Sonya Lorelle

Sonya Lorelle's title track on her first album was coined by a stranger at a gas station who noticed her filling up her truck with a U-Haul attached. After she confirmed that she was indeed moving "by herself," he said in an impressed tone, "Oh?! An 'Independent Woman'!" She soulfully delivers this debut collection of bluesy songs in an acoustic project that is raw and organic with just her golden voice and piano to back it up.

Lorelle soon decided to take her style, described to be an upbeat version of Norah Jones and Carol King, on the road. She gave up her career as a counselor and lease on her apartment, priced her belongings, and began touring nationally and abroad.

During these travels alone she began writing a second set of songs to appear on her sophomore CD, "The Life You Wanted." Highlights include "Lost So Long" a light basso nova song inspired by her experience of being lost on the streets of Paris and Dublin. "Kiss Me Tonight" is a flirty jazz number about an impending first kiss. She takes her strong woman themes present in "Independent Woman" further into this new project. In one song, she tells a failed love to 'Go On With Your Life" and in "Bed Time Story, " she celebrates all that a woman has to offer by opening, "I'm a bedtime story and I'll rock you to sleep. I'm a buried treasure, a secret you keep."

Sonya received her first jazz education starting in high school where she alternated between lead alto sax and the vocalist for the jazz band. She continued her training at Southwest Missouri State University where she majored in psychology and minored in music. She performed in different groups, such as the jazz band as the pianist and singing in the madrigal choir. From this solid foundation in music theory and insight gained into the human psyche, Sonya is able to write the meaningful lyrics and develop the colorful melodies and harmonies heard on ?The Life You Wanted.?

Some more background:
"I entered college with hopes of developing my songwriting craft as a music major at Southwest Missouri State University. After one year, I realized that I didn't want to be a music teacher or classical vocalist, so I switched to psychology. I still sang in the madrigal choir and took voice lessons, but for the most part my music went to the back burner. I decided to continue my education and entered the Counseling Program to get my masters degree. I enjoyed my education and thought that I would settle nicely into my new career. However, things changed after graduation when my mom gave me a trip to the Kerrville Folk Festival, and I took the songwriting workshop. I was inspired and came home to write song after song. I started recording and performing. Then after almost a year, I decided I wanted to start touring, so I started setting up shows across the country, and even one in London, England.

After several years of traveling and focusing mainly on music, I started to miss my work in counseling. I got a job as a children's counselor at an agency that serves homeless families. I was inspired by how these resilient children endure and overcome so many hardships. I feel blessed to be a part of their journey. During this time I realized how important it was for me to feed both of my passions. It fulfills me to write and perform music as it creates an emotional connection with listeners. However, it also fulfills me make that same kind of emotional connection while I get to witness kids' growth in counseling. I feel so lucky to have the opportunity to continue to develop my varied interests and drives!"

Review by Michael Brothers, Springfield Newsleader
"Independent Woman" is a collection of solid songs from start to finish. On the album, Lorelle showcases her bluesy voice, elegant piano stylings and thoughtful lyrics.....Sonically, Lorelle evokes an upbeat version of contemporary jazz vocalist Norah Jones. Lyrically, she is more in the vein of wordy songsmiths like Joni Mitchell or Fiona Apple.

Review by Les Reynolds, Indie-Music.com
Sonya could sing mathematical equations and it would sound fantastic..(she) has a vocal style that is pure gold. It feels good to listen to her sing. Strong. Clear. Seductive at times. A bit of Norah Jones with more volume. A mix of jazz and blues in a cabaret style delivery. Her tunes are basically piano driven with her golden throat carrying the song wherever she wants to take it. She can soar, glide and growl. Her songs are at times torchy and at others melancholy and sad. The opening cut "Baby Without You" really gives this CD its signature sound.

Review by Renee Wood, www.afterhoursbigband.net
Sonya writes bluesy sophisticated tunes and sings them with tremendous verse and style, accompanying herself on piano. Sonya is a vocalist with great chops! She's got a big vocal range and excellent control over her voice, giving her the ability to do about anything she wants with a song. The songs themselves have a surprising emotional range and depth for one so young. From "Independent Woman," the title song about a young woman hitting her stride and striking out on her own, to a great bluesy bossa nova called "Beauty of It All," to torch songs like "There's Something", and "Better Days", a song about old age written with truth and delivered with love. The songs, both in concept and delivery are of consistently high quality as is her piano playing. This CD is a treat!

Review by www.womanrising.com
Sonya Lorelle gives a soft sound to Independence . Incredible vocalist from Missouri , Sonya Lorelle, on her CD, "Independent Woman," "Baby Without You," is deep, gutsy.. The title cut, "Independent Woman," is bluesy, jazzy, and puts 'em in their place. Lorelle is easy listening at its best, and her style is her trademark.

Review by Amy Lotsberg, www.collectedsounds.com
Sonya Lorelle has a cool jazzy, bluesy voice and plays a spunky piano. Think Norah Jones with a jolt of caffeine..Sonya's voice is crystal clear and almost achingly emotional. Her piano playing is very nice. When listening to Lorelle, I imagine I'm in a small intimate club and there are only a handful of listeners who are all a little wine buzzed, paired off and are listening, but are also whispering quietly to each other and nuzzling together. She gets throaty on "There's Something" which really shows her jazzy style. Other stand out songs: "Love Like Crazy", "Don't You Know"