Music
Press
Austin’s world music scene is growing, and leading it is Pieces Of East... POE offers a sorely-needed fresh sound to the current rock-ensconced, country-laced scene. - Shelley Hiam
Pieces of East is a veritable supergroup.... The group's blend of Eastern timbres and Western structures spotlights Giammona, whose voice is as graceful as figure skating swans.. - David Lynch
This is a difficult review to write, because it is impossible to compare Pieces of East's music to any other artist. They blend many styles to create what may be a new genre... Pieces of East have uncovered a distinct sound bound to carve out a niche for them in the music scene.
- Dennis Halsey
A unique combination of eastern timbres in the context of contemporary western songwriting, Pieces of East delivers the goods live. I have personally seen them draw a large crowd. - J. Seymour Guenther
Pieces of East's performance intimately took us to another place with their unique and thoughtful groove. - Nicole Burton
Pieces of East completely won over the audience, which ranged from teenagers to fifty-somethings. Their music was both personal and universal; qualities which made the evening with this band rich and unforgettable. - Richard Roberts
When I gave their CDs out the phones went wild again. - Brandi Morgan
POE remains one of the rare unique gems in a sea of lack luster stones. Professional, positive and powerful POE consistantly proves their staying power with elegant, inspiring, packed performances in one of the most competitive music communities in the States. - Niki Duncan
Pieces of East has an uncanny ability to completely engage any audience, young to old. Its always an honor to witness them perform. - Matt Fecher
Pieces of East music has soothed my soul and become pieces of me; Laura Giammona's voice is that of an angel destined for stardom. - Tami Blevins
Discography
So Many Things - To be released in September 2006
Mr. President - EP
Shadow Box - Debut Album
Photos
Feeling a bit camera shy
Bio
What could a western Montanan singer-songwriter, an Indian virtuoso tabla player and a guitarist from post-Portuguese Goa have in common? The answer is Pieces of East.
Equipped with a one-of-a-kind sound that blends poignant songwriting with grooving eastern rhythms, Pieces of East’s music have earned them fans from around the world; won them several prestigious Austin Music Awards; and ignited radio stations all over the country.
Pieces of East’s groundbreaking debut album, “Shadow Box”, was produced by legendary producer Mark Hallman (Carole King, Ani DiFranco) and received both popular support and critical acclaim.
David Lynch of Austin’s most popular weekly, the Austin Chronicle, hails Pieces of East as “a veritable supergroup” while Madalyn Sklar, president of grassroots music community, Go Girls Music says, “Pieces of East delivers the best groove/pop I’ve ever heard.“
Notable Achievements and Performances:
Presented the Austin Music Award two years in a row at the South by Southwest Music Festival for Best World Band in 2003 and 2004. Nominated in several categories including Best Rock, Best Pop and Best None-of-the-Above Band standing second to recent sensations Los Lonely Boys
Performed with diverse acts such as grammy nominated virtuoso guitarist Eric Johnson, Terry Bozzio from Frank Zappa and the Mothers of Invention, billboard-charting singer/songwriter Patrice Pike as well as the Tosca String Quartet from David Byrne's 2004-05 tour
Invited to several national music conferences and festivals that include South Park Music Festival (Fairplay, CO), Nemo Music Festival (Boston, MA), Northgate Music Festival (College Station, TX), Go Girls Music Showcase (Houston, TX), Ladyfest, TX (Austin, TX), Midwest Entertainment Conference (Lexington, KY) and Pecan Street Festival (Austin, TX)
Appeared on several TV and radio stations all over the country including shows on CBS, Fox TV, Ohio Public Radio, KUT Austin, and the World Cafe
Percussionist Abhinit Bhatt of Pieces of East was presented the Best Misc. Instrumentalist Award at SXSW in 2003, appearing with a list of nominees that included Lloyd Maines, Matt Slusher and Rob Roy Parnell
Lead Vocalist and Songwriter Laura Giammona won the Old No. 9 Songwriting Scholarship with Grammy nominated artist Eliza Gilkyson and was a finalist at the 2006 Austin Songwriter's Group Song Contest
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