INTRODUCING: Natalie Brown - Let The Candle Burn

She's a Canadian songwriter hitting the bigtime ! She’s got the look, the voice, the writing skills and an ambition to match. Meet Natalie Brown, a 23 year old singer/songwriter from Vancouver, Canada who relocated to San Francisco to pursue her music dreams only to find out, very quickly, that it takes more than talent to make it in a music industry saturated with over-produced and manifactured teen acts.

Unwilling to stop at anything to achieve her goals, Natalie made the wise decision to momentarily forego major labels in favor of focusing her efforts on the independent route. And in a twist of fate reminiscent of a fairy tale, the sonsgtress with a voice of gold recorded her songs in a San Francisco studio, just miles away from where, at the exact same time, Lara Fabian was preparing her international debut album. And if that isn't coincidence enough, her first independant release Let the Candle Burn (October 2000) has established her as a favorite amongst the critics, and particulary with the prestigious Billboard Magazine, which had previously predicted Lara's rise to fame by naming her Most Promising International Artist for 1997, and is now listing Natalie as #22nd Most Popular New Artist for 2001.

Talented, generous and determined, Brown has been gaining a lot of new fans with her performances at various showcases (including a live performance at the famous Atlantis Music Conference in the N.A.R.A.S. in Atlanta) and apparitions on popular TV shows like "Farmclub.com" broadcast on MTV USA and MuchMusic Canada. Her self-penned songs, downloable here in full mp3s, could hold their own in the Chrurban landscape right up against Destiny’s Child and other female based r&b acts. Still Natalie chosed the independent route for her debut, and it's paying off as she's now approached by bigger and more successful "major" labels for upcoming projects. No doubt we'll be hearing her name a lot in the future !

  There's little chance that you'll hear Natalie Brown sing or speak and not be moved by the soulful, refreshing texture in her voice. This dynamic R&B/Pop - Singer/Songwriter with a powerful 4.5 Octave range translates her life experiences into songs that inspire, entertain, empower, and provoke.

Born in Ontario, Canada and now residing in San Francisco, CA, Natalie Brown's path to success has indeed been a winding one. In third grade, audiences were awestruck when she played a singing gypsy in a soulful voice and magnetic stage presence, which eventually led her into singing first soprano in the Assinaboin South Youth Choir in Winnipeg, Manitoba. After moving to Vancouver, B.C. in the mid eighties and almost becoming an elementary school teacher, she made her to California and landed a spot singing lead and background vocals on internationally acclaimed Gospel recording artist Ron Kenoly's "Welcome Home" tour in 1996. She toured around the country and upon her return, studied with world-renowned vocal instructors Seth Riggs (Michael Jackson, Tevin Campbell, Deborah Cove) and Dave Stroud (Terry Ellis of En Vogue, Rosie Gaines).

In 1997, having gained more confidence in her voice and polished up on her songwriting, she began working on demo tapes and singing background vocals at local recording studios. She worked with several record producers to put together a handful of songs to shop around. Even though she received mild interest from a couple of major labels, she wanted to first prove to the industry that she could make a profound impact on the music scene writing her own songs and recording the kind of R&B music that inspired her both personally and artistically. In order to do this, Natalie chose to take the independent label route, and signed a deal on her birthday; December 19th, 1998. Unfortunately, the company ran into financial difficulties and a year later, the contract expired without an album being released.

Not one to feel sorry for herself, and now much wiser to the game, Natalie kept her eye on the big picture and in July 2000 accepted an offer from a label owned by the producer of her first album. "It was extremely rought at the time, but I realized that everything happens for a reason and things work out the way they're supposed to," recalls Natalie.

Natalie's debut album was released in 2000 and contained thirteen original songs. Created with a thoughtful range of subject matter, tempo and mood throughout the album, "Let The Candle Burn" was enthusiastically welcomed by fans and industry personnel alike. From the carefree, upbeat title track "Let The Candle Burn" to the mid-tempo, gritty/sweet "More Today Than Yesterday," Natalie has proven with ease that she not only has commercial appeal, but that she is unique in an industry full "sound-alikes." Her often personal lyrics such as the deeply introspective song "Wind At My Back," inspires many while the poignant message of "Confused" has proven relevant to those of diverse age, racial and cultural backgrounds. "For me, the truth in my music is the most important factor. I really want the listener to peer into my soul and my life in hopes that somehow, what I have gone through will touch or encourage someone. I'm very proud of how the album turned out, "remarks Natalie.

Natalie Brown is a glowing talent who is consistently challenging perceptions of what an R&B/Pop artist should look and sound like. She writes songs that chronicle her life experiences and she invites us to sit in and analyze the musical landscapes of her thoughts and emotions. She often philosophizes as she reflects on her own life and of those around her: "We waste too much time looking outwardly for something that's already inside us".

Spend some time with Natalie Brown and her music and witness the launching of what is unquestionably destined to be a brilliant career.

ALBUM INFO

 Let the candle burn ~ Natalie Brown
1. Let The Candle Burn
2. More Today Than Yesterday (Featuring High Intent)
3. You Make Me Feel
4. You're So Good
5. You Pierced My Soul
6. Run Away
7. Locked In The Shadows
8. Confused
9. Wind At My Back
10. You Gotta Believe
11. Love Has Finally Called My Name
12. In Your Arms
13. (I Still See You) In My Dreams