Here's the press release for Becky's CD Release party (tonight) that I submitted to the local paper (some of the spacing on this blogpost is a little askew):
Press Release
What & Who: Release of Becky Markvart's new CD, This Is Me.
Where & When: Stumpjack Coffee, Two Rivers, June 4th, 5:00-9:00
Becky Markvart has become a familiar face in the local music scene during the past few years. With a voice that has probably most often been described as "angelic" and a penchant for song writing that is downright prolific, she has performed her music at coffee shops, nightclubs, churches, farmers markets, private events, festivals and just about any place with enough room to set up a chair and a microphone.
The opportunity to perform her own compositions in front of audiences of all shapes and sizes has been invaluable for Markvart's growth as an artist. "The positive feedback I get from audiences has been so encouraging. I'm always a little nervous the first time I perform a new song in front of people, but the response has always been great and it makes me feel a little more confident in myself each time."
That feeling of growing confidence is evident in the title of her latest recording, This Is Me, and in the 13 tracks that make up the CD. The album is Markvart's second full-length recording, following her debut, Shine Down On Me, of two years ago. As the title boldly declares, This Is Me is her most personal and autobiographical compilation yet. To call the recording a labor of love would be redundant as she describes the album as mostly "a love letter" to and about certain people who have been important in her life.
The album opens with the title track, a song that Markvart says is a response to well-meaning friends who at one time or another offered opinions on what kind of music she should perform. Eschewing "screaming guitars [and] loud pounding drums" she sings:
I'm sweet and I'm simple,
What you get is what you see,
My life is my song,
My song, my melody,
This is me.
I will not change,
I will not budge,
I won't let you bring me down,
I'm true to myself,
This is me.
Inside album image by Brian Powell, Becky performing at Stumpjack.
At least five of the tunes on the album are love songs to and about Markvart's life partner, Mike Ollendorf. In addition to working as Markvart's one-man road crew for her concerts, Ollendorf also created the cover art for the CD, photographs of three of Markvart's favorite Taylor guitars.
The beautifully heartfelt "When You're Gone" is dedicated to her mother who, in recent years, has battled various health challenges. It's a warm and tender love song, a wonderful bookend to Markvart's other tune about her mom, the joyful, playfully loving, "Crazy Old Lady," from Shine Down On Me.
Another noteworthy composition, "The Other End," is about her Grandfather, who passed away in 1988. "He was my best friend," she says. "It's a song about seeing him again. A song of hope and anticipation."
Relationships, family and friends clearly are foundational to who Markvart is an artist. Yet while the inspiration for This Is Me comes from very personal and even person-specific sources the songs speak to anyone who's ever been in love, felt unsure of themselves, or overcome a challenge with newfound confidence and courage.
The only cover song on the album is Markvart's version of Sara McLachlan's "Angel." She first performed the song at the funeral of a friend several years ago. It has since become a family and fan favorite, appearing regularly as part of her set list during performances.
This Is Me is a much more cohesive, mature recording than Markvart's freshman effort. It also qualifies as a concept album, of sorts, and has a fuller, richer sound thanks in large part to the skill of Hans Christian, who not only engineered and mastered the recording at his Studio 330 in Sturgeon Bay, but also added his talents as renowned cellist and bass player to several of the songs on album.
This Is Me is available at Mad About Music in Manitowoc as well as online at CDBaby. The official CD Release Party will take place on June 4th, from 5:00 to 9:00 at Stumpjack Coffee in Two Rivers (now under the new business name, Pato's Place, as Stumpjack will be relocating). Stumpjack Coffee was chosen by Markvart as the CD Release location because of her fondness and history with the coffee house. "It's the place where a lot of my 'first' happened. I had my first solo performance there, released my first CD there, played many of my songs for the first time in public there. It has been a special place for me and my music." The Release Party is open to all and the public is welcome.