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Vonda Shepard

Vonda Shepard's career has run the gamut from having an early hit in the late '80s with “Don't Cry Ilene” (Reprise Records) to being an independent artist and then on to selling more than 12 million records worldwide with the success of the hit show Ally McBeal. Her wonderful new CD From the Sun (9.2.08) finds her indie roots firmly planted, and happily so. It is also her first proper solo release since 2003 and her fourth collaboration with legendary producer Mitchell Froom (Crowded House, Elvis Costello, Randy Newman). Infusing her singer/songwriter style with splashes of powerful, stacked vocal parts, Froom describes the album as having a “modern-day soul feel” with Vonda’s solid piano playing and bluesy, soulful voice driving the tracks.

From the Sun also boasts guitarist James Ralston (Tina Turner, The Del Fuegos), bassist Jim Hanson (Johnny Cash, Rodney Crowell, Bruce Springsteen), and drummer Matt Chamberlain (David Bowie, Tori Amos, John Mayer), as well as mixer/engineer David Boucher (Daniel Powter, Indigo Girls, Andrew Bird).

“I love performing live so much I wanted to write songs that I could really wail on. I am content to record and release my own records exactly the way I envision them, then go on the road, get the music out there any way I can and have a blast doing it all!” However, she is the first to tell you that she’s ready for a “comeback.” “I have a massive amount of energy for music and life.”

A “comeback” is definitely not out of the question for an artist who began performing original material at small venues on the L.A. club scene at the young age of 14. Having released five studio albums of original material, a live retrospective and DVD, and four soundtracks for the series Ally McBeal since then, Vonda is without a doubt among today’s most successful and talented singer/songwriters. Plans are already underway for Vonda to support From the Sun with a full national promotional campaign that features live performances, TV appearances (including a round of Fox morning shows), in-store appearances, Triple-A radio, and a nationwide publicity blitz. The CD will also be released in Europe via Kontext Records with an extensive European tour on tap for January.

In a time when pop stars come and go in the flash of an eye, From the Sun is yet another chapter in the ever-expanding tale of a singer/songwriter whose talent and substance continue to define her as an artist who is here to stay.

Latest bulletin 03.03.09

UK Press

Vonda's European tour ends tonight in Glasgow. Here are links to some press she got for the UK dates:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0fMWiqzOI30

http://www.redhotvelvet.co.uk/?p=1535

http://www.musicrooms.net/rock-and-pop/rock-and-pop-reviews/live-review-vonda-shepard-at-the-pigalle-club-london.html

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May 04, 12:51 PM

In the works

Hi!
Just wanted to say hi. We're busy planning the European fall tour and I am thrilled that we will be coming back! We are also planning a LIVE,"FROM THE SUN TOUR" CD that will be released in the fall. Most of the CD will be from the show we played in Murcia, Spain... (It sounds pretty cool!)
Anyway, I'm writing the next album and, as always, the process is fairly arduous and lengthy, but it's coming along. I always read Anne Lamott's "Bird By Bird" when I'm struggling with the writing process. One of the first chapters is titled "shitty first drafts"!!! Truer words were never spoken. So much of the writing is perseverance, patience, sitting there waiting for inspiration to hit, whilst trying not to be overly critical. Editing is a huge part of the process. As you can see by this blog, I am at present not sitting at the piano, but finding more interesting things to do!!! It's Monday! I need to WORK!!!
Bye!
Vonda
Mar 16, 03:14 PM

Home Sweet Home

Hi!
We're home after an amazing tour! When my friends and family ask how it went, I have the same response every time... it was the best tour I've ever done! I know it wasn't the highest attendance of my career, but that didn't matter. The people who came to the shows were so enthusiastic, as were we to play for you. We're already looking forward to the next European/U.K. tour in October and November. I felt so inspired to play these new songs that I've begun to write the next album. This will take awhile, I know, but there is a lot of positive energy for writing in my life.
Thank you all for making this such a happy time! My band also had a great time and they look forward to the next one.
I received an email via our contact address from a woman named Theres, from Bochum Germany. I just want to say that your email meant a lot to me. I'm very happy when my music can have a healing effect on anyone. I hope you're still doing so well! Hang in there!
I also want to thank everyone from Romania who responded to my blog with words of support. I will be posting a photo of a gorgeous dump truck on my website soon!
One more thing... for those of you who signed up for our email list at the shows, I ask that you please also sign up on the website, as we couldn't read some of the writing and really want to send you news and music! We are going to start sending out some free music to everyone, to tide you over!
See you soon...
Love,
Vonda
Sep 22 2008, 11:43 AM

First week update from Vonda

Hi peeps!
I've been on the road doing morning TV & playing Borders' "in-stores" this week, as some of you know. We're having so much fun getting out there again and playing music for you. Some of the TV has been hilarious... KUSI was a highlight. They were having technical difficulties and, apparently, my voice was being heard saying "should I play???" The producer was saying "yes, yes... play!" Then, I was playing and the screen went black... ah, live TV! The station didn't have a boom for the mic stand, so I had to put the mic stand right in front of my hands & play the piano without bumping into it. For better, or worse, I'm very comfortable in disheveled situations. The loose quality of the station was actually very refreshing... made for a light spirit about the place. We didn't even have the piano working until 30 seconds before I was supposed to play live! Apparently I called "Judy Garland" Judy Collins. (I was kidding!)

The San Diego Borders was the best turn-out. Lots of people came down to hang out. As you can see, this is a very grassroots way of promoting the record, but I'm truly having a blast. Also, it was great to see some familiar faces at the gigs. We'll be following up soon with full shows, so please keep checking the site.

See you soon!

Vonda
Aug 15 2008, 11:24 AM

Getting close...

Hi everyone!

Do you like the new website?

I'm so excited about the release of the record on September 16 and all of the upcoming Borders in-stores and TV appearances we're planning. We're in the process of booking actual shows for October/November following the September promotional tour and I really hope to see you all there. We'll give you the updates as soon as we have them.

See you on the road!

Love,
Vonda

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Vonda Shepard

Latest bulletin 03.03.09

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