Vincent Van Gogh “loved life so bad, his paintings had twice the color other paintings had”. So sings Jonathan Richman (on Rockin’ and Romance).

And that tells you something about musician Allison Crowe.

A modern lover of music, blogger Muruch frames it like this: "There's really no way to convey through mere words how much the music... moves me, or how I want other people to listen to and adore it as much as I do. Allison sings with such an intensity of emotion, it's easy to see why she's often quoted as saying 'Why music? Why breathing?'... that kind of artistic passion seems extremely rare these days."

"I love singing for people," says Allison Crowe. "It's a way to connect and share with others. Communication is crucial. Just being able to do what I do, to write and sing and perform, makes me feel not only alive, but incredibly lucky. Knowing at any moment everything could change, I don't take one second for granted."

Born 26 years ago, on an island, in the harbour city of Nanaimo, B.C., today Crowe's reach is global. The audience for her music videos and song downloads numbers in the millions.

"Allison Crowe has a voice to fall in love with," says UK music industry journal Record of the Day. "She is from Vancouver Island in Canada, descended from Scottish, Irish and Manx stock. She's exactly the sort of artist who can make serious headway on her own label and that's just what she's doing."

When this phenomenon 'from the islands' reached the mainland she steered a path clear of what Joni Mitchell knowingly calls the record industry’s “style inventions”. With Ani DiFranco and Loreena McKennitt as models Crowe created her own label. Since 2003, Rubenesque Records Ltd has released five critically and commercially successful albums: Lisa's Song+ 6 Songs; Secrets; Tidings; Live at Wood Hall; and This Little Bird.

"The first thing you notice about Allison Crowe is her voice. Rich and dark, it seems to come from a place most singers can only dream of accessing. Then there are the songs. Filled with raw passion and accompanied by Crowe's eloquent piano playing," writes Clodagh O'Connell (The Courier). Hers is a joyous sound: "Elton John meets Edith Piaf."

A sensation at the UK’s John Lennon Northern Lights Festival, “Canadian angel Alison Crowe gave one of the weekend's most magical moments," says The Scotsman. Festival Director Mike Merritt describes Crowe as "awesome" and "spine-tingling", noting her performance “put hairs on the back of your neck! She brought the house down."

A true grassroots success, Crowe’s praised not only as a singularly talented songwriter - on themes personal as well as worldly - and as a visceral performer, but, also, as a supreme interpreter of song. Her vital takes on such 21st century standards as Leonard Cohen's "Hallelujah" and Joni Mitchell's "River" are applauded as "truly transcendent". Her Tidings CD, a mix of traditional carols plus songs of joy, peace, and redemption from the secular songbook, is an emerging classic: "music for the season and all time".

"Her voice celebrates the music with a bluesy rock-gospel intensity; her controlled vibrato, silken rasp, and powerful projection rivet your attention. This is no casual background music. be prepared to be amazed," says Hamline University Professor Of Law - and CD reviewer - Carol Swanson. "Every song radiates sincerity, creative flair, and emotional intensity."

”It takes a lot of self-confidence to tackle Aretha (Franklin)'s version of 'I Never Loved a Man...' but Allison does and nails it just as good as the Queen of Soul herself. Her piano playing is equally exquisite," says Bob Muller, curator of song covers at JoniMitchell.com in his review of Crowe’s newest album, This Little Bird. He sums up: "Treat yourself to one of the mightiest talents on the singer-songwriter scene today."

David Powell, Welsh-based tech writes: "I'm listening to 'Effortless' on (Allison Crowe's) This Little Bird album with my Pro-Ject headphone amplifier turned up about a quarter more than on most modern records. It sounds fantastic because unlike most modern records it hasn't had the **** compressed out of it to raise the loudness."

Vocalist, pianist, guitarist, songwriter, engineer, producer and arranger, Allison Crowe now lives in Nanaimo, British Columbia and Corner Brook, Newfoundland. From these home-bases, (spanning the full 7000 km breadth of Canada), she tours steadily, earning a reputation for exciting live shows that stir together her original songs with much-loved interpretations in an organic blend of rock, jazz, folk, Broadway, gospel and soul.

"Ever wonder what it would have been like to listen to a gifted singer/songwriter from Saskatchewan in a small, intimate hall before she became Joni Mitchell? Don't fret the missed opportunity. There's no need to turn back the clock. Check out Allison Crowe," says Robert Reid in The Record.

"Allison has a special gift that is so very rare in musicians today. She is true to her mind, heart and spirit," says Ross Hocker, long-time public broadcaster with NPR affiliate WGTE. Hocker, whose musical taste embraces Thelonious Monk, Bela Bartok and Charles Gounod, calls Allison Crowe's live performance "the most honest, heartfelt, and directly intimate concert in my entire life."

"In an entertainment world that increasingly genuflects at the altar of instant fame, Crowe seems an anomaly, building her career slowly and carefully," notes Adrian Chamberlain, of Canada's Times Colonist newspaper.

"Soulful. Alive. Joyous. Grievous. Real, true, music is what I want to make," says Allison Crowe.

You can lend an ear...

“I know we have followed, the road so few take

Too scared to awake the angels inside

And if their darkness surrounds us

We’ll cast demons aside, open our minds when our worlds collide”

-Discourse Poetic, (La Di Da)

dis·course n.

Serious speech or piece of writing.

Serious conversation.

A discussion of a subject, either written or spoken.
The process or power of reasoning.
po·et·ic adj.

Sensitive or insightful: characteristic of a poet, especially in possessing unusual sensitivity or insight, or in being able to express things in a beautiful or romantic way.
Written in verse.
Involving strong sentiment, powerful imagination, and beautiful insights or thoughts.

With Discourse Poetic, you can never be sure what you’re going to hear. The Calgary based band has a vast collection of original material covering an eclectic range of emotion, sound and thought. Band members Amy Thiessen and Jarred Nicklen each draw from unique life experiences when writing, and yet somehow combine their diverse styles into a truly original sound. Depending on what song the band decides to open with, an audience member on a Tuesday can make a different first impression of Discourse Poetic than someone listening on a Thursday. Yet each song adds another brushstroke to the sound that is their exclusive musical canvas.

Whether writing individually or together, they complement each other while never repeating themselves musically. The diversity of each song is also reflected in the different musical influences Jarred and Amy draw from. Amy Thiessen cites Ani DiFranco, Lisa Loeb, Janis Joplin and Fiona Apple as major influences, while Jarred has drawn inspiration from artists such as Tori Amos, Tom Waits, the Indigo Girls, U2, Sarah Slean and ColdPlay.

From keys to guitar, pop to alternative, the music of Discourse Poetic is getting positive reviews and feedback. In one moment listeners can be haunted by the melodic seduction of the piano intro to ‘Drown You’, then be whisked to a dark highway in the captivating guitar tune “Follow the Moon”. Other songs such as ‘La Di Da’ mix up the atmosphere with a refreshing, upbeat attitude that makes one think of summer and a carefree existence. Lyrically dynamic, acoustically adept, and altogether compelling… Discourse Poetic delivers.

Amy Thiessen (Lead Singer)… Amy believes that triumph and tribulation form the underscore to anyone’s being. Through her music, Amy has found the ability to overcome life’s obstacles. Writing and singing have been a staple in her life and she has come to realize that her passion can become her reality. Amy’s spirit is her driving force, her power, her energy. Involved in yoga and meditating, Amy is able to not only find drive but beauty and love; assets that propel her in music and creativity. A 3 month journey throughout India confirmed that for her. As her spirituality strengthens and as she grows as a person, her music follows suit... guiding her and lifting her to her own equilibrium. “It’s not what we accumulate in this lifetime... it’s who we are and what we can give to the world.”

Jarred Nicklen (Piano, Guitar, Vocals)… Sometimes music is the only way out. Sometimes music is the only remedy. Sometimes music is the only thing left. Music has been Jarred Nicklen’s greatest saviour growing up. While most of his friends were consoling a bottle of Baby Duck on a Friday night, Jarred would be soliciting his piano for spiritual guidance. The Piano has been his best friend since he was 8 and has stuck with him through every change in his life. Jarred decided to add another friend to the mix when he picked up the guitar a few years ago, adding a new element to his musical prowess. Jarred hopes Discourse Poetic’s intriguing melodies and lyrics will fix any craving for some good soul-healing music. “It’s ok to feel good about feeling sad. “

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Experience Discourse Poetic and get ready for something big.

•  Interesting blend