By Geoffrey Rowlands
 

The chorus provided by American singer/songwriter Diane Birch is a key element on English rapper Devlin’s UK hit single, Rewind. It is taken from Diane’s completely different song with the same title which featured on her 2009 debut album, Bible Belt.
“I was surprised to learn a rapper had even heard my song,” smiled 30-year-old Diane. “Mine is not the type of music that I’d expect rappers to enjoy. I perform classic singer/songwriter kind of songs with just a piano or a few backing musicians.”
Devlin’s appreciation of her work stemmed from his interest in quality lyrics and the amazing reviews Diane earned for Bible Belt. The album was universally acclaimed with one critic actually describing her as the future of singer/songwriters.
Sadly, not so many record buyers seemed to agree. Bible Belt peaked at No. 87 in America and just 10 places higher in Britain.
“I did hope for better sales figures,” Diane admitted. “The reviews were so great that I really believed I’d have a big hit. That didn’t happen but the people who did buy my album certainly enjoyed what they heard. The feedback from fans was incredibly positive and so rewarding.”
Her singles proved even less successful. The Velveteen Age, a seven-track album containing covers of songs Diane enjoyed in her teen years, also failed to sell in any great numbers.
But as some songs can take many months to make a significant impression on the charts, so Diane’s profile was gradually raised through a solid schedule of concerts and the use of her music in television and movies.
“My career has been a bit like my life. My father was a Seventh-day Adventist preacher whose work took him and his family to various parts of the world. I was born in Michigan but we left when I was very young. As a child, I was only exposed to classical music, opera and church hymns. I didn’t really hear pop until we returned to America.”
Teenage Diane’s musical rebellion came in the form of listening to Goth bands such as Sisters of Mercy and Christian Death. But she also embraced a wide range of popular music enjoying songs from the 1920s just as much as The Beatles or Fleetwood Mac.
A pianist since the age of seven, Diane had the ability to play a tune immediately after hearing it. She used this talent to begin her career playing a selection of standards for customers in Los Angeles hotels and nightspots.
“I had the idea of composing music for films or television. The pianist for hire stuff was just to pay the rent.”
Her life-changing event was an invitation from Prince to jam with his band.
“He saw me playing at the Polo Lounge. Jamming with Prince’s band at his house opened my eyes to the possibility of becoming a professional musician rather than a composer.
“I hadn’t sung at that point but was persuaded to take a singing class. This went well and I suddenly found I was a singer/songwriter.”
Songs posted on her MySpace page attracted the attention of a London-based manager. A publishing deal and regular gigs in Britain got Diane noticed by Grammy-winning producer Steve Greenberg who signed her to his S-Curve Records label.
“Steve has been incredibly supportive. I’ve been able to work with some wonderful musicians and producers.”
The array of talent on the credits for Darklight, Diane’s forthcoming new album, is testament to Steve Greenberg’s faith in her ability. Having built a following since the release of Bible Belt, her role on Devlin’s Rewind has brought Diane an unexpected army of new fans.
“I wasn’t sure about working with Devlin at first. He didn’t just want to sample my Rewind, I had to re-record the chorus in a different register and at a faster speed. I’m so pleased I agreed because it’s a wonderful song.”




in
brief

Daughter make a splash ...

London-based trio Daughter have attracted much attention over the last two years. Originally a solo project for singer/songwriter Elena Tonra, she has since been joined by guitarist Igor Haefeli and drummer Remi Aguilella.
Critically acclaimed EPs such as His Young Heart and The Wild Youth fuelled the fire of anticipation for a full album while tracks such as Youth, Home and Love were used in television shows and commercials.
If You Leave, their eagerly awaited debut album, will hit record stores next month. Haunting lead single, Still, is available now. The video can be seen at www.youtube.com/watch?v=uUWrcFpmI5U. Links to more of Daughter’s videos and audio postings can be found on this webpage.
Some live performances are available on the official Daughter site at www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL681EC087ADFE9B4B.

... and so do Veronica Falls
 
Veronica Falls are another London-based band attracting industry attention.
The indie quartet are further advanced in their career than Daughter. New release, Waiting for Something to Happen, is the band’s second album. It follows their 2011 eponymously titled debut LP which drew favourable reviews but could only reach No. 150 on the UK chart.
The entire album can be accessed by clicking on ‘Albums’ at www.myspace.com/veronicafallshard. Some tracks from the new album are available to hear at (no www.) soundcloud.com/veronica-falls.
The video for their latest single, Teenage, is at www.youtube.com/watch?v=8A8yRqDIrBw. Links to more Veronica Falls videos and live performances are also posted here.
 
US lead guitarist joins Volbeat
 
Danish rockers Volbeat now have an American lead guitarist.
Former Anthrax axeman Rob Caggiano was originally engaged to produce the band’s forthcoming fifth studio album, Outlaw Gentlemen & Shady Ladies. But guest guitar solos on the album tracks proved so inspiring to band members Michael Poulsen, Anders Kjolholm and Jon Larsen that they asked Rob to join them.
“We went into the studio as a three-piece and came out as a whole band,” Michael stated. “The entire collaboration with Rob was amazing. We had this huge creative chemistry which we didn’t want to lose. We were delighted when he accepted our invitation to join Volbeat.”
Their new album will be released in early April. Anyone unfamiliar with the band’s music might like to visit www.myspace.com/volbeat/. Click on ‘Albums’ to gain access to their last three LPs.
Only Volbeat’s 2005 debut album, The Strength, The Sounds, The Songs, is not posted on MySpace. However, this can be heard in full at www.youtube.com/watch?v=nBrYRBLowxo&playnext=1&list=PL497FDF1B5C0B79EC.
 
Free download from Vera Mesmer
 
Christopher Turner and Nadja Puelen, better known as Los Angeles alternative rock duo Vera Mesmer, are offering fans a free download of their latest single, Down the Hole.
The song can be heard and downloaded at (no www.) veramesmer.bandcamp.com. The only price required is your e-mail address.
Also on the webpage is a link to their five-song EP, Orphans. Each track can be heard in full but the download price is a minimum of $5.
The video for Back From The Dead, one of the songs on Orphans, can be seen at www.youtube.com/watch?v=8flfG-h48yk. Also posted here are links to Vera Mesmer video blogs and some songs by Coal Chamber, Nadja’s former band.