Rory

R&B singer-songwriter Rory only knows how to do things one way: big. He's got a big personality, a big smile, and even bigger ambitions. Combing soulful vocals, catchy melodies, and original lyrics, the 21-year old New Yorker is driven by one major goal: "I want to connect to people emotionally through my music on a mass level." Inspired by the likes of Mary J. Blige, Usher, and Alicia Keys, Rory merges soul music with a mainstream sensibility to creative a sound that everyone can not only vibe to, but really feel. "We all go through the same things in life. When someone listens to one of my records when they're upset or heartbroken I want them to be able to say 'Wow, that's exactly how I'm feeling right now.' We're all so much more similar than we realize. To me that is what music is about- the shared experience." It precisely that bonding experience between artist and audience that Rory feels is missing from today's current crop of male R&B artists. "These days its all about maintaining this flashy, fly, style-over-substance image. What happened to just goin' out there and singing the song with everything you got? I don't need to dance to prove my point," Rory says.

Growing up in the suburbs of Boston, Massachusetts, Rory gravitated towards R&B legends like Michael Jackson, Marvin Gaye, and Stevie Wonder. At 18, he moved to New York City to attend New York University and immediately hit the studio to begin working on music with the some of the hottest up-and-coming producers. "For me, the songwriting process has always been about taking a specific experience from my life and making it relatable," says Rory. In December 2009, Rory independently released his debut album The Chase, which featured 7 original tracks penned by Rory himself as well as 5 additional covers. In just two weeks the album had been streamed over 1000 times. Fan-favorite track "Missin' Us" details the struggle to move on past a difficult break-up, while "Thrill of the Chase" discusses the excitement in the pursuit of a new romantic interest. The sexy "Animalistic" serves as a metaphor for an elevated level of physical passion, and "Eye Contact" explores how much can be said simply through the eyes. The album also Includes a heart-wrenching version of Mariah Carey's "Can't Wait To Hate U" and a stellar cover of Michael Jackson's "Butterflies."

In support of The Chase, Rory is planning an NYC tour for the winter of 2010, during which time he will begin writing material for his next album.