Sonia V.

PRESS RELEASE:

Sonia V. Chosen as Finalist for the 2005 Independent Music Awards

Indie Rocker Sonia V nominated for "Contemporary Christian Album of the Year" for the 2005 Independent Music Awards

(PRWEB) October 26, 2005 -- Sonia V. has been chosen as a finalist for the Music Resource Group's 2005 Independent Music Awards for her latest project, "a thing or 2" in the category of "Contemporary Christian Album of the Year". (http://www.musiciansatlas.com/pages/ima_finalists.asp )

After snagging this year's award for "Female Breakout Artist of the Year" in the 2005 American Christian Music Awards, this independent rocker is making her mark in the music industry with her eye-brow raising songs that pack attitude and a powerful punch with stand-out vocals, chart hitting songs, and her talent is raising the bar for female rockers across the board.

With her roots in Christian music, Sonia V's music has a mainstream appeal with songs that are captivating listeners across the globe and taking her first 3 radio releases to number one charting positions on individual radio station play lists and national charts. "a thing or 2" held the #1 Modern Rock/Alternative Album position on the American Christian Music Journal's release list for 15 consecutive weeks as well as the #1 modern rock/alternative singles chart.

"a thing or 2" has received raving reviews from media and fans alike. The ten song CD includes all original modern rock tunes penned by Sonia and a few co-writes with music friends including producer Chris Shandrow (The Frantics, Goodbye Audio, Miss Angie, Stereo Deluxx), independent artist friends Teresa Garcia and Jerome Fontamillas of Switchfoot.

"Start-off with an angelic voice then add in a big dose of rock n' roll attitude, what you get is the Sonia V. sound. Sonia's wide ranges of vocal styles are enough to make a 70's era mood ring explode. She can belt the lyrics out down and dirty rock n' roll style or soft and tender enough to melt your heart. Either way the result is a big WOW! " - Christian Rockers Online

"This is a must have album. The heavy drum and bass provide an upbeat feel to accompany the unmistakable rock voice of this self-confessed "weird Jesus chick with attitude". The album takes modern rock to a level that could reach a modern day non-Christian and Christian audience with approachable songs about God, such as "Falling Into You" and "Hey Now". 'A Thing Or 2' is an album which will reward all those who search it out." - CrossRhythms Magazine, UK

"Sonia V. is a fabulous addition to Christian music. Her style is unique to the industry and I give her a lot of credit for writing her own music and stepping out of the Christian music. As a whole, a thing or 2 makes for a very enjoyable album, a great start for Sonia and an awesome addition to the Christian music scene." - Phantom Tollbooth

“Sonia is probably one of the most gifted female songwriters I’ve come across in the last five years… not only has she produced the best album I’m likely to hear for the next twelve months, but she also has an incredible knack for writing great songs, and she has a truly exceptional voice… this girl was born to inherit the space around the microphone… I think the list of honours that seems to keep growing alongside Sonia’s music just about says it all!“ - Rock of Ages Magazine, UK

Sonia was noted as one of the "must hear artists" by the VH1 Benefit "Song of the Year" competition and listed as one of Peta's Hollywood Hotlist Animal Rights supporters. Sonia V. was also a past GMA songwriting competition winner and received the honor of "CCM Song of 2002" by the Gospel Music Association's AGMA competition hosted by Margaret Becker in Nashville, TN.

For further information on Sonia V: www.soniav.com
Radio Promotion: The Damos Agency - John Helle -
Booking/ Management: Xtreme Productions Management. - Xtreme Productions Management

PRESS RELEASE:

Indie Rocker Sonia Vannest is Recognized by VH1’s 'Song of the Year Contest'


Independent recording artist Sonia Vannest of Orlando, Florida recently received recognition by the “Song of the Year Contest”. Song of the Year is an international songwriting contest supporting VH-1’s Save the Music Foundation. The Song of the Year judges are some of the biggest names in music including many Grammy Award winners. Sonia received the honor of being named one of the top suggested artists to listen to by the Song of the Year ( http://www.songoftheyear.com/ ) songwriting contest.

Song of the Year is excited to recognize Sonia Vannest for her exceptional songwriting ability for the song “a thing or 2”. Sonia competed against songwriters from all over the world for this honor. When asked what inspired the song, Sonia commented that “ a thing or 2 is about the kind of love that we should have for each other that’s described in “chapter 13”, but we so often miss the mark in demonstrating - I wanted to put it in modern day lyrical terms that would be easily embraced by people of any background, not just religious words and phrases that most people who listen to top 40 rock radio wouldn’t get.”

Currently Sonia is concentrating on her upcoming full CD release “a thing or 2” due out later in 2004. “a thing or 2” is the first single release off the forthcoming album produced by Chris Shandrow and will include chart bound modern rock songs written by Sonia as well as a few co-writes by Sonia and other artists like Teresa Garcia and Jerome Fontamillas of Switchfoot.

You can find more information about Sonia Vannest by visiting her website at www.soniav.com - Xtreme Productions Management

Start-off with an angelic voice then add in a big dose of rock n' roll attitude, what you get is the Sonia V. sound.

Sonia's wide ranges of vocal styles are enough to make a 70's era mood ring explode.

She can belt the lyrics out down and dirty rock n' roll style or soft and tender enough to melt your heart. Either way the result is a big WOW!

While the vocals really take center stage on this CD the rest of the music parts also make their mark. I enjoyed the little extra sounds added to some of the songs to give them both a fresh and unique overall sound.

The lyric's themes come from an angle of here's what I know about God's love and how that has changed my life and He wants to do the same for you.

I'm really glad that I had the chance to hear this CD. You need to clear a space in your CD player for this release so that you can also enjoy the Sonia V. musical experience.

- Christian Rockers Online

As far as I know, there is no female Christian rocker that sounds like No Doubt’s Gwen Stefani... until now. Sonia V. is an indie chick rocker with spunk, emerging into the music scene with her first album, a thing or 2.
The most impressionable attribute Sonia V. brings to the CD is her powerhouse vocal performance. When I first popped her CD in the player and before I knew anything about Sonia V., the first thing I thought was, "Wow, this sounds just like Gwen Stefani... but weird, it isn’t Gwen Stefani," which is true. If her bright red hair and her unique clothing style don’t catch your attention, her extraordinary vocals will.
Sonia’s main message is that it’s ok to be yourself, which is a very positive message especially for the younger generation that's having to grow up in a world where identity is stressed as a product of appearance and success. If you like to sing along to CD's, a thing or 2 will provide you with XX songs with clear, simple lyrics that are easy to catch on and sing along to. If Sonia’s trying to reach the younger generation and people who aren’t Christians, the lyrics fit well.
Sonia V. is a fabulous addition to Christian music. Her style is unique to the industry and I give her a lot of credit for writing her own music and stepping out of the Christian music.
As a whole, a thing or 2 makes for a very enjoyable album, a great start for Sonia and an awesome addition to the Christian music scene.
(Excerpt)

- Phantom Tollbooth

“Sonia is probably one of the most gifted female songwriters I’ve come across in the last five years… not only has she produced the best album I’m likely to hear for the next twelve months, but she also has an incredible knack for writing great songs, and she has a truly exceptional voice… this girl was born to inherit the space around the microphone… I think the list of honours that seems to keep growing alongside Sonia’s music just about says it all!“

Superstar
Sonia explodes onto the scene with probably the best rock-cut on the album, edgy, innovative and full-blooded, the big guitar sounds, the fantastic voice, the passion it’s sung with… A REAL classic, more to the point, it actually shows that there’s more to Sonia than image, this girl can REALLY sing! All hail the new queen of rock!

A Thing Or 2
A building, “Sheryl Crow-meets-Avril Lavigne” style soft-rock record that has been perfectly balanced to once again display that awesome voice! This is a truly impressive song with heartfelt vocals and more big riffs! Sonia seems to have made it her personal mission to teach a deteriorating music industry a thing or two about REAL music.

Tell Me
My personal favourite from what is probably the best album I’ve heard all year, and what is probably the best album I WILL hear all year! This will probably become one of the fans called-for favourites at the concerts alongside “Superstar”… a great record… catchy chorus, fun lyrics, more great guitar rolls, excellence in composition, and a further demonstration of Sonia’s obvious song writing strength. 12 out of 10!!

Hey Now
Building from acoustic, this track is as infectious as the previous three… Slightly more tender, and just as deep and meaningful. Very impressive, again, perfectly balanced and exceptionally well produced. Not soft the whole way through, it’s not long before Sonia is yet again throwing her passionate vocals fully behind yet another sensational record. It seems that Sonia Vannest was born to inherit the space around the microphone.

Falling Into You
Another remarkably touching record. “Falling Into You” impressed me a lot. This young lady has a real gift, and seems to write with a vision and a purpose, all of her songs are brought to life by a fiery vocal and a real heart in the music she creates. This song is more artistic than the likes of “Superstar”, yet, still retains it’s edge. Again, a fantastic track!

Seize The Day
Bang! Sonia hits top gear again and sets out to seize the day with her own brand of hyperactive girl-rock. This song retains her own pop-rock traits, and uses some excellent language in lyrics like “I - I want to fly away, leave all my fears and yesterday’s tears, I’m gonna seize the day” - the kind of lyric that made classics out of ‘follow your dreams’ songs such as Bon Jovi’s “Living On A Prayer” and Maiden’s “Wildest Dreams”. This is one of those songs you don’t realise is quite so edgy until you hear the ending, and then, you can’t escape the temptation to flick it back to the beginning of the song!

Alive
A fiery, celebratory track that continues where “Seize The Day” left off - a real guitar-driven song with a zeal for life! Another excellent and well produced track and yet another great display of that outstanding voice!

More
Deeper vocals in this edgy record. Great riffs and plenty of attitude. This is a really great record. From wild weird noises to big guitar sounds and lots of noise! Just what we like! This is a record I will certainly be cranking up on the stereo! Catchy, fun, and full of everything! This girl can really rock!

Remake
This slightly more intimately crafted track again starts off less in-yer-face than some of the songs on the album, and builds gloriously. Plenty of imagination, and again, a perfect vocal display by a young woman who is quickly becoming one of my all-time favourite vocalists alongside the likes of Reba McIntire, Belinda Carlisle, Sarah Masen and Amy Lee. A rather interesting last two verses to this song, but I’m not going to tell you what they say - you’ll have to buy the record and find out for yourself!

Sweep Me Away
Attitude, passion, and a real sense of artistry at this end of the album, deep soulful singing - and a song that will surely impress. I dare say that this is likely to be another real hit with Sonia’s fans, and will hopefully get her noticed for her artistry!
- Rock of Ages Magazine - UK

Sonia V.
"A Thing Or 2"
Reviewed by CrossRhythms Magazine - UK
STYLE: Rock
RATING 9/10 stars
Reviewed by Elizabeth Cook

An American singer/songwriter rumoured to be visiting these shores soon, this is a must have album. The heavy drum and bass provide an upbeat feel to accompany the unmistakable rock voice of this self-confessed "weird Jesus chick with attitude". The album takes modern rock to a level that could reach a modern day non-Christian and Christian audience with approachable songs about God, such as "Falling Into You" and "Hey Now". Said the singer on her website, "'A Thing Or 2' is about the kind of love that we should have for each other, but we so often miss the mark in demonstrating. I wanted to put it in modern day lyrical terms that would be easily embraced by people of any background, not just religious words and phrases that most people wouldn't get." The 10 track album includes songs written by Sonia V, as well as co-writes with producer Chris Shandrow (The Frantics, Stereo Deluxx), independent artist Teresa Garcia and Switchfoot member Jerome Fontamillas. Sonia has been writing, performing and recording since the age of nine when her family gospel group recorded their own music and most recently received recognition in the international songwriting competition, Song Of The Year Contest in America. 'A Thing Or 2' is an album which will reward all those who search it out.
- Cross Rhythms Magazine UK

PRESS RELEASE:

Indie Rocker Sonia V awarded "Contemporary Christian Album of the Year" for the 2006 Independent Music Awards

(PRWEB) January 9, 2006 -- It's a WIN! Sonia V's "a thing or 2" gains national recognition by the music industry and garners the award for "Christian Album of the Year" in the 2006 Independent Music Awards sponsored by Music Resource Group making Sonia V. one of the hottest independent artists this year and "a thing or 2" one of the best independent album releases in the country.

"a thing or 2" has crossover appeal and has started hitting the charts in the secular arena taking her to number one on several stations, acquired rave reviews, countless media interviews, spotlights and features and has even landed her a spot on the Hollywood Hotlist of animal rights supporters. The title track has also gained recognition from the VH1 "Song of the Year" Contest naming Sonia V. one of the "must hear" artists and recognizing her exceptional songwriting for "a thing or 2". International Songwriting Competition selected the title track "a thing or 2" for the semi-finals in the Pop/Top 40 Category for Song of the Year. Billboard World Song Contest highly praises "Superstar" in critique. And Sonia V. is a selected artist for the SXSW Music Festival, showcased by "Invasion of the GoGirls". American Christian Music Awards named her this year's "Female Breakout Artist of the Year" but Sonia's music is breaking out into the secular arena more so than the Christian arena these days.

The Music Resource Group is one of the industry's leading companies for entertainment resources and industry listings. Sonia V's album was selected by a prestigious panel of judges including Nora Jones, Melissa Ethridge, Joe Perry (Aerosmith), Bill Wyman (Rolling Stones), Billboard Magazine and many others. This year marked the largest number of album entries MRG has received to date, making this a very honorable recognition. The Music Resource Group will distribute "a thing or 2" to all Borders stores and will be releasing the next radio single "Tell Me" to radio in early 2006 by the leading radio promotion company, The Planetary Group.. A video for the single is also in the works.

"a thing or 2" has received raving reviews from media and fans alike. The ten song CD includes all original modern rock tunes penned by Sonia and a few co-writes with music friends including producer Chris Shandrow (The Frantics, Goodbye Audio, Miss Angie, Stereo Deluxx), independent artist friends Teresa Garcia and Jerome Fontamillas of Switchfoot.


For further information on Sonia V: www.soniav.com
Radio Promotion: The Damos Agency - John Helle – www.damosagency.com
Booking/ Management: Xtreme Productions Management: www.xtremeproductionsmanagement.com
Music Resource Group/Independent Music Awards: http://www.musiciansatlas.com/pages/jukebox2006.asp

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- Xtreme Productions Management