-oriented themes are most prevalent. I think my grandfather's passing made me reflect on a lot of things, something I think I'll continue to do naturally in the future. It will surface again.”

Apparently it has already. Garnering more life experiences that impact her soul, Keith already foresees more authentic, guileless songs about how to navigate the wonders of life in her future. Once she has an opportunity to process them, that is.

“Everything happens so fast in the unexpected situations life throws at you. You don't have time to sit and process. That's where embracing an art form always helps. I'm sure I've got plenty of songs in me when they're ready to come out. Hopefully other people will find my songs help them too.”

"I really liked the show and am looking forward for when the new album drops..." - John Poirier, Warner Music Canada

"...she is one of the Maritimes most essential talents." - Ken Kelley, [Here] Magazine

"For fans of (Sheryl) Crow, and Kathleen Edwards, Mel's record give you songs on
par with aforementioned ladies, with just enough underground cred to make your hipster
friends jealous." - The Serious Business

“Keep this artist’s name in your mind..." - COSMOS GAMING (US)

"Mel reminds me of a cross between Sheryl Crow and Lucinda Williams, I look forward to following her career." - Hillary Montbourquette, General Manager, Newcap Radio

"...after giving this record a few spins, I’m hooked." - The Serious Business

"...very listenable due entirely to Mel Keith's voice. She has got the sort of East Coast / Canadian inflection that's charming to Northern British blokes..." - AltSounds (UK)

“Keep this artist’s name in your mind..." - COSMOS GAMING (US)