Part of the new "soft revolution", Shannon Hurley fits into the new line-up of artists who make quietly beautiful music. It borders on the edge of pop, folk, and rock. Her music is reminiscent of Sarah McLachlan, Keane, and Aimee Mann.This Indiana-born musician has been playing music all her life, being brought up in a family of singers. Shannon is a sought-after session musician and spent 2005 touring with Casablanca artist Brie Larson. Currently she is playing keyboards for international artist Marina V. In addition to these accomplishments, she is also co-founder for Don't Call Us Tori, a showcase for quality women singer-songwriters. The "Sunrise" EP is Shannon's second release. Guy Erez (who worked with Jennifer Love Hewitt, Ryan Cabrera) and Carmen Rizzo both lent their magic to the EP. Shannon will be going into the studio in November 2007 to work on her forthcoming full length record.

Modern. Passionate. Emotional. All adjectives that describe this hot up and coming young musician's stylings. Following a long line of musical ground breakers from Topanga Canyon, Los Angeles, Celeste Lear, an electronic music programmer, skilled vocalist and electric guitarist, breaks the confines of gender-labels in Rock and Electronic music by self producing modern, emotionally-driven songs out of her home based recording studio in Topanga. Creatively blending together the musical styles of alternative rock, jazz and electronica, and inspired by artists such as Bjork, Beck, Sarah Mc Laughlin, POE, Moby and Portishead, Celeste crafts unique, moody, modern soundscapes. Personally illuminating lyrics, reflective of a female’s perspective on life in these modern times, tell tales of love and fears, politics in an era of drastic change and the constant struggle to find one’s self in confusing times. Granddaughter of the late Lear Jet and 8 Track Cassette inventor Bill Lear, Celeste comes from a world famous, inventive and enterprising family. Celeste is a unique musician in that she is actually deaf in one ear from a car accident that she endured at age 16. Dubbed “One Ear Lear” by her friends. KCLA says of her “Celeste is a wicked guitarist, creative music programmer and great songwriter, the tracks she gave us were sexy and modern, full of emotion and catchy electronic sounds .”

Christiane Cargill was born and raised in Orange County, California. An accomplished and agile pianist with a gift for melodies and a fluid, soulful voice, she begged to take piano and organ lessons at the tender age of 3, while her legs were still too short to reach the pedals. Christiane studied classical works with great enthusiasm, but found herself drawn to musical composition and songwriting. She wrote her first song at age 8, and had several albums worth of material written by the time she graduated high school. Christiane received a music scholarship to attend the University of California in Irvine, where she graduated with honors, receiving degrees in piano performance and psychology. After college, Christix, and enjoyed composing for several film projects. Christiane also coane fronted the Los Angeles-based bands ELYN and Riddle the Sphin-founded the non-profit organization HeARTS Giving Hope, and was featured in Glamour Magazine's 2005 Woman of the Year issue, and honored with the Toyota Moving Forward Award for bringing music and art therapy to at-risk children. In 2006, she decided to launch her first solo project, exploring her Scottish and Irish heritage. She says, "On this project, I've stepped back from the full band sound, as I wanted to make an intimate recording, capturing the mood and feel of Ireland and Scotland, and what those places have meant to me."

The enchanting voice of this singer songwriter has won praises from L.A.’s Music Connection magazine, L.A.’s music awards contestant show and OC’s Laguna Beach Sawdust Music Festival among many others. In addition, her music has been included on several E! True Hollywood segments as well as in independent films. Colleen Grace studied piano with Carnegie Hall Recitalist Paul Scanzani, and her classical influence comes through on her self-titled 13 song CD. Colleen has recently completed her second release "The Rosetta Hotel."

Los Angeles born Elizabeth Nicole is a young singer/songwriter relatively new to the LA club scene. An ex-ballerina and child actor, Elizabeth performed in professional productions from the age of 7 (Joffrey Ballet of Chicago, 7th Heaven), but eventually decided that music was what she had to pursue. A singer and pianist since age 8, and a songwriter since age 14, Elizabeth is often told that her lyrics show a wisdom and honesty beyond her 18 years. In her live shows, she is never one to hide her youth-driven spunk and tongue in cheek wit. Elizabeth is blessed to have had amazing co-writer/producers take her under their wings such as The Matrix (Avril Lavigne, Liz Phair), The Wizardz of Oz (Keaton Simons, Ricky Martin), Danny Wilde (of The Rembrants), and Jon Ingoldsby (Madonna, Elton John). Her influences include such legendary songwriters as Carole King, Elton John, David Bowie, and the Beatles , and more recent artists such as Butch Walker, Jason Mraz , and Fiona Apple. “Being up there playing my own material is bliss to me. I couldn 't be unhappy for a moment of it, because I feel complete. I just want to share my music with as many people as possible." Elizabeth can be seen playing acoustic shows around the Los Angeles area as part of the line-up of artists known as "Don't Call Us Tori."

Gilli Moon is the quintessential renaissance woman. The energetic Australian poly-media artist sings like an angel with the strength of an opera diva. Gilli's multifaceted albums and dynamic live shows have touched music lovers from Australia to America garnering high praise from the most jaded of critics. She has opened for noted artists including Simple Minds, has been interviewed alongside Aimee Mann in Music Connection Magazine discussing their mutual success in the indie music scene, and she recently finished touring as both singer and stage director with Eric Idle of Monty Python fame. Her organization Songsalive! helps support and promote songwriters and composers worldwide.

Kari Kimmel, a girl from Boca Raton, FL., has been infatuated with music for as long as she can remember. She has written and performed songs for movies such as "White Chicks", "Ella Enchanted", and "Shall We Dance". She performed her first music video "It's Not Just Make Believe" which can be seen on the Ella Enchanted DVD and hosted the red carpet premier aired on ABC Family. As well as movies, Kari's songs have also been featured in numerous television shows such as "8 Simple Rules For Dating My Teenage Daughter", "The Gilmore Girls", "The Young and the Restless", "The Bold and the Beautiful", MTV's "Camp Jim", "Laguna Beach" and "The Hills". The media has also noticed Kari's talents. Kari was listed as one of the top 50 artists on VH1.com, and has been featured in Demo Diaries and Hit's magazine as an upcoming unsigned artist. She has played at various clubs and venues around the U.S., a benefit hosted by Prince Edward of Wales, Teen People Magazine, and performs an open-air concert every Fourth of July in Orlando, FL. for an audience of 30,000. Kari's latest endeavor, "A Life in the Day" is her first solo record. It has been described as "a scrapbook diary of journeys that showcase a mature, searching and passionate soul living on the edge of great expectations in everything from love, life, and pursuit of something more. Amazing songs paired with an undeniable brilliant voice makes this record a breakthrough debut.." While writing her own solo album, Kari has also written for other artists, delivering a major hit single for American Idol Kimberley Locke with "I Could".

Kat Parsons was born in Vienna, Austria to esteemed opera singer Darrell and popular recording artist Julie, (with whom she co-wrote "I Know It's Time"). She has opened for Jim White, The Fixx, Dave Mason, Maria Muldaur, Spin Doctors, The Knack, Jonatha Brooke, Shannon McNally, Lori McKenna and Charlotte Martin. She has appeared on the cover of Music Connection Magazine, been chosen to represent MC's special coverage of DIY Success Stories, had articles in Campus Circle, Billboard and The Boston Globe. Parsons has also made the rounds of numerous TV stations around the country, including performances on superstation WGN Morning News in Chicago, the San Diego Morning News on KUSI, and Good Morning Arizona. Radio-wise, she was also featured on "Local Licks," on legendary rock station 95.5 KLOS in Los Angeles. Her album, No Will Power was chosen by the hugely popular independent music website, CD Baby, as the "Front Page Editor's Pick." Her many awards of performance and songwriting recognition include being top winner in Acoustic Live, from a field of over 600 artists and runner-up for "Album of the Year" at the 2005 DIY Music Festival. She's been featured on XM satellite radio, and on its recent "Radar Report," where her songs dominated the top three most-played slots. Kat says "No Will Power chronicles the unraveling of a romantic relationship at its every stage. It's not necessarily in chronological order. I didn't write it with the idea that it was going to be a record. I wrote it and realized that I needed to do a record," she laughs. "I have a new understanding of love now."

Growing up listening to musical tales from her uncle, Ornette Coleman, and his experimental jazz, to her mother, a singer on Broadway, to her grandfather, a nightclub pianist all his life . . . Kelda could not help but set out to create a musical legend all her own. With musical influences from Tori Amos to Sarah McLachlan and Fiona Apple, Kelda's unique and hypnotic songs can liven the hungriest of audiences and sooth the loneliest of hearts. In February she received an honorable mention for Fairytale in the 2003 DIY Music Festival, and again for Carried Away in 2004! She appears in Music Connection's Hot 100 Unsigned Artists of 2003 list.

After charming Orange County, CA, as singer and keytarist of her electronica-pop band, Nektarine, which shared stages with national acts and was nominated for Best Electronic Rock Band in the 2004 OC Music Awards, pianist Killarney Star returned to her songwriting roots by settling in the college town of Gainesville, FL. Stuffing tons of drama into neatly arranged bottles of indie-pop gems, K-Star mesmerizes audiences with a commanding stage presence, laced with flirty dances with her keytar. Her show is less serious but just as compelling as those of Tori Amos, with a succinct songwriting power influenced by The Police. Her lush piano harmonies, dexterous rhythms, soaring choruses and intelligent lyrics are quickly capturing fans' hearts and earning her regular places on commercial radio stations and podcasts worldwide. Killarney's debut solo album, Starfish, is sold out. A totally remixed and partially re-recorded new printing of it will be available on this site and will be sold through iTunes starting in February, 2006.

Listening to any Kyler England song, it’s easy to believe you’re hearing a classic in the making: gorgeous, organic pop music that speaks to your heart like a close friend. Her soulful voice draws you in with its fragile strength, then leaves you breathless when it soars to brilliant heights. She sings like you’d always wished you could, with all the raw honesty of your most painful moments and all the beauty of your fiercest hopes. There is something universal going on here, something magical. Comparisons to Sarah McLachlan and Patty Griffin are mere approximations; Kyler has a style and charisma all her own. But it’s not only her voice. There’s a good reason why Kyler England has won numerous songwriting awards, and garnered such acclaim for her recent album “A Flower Grows In Stone,” including Best Alternative Rock Album of 2004 in the Indie Acoustic Project Awards. With a natural instinct for melody and lyrics, honed during a stint at the renowned Berklee School of Music, she crafts songs that are not only addictively catchy but full of depth. The simplicity of her words, which matches her crystal-clear, elegant sound, nonetheless conveys a deep well of emotion and wisdom–for even in her darkest material, there is always the glimmer of optimism.

Janeen Leah grew up in Denver, Colorado. During high school she trained with Susan Draus (producer, composer/arranger Vices , New York City) who helped Janeen develop her talents and encouraged her to pursue her dream of a career in music.  At the age of 18, she left Denver and headed to Hollywood on her own with her guitar in tow and enrolled in Musicians Institute. There she recorded her debut EP Melting in Hazel with up-and-coming engineer Jeremy Oswin and accomplished producer Tommy Reeves. Copies of her well-received debut EP Melting in Hazel have sold out. Janeen is putting the final touches on a full album (including work with New Zealand producer Peter Kearns) which will include new versions of selected songs off of Melting in Hazel as well as nine new songs and 'Wine of Consciousness' (a writing and recording collaboration with Tushar Parte in India) as a bonus track. Janeen is also an experienced professional singer, both in live and studio settings. Her own unique musical style combines dynamic vocals with meaningful lyrics, sophisticated musical structure and a highly energetic performance.

Julianna Raye made her debut on Warner Brothers in 1992. Her latest release, "Restless Night", explores jazz, swing, and even lounge music, and is rich in seduction. The album was produced by Ethan Johns, who has also worked with Ryan Adams. Julianna is currently opening for Don Henley at various dates around California.

Los Angeles-based musician Libbie Schrader first made headlines when she and her band Think of England won the Pantene Pro-Voice "New Voice of 2001" Competition in New York's Central Park. Schrader and her band beat out over 1,200 other female-fronted acts for the award. Prizes included a nationwide tour with Poe and a demo deal with Atlantic Records. In the summer of 2002, Schrader's band also took part in Jewel's "Soul City Cafe" program for independent artists, and as a result she opened three shows on Jewel's "This Way" tour. Later that year, Schrader and her band were winners of the Volkswagen / Clear Channel Battle of the Bands, and as a result they were invited to open a show for Rusted Root at San Francisco's famed Warfield theatre. Her new CD, "Letters to Boys" was released in the spring of 2004. $1 from each CD sold will benefit the Portland, Oregon-based charity Mercy Corps.

Russian-born and Los Angeles-based Marina’s music has been described as an unusual mix of Tori Amos, Jewel & Paul McCartney, but "with her unique phrasing, breathless, smoky-sweet and compelling vocals, she's got a sound all her own" (Artists Studio Magazine). Marina has also gained serious attention from the music media, having been featured in numerous print and online publications. She was recently featured in the Keyboard Magazine, which called her "one of the most promising singer/songwriters of the year". She has also been named as one of the HOT 100 UNSIGNED Artists by Music Connection Magazine and is a proud recipient of the ASCAP popular award for 2003-2004. Marina's songs can be heard on MTV (the Real World), films and radio stations such as XM Satellite Radio.

Discography:

Sabrina Taylor is a singer/songwriter whose music is both real and emotional. Born and raised in Nova Scotia Canada, Sabrina began singing and writing songs at a very early age. Sabrina started winning singing contests and battle of the bands, which got her regular spots on popular Canadian TV programs such as "Breakfast Television" and "Christmas Daddys." Sabrina was also known to perform at many local festivals including The Wooden Boat Festival of Mahone Bay, and Valleypalooza and The Apple Blossom Festival. Leaving the small town of 3000 people in the year 2000, Sabrina packed her cloths and left the Country with $1000 to her name and two books full of poetry and songs. She admits it was hard at first," I had never left Nova Scotia, and It was my first plane ride. There was no time to be scared or to really take in the overwhelming move. I just hit the road running and didn't stop. It was something I knew I had to do." Toeing the line between pop and country rock, Sabrina is constantly performing with her band as well as acoustic,
and always seems to please an ever-growing audience. Sabrina blends sophisticated vocals with haunting melodies and lyrics with guitar driven textures.

Discography:

Singer-songwriter Samantha Murphy has been in the music industry her entire life. Born in Hawaii to Australian parents, Samantha grew up on the road, singing in her family's band, The Murphys. The family toured the United States from the time Samantha could walk, opening for artists such as Dolly Parton and Willie Nelson. She wrote her first song when she was eight and performed it on stage that same night, somewhere in Ohio. She hasn't stopped since. Samantha has worked with artists such as Crowded House and Paul Rodgers (Bad Company). She has appeared on television shows ranging from “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno” to Australian shows such as “Hey, Hey It's Saturday,” and “The Steve Vizard Show.” Music has taken Samantha from Australia, where she toured with Kylie Minogue; to London, where she lived and performed for over a year; to Nashville, where she lived and recorded music in former slave quarters; to Los Angeles' Warner / Chappell Music, where she spent four years as a staff songwriter; to New York City, where she partially recorded her latest cd.

Steven Leavitt began making music at an early age by taking up piano. Since then he has been devoted to honing his songwriting, arranging, and producing - studying under experienced mentorship and graduating from Musician's Institute for recording engineering. Steve's multimedia background allows him to contribute to promoting Don't Call Us Tori through visual presentation and web design. His idea was to create a group effort for live shows to help promote artists with a common audience, taking an ordinary night out and transforming it into an extraordinary event.

As an independent Los Angeles based artist, Shannon Hurley has worked with many bookers and venues in the LA area and the Pacific Northwest. While at the University of Colorado in Boulder she worked at the Fox Theater, where she had the enviable task of stage managing for some of the industry's top talent, including Willie Nelson, Bonnie Raitt, Julian Lennon, and Joe Jackson. Being immersed in this singer-songwriter influence spurred Shannon to return to the piano and begin writing her own songs - studying songwriting with Pat Leonard (who wrote Madonna's Cherish, Like a Prayer, and Live to Tell). After booking countless gigs in LA on her own, Shannon decided to combine her efforts with other exceptional songwriter/performers through co-founding Don't Call Us Tori, a showcase for quality women singer-songwriters.

An accomplished pianist/composer, Chris Opperman grew up in Clifton, New Jersey and attended Berklee College of Music. After graduating, Opperman moved to Los Angeles. Not only has Opperman had the distinction of working with industry names Mike Keneally and Steve Vai, he has also released four virtuoso albums of his own. When Opperman is not gigging with his 8 piece band Special Opps, arranging for industry greats, playing keyboards in the studio for independent artists like Kelda or Kat Parsons, or writing 25 minute masterpieces, he enjoys emceeing for Don't Call Us Tori. In May of 2005, he began studio sessions for Special Opps, recording at Steve Vai's Mothership Studio while simultaneously preparing to release his first live album Beyond the Foggy Highway in August. He also won the 2005 Unanimous Choice LA Music Award for Best Keyboardist/Pianist.

Bob Leggett knows how to promote. His company, Shout It Out Promotions offers management, promotion and booking services. Sponsoring monthly showcases at venues such as The Derby, Viper Room and Gypsy Den, and also Borders Books & Music. Once a year he hosts the So. Cal. Music Live Acoustic Competition, held from October to March, with Fender Guitars, Daisy Rock Guitars, Minarik Guitars and Sam Ash Music as sponsors. The competition serves as a fundraiser for a local music charity. He has also written numerous articles and reviews for Music Connection Magazine. Bob joined the Don't Call Us Tori team in June of 2007 and now is responsible for booking consistently excellent lineups show after show. To be considered for Don't Call Us Tori, please email Bob through dontcallustori@yahoo.com or submit your press-kit to one of our SonicBids.com drop-boxes.