The girls Defy*

I found out that I would be interviewing the group Defy* on the same evening that I was set to see Sonny Rollins performing a free show at Lincoln center. Sonny's legacy is already etched in stone (the track where he plays with a jazz bagpiper is so damn pure), but the three Irish sisters from Kerry who make up Defy* are just starting to gain stream in the music industry.
Fiona(21), Nayome(18) and Evangeline(17) display a youthful exuberance that is already paying dividends in their crossover from traditional celtic music to their unique blend of pop/rnb. Their sound has been compared to a mix of early Destiny's Child, Aaliyah and Mariah Carey. Lofty expectations follow on the heels of such associations, but Defy* has already shown that they have the work ethic and the sound to live up to the hype.
Like good daughters, they attribute much of their success to their mom. After winning a major talent competition in the summer of 2002 at which they performed an orginal song writtn by Fiona, they travelled to their mothers home town of Los Angeles to attend a convention for songwriters and music industry professionals. "Our mother is Irish but she grew up in Los Angeles", said Nayome, "her sisters had a group as well when they were younger and they had the support of their parents. When she saw we had an interest in music she put us on the stage and encouraged us to follow our dreams".
The girls returned to Ireland determined to record and Irish album that would break the traditional mold. Using old Irish tunes as a template, they added contemporary beats and harmonies to create a freah blend of celtic pop.
Performing under the name Sirocco, the trio played their songs for different radio stations in New York City on Saint Patricks day in March of 2004.
"The people loved our music and the radio stations would constantly get requests for our songs", said Evangeline.
Back at home, the girls released an album titled "Black is the Color", which they distributed theymselves after being dropped from distribution a week before its release. Unfortunately, bigger acts were attempting to employ similar ideas to those they had already recorded and it was tough for thwm to break through in such a small market.
Fiona said that the move to NY was beneficial because we havent had to face the same types of obstacles. "We've been okay so far. We changed our name, met Don and we've been recording. Don has helped us take our sound to the next level".
Don made another apperance on these pages, on the premier issue of Beyond Race. Don "DON1" Guillaume, the drummer of the Fugees, is becoming a force in the studio. He first heard Defy* when a friend, who thought Don's recording style would mesh with the sisters harmony, told the producer to give it a spin.
"They sang "Amazing Grace" acapella and it was really good so i got them into the studio and started recording", Don remarked.
When asked what was different about this group he explained, "girl groups don't last very long, but the face that they're family gives them a better chance at longevity. It's more then just music they're a package. They sing, act and dance- they do it all. I see them going really far".
The bond between sisters has grown over the years, allowing each of their influences to have a place in the music. While Evangeline seeks the urban flavor of Lauren Hill and Aaliyah, Nayome adores Elvis and appreciated Irish singer/songwriters like short list winner Damien Rice, and Fiona ruminates on soulful influences such as B.B King and Muddy Waters.
Freedom of thought and taste has kept them away from sibling rivalary.
" When we were younger, we always did our own seperate thing until we came together as a group. We were never really that competitive as we were always trying to help eachother out", says Evangeline.
The group recently signed a deal with Platinum House Production company, the reason for tonights celebration. They seem excited and smile through the whole interview process, coming off as articulate, honest and down to earth.
Family is the driving force behind this group, providing a sense of trust and camaraderie that will help them with the growing pains that all artists must go through to amke it in the music business. Defy* is definitely on the right track.
You can find out more about Defy* at http://www.myspace.com/defyallmusic - Beyond Race

I found out that I would be interviewing the group Defy* on the same evening that I was set to see Sonny Rollins performing a free show at Lincoln center. Sonny's legacy is already etched in stone (the track where he plays with a jazz bagpiper is so damn pure), but the three Irish sisters from Kerry who make up Defy* are just starting to gain stream in the music industry.
Fiona(21), Nayome(18) and Evangeline(17) display a youthful exuberance that is already paying dividends in their crossover from traditional celtic music to their unique blend of pop/rnb. Their sound has been compared to a mix of early Destiny's Child, Aaliyah and Mariah Carey. Lofty expectations follow on the heels of such associations, but Defy* has already shown that they have the work ethic and the sound to live up to the hype.
Like good daughters, they attribute much of their success to their mom. After winning a major talent competition in the summer of 2002 at which they performed an orginal song writtn by Fiona, they travelled to their mothers home town of Los Angeles to attend a convention for songwriters and music industry professionals. "Our mother is Irish but she grew up in Los Angeles", said Nayome, "her sisters had a group as well when they were younger and they had the support of their parents. When she saw we had an interest in music she put us on the stage and encouraged us to follow our dreams".
The girls returned to Ireland determined to record and Irish album that would break the traditional mold. Using old Irish tunes as a template, they added contemporary beats and harmonies to create a freah blend of celtic pop.
Performing under the name Sirocco, the trio played their songs for different radio stations in New York City on Saint Patricks day in March of 2004.
"The people loved our music and the radio stations would constantly get requests for our songs", said Evangeline.
Back at home, the girls released an album titled "Black is the Color", which they distributed theymselves after being dropped from distribution a week before its release. Unfortunately, bigger acts were attempting to employ similar ideas to those they had already recorded and it was tough for thwm to break through in such a small market.
Fiona said that the move to NY was beneficial because we havent had to face the same types of obstacles. "We've been okay so far. We changed our name, met Don and we've been recording. Don has helped us take our sound to the next level".
Don made another apperance on these pages, on the premier issue of Beyond Race. Don "DON1" Guillaume, the drummer of the Fugees, is becoming a force in the studio. He first heard Defy* when a friend, who thought Don's recording style would mesh with the sisters harmony, told the producer to give it a spin.
"They sang "Amazing Grace" acapella and it was really good so i got them into the studio and started recording", Don remarked.
When asked what was different about this group he explained, "girl groups don't last very long, but the face that they're family gives them a better chance at longevity. It's more then just music they're a package. They sing, act and dance- they do it all. I see them going really far".
The bond between sisters has grown over the years, allowing each of their influences to have a place in the music. While Evangeline seeks the urban flavor of Lauren Hill and Aaliyah, Nayome adores Elvis and appreciated Irish singer/songwriters like short list winner Damien Rice, and Fiona ruminates on soulful influences such as B.B King and Muddy Waters.
Freedom of thought and taste has kept them away from sibling rivalary.
" When we were younger, we always did our own seperate thing until we came together as a group. We were never really that competitive as we were always trying to help eachother out", says Evangeline.
The group recently signed a deal with Platinum House Production company, the reason for tonights celebration. They seem excited and smile through the whole interview process, coming off as articulate, honest and down to earth.
Family is the driving force behind this group, providing a sense of trust and camaraderie that will help them with the growing pains that all artists must go through to amke it in the music business. Defy* is definitely on the right track.
You can find out more about Defy* at http://www.myspace.com/defyallmusic - Beyond Race