press

For singer and songwriter Kathy Della Valle, a performance at a high school talent show led the way to a life of music. Yes, she was already a big fan of music prior to her first experience on stage, but once she sang before an audience, her fate was sealed.

“I was 15,” she says. “But I just knew that’s what I wanted to do, and that’s what I was supposed to do.”

So far, so good.

Valle’s impressive debut CD, “From Here,” has already received radio airplay on 102.3-FM, The Mountain, and one track, “Cravin’ is included on the new “Mountaingrown Vol. 2” CD. Valle, 22, a student at Marywood University, wrote all of the album’s lyrics and says she first began writing songs at age 14.

“My dad had a guitar lying around, and for some reason I just picked it up and started teaching myself to play,” she says, adding that artists such as Fionna Apple and Susan Tedeschi served as early influences.

“From Here,” which was recorded at Pyramid Recording Studio in Avoca, also features the work of bassist Rich Grausgruber, pianist Joe Andusko and guitarist Kevin Grausgruber, with whom she co-writes much of the music. Additional tracks include “Obsession,” “Hand In Hand,” “RescueMe” and “Best You Can.”

The songs, says Valle, are almost always inspired by personal experiences.

“It’s just things you deal with everyday,” she says. “I think I can connect with people through music. Sometimes we share similar experiences, and a lot of people can feel comfort in a song because they can relate to it. “

In addition to original material, Valle’s live shows feature tunes by Led Zeppelin, Sheryl Crow, The Allman Brothers, The Beatles, Jimi Hendrix, Jewel, The Black Crowes and Michelle Branch. And though she’s become a stronger songwriter and better musician since that high school talent show seven years ago, Valle says some things remain the same.

Namely, the rush she feels from connecting with a live audience.

“It’s a learning experience every time - just getting more comfortable talking in front of people, and being everyone’s friend, and just singing your heart out and improving every song, every time,” she says. “I just try to be a better musician and a better performer every time I play out. I hope people have an awesome time, and that they enjoy my voice and enjoy the lyrics of our originals.

“I hope they remember me.”

Kathy Della Valle

* Jan. 27 at Bistro Bistro, Kingston

* Jan. 28 at River Street Jazz Cafe, Plains Township, with The Grain

On the web: www.kevinandkathy.com