Artist Information

Biography

“Christine Hagan must have two pianos. One of them must look like the one you’re picturing and the other must be its absolute inverse, it’s negative-black keys where the white ones should go, white ones where the black ones should be. On her uber-eclectic, genre-melding debut, Hagan blurs the line between light and dark for us and walks on whatever side of it she pleases.” (Joe DiPalo: Guernica- Magazine of Arts and Politics, - Contributing Editor.)
Christine Hagan is an emerging singer songwriter in NYC. To classify her as a singer songwriter though would be incorrect. Christine has a unique ability to combine many different genres of music, from alternative rock to jazz, intimate piano interludes to soul; pop to electronica. Each song she creates fuses creativity with artistry, taking the listener through a journey of emotions. Hagan’s long awaited debut album, “Grace”, which hit online retailers in 2007-2008, conveys a deep sense of passion, uniqueness and personality. “My concept for the album, was very personal… a sort of light versus darkness and how in the end, somehow beauty always emerges and prevails.” The final result consists of so many dedicating themselves and devoting their love and time, making this a very special and amazing record.”
Born and raised in Pittsburgh, PA, Christine was fortunate to live in an environment where music and inspiration flourished. Christine was exposed to a plethora of amazing music and countless legends at a young age, “From 5:30am to midnight, my mother played record after record; anything from ‘Godspell’ to ‘Evita’, Rimsky Korsakoff’s, ‘Scheherazade’ to Rachmaninov Piano Concerto’s… and everything in between, including the Beatles and Carpenters.”
Starting out as a classically trained pianist, Christine’s affinity for music was apparent instantly. “It has been clear to me for as long as I remember that this is who I am and what I am meant to do.” Hagan pursued her passion through the years, which led her to the Eastman School of Music.
The years following, Christine’s true love for music took form and she emerged as a composer. Christine began programming beats and experimenting with recording her own music. She moved to “The Citay” in 2004, venturing into the unknown journey of becoming a rockstar. After working her day job, she would come home and spend countless late nights working on a self/recorded produced EP. Upon completion, Christine sought out a group to perform live and has spent the time elapsed gigging, rehearsing and teaching as well as pursuing a masters degree at NYU in Film Scoring. Hagan’s group is composed of truly amazing spirited musicians with whom she attended Eastman. Drummer, Ted Poor, received an endorsement through Noble and Cooley Drum Company for his performance on “Grace”. “Ted is a drummer we will all read about for years to come” (Anthony J. Resta). Completing the equation are members: Grey McMurray-guitar, Ike Sturm/Mike Chiavaro-bass, and Joshua Valleau-synths and beats.
The band made their debut in NYC at the Lion’s Den in 2004 and shortly thereafter headed into the studio. Christine sought out and worked with producer Anthony J. Resta (Collective Soul, Duran Duran) and engineers Karaydi Sutedja and Joe Gaswirt (Joni Mitchell, Rickie Lee Jones), to complete her record. “It was like Anthony and I found each other. The entire process- from meeting Anthony, to receiving the final master in the mail was simply amazing.” The LP consists of 10 tracks taking many surprised twists and turns, incorporating many styles and genres of music. “Grace” has earned the band many accolades, including: Indie Music Songwriter/Performer of the Month, Runner Up- Singer Songwriter Competition: “We Are Listening”, and perhaps the most rewarding,- in 2008, Christine Hagan Project was chosen by Billboard and Taxi as one of the “Top 13 Artists in the Northeast” and placed on a national compilation CD distributed globally.

As of recent? Christine has been working on new material for her next record, hopefully to be released in Spring 2010, and transcribing/recording Ella Fitzgerald scats, and raps (Tribe Called Quest, Biggie Smalls, Kanye West, …more to come).
“In a time when lip-synching is the norm and pageantry is the name of the game, it’s refreshing to see an artist who’s all about the craft. That being said, when shelving her, be sure she’s closer to Bjork, Ani DiFranco and Tori Amos rather than the unimaginative hacks that saturate the airwaves. Hagan has an aura about her, and a sound unique enough to entrance audiences already, but what’s scary is that she’s only 26 with nothing but room to grow. Sit up, pay attention, and show her the respect she deserves.” (Joe DiPalo)










ARTISTIC INSPIRATION: SYLVIA PLATH, YOSHITAKO AMINO, RUMI.

“…AND WHEN THIS IS QUENCHED, OUR BODIES WILL BE ASHES AND OUR SPIRIT WILL BE POURED ABROAD LIKE UNRESISTING AIR…SO OUR LIFE WILL PASS AWAY LIKE THE TRACES OF A CLOUD AND WILL BE DISPERSED LIKE A MIST, PURSUED BY THE SUN’S RAYS AND OVERPOWERED BY ITS HEAR. FOR OUR LIFETIME IS THE PASSING OF A SHADOW.” (BOOK OF WISDOM; CH. 2)











Instrumentation
Christine Hagan- keys/ vox
Ted Poor- drums
Mike Chiavaro- bass
Grey McMurray- guitar
Josh Valleau- organ/ synths/beats

Discography
""Grace""- release April 2007.
Tracks with streaming audio and airplay- ""Girl"", ""Just Another Day"", ""Glory Be"", ""Ashes"".

Links
http://www.christinehagan.com

	Girl A day in the life, right?		Alternative Pop Rock
	No More No Less an alternative rock track that takes you through a journey of musical genres, ending with a 13/8 prog-rock progression featuring drummer, Ted Poor.		Alternative Pop Rock

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Bryon Tosoff	10/15/2009 10:02:40 AM hey! "Girl", is a very catchy track. nice take Christine , lots of unique twists in this one, not a dull moment..great hooks throughout, into, knocks you out...its bright, kinda crazy, a bit wacky and makes you feel music like this still got a chance to makes its mark, and this tune does that...a gem of a song!
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