Therina Bella

"This pink-haired "bitch" has arrived on a breath of fire! Intelligent, talented, chic, and haughty, this debut album has bad-ass attitude that all cool girls should have. With tracks like "Musical Prostitute," "Duraselove," "Identity Crisis," "We don't f*ck," you tell me what well-spoken woman wouldn't say such things! Wanna talk wild? From the track entitled Crazy Bitch, "And if you ever hear me moan, oh and you're all alone, it's 'cause I like to masturbate outside your window." And Cathy-Ann is just getting started, wait 'till you hear "Hollywood!" Cathy-Ann's command of voice & guitar strumming is comparable to Jewel and PJ Harvey, but to give you more of Cathy-Ann's ragin' personality, she has promised (in her press release) to "punch the next person who emits cat calls in her direction that begin with, "Hey pinky..." followed by, 'nice ass.'" So, check Cathy-Ann out yourself, and enjoy! $$$$- Forget the phone bill, buy this at any cost! -
Patricia C. Stewart

- Coolgrrls.com 2003

Here is one chick who is pissed at not being famous and what she feels it would take (ie. moral sacrifices) in order to achieve the fame she seems to simultaneuosly desire and despise. She's got the songwriting and playing chops to get where she wants to go, these are tight pop-punk songs. While obvious comparisons to Alannis and Avril come to mind it's the hints of The Runaways and The Buzzcocks that point to Cathy-Ann's no bullshit, ready-to-rock abilities. In Duracellove (her ode to her vibrator) she says all she needs is batteries, I disagree, this girl has enough juice to run on her own quite fine!"
Lach, founding father of antifolk
- Antifolk Online

Cathy-Ann Borges is a 23 year old singer songwriter from NY who is a shining light among the droves of soulless manufactured artists that pollute our airwaves.
I was fortunate enough to see Cathy-Ann play live a couple of years ago in NYC & immediately knew she had the talent & determination to make a real name for herself.

"Honey Wagon" is her debut CD & if there is any justice it will achieve major success on a worldwide scale. You see, Cathy-Ann had the opportunity to "sell out" for a quick buck & become just another industry puppet. Instead she chose to play by her own rules & after just one listen to "Honey Wagon" you will realise why. If the big wigs within the record industry want a piece of Cathy-Ann then they're going to have to play by her rules or not at all. Not a problem though, as Cathy-Ann has recorded a stunning collection of personal songs which will ensure major labels will be fighting for her signature in the very near future.

Forget about the "skip" button whilst listening to "Honey Wagon" as there is not one filler throughout the 11 tracks on the CD. All the tracks sound raw, edgy & alive in their production, which make the whole listening experience such an audio pleasure.
You will instantly be drawn in by the lyrics, as Cathy-Ann somehow manages to seduce the listener with her vulnerability & witty lyrics then in the next breathe cuts your throat & kicks you in the balls for giving a shit.
I could quote many of the hilarious lyrics which appear throughout the CD but for you to simply read them would do an injustice to Cathy-Ann. You need to hear them within the context of each song to really appreciate her quirky sense humour.
Cathy-Ann manages to express so many emotions into her vocal style that she cannot be compared to any one artist. Her voice is particularly stunning on the track "Identity Crisis" which musically, is a superb sleazy blues rock number.

Musically "Honey Wagon" is extremely diverse with styles ranging from acoustic to garage rock to alternative to grunge to sleazy blues & there's even a flamenco vibe within the track "The Flame". The subject matter is also very broad with topics ranging from selling your soul to succeed in the record industry on the tracks "I Have Arrived" & "Musical Prostitute", being obsessed with a lover on "Crazy Bitch" through to the pleasures of using a vibrator on the fabulously titled "Duraselove".

It's impossible to pick a stand out track as all the material is so strong but the track which could really break Cathy-Ann into the big league is "Hollywood" with its catchy-as-hell acoustic guitar riff, hilarious lyrics & sing-a-long chorus. If this song gets the exposure it deserves on radio stations & MTV2 etc, then the song will become a massive hit. A special mention too for the track "Never Break Your Heart" which will send shivers down your spine with each listen, it's stunningly beautiful.

Honey Wagon is a CD you need to keep you sane in these insane times.

Mark Josiah, UK PRESS

- Mark Josiah, Assosicated Press

When people ask me what kind of music I listen to, I'm always at a loss as to how I should answer. How could I ever include everything I listen to? I usually just suffice for something like "extreme black metal", which generally gets people to back away slowly and quit asking questions. The kind of thing I probably wouldn't mention is that I used to listen to Alanis Morrisette, and that I've got a soft spot for some pop-sounds... usually when they're oddly phrased or just a little this side of normal. If Alanis Morrisette was a bit left of normal, I'd say that Cathy-Ann is operating in a distant nebula that can't be seen by NASA-grade telescopes.

Cathy-Ann's music has a distinctly pop sound, but it's clearly not pop. If you've ever tried listening to your average girl-singer pop CD (Avril Lavigne, Alanis, et al), you'll note that the songs within a CD tend to sound alike. This is because a high-paid team of scientific engineers put their efforts into designing a couple of hits and a slew of inoffensive and unremarkable filler songs. With Honey Wagon, you get a collection of songs that is purely Cathy-Ann.

Cathy-Ann is an excellent acoustic guitar player and vocalist. This CD was recorded while she played and sang at the same time, so it has an energetic live feel. Her vocal delivery ranges from sweet pop-oriented styles to angry rock and odd vocal experimentations. It took me a few listens to adjust to her singing style because she has an unorthodox approach to vocalizing. She has unusual confidence for a debut album, and she's not afraid to try all kinds of phrasings and combinations of sounds and words to make very memorable and individualized music.

Her ability to let-go vocally is equally present in her lyrics. Cathy-Ann, apparently, likes to shake things up. "Musical Prostitute" and "Hollywood" lambaste the entertainment industries with clever lyrics that are fairly explicit (though not in terms of cussing). "Duraselove" is a completely shameless ode to her vibrator. I can safely say that I'd be a little wary of meeting Cathy-Ann, but she sure gets points for honesty and fearlessness. "The Flame" is one of my favorite songs, featuring a flamenco-styled rhythm and solo, with catchy vocal melodies and a high-energy rock sound. "Nothing" is a slightly bluesy piece, with a walking bass rhythm and an atypical blues-meets-pop feeling.

To put it simply, Cathy-Ann knows what she wants to say, how she wants to say it, and she's willing to do what it takes to get her message out. It's a testament to her sincerity that she passed up a record contract, and the sacrifices that came with it, in favor of putting this CD out by herself. Honey Wagon is produced by the inimitable Bumblefoot, so the production is eminently full and captivating. The music has a very lively tone, but with the kind of clarity you wouldn't get from a live recording. If you've got any taste for intelligent pop, or heck, even if you don't, give Cathy-Ann a listen. Her music is creative, sincere, clever, and fun, so head on over to www.Cathy-Ann.com


Eric Rasmussen, Starvox.Net - Starvox.Net

Before any of you dismiss her as "just another cute thing that wants to play with the big boys", let me dash your dismissals by saying that it`s going to be the `big boys` that are going to be playing HER game. Produced and engineered by Bumblefoot who I absolutely can`t get enough of, Cathy-Ann`s debut album just smokes. Her aspirations to "be a big-time sellout, become obscenely rich, and move to a place that has a tropical climate all year long" could honestly become reality if she wants it. She`s got the tough girl attitude that helped Alanis Morissette become recognizable by just a first name. She`s got a great voice and can actually play a mean acoustic guitar. Sure she`s cute and that always helps regardless of whether you`re male or female-well usually because certainly no one thinks Moby is hot. Her voice really can soar though, just listen to "Forgive You" to be sure. I guess some might want to lump her into the anti-folk craze that has our friends up in New York City thinking they reinvented the wheel, but I wouldn`t dare. She`s too good to stick into a scene that gets goofball musicians who just write songs making fun of themselves. Although I guess the cynical "Musical Prostitute" is sort of like that-but I wish it was easy as she claims "get fake tits, wear this thong, and lipsynch to this song". Then again she should know, she was approached by a major, recorded a demo for them and watched as they turned her hard work into formulaic one-hit wonder crap. So fortunately for all of us she decided to scrap the deal and instead we get to listen to the more raw and humorous folk. Although I bet that if she hadn`t made that decision she`d be in a tropical environment counting her money.

J Sin, Smother.Net - Smother.net 2003

Therina Bella isn't sitting around waiting for Casper to appear. Instead, she's using her past memories as a way of therapy in her latest album,"Waiting for a Ghost". Heavily watched over by a guardian angel, Therina pulls out her dusty guitar and attacks her mournful past to display a promising future of open dreams, new love and a photo album full of wonderful memories of loved ones. This New Yorker recently released "Waiting for a Ghost" after a long year of mourning for a close family member. Her remedy of heartfelt songwriting seems to be therapeutic enough, opening up a closer relationship of the singer to the listener in her personal journal of songs. Therina's vocals are hauntingly gorgeous, able to slowly pull the petals off a blooming rose blowing softly in the wind. This CD is breathtaking and stunning. You will need to shake your head after the album is over to get the songs out, but you're not quite sure if you're ready to let go because you have been pulled in so deep. "Waiting for a Ghost" is that CD that will make your pile of favorite CDs complete by an artist that will have you wondering why you didn't discover her sooner! -Heather Corcoran - Go Girls Magazine

Inspired to write this record and refocus herself on music after her father’s death, Waiting For A Ghost wisps along like an indie Mazzy Starr or Sarah McCaughlin. When Bella goes for the sad, haunting sounds and vocals like Mazzy Starr, she is brilliant and you are simply glad to hear the songs. Helped by David Dragov and Joseph Beford on the recording, highlights come from the opener “Escape,” the poppy “52904,” the oddly electro “Terrible Girl” and the wonderful closer “Goodnight.”- Brian - Exoduster Magazine

Cathy-Ann Borges (her “Honey Wagon” was a Smother favorite) turns us on to her next project known as Therina Bella. After her father passed away in May of 2004, she set about to record “Waiting for a Ghost” a melancholic album about loss and the devastation it brings. Her music is a testament to the wringing emotion that death can bring and is down with a firm grasp on sadcore and indie folk reminding me a bit of some of the great artists that the Spanish indie label Acuarela Discos has put to disc. While the album encompasses a wide range of emotion, tragedy, and tales, it is a cohesive piece that you’ll find yourself craving the second its over—but don’t fret, you can always hit play again.

- J-Sin /Smother.
- Smother Magazine

A few minutes into this release, and you’ll realize you aren’t listening to an acoustic album. Therina Bella puts the guitars up front on this collection of emotional and heartfelt songwriting, but there are plenty of quirky electronica flourishes and synth textures to keep things very interesting.

Some of the songs are almost minimalist. "Ghost" is the best example, just an electric guitar, some percussive support, and plaintive vocals. A bit of synthesizer comes in for the instrumental break, but as with the rest of the album, it’s the singing that demands attention. Another minimal cut, "Southern Comfort," is moody and atmospheric, sounding like collaboration between Bella and Boards of Canada. Quite an inspired piece, especially when the electronic noises come into the foreground.

Bella doesn’t theorize in her songwriting; most of the lyrics are drawn from her real life experiences and tragedies. It’s tough to hang your personal life out for all to see and hear — if the album sucks, the content won’t matter much. Fortunately, these songs are good, and the emotion in them comes through loud and clear.

"Terrible Girl" is one of the best cuts on the disc. There’s more of everything -- fuller instrumentation, and a great bouncy keyboard riff that doesn’t detract from the overall melancholy of the song. Self depreciation, combined with electronic pulses, usually equals fodder for the me-so-hurty-mope-rock crowd, but in Bella’s hands it’s something quite enjoyable, begging for another listen as soon as the song’s finished.

Waiting For A Ghost is a consistently good CD from start to finish, which isn’t easy to pull off in the first place; when the disc is full of heavy, personal lyrics, the task at hand is almost impossible. Jewel, Tori Amos and Lisa Loeb are guilty of writing at least one or two completely precious, overblown and insufferable clunkers each. Therina Bella has no such contamination on her CD. Hats off to her for making it all work.

J. Wallace/Indie Music
- Indie Music Magazine