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Miranda Bentley Wins November “Best Vocalist Of The Month" Competition
By Dale Kawashima
Miranda Bentley, an exceptional newcomer based in San Francisco, CA, has won the November SingerUniverse “Best Vocalist Of The Month” Competition, for her performance of “Hey You,” a song she co-wrote with writer/producer Rob Lederer. Bentley & Lederer are creative partners who have formed the music duo, named Miranda. “Hey You” is one of nine songs which they wrote for their debut CD (released earlier this year), and they are currently writing and recording songs for their second album.
Miranda Bentley
"Hey You” is a midtempo, country/blues/rock number which is a very effective showcase for Bentley’s vocal performance. Her vocals are mixed high, which allows listeners to easily hear her clear, expressive vocals. Bentley’s singing on this cut is somewhat reminiscent of k.d.lang’s torch style, but she has developed her own, distinct sound.
Bentley was born and raised in Saskatchewan, Canada, which she describes as living “on the prairie.” She spent most of her adolescence living with her father, and they traveled extensively to Asia and Europe, where he would direct and produce plays. She began singing at a young age, and three of her favorite artists were Billie Holiday, Joni Mitchell and Sarah McLachlan.
Interestingly, she didn’t start performing live until she moved to San Francisco three years ago. “Most of my life I’ve been intensely shy,” Bentley explained. “It’s only been more recently that I’ve been performing onstage and also writing songs. Things started to come together when I met Rob (Lederer, who has worked with Steve Jenkins of Third Eye Blind and Dave Bryson of the Counting Crows), and we started playing live and writing. We’ve now written about 30 songs.” During the past two years, they have also performed regularly in the San Francisco area, including several shows at the Hotel Utah (a popular club for acoustic-rock artists).
Rob Lederer & Miranda Bentley
Bentley & Lederer are now actively promoting their first CD, and they are planning to tour extensively along the west coast, from Southern California up to Vancouver. They are currently auditioning musicians for their new band. The duo are also signing several of their song with a music publisher, with the goal of placing their songs in film & TV projects.
“I’m excited about the new songs we’ve written, and about performing and touring more,” said Bentley. “We feel really good about our music, and we’re ready to promote our music more aggressively. Our goal is to eventually sign with a major label, or to release our next album independently, and sign a distribution deal.”
- singeruniverse
Discography
Still working on that hot first release.
Photos
Feeling a bit camera shy
Bio
Miranda Bentley and Rob Lederer are Miranda. An Americana duo based both in Canada and San Francisco. Miranda is from Saskatchewan and Rob is originally from Michigan. Together they create a musical landscape as diverse as the places they hail from.
Miranda’s searing vocals are in one moment strong and powerful and in the next captivatingly vulnerable. They are carried by Rob’s guitar playing that is no less compelling. Moving effortlessly from a strong driven sound to a distinct and soaring melodic style. Making Rob a diverse and original musician.
Miranda studied acting at Neighborhood Playhouse in New York but made the decision in pursue music full time in 2003. Rob has been playing music successfully in the Bay Area for the past ten years. He has worked with many talented artists including Steve Jenkins of Third Eye Blind and Dave Bryson of The Counting Crows.
Miranda and Rob began their creative partnership three years ago and have quickly gained an enthusiastic following both as performers and songwriters. Their songs intuitively reveal influences from country, blues, rock, and pop which surface in a musical style that is emotionally exposed and edgy. This duo is fresh accessible while maintaining their originality and integrity as songwriters.
They are currently recording a new cd and planning a west coast tour. Since showcasing at NXNE last summer they have been negotiating a publishing deal. Recently Miranda won vocalist of the month on Dale Kamashima’s website, singeruniverse.com.
The duo Miranda is always pushing themselves to grow and evolve and are looking for new opportunities to be challenged and inspired.
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