You Never Know by Annelise LeCheminant

" (Greg Young, fan)

*********

Since beginning her career in music 12 years ago, Annelise LeCheminant has captivated audiences with her soulful and venturesome sound. This singer/songwriter/guitarist is the type of act that's hard for audiences to ignore. She skillfully applies her creativity and artistry to her music, developing her own unique style; a blend of alternative rock, funk, and jazz with a little flavor from the salt shaker of a european cafe.

LeCheminant has performed in various venues throughout the country. Most notably, she performed for an international crowd at the 2002 Winter Olympics Downtown Festival in Salt Lake City. Along with writing and recording original material, LeCheminant has also performed lead vocals for various artists and bands and is an accomplished studio vocalist. Critics praised her vocals on Colette Call's award winning new release "Power In His Touch" (www.colettecall.com). She also sang back-up vocals on a song produced by Backstreet Boys producer, Andrew Lane.

Now, with the release of her debut album, "You Never Know", LeCheminant has shown that there is still new music to be made. This is a fresh and exciting album. Listeners rave at the creative nature of the lyrics which is topped only by the incredible talent in her voice. The album is as eclectic as a roadside antique store and as inventive as next year's runway. Each song stands on it's own and is ready to launch this up and coming solo artist. We are sure to see her rise to the top with this album.

Artists and musicians who have worked with LeCheminant recognize her ability to connect with her audience and describe her vocal and writing abilities with the highest of praise. "People stop their conversations to listen to her", says vocal coach and songwriter Brett Manning. He adds, "She captures the attention of her audience with her voice and style. Her lyrics and melodies are creative and artistic." Nationally recognized professional studio drummer Steve Brewster says, "Annelise needs to keep doing what she's doing, because this is what music needs".

In a recent interview, LeCheminant had this to say about her career in music.

Annelise, why music?

 "Music has always been a part of my life. I started out on violin when I was 4 yrs. old and moved on to piano until I was about 10. As a kid, I would watch singers on TV wishing I could do that. I sang in various musical groups but back then it didn't really occur to me that I could make a career of it. I always loved to sing and at 17 yrs. old I began to take voice lessons. But instead of being in the school musical I painted the scenery for it!

Did you ever want to do anything else?

"I have always been an artist and I actually pursued that avenue predominantly. I love to paint and draw so I went to college to study art. I somehow ended up in interior design and, upon graduation, I moved to New York City to begin my career. Three weeks after moving there, I became extremely ill. This was a very difficult time in my life and a huge turning point. I hit rock bottom physically and emotionally. I finally went home to Utah to recover, against my will."

Was that the end of your Interior Design career?

 "No, not yet. But it is when I rediscovered my passion and desire to be a singer/songwriter. After I recovered from the illness, I started exactly where I had left off- struggling to find a job I would be happy doing. I bounced around between interior design, retail display design, construction/framing, and graphic illustration. I enjoyed bits and pieces, but none of them touched my soul and, I was becoming pretty miserable. As I was healing I wrote my first song "City", which was about my experience in NYC. That's when the passion and desire to be a singer/songwriter really began to surface. I eventually recorded a demo of "City" and it was then that I discovered how much fun it is to sing in the studio."

How did you transition from graphic illustration to being a singer/songwriter?

"Some people thought I was crazy but, fortunately my family and close friends really supported me. I quit a good paying "cube farm" job with benefits to become a starving artist. After 6 months in Nashville I took a job as a house keeper and worked weekends at the YMCA just to make ends meet. The sacrifices were plenty but somehow I never had any doubt that I was doing the right thing. However, being very human, the fear storms would arise, especially during the recording process. When things would get big, or as I was approaching the unknown I had my "Oh my gosh what am I doing?" moments, but I never truly doubted my course."

How did you get started?

"In High school, I was in the concert choir and we were required to perform in front of the class once a quarter. I was scared out of my mind, but, in a strange way, I really liked it. After college and my stint in New York, I would sing solos in church at every opportunity. I gained a real sense of fulfillment from singing, which led to my joining a professional recording choir. I was with the choir for three years and I felt blessed to associate with some very talented singers. But, when hired soloists performed with us, I got jealous. I knew I could do what they were doing. That's when I began to focus all of my energy on singing and song-writing. I began teaching myself to play guitar and from time to time would study with vocal coach Brett Manning, who traveled from Nashville to teach in Salt Lake City. It was an exciting and challenging time. I was rediscovering the inspired singer I really wanted to be."

How did you know where to start?

"I didn't, but I knew that if I wanted to be successful, I couldn't wait on "other people" to make it happen. I "grabbed the bull by the horns" and set out on the journey of being a singer/songwriter. I wrote as much as I possibly could and played the guitar in every spare moment. We didn't have a TV, so that's how I would relax and entertain myself. I attended an artist development camp and learned as much as I could about how the music industry worked. Eventually, I relocated to Nashville to concentrate my studies with my vocal coach. It was all about the commitment to just do it. It sounds like a lot of work but you know, it didn't really seem like work. I loved all of it because it is my passion, my calling."

Your music is so unique, where did your sound come from?

"Well, I try to write melodies that are interesting to me. When I'm writing on the guitar I search for chords that are different than G,C,D. When I first started to play guitar I found it frustrating to learn cover tunes so I made up my own songs with the chords my hands could play. I took a few guitar lessons but I pretty much taught myself to play. I think that is one reason my music is different. I really love the creative exploration of finding a song rather than copying one. Four months after moving to Nashville, and before I was even any good at playing the guitar, I began playing at the open mic nights and from there started booking myself in writers' rounds. I guess I kind of have this attitude of, 'if I want to get good at something, I just jump into the fire and force myself to learn it quick'. I was pleasantly surprised when audiences really got into my music, which was encouraging. I played writers' rounds for a year and a half. Then, I began recording my debut album, which was recently released, and that's where I am now.

What got you through?

A lot of prayer, support from my family and friends and just believing in myself and in God.

In closing, what would you say is the one thing you want your fans to know about Annelise LeCheminant?

"I like to keep my music real. My songs are either about things I firmly believe in or have experienced myself. I don't fabricate a story just to get a song written. I sometimes write in metaphors so the story isn't always easily read but I think that gives people an opportunity to get what they need or want out of a song to make it theirs. We are all humans having similar experiences and when a song delivers a message to someone, who can relate to it, I find that to be strengthening and magical. Sometimes I think about why I am pursuing this music thing and someone will write me and tell me how one of my songs helped them in their life, then I realize my purpose. "

Average Customer Review: