Jillian Edwards - 2009 Galaxies And Such [ep]

국가: 미국
스타일: Folk Pop
Rating: 9.5+/10

보이스가 상큼해서 한번 소개해봄
영문대강 해석해보시면 요기서도 소개했었던 베따니 양도 나오네요 ㅎㅎ..;;

A songbird can bring joy to dreary days with its sweet, playful singing.

Likewise, the effect may be similar for many who hear the high-spirited songs of Richardson junior Jillian Edwards.

"When Jillian sings about life it highlights the positive, and when she sings about love she's honest," Houston junior Laura Williams said. "It is easy to identify with the feelings she conveys in her songs."

Edwards is a returning artist on Uproar Records this year who has been making a name for herself since she was a freshman.

So far, she has shared the stage with names artists like Bethany Dillon and Leeland, and has recently released her first EP album "Galaxies and Such," which can be purchased via iTunes.

Even on a rainy day, fans endured to hear Edwards' uplifting melodies at her EP release show at Common Grounds (Sept. 10 at Common Grounds), where they were showered on.

"It was crazy to see people there," Edwards said. "That made me feel like it was well received." Edwards said music has always been a part of her life, from growing up singing in the church to beginning to write and perform her own music during high school and college.

In fact, musicianship seems to be a trait of Edwards' family. Her twin brother, Cole, leads worship at Highland Baptist Church and sisters Laine and Lauren sing and write as well. Laine, a senior, was also featured on Uproar's compilation album last year along with Jillian.

"Jill paints a picture of a beautiful world with her lyrics and melodies," Laine said. "It's a gift when someone can express something inside of them so perfectly in a song."

However, Edwards had not performed her own writing until her brother pushed her out of the nest with some unexpected motivation during church her senior year.

"He called me out in front of everyone and was like, 'My sister is going to play one of her songs now,' and so I didn't have a choice," Edwards said. "He and my dad planned that because they knew that's what I wanted to do."

Soon after, Edwards began singing at a local Potbelly restaurant three times a week during lunch. She said the job helped her performance because she got used to playing in front of an audience.

"That was a good start for me because people weren't staring right at me," Edwards said. "I'm like background music."

When Edwards arrived at Baylor, she joined Baylor Rising Artist Network, now known as the Uproar Network, and became a frequent "open mic" performer at Common Grounds.

She also began playing worship at University Baptist Church Wednesday nights at the end of her freshman year, which further increased her confidence playing in front of an audience.

"Playing with them and working with those musicians and being in front of people on a regular basis, I feel like that has helped me a lot," Edwards said.

For the past two years Edwards has been selected to be an Uproar artist. Her experience with the label has been helpful with booking and having the experience of working with studio producers when recording, she said.

Edwards hopes to expand her musical wings by working with more musicians and learning how to write in more genres. She plans on a future in music whether that means signing to a record label or independently promoting herself.

"I write songs because I have to. It's how I get things out," Edwards said. "Usually when I write something, it's something real coming out of my life."

One of her songs, "Songbird," was written as her informal mission statement.

"I was just sitting in my backyard and it was a beautiful day and I was just thinking about what I wanted to do ultimately," Edwards said. "I want to be a light for people."

Being a light is a big goal, she said. "It's nothing that a talent can accomplish, or my skill. It's all by God's power."

Edwards said that even though most of her songs never directly say God's name, she hopes that no matter what the subject of the song may be the music would increase people's awareness of His existence.

"I think that music is a universal language," Edwards said. "I would love to be a part of letting someone step into that circle of believing or questioning."

1. Jillian Edwards - Songbird (3:11)
2. Jillian Edwards - Try (2:39)
3. Jillian Edwards - Nonfiction Love Song (3:40)
4. Jillian Edwards - Gullible (4:02)
5. Jillian Edwards - Go Together (2:29)
6. Jillian Edwards - July & June (3:41)