More Fans Monday: Kris Pride and Sara Niemietz

Today's "More Fans Monday" will feature two strong female vocalist/guitarists - Kris Pride and Sara Niemietz. Though media more recently portrays women in a risque light, these two women show that true success comes from your confidence, principles, and your passion.

Kris Pride may not be very well known, but she certainly stands out. She started at the age of 18 with her band and has been heavily influenced by Tracy Chapman and other female artists. Pride is a tenacious woman with a mature, smooth voice; her songs are all original and each one has a deep meaning. The soothing melody is easy to remember.

Though she may have a long road ahead to become a household name, she has more than enough heart to get there. We hope you will enjoy the following video - an Artist Spotlight interview featuring Kris Pride's work:

Next up is Sara Niemietz. Sara is a professional with an impressive repertoire. Over the years, she has made several guest appearances on popular TV shows such as First Monday and Gilmore Girls, as well as the role of Polly in Akeelah and the Bee. More impressive was her work in the music from the horror flick The Exorcism of Emily Rose:

"In 2005, noted film composer Christopher Young hired her as the lead voice in his score for, The Exorcism Of Emily Rose. After completing the music, Young remarked, “Without Sara’s voice, there would be no score – I have never in my life seen someone at her age so thoroughly professional.” She continued her work with Young in 2008 for the film The Uninvited, in which her vocals were featured." [saraniemietz.com]

Sara is perhaps most well known for her work on Glee as the on-stage guitarist as well as her popular YouTube video - a cover of Adele's "Rolling in the Deep," featured below.

Band/Album Review: a Curio Vis

a Curio Vis is a multi-genre band from Bethlehem and Allentown, PA consisting of guitar (Shinsk, also vocals), bass (Marty), and drums (Trav). If you like Red Hot Chili Peppers, Cake, Blind Melon, and similar bands, you'll love ACV.

Even after browsing their Facebook page and their website, I found it difficult to find too much information on this band, so this review will be a bit short. However, it's really the music that's important, and ACV's sound speaks for itself!

Discography

Drawn Onward (September 27, 2011)
Covers Vol. 1 - First ACV single (February 22, 2012)
Woo -Current album (February 14, 2013)

 Woo
The album opens with a track titled "Moon and Meridians," a smooth, light rock number that alludes to early 90's RHCP. It's catchy and easy to get immersed in. The lyrics have the potential to hold several different meanings, making it easily relatable to the audience.

"... fire flies
hung in the air
white line
guide a vacant stare

high tide
and high time to change
peace falls
with a southern rain

moon and meridians
no love is lost or won"

Some people believe that this type of ambiguity is overrated, but in fact, it's just the opposite; it's precisely this that shows a deeper understanding of not only music, but human nature. Further proof is their description of the central theme of "Woo" - relationships: "[i]nterpersonal, societal, political and global relations," [acuriovis.com]

Arguably my favorite song on the album is "Manifest Destiny." This track has more of reggae undertone than the others, reminiscent of Cipes and the People (review to come soon). In close second is the Jane's Addiction-esque "Lazy Bones."

I have to say, I was pretty impressed with the diversity of this album; it is definitely worth purchasing. The band itself has this great chemistry together, each avoiding drowning the others out or making their parts seem less significant. So, until you start downloading their music in a rabid frenzy, check out this behind the scenes clip from their YouTube channel.

Ninja Fish thinks this is great music to... party hard with.
Band Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★