It's not often that a waitress in California has the opportunity to enter the music business through her (temporary) day job, but that's exactly how Leah Andreone got her big break and was signed to the RCA music label.
While working in a diner on Sunset Boulevard, Leah overheard two gentleman talking the industry talk. After getting permission to bring her demo in from home, she gave one of the men her tape. A heady act, for sure. But it paid off the next morning when one of the said gentlemen returned, saw that evening's performance, and eventually signed the young Andreone to a contract.
"I got up the nerve (to talk to these men) after years of self-promotion, performing live, and trying to meet the people who can help launch my career," Leah recalls. "It was sink or swim at that point."
Veiled, the debut album, is doing more than swimming. The album and leadoff single, "It's Alright, It's OK" are receiving critical praise from nearly every radio programmer, and is an infectious track in the style of Jill Sobule meets (former Bangles lead singer) Susanna Hoffs. And, with a slew of songs that could serve as follow-up singles, the future's not just looking OK for Leah Andreone, but incredibly bright.
Ironically, none of the songs from that demo tape appear on this debut. Andreone feels that, "They were reflective of a past time. I wanted to start over on my first album".
The musical influences are all over the map on Veiled. Loosely classified as an alternative/pop album, it's not in the Liz Phair category of angry female woman. Nor does it evoke the inevitable Alanis Morrissette comparisons. Instead, Veiled takes the listener through eleven distinct songs that share one common trait - songs with incredible hooks.
The Hoffs sound - and I hate to use that term, for it isn't fair to Andreone - is most prominent on "Come Sunday Morning" and "Will You Still Love Me", which has a chorus similar to Pat Benatar's "Invincible". But while at times sounding like the woman who sang "Walk Like An Egyptian", Andreone's vocals can also be compared to Kate Bush, Sarah McLachlan, and on the tracks "Problem Child" eerily similar to Tori Amos.
But Veiled isn't strictly about today's "light alternative" which is quietly taking hold in this country. "Happy Birthday" takes its guitar cue from Jimi Hendrix' "Foxy Lady", and Andreone isn't quiet when she breaks into the chorus on this track.
When I mention that the soft "You Make Me Remember" reminds me of Eric Clapton's "Tears In Heaven", the young artist is pleasantly surprised to be compared to the guitar icon. "I never thought of the Clapton comparison, although I'm honored to hear that."
Well-versed in her musical history, the Clapton comparison isn't the only one which is established in the solid roots of rock and roll. "Who Are They To Say", with its twist into funk, has already been receiving airplay on radio stations with its similarity to Sly and the Family Stone.
"Hats off to Sly," she muses. "I always say that when talking about him. When we had Veiled mastered in Portland (Maine), the mastering person heard that song and exclaimed 'Oh my god! Sly!'. He then told us that he had mixed one of Sly's albums, and how much he loved the new album. He brought out pictures, and it was great to share the Sly experience".
Andreone cites other soul legends such as Aretha Franklin and Gladys Knight as influences while she was growing up, and songwriters such as Elvis Costello and John Lennon as those artists to whom she'll regularly listen to today. And, like these two songwriters, Leah wants to be recognized both for her vocal abilities and her writing skills.
"I definitely want my writing acknowledged, but I don't want it to take away for my love of the voice or my vocal abilities. There was initially talk of my singing someone else's music, and that idea was heartbreaking. I want to sing about what I'm feeling, and my life and outlook on life, as opposed to other people's."
Producer Rick Neigher, who has worked with John Mellencamp, also co-wrote the songs with Andreone. The pair took a leisurely approach, spending more than one year to write and record Veiled, and in the process, getting to know more about the other person.
"In order for our relationship to work (as co-writers), we needed to know each other," says Andreone. "Writing is a personal thing, and we had to understand each other. Sometimes, we'd get a cup of coffee and just talk for a day, with no actual songwriting, but learning more about the other person".
Later this year, she will also be appearing on a charity album, with proceeds going to fight breast cancer. Sheryl Crow and Joan Osborne are two of the other women participating in the compilation. The album holds a personal meaning for Leah, as she watched her sister's husband's mother, a close friend of the Andreone family, die of breast cancer.
And what does Andreone hope to accomplish with Veiled? "I just want to perform, be out there singing. I gave up a lot of my personal life and put it onto the album, certain points of my life are on there that have never been exposed. I'm getting feedback that people are feeling some sort of healing through my music, and when they tell me that, it heals me as well."
With her debut album Veiled, Leah Andreone has released one of this year's best alternative/pop albums. But, with a cool demeanor coupled with a quiet confidence, this talented singer/songwriter is all poised to take the next step into musical stardom.
