Monica Yasher was kind enough to get in touch with me to talk about my music, and my upcoming EP release, “Don’t Be Sweet”.

To read the full article, click here.

Here’s a small excerpt from the piece:

Melinda is located in LA and is releasing her new CD. Her latest single “The Hard Way,” which was co-written and produced by Grammy winning producer/songwriter Kevin Bowe (Jonny Lang, Etta James, Lynyrd Skynyrd) is just a preview of what’s to come on her new EP.

Melinda boasts that she has been enroute to LA from Pittsburgh.  However, there has been a stop along the way.  Specifically, Boston, where she attended the Berklee College of Music, after recieving the World Scholarship award.  While at Berklee, her vocals were recognized as she found herself performing in the prestigious Singers Showcase and receiving The Aerosmith Endowment Award. During her stay in Boston, Melinda had the attention of Epic Records, as she was a member of the all girl rock band Mass Ave. Melinda is a bluesy rocker girl, and I think you will hear more about her in the time to come. Let’s learn a bit more about Melinda.

This competition not only spotlights the winning singer, but also showcases the Top Five new vocalist recordings/demos that we hear each month. Many A&R label execs, producers, managers and booking agents check out the winning songs each month.

Melinda Named December “Best Vocalist Of The Month” With “Don’t Be Sweet”

By Dale Kawashima

Melinda, a promising blues/rock singer & writer based in Los Angeles, has won the December SingerUniverse “Best Vocalist Of The Month” Competition, for her performance of her song, “Don’t Be Sweet” (co-written with Kristian H.). This song will be included on her upcoming debut album, which she will release independently next summer (2010).

“Don’t Be Sweet” is a traditional blues/rock ballad, with music tracks consisting of electric guitar, organ, bass and drums. The highlight of this song is definitely Melinda’s soulful, passionate vocal performance. Melinda’s vocals start off soft and understated, and then gradually builds in power and emotion. This recording was adeptly produced by Melinda and Kristian H., who also plays excellent guitar on this cut.

Melinda was born and raised in Pittsburgh, PA, where she learned to play guitar at age 13. She was influenced by listening to such favorite artists as Aerosmith, Bonnie Raitt and the Rolling Stones. During high school, she began to play solo gigs, and she regularly jammed onstage with other blues musicians in Pittsburgh.

Following high school, Melinda received a scholarship from the Berklee College of Music in Boston, where she subsequently graduated with a Professional Music degree concentrating on vocals. It was during college that she joined an all-girls rock band called Mass Ave., which was produced by L.A.-based hit writer/producer Clif Magness (Avril Lavigne, Kelly Clarkson). “We showcased for many labels and came close to signing with Epic Records,” said Grey.

However, she decided to focus on her solo career as a blues/rock artist. “I moved to Los Angeles in 2007, and I’ve been writing & recording at the House Of Blues studio,” she said. “My album is halfway completed – I’ve mainly been collaborating with Kristian H. Kristian is an awesome guitarist. Also, last year I went to Minneapolis to work with Kevin Bowe (who has produced Etta James, Jonny Lang and Lynyrd Skynyrd). We wrote a song together called ‘The Hard Way’.”

In addition to finishing her album, Melinda has formed a band and she is playing gigs in Los Angeles. “We played the Knitting Factory, and we’re planning a showcase at the House Of Blues club,” she said. “I would love to set up a tour. Also, I’m looking for an independent label to partner with, and I’m also looking for a manager.”

- Danny Mo, Professor Berklee College of Music

“Melinda aims for the heart.”

- Blues Matters! Magazine

“This fresh looking beauty from Pittsburgh, PA mixes the blues and rock in a perfect way till it’s one whole piece of outstanding music”

- Bobtje Blues Pages, Belgium

“Melinda’s got a rare high amount of ‘it’ in her voice. She’s got a very dynamic voice, she sounds beautiful and raw at he same time, and she’s got that special thing in her voice that makes us love singers like Janis and Tina.”

- Alexander Knutsen, Guitarist

“The girl can sing”

- Music Connection Magazine

“Melinda’s “Devils Garden” touches the soul of the rocker in all of us. Raw, sexy, powerful, and not just another flower in the garden. “Hard Way” is hard evidence that this girl is loving her craft and plays each guitar riff with attitude and feeling. Her outstanding vocals on “What If” have even more power to carry her through the perfectly polished blues production. Melinda’s 2009 release should be a guarantee to please!!!!” 

- Stephen Sloat, Independent Producer/Composer

” Your voice goes down, nice and easy, with a little fire, like whiskey on the rocks.”

- John R., Fan