This page contains a brief overview on the album ALANA KURTIS: Wiser. Learn more about the artist and explore the track lists and website. If you find any information that needs to be corrected, please let us know.

 
Since the release of her award winning debut CD "Wiser" in 2005, Toronto based singer-songwriter Alana Kurtis has enjoyed plenty of critical acclaim: “Kurtis’ songs are a rootsy blend of country and folk sensibilities reminiscent at times of Roseanne Cash.” – The Ottawa SUN.

Working with the likes of LA producer Robin Lynn, Alana is currently making a new album "Where I Want To Be" that is likely to garner her some major attention on the Canadian music scene. It’s a scene she’s proud to be a part of, having spent 6 years in Los Angeles where she studied music at the internationally esteemed California Institute of the Arts in Los Angeles. During her time there she explored a variety of genres and vocal techniques, including classical, East Indian, and jazz. She toured inner-city schools giving performances with her Salsa Band; sang with a Bulgarian women’s choir; performed classical recitals in Italian, German and French; and sang her original material in various clubs on Hollywood’s sunset strip. Alana also co-produced the “CalArts Women’s CD (00/01)”, mastered at Capitol Records in Hollywood.

While in LA, Alana had the privilege of meeting songwriter Billy Steinberg (Like a Virgin- Madonna, I touch myself - The Divinyls, True Colours - Cyndi Lauper). Billy became a mentor, and Alana continues to learn a lot about the craft of songwriting from him. With his encouragement and direction, Alana has honed her skills as a lyricist and discovered her own voice.

Alana also worked with music publisher/producer, Steve Lindsay (Leonard Cohen, Elton John, Aaron Neville) where she had the opportunity to rub elbows with industry heavies and to see the inner workings of the music business. “It wasn’t always pretty…but neither was LA. There was plenty of talent and opportunity, but the feeling of isolation made me long for home.” Of her decision to return to Canada in 2002, Alana says, “As a songwriter my job is to tell stories that come from a place of truth, and for me, I knew that I could find that place of truth in Canada.”


Early in life, Alana benefited from the creative influence of both parents. Her mother is an award winning Canadian landscape artist, and her father a bass player for the “The Esquires” (the Juno Award-winning band that toured with Roy Orbison, the Beach Boys, and is credited with making the first-ever Canadian music video.) As a kid, Alana studied everything from piano to recorder. She even played tuba in elementary school. "I don’t think I chose the tuba, I think it chose me. You see, I was the only kid big enough to lug it down the street." Alana attended Canterbury High School of the Arts in Ottawa Ontario, where she was involved with several bands, including an all-female acoustic quartet that played midnight shows at local dives and performed live on Canada's CBC Radio.

These days, Alana’s finding herself once again on the airwaves at CBC Radio, as well as winning awards for her songwriting. Alana was a “Top Ten” winner for TV Ontario’s Studio 2 songwriting competition in 2005. With the upcoming release of "Where I Want to Be", the buzz around Alana Kurtis doesn’t show any signs of letting up.

Check out the artist's website:
http://www.alanakurtis.com

Track List:
1. Wiser
2. Name In The Sand
3. Good Death
4. Dead End Days
5. Divinity
6. Walk Away
7. Parallel Loneliness
8. Cowboy Dreams
9. The Other Woman
10. Desert Roads
11. Sixth Sense

Other Genres:

• POP: Folky Pop
• COUNTRY: Country Folk
• SOLO FEMALE ARTIST