There are times when you first hear a singer’s voice and are drawn in immediately to their music. This happens to me occasionally in the alt-country genre. I am not a big country music fan but when I hear music being performed with a passionate voice I have been known to become a raving fan very quickly. I remember this happening to me years ago when I first heard Chris Isaak’s deep voice and it may have just happened to me again when I was introduced to Deanna Cartea.
Hailing from Regina, Saskatchewan and now based in the Sunshine Coast of British Columbia has molded Deanna into a force to be reckoned with. I hope I am not too late to the party as she has already been named Winner of the 2012 Independent Music Award for “Alt Country song of the year”. She has created quite a unique sound and approach by drawing upon the exposure she had to the hard core elements of society during her prior career in Social Work that brought her up close and personal to the people and families who struggle daily. Seeing those images, combined with her own personal experiences in life, form a genuine and cerebral style to the character of her songwriting.
Back in the beginning of the summer Deanna Cartea released the album Open Road and has put her heart and soul into getting it out there to the masses. Captivating vocals, haunting melodies, and thought-provoking lyrics describe the album from front to back. From the first time you hear her sultry voice on the peppy opening track ‘Open Road’ you will know you are in for a powerful listen. Deanna slows it down a little with the spooky ‘Robot’. The guitar effects are used perfectly to create a soundscape that is creepy yet welcoming. As with most of the songs on the album, but in particular ‘Cover me With Flowers’ Deanna really opens herself up with lyrics that are poignant and deep. These are songs where the listener will be forced to listen multiple times to try and take in the full meaning of the tracks.
Go begin your journey now at:
http://deannacarteamusic.bandcamp.com/