One of our objectives in establishing Shakenstir ten years ago was to encourage more direct contact with quality artists (from around the globe) who may seek to seriously musical career (signed or independently), and optimise the opportunites that the Internet now provides. So when such artists send us their music, we listen, we review and, if good enough, we’ll play on one of our local FM radio shows. We’ve received and played music from many unsigned artists and bands over the last 12 months who in our opinion equal or even better many signed acts.

Kate Strand’s demo album, LOST FOUND and STOLEN, arrived from LA this morning with a brief and very polite note asking nothing more than to listen. So I did and liked what I heard. Kate is a young singer/songwriter who has recorded this album in rented rehearsal space with the help of engineer/co-producer Henrik Linde. To me, it’s an excellent example of what, where and how quality results can be achieved, while retaining that organic sound that’s so important for singer/songwriters.

The CD came in an attractive graphic card sleeve, not dissimilar to many we receive from established record companies. All that was missing were the song lyrics which always help for reviewing purposes but are seldom included (on promos from both signed and unsigned acts). One gets the feeling immediately that this young lady means business… 

Diving, firmly struck, blues guitar introduces the opening song ‘Stolen’ and I’m struck by a passionate vocal that reminds me of one of our favourite UK artists (who also happens to be residing in LA right now) Carina Round. That blues rock sound is also not that distant from some of Carina’s earlier, great recordings. If indeed Carina is an influence Kate has picked wisely. A strong melody and direct, powerful lyrics complete an impressive opening. ‘What The Hell Blues’ offers a more folk orientated vibe with a wandering, more fragile vocal that matches the ambience perfectly. ‘Borrowed Words’ opens with a pleasant acoustic guitar strum and continues to feature as it plays below a thoughtful, clear and quite beautiful vocal performance. With its tangible melody and high quality production, the song is one of the highlights of this collection.

‘Fellow Fragile Fighter’ provides another example of Kate’s distinctive vocal quality as it dominates a stripped-down instrumental backdrop. The song moves at a slow and steady pace with Kate’s voice providing the main interest as it wanders expressively and intimately in communicating the narrative. ‘Small Talk’ returns to blues rock style as Kate provides the most expressive vocal on the album as it rises and falls with relentless emotion and skill. The acoustic and electric guitars also play an important dramatic role. Truly impressive.

Other highlights include the fast-paced, blues folk of ‘Closely’; the close-mic intimacy and stuttered, scraped acoustic strings of  ‘Darling’; and ‘Pastel Carousel’ with its light, homely sound of speaking friends, casual guitar strums and mockng lyrical refrain of “They say I’m beautiful.”

LOST FOUND and STOLEN is an accomplished debut with a recorded ambience that could be lost in translation via a big-budget studio recording. Kate has an excellent voice that is able to accurately convey the emotional messages that her well-written, edgy songs contain. The only thing lacking is that one song with the killer punch that some radio stations would play without thinking twice. ‘Borrowed Words’ comes the closest and we will definitely play it. The best example of this I can think of right now is by the other singer/songwriter I mentioned earlier, Carina Round. There are at least a couple of examples on her new E.P. THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW.

With LOST FOUND and STOLEN Kate has proven that she is the complete package with a bright musical future ahead of her. Job done!

4/5

www.myspace.com/katestrand