Originally from Hollywood, Florida, Lonna Marie began her singer songwriting career in New York City where she established herself as an underground artist and took that a step further and created an organization called Underground Artists Live; a safe haven where artists could perform in a supportive and welcoming environment located in the heart of the LES.
Before leaving NYC in 2012, she recorded a 7 song EP entitled “Oh no” which includes 7 original songs. Under the direction of Sean Gill (The Passengerz, Nightlife Recording Studios) she was able to explore her sound and take her music to the next level. Her move cross country turned into a tour where on the road she performed at The Listening Room (Nashville), The Rusty Nail (New Orleans), The House of Blues (Houston and Dallas) and finishing off the run at The Whisky A Go Go in Los Angeles. In LA she’s also had the opportunity to perform at legendary venues like The House of Blues, The Standard Hotel and, her biggest show to date, The Hotel Cafe.
Lonna Marie is currently working on expanding her sound and is collaborating with some of the best producers around. She finished her single “Tonight” working with Will Golden (Gomez, Michelle Branch) and also had the opportunity to work with NYC based producer Roger Greenawalt (The Pierces, Ben Kweller) on two singles “Better Day” (available on iTunes) and “Goodbye”.
Lonna Marie just released her sophomore EP “The worst has just begun” which was produced by Will Golden (Matt Nathanson, Meiko) in Los Angeles. On it Lonna comes across as genuine and authentic: a quality missing in today’s pop scene which is commercially controlled. Another thing that separates her from many other music artists today is how her dynamics flow very well together, while managing to keep her songs on or just within three minutes, the almost perfect pop song length.
The use of incidentals such as interesting, varying chord progressions and time signature changes also creates a pleasing atmosphere in her songs. In laymen’s terms, she knows what she’s doing with her music. But she also knows how to scrupulously treat someone else’s creations. One such case is her collaboration with lyricist, Frank Topper on the song, “Pardon Me”.
There is as starry-eyed yet spiritual quality in Lonna Marie’s musical interpretation of Topper’s existentialist induced lyrics. “If there’s a being with a beard, in the sky, Pardon me…” could pose as a plea or a query, depending on which side of the Universal question you stand by. Amid which Lonna Marie’s articulately impressive voice wafts towards a high note, with the refrain of Topper’s lyrical mea culpa, “When I forgot to be love. Bow my head and stretch my neck. Get me out of this bad dream. It’s time I escape.”
This simple and stunning recording, with just a Ukulele accompaniment is the perfect alternate from the manufactured bubble-gum-acts out there, as unlike the rest, Lonna Marie proves to be an honest and innovative songwriter, able to wholly capture and interpret the quintessence of Frank Topper’s lyrics.
“Pardon Me” shows an unrefined but deeper dimension to Lonna Marie’s music and has a soothing effect on the listener, while Frank Topper’s “being with a beard in the sky”, will have you up all night, trying to figure it all out…
OFFICIAL LINKS:
Frank Topper
Lonna Marie
