(As part of rock nyc’s ongoing partnership on the “Acoustic Anarchy” show”, part of the CBGB’s Festival and happening at the Cake Shop on October 9th, we are presenting an artist spotlight of each performer. Magnolia Memoir is the final artist before Thursday show. Mela Lee and Alexander Burke (piano, vibes and organ.) are the creative apex of the band, Mela has been compared to greats like Adele because oftheir soulful AOR songs, Pale Fire received a rave review here by Alyson Camus)
Who is Magnolia Memoir?
Magnolia Memoir is founding members Mela Lee & Alexander Burke, with Aron Forbes on guitar, Gordon Bash on Bass and Keith Crutchfield on Drums.
It started as a journal Mela bought on the side of the road. It had Magnolia’s on it, and it’s where she wrote down the stories people told her about her father, who passed away when she was a child. It has since become a musical movement: A musical photograph of our lives, meant to inspire people to “live the memoir” and fill your life with Pale Fire moments that matter.
I hear there is an interesting story behind your new record Pale Fire.
It is a nod to Russian-American novelist Vladimir Nabokov’s literary work, but has a story all its own. It’s about the pale fire that pierces darkness & ignites a revolution of the heart, the mind, or the people.
What’s at the top of your Wish List?
Alex: Grammy…
Mela: An historic show for the CBGB’s festival & to do Jules Holland in the UK.
What does the spirit of CBGBs mean to you?
It’s not just permission to paint outside the lines… It’s a command to obliterate them. We love crossing lines and are fans of the legacy of great artists that came from CBGB’s – Blondie, Talking Heads, The Ramones. There’s beauty in destruction.
What would you like future generations to take away from your music?
The Memoir is a musical photograph of who we are. We hope people walk away inspired… To write, to live to dream.
Videos:
Odds & Ends” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y7uTiUQKSsw
Memoir – “Pale Fire” Live Acoustic @ Werewolf Heart Studio
http://vimeo.com/magnoliamemoir/mmwerewolfheartpalefire822
Magnolia Memoir- “No One Like You” Live Acoustic @ Werewolf Heart Studio
http://vimeo.com/magnoliamemoir/mmwerewolfheartnoonelikeyou822
Balcony TV featured premiere:
http://balconytv.com/v/magnolia-memoir-pale-of-fire-balcony-tv
Some hype:
“Intensely un-LA sounding band with a beguiling singer who won’t be underground long. Nothing out of LA has sounded like this.” – Chris Walker
“Curiously unique, a songstress for the times, who is mesmerizing and slides neatly into the indie pop world. Watch out for her in 2014 as she is quickly on the rise.”
Cindi Avnet – Balcony TV
“Several shades of amazing….Magnolia Memoir’s bold and ambitious creative journey allows for moments of grace with just enough exuberance peeking through the cracks to inspire.” – Jonathan Widran, Music Connection
Pale Fire is now available
