Mya Elaine April 27, 2008

Mya grew up in central New York with her musical career beginning on piano at an early age. Her musical interest expanded as she learned trumpet, taught herself the drum kit, and learned guitar. She started writing music of her own in high school and continued throughout her career at Smith College, releasing her first album "Getting Deep in Roots", in 2003. Mya began performing at venues throughout Massachusetts and was featured on Smith TV in 2003. Her sophmore release, "About the Tide (2006)," gained attention when two songs were chosen for use in the PBS documentary series, Road Trip Nation. Her newest album, "Before I Get Gone" is scheduled for release in March 2008, and was recorded, mixed and produced by Mya, with only the use of her MAC computer and Garage Band. "Before I Get Gone" features Mya on acoustic and electric guitar, banjo, piano, trumpet, percussion and violin. It also features her drummer Sean Martin, and Colin Lake on lap slide guitar. "Before I Get Gone" focuses loosely on the theme of change, and the trials and tribulations that come along with making those changes. The title track, "Before I Get Gone" is an acknowledgment of the need for staying present during those transitions. Mya describes this album as being the first to focus on her personal story and documents her personal growth after moving from the east coast to the west coast. Mya currently resides in Portland OR, and came second in a local songwriters competition last year. Myas voice has been compared to Emmylou Harris and Beth Orton, and her music stylings have been compared to Ani DiFranco and Fleetwood Mac. . Mya draws inspiration from an array of modern day folk artists including Patty Griffin, Iron and Wine, Gillian Welch, Martin Sexton and Ani DiFranco, and classic folkies like Joni Mitchell, James Taylor and Bob Dylan. She is also influenced by jazz, blues, hip hop and electronic music of all kinds.

Event submitted by Eventful.com on behalf of MochaMayas.