2011 March Street Voice UK Music Magazine Reign Lee Interviewed http://blogs.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendId=22963792&blogId=475331864 2009 February Street Voice UK Music Magazine CD Reviews http://blogs.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendId=22963792&blogId=471486475
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Angels In the Dirt EP Review I have said before that it’s very possible to make an EP as close to perfection as humanly possible. If anyone doubts this, they may well check out this EP, which is a shining example in favour of my hypothesis. The five songs are very different from each other in feel and sound, which is very much by design. Reign Lee has said that this has been her most satisfying recording experience to date, and it shows – each song’s musical state is highly realised, thanks to some deft touches made with a gentle hand, at the right moments in the instrumentation department. This, by the way, was a geographically opposite (or thereabouts) collaboration between her and musicians from (and in) LA, who clearly put a great deal of care into the songs. The vigilantly added synth bits balance out the more raw guitars just right, and allow the songs to form in your head, rather than force them there. They have flair and are yet focussed – avoiding the trapdoor of landing up with a sound confused between her ideas, and those of the producers and musicians. The product is an EP that is immensely listenable, similar in spirit to Switchfoot’s excellent album The Beautiful Letdown. There’s something that’s different about the woman that wrote this album, because the lyrics (which are provided, huzzah!!) appear to be more bitter than they were in the past. This conclusion would, however, be a faulty one, because while the subject matter may be sorrow or anger, the lyrics tend to describe a situation rather than rail at it. Add to that the profound calm in her voice, and there’s almost a coolly detached air to it. One gets the feeling that the singer is at peace (maybe even in love with) her sadness, and there’s a very strong appeal to this kind of genuine bravado. While she has long written fine lyrics, they attain a sterling-quality in this set of songs – they’re still simple, but many phrases stick out as having been flawlessly expressed. One wonders if it’s possible that her already-amazing singing could have gotten even better than it was before, because her voice sounds extra special. It’s probably due to the combination of setting and resources, along with fewer vocal layers; but whatever it is, it’s made her sound absolutely glorious. And yet, this awesomeness serves to somewhat embitter one when the five songs end all too quickly – personally, I could’ve listened to 30 songs all day if they sounded like these 5 do. Angels in the Dirt starts off the EP in familiar territory with its rocking feel, and simple admission of dissatisfaction. In contrast to the other songs, there is almost nothing figurative about the song, and this makes its effect much more immediate. Sleeper Cars is a distinctly optimistic ditty, whose lyrics have the same endearing quality as Kris Lao’s tend to. While this is probably unintentional, it’s a nice quality to have all the same, as is the lyric ‘Spirits in descent, little tiny Cobains…’. I Bleed strongly evokes a feeling of denouement, and moves into the near-playful hook of In the Rain, whose style is something of a callback to the better female pop artistes of the 90s. Which brings me to the rare juncture at which I can say that there was one clear standout for me – Blood Red River has everything going for it (along with sharing the name of awesome Aussie swamp-rockers The Scientists’ song). The lyrics, perfectly metered, add a unique texture and rhythm of their own, which the other instruments play off of, to create a captivating, reverberating, highly atmospheric number that rings in the head as soon as it begins. Some of the catchiest lyrics are reserved for this song, and the story they tell really lets you get caught up in it. In essence, this is a very strong release that adds commendably to Lee’s body of work. But, be warned – it will likely leave you wanting more, so be ready to delve well-deep into her music, while having one of the lyrics from these songs stuck in your head. Reign Lee Interview Time Out Magazine Nov 24, 2010 By Mark Tjhung Reign Lee has been a bit of a journeywoman. Dressed like a rocker with washed jeans, paint-splattered boots, and a thin strip of pink in her dark-brunette hair, Lee is describing her rather nomadic life that’s seen her call Canada, Chicago, New York, Beijing, and, for the last decade, Hong Kong, home. “I don’t think I’d want anything to be permanent. I like travelling, and it’s the best thing in the world for me to do something where I can be travelling, and be in constant motion,” says the multi-instrumentalist-singer-songwriter, who toured the US and UK earlier this year. In some ways, it sounds like her musical life to this point has been somewhat a journey as well – an experiment to find a sonic place she feels most comfortable. Over the past five years she’s released three albums that have varied radically in concept – from the early outings of her 2006 debut Open State, to the heavier, rock-focused offerings of 2007’s Broken Skylines, and the surprising electronic turn for the atmospheric EP Holding Back the Beast in 2008. This fortnight, Lee launches her latest chapter on this musical expedition, Angels in the Dirt. “In the past, I was still figuring out a lot of my own sound,” she says. “I didn’t have the confidence to sit down with someone and say, ‘this is what I want’. This was the first time I felt I was able to do that.” After experimenting with such a variety of genres over the years, this fourth release could have gone in any direction. But it seems that Lee’s approach has taken in every direction. “With this one, my only goal going into it was I wanted every song to sound different,” she says. Goal achieved. Produced in both Los Angeles and Hong Kong, each of Angels’ five tracks sit in rather different sonic spaces, from the lilting country-tinged tune Sleeper Cars to the floating waltz of I Bleed, and the anthemic In the Rain. The songs may all sound largely different, but throughout the disc, Lee’s songs exude a certain ominous, cinematic atmosphere that complements the ever-present themes of love, loss, death and angst. Layered on top of all of this are Lee’s soulful lyrics – occasionally moody, occasionally fiery tones that ooze ‘classic rock front woman’. Perhaps that’s because she cites the likes of Patti Smith and Hole as some of her greatest influences. In fact, for Lee, seeing Courtney Love & Co. in Chicago was something of an epiphany. “In the late 90s, I’d just never seen anything like it,” she says. “I was one of those kids that [Courtney Love] pulled on stage, with bruises and cuts from the mosh pit. And I watched from the stage this sea of people in this field, and it was almost like inciting a riot. I’d never seen anything like it, let alone [from] a woman.” Women’s issues are obviously close to Lee’s heart, with proceeds from her EP launch at Grappa’s Cellar going to benefit the Asian University for Women. “It’s about educating women, propelling the role of Asian women forward so that they’re empowered with the means to be leaders in their communities and make contributions to their cultural communities and the world,” says Lee. “It doesn’t get much better Reign Lee - CD Review - 'Broken Skylines' The Underground Aug. 2010 By Shashwati Kala Broken Skylines is a lot like tracking a river along its length to me; it starts off with the deeper, more brooding tunes, loaded heavy with grungy guitarwork, and the more angst-ridden style of singing and generally lyrics that are more aggressive, much like the fast-paced descent of a young river. In its latter half, the songs slow down, take on lighter, even somewhat happier tones, with an altogether more ruminating and meandering songs, including a couple of ballads. All this, of course, allows Reign Lee to display the repertoire of emotions she is able to effectively convey through song. All the songs benefit greatly from the sheer quality of her deep, throaty and honest voice, and the uniqueness of the vocal technique she uses. The tunes are very simply constructed, often using some very classic chord progression to add to the ability of the song to move you. The lyrics are written with a perceptive wit, which makes for some intriguing candour in what they say. Finally, the entire posse of musicians that have worked on the album with her have done a tremendous job. With the double bass for the bottom end, to the electric guitar solos that are tastefully arranged through the songs, their contribution to the album is significant, the guitar in particular. When the songs take on their sort of post-grunge, 90s alternative rock sound, the guitars are weighty and combine well with Reign’s voice to pull the listener down. In the lighter songs, the guitars are light, airy and jaunty. Summer Faded starts right into its main rhythm, and uses a dipping and rising guitar line to hook you. Don’t Close Your Eyes is a fantastic, grungy song that sticks in the head, while Something About You shows a softer and more reserved side of her. The most powerful song is definitely Helena, a powerful song that exactly elucidates the niche within modern soft rock that Reign has carved for herself, and is basically the leitmotif of the album. In Your Arms has a very visual narrative, with a bittersweet tune. Burn is, quite ironically, a very sweet, soothing song. Fittingly, by After the Flood you’ve reached the estuary, and when she invites you to ‘crash and burn’ with her, you’re almost inclined to go along! I only wish that there had been more songs that had her singing without the DTs and layers - her voice is at its most evocative alone, but that just may be my opinion. Overall, the songs win you over, with their sincere vocals and profound lyrics.
Reign Lee - Live Review Music Matters Showcase - Girls with Guitars 2 The Underground HK May 29, 2010 Shashwati There were confessions of girl-crushes and serious fandom expressed to me about Reign before her set. Dressed with flair as usual, there were also a number of comments about how enviable her coat with long tails was. She was accompanied in person by Thelma with percussion on a box, and some pre-recorded backing tracks. This was a clever move, as it really filled out the tiny gap left by her rich, deep voice and angsty guitarwork. Her lyrics are meaty and flowing, really making you think. There’s an attitude to her songs, but not in an obnoxious way - rather, it makes the songs edgy. And this isn’t the manufactured, customary edge that comes with heavily distorted and overdriven guitars; it’s derived from a genuine depth, and even darkness, to the songs overall. To add to all her musical credentials, she even killed a roach just before starting her set (and chided Greg)! More than the other performers that night, she sang to complement her guitarwork - this was highlighted in Angels in the Dirt where her pithy lyrics tussled with the guitars to fill listening ears. It was also of note that she always sings in her full voice, especially in places that many female singers would have opted for a falsetto - just my opinion, but this approach makes the song more substantial. I Bleed was a new addition to her repertoire; a song that rests on the building-up process, it was added to significantly by the recorded piano and drumrolls. The unyielding yet somehow floating Don’t Close Your Eyes used a very classic chord pattern, made unique by their use in the song. Helena was the ruminating closer, with a sparse yet opulent soundscape, where the box-percussion flourished, ending her set on a pensive, somewhat atonal note.Singer Enjoys Stripped-Down Acoustic Tour South Bend Tribune MUSIC Nov. 5, 2009 Shaun Christensen USA Reign Lee is a multi-cultural, multi-talented, Hong Kong-based multi-instrumentalist with an evocative and beautiful voice. Hong Kong-based singer-songwriter Reign Lee perform an acoustic set Friday at Ugly Mugs Café in South Bend. Reign Lee performs at 7 p.m. Friday at Ugly Mugs Café, 102 N. Main St., South Bend. Admission is $5. For more information, call (574) 288-5350. "This tour has been going really well, I've been meeting great, supportive people who appreciate music, which makes a tour worthwhile," she says while in the midst of her first tour of the United States since 2007. "All of the traveling just allows me to do what I love and, hopefully, receive appreciation." It is easy to believe that Lee's music is receiving appreciation from people wherever she goes, as she has lived nearly everywhere, absorbing bits and pieces of each culture along the way while she developed. Lee was born to a European-Canadian mother and a Chinese father in Hamilton, Ontario, and has since lived, worked and studied in Alberta, Arizona, Beijing, Illinois, New York and Hong Kong. "Coming from a diverse family and living in a wide range of places has had a big impact on me at an unconscious level. I have no doubt that it has helped shape me as a writer, songwriter, and musician," Lee says. "Anyone who does anything creative cannot help but be shaped by the influences of their environment. It has definitely colored the way I see the world, and, subsequently, how I write." Throughout all of the moves in her life, crossing cultural and physical borders, music has remained a constant for Lee. "I've always been drawn to music, even at a really young age. When I was 4 years old, I had my own little record player and I had four albums," she says. "They were 'Thriller' by Michael Jackson, '1999' by Prince and albums by The Go-Go's and The Stray Cats, and that is where it all started. I've always known music was what I wanted to do; in fact, it is all I can ever remember doing." From these rock and pop roots, her musical tastes were fostered by the tastes of her music-loving parents, eventually growing to a love of all genres, especially alternative rock. The influence of 1990s alternative rock is overtly apparent on Lee's 2007 album, "Broken Skylines," released on her independent label, Vereign Records. The album was recorded with Grammy Award-winning sound engineer John Seymour, who has worked with such acts as U2, Santana and Dave Matthews. The album has yielded Lee accolades and some critical acclaim. Since 2007, she has immersed herself in other projects, including an electronica EP, "Holding Back the Beast," but the "Broken Skylines" album has been steadily gaining enough attention to merit an ambitious and intimate acoustic tour of the United States through 2010. "This acoustic tour has given me a chance to rework and reinvent songs. It is quite a different experience than playing loud and being plugged in," Lee says. "I like the intimacy that comes from playing stripped-down shows." This type of tour doesn't just fleetingly illustrate intimacy; it defines it, as Lee is touring with only a guitarist playing lead over her rhythm guitar. An intimate performance means vulnerability for the performer and necessitates a high level of confidence, polish and talent. "I would say that 'Broken Skylines' is being received even better on this tour than during my 2007 tour. I used to have to really force myself to get out there on stage, and that fear hadn't dissipated until the last year," she says. "This acceptance has probably got something to do with me growing more confident as a singer/songwriter and as a professional musician." Lee appears to be growing into herself as a musician and performer and this personal growth has been coupled in her life with genre exploration, which resulted in "Holding Back the Beast." The EP is available for digital purchase online. "I feel like I'm more of an organic writer, using an instrument, so the experience of creating electronica was totally unique for me," she says. "I really like genre pushing, which is the plan with the stuff that I'm working on now, which is in the same vein as Wilco." Lee's music has yielded her numerous accolades, including the Honor Awards in the 11th and 12th Annual Unisong International Songwriting Contest, the Top Finalist honor in the 2007 Great American Song Contest and a nomination for an Independent Music Award as well as appearances on television and radio play. "I feel lucky that I've had any accolades at all, but being met with something other than indifference is what it's all about," Lee says. "It hits me the most when I get out there, strip it down and play solo acoustic and people actually stop to listen and don't mistreat it or ignore it. That is the most extraordinary accolade and experience for me." Reign Lee – The Nature of the Beast East Coast Rocker - The Aquarian Weekly Local Noise Oct. 14 - 21, 2009 By Hal B. Selzer USA “I’m originally from Canada. I was born in Hamilton, Ontario, but grew up in Alberta. We moved to Hong Kong when I was a teenager and I’ve considered it home ever since,” says singer/songwriter Reign Lee. Not only is Reign coming to New Jersey to perform, but she has a strong connection to the Garden State through both her band members and her management. “It was from this far-off land that I first came across Gene Foley,” she continues. “It’s amazing how small the world has become. Gene’s reputation for helping artists he believed in preceded him so I took a chance and submitted some material, hoping for some constructive feedback I could build on. His enthusiasm was overwhelming and he really helped me to see a light at the end of the tunnel.” Gene has been instrumental in getting Reign attention, and he also helped her put together her solid backing band. “As a solo artist, when you need a band to back you up, you want them to be brutally good. So when I’m on the East Coast, my choice of bandmates is Kurt Wubbenhorst, Rob Struck and Ken Abel. They’re all from the band Westgate, although Ken’s no longer in that band. Westgate’s home base is Kinnelon, NJ.” Reign has been able to tour around the world, getting to places most local artists can only dream of going. “All over!” she exclaims. “Although there’s been some places in far-off locations like Taipei and Beijing where I can’t even remember the name of the club anymore. But I’ve played all over Hong Kong, the U.S., and Canada. Some of the more notable places would be Kenny’s Castaways in New York City, Trash Bar in Brooklyn, The Rudyard Kipling in Louisville, KY and The Cowell Theater in San Francisco.” Musically, Reign is an intriguing mix of singer/songwriter and distorted alternative rock. “It’s always hard trying to categorize what music sounds like,” she muses. “It seems a bit like asking a blind person to describe the colour of meringue. But it’s the nature of the beast, so I would say alt-singer-songwriter with a rock bite. There are rock elements and pop elements, but at the end of the day, I see myself primarily as a songwriter, although don’t expect any wispy ballads.” Her influences are a clue to her eclectic sound. “There are probably too many to name,” Reign states. “I would say the most striking impressions have been left by the Pixies, Nirvana, Patti Smith, Gram Parsons, the Beatles, Heart, Bruce Springsteen, the Cars, Lucinda Williams, Guided by Voices, and Hole.” The songs on her new CD, Broken Skylines, are both poignant and aggressive at the same time, a rare feat for any artist. And the music represents a view of the world cultivated from her unique background. “The name ‘Broken Skylines’ came from a song lyric,” she relates. “It wasn’t anything conscious but as the direction of the album became apparent, I realized that it represented a big part of my personal journey around the world. For whatever reason, it represents old endings and new beginnings. I think there was also some unconscious referencing to the fact that I left NYC after Sept. 11.” Reign seems to be able to get her music across to a wide ranging audience. “We played a show in Lavale, Maryland, and I had no idea what to expect,” she recalls. “There was Lynyrd Skynyrd playing on the jukebox when we got there and everybody stopped when I walked into the bar. The other bands seemed to be metal bands and there were choppers parked out front. I just didn’t think my psycho-sexual lyric-heavy alt-rock was gonna fly here. But lo and behold, they went crazy for the set! Every single person bought a CD and merch and wouldn’t stop telling me how much they loved the show. Then one of the bouncers asked me if I’d sign a CD to his friend. He told me his friend would be so disappointed because he just went to jail that day and he was going to tell him he missed an awesome show. What a brilliant compliment!” As far as the future, Reign is hoping to continue the journey she has started. “My main goal is to be able to sustain my career as a musician,” she says. “I want to be able to tour regularly, record and travel the world making music I believe in. It’s not the easiest thing in the world to do, but it’s getting easier. It’s also great to receive validation for what you’re doing and I think that the more I get of both, the closer I get to reaching my goals. I would also love the experience of seeing one of my songs grow and evolve to develop a life of its own.” Reign will be appearing at The Saint in Asbury Park on Monday, Oct. 19 at 10:00 p.m. For more information about the show, and other upcoming events, check out reignlee.com and myspace.com/reignleemusic. REIGN LEE - Broken Skylines Review Oct. 2009 SKOPE MAGAZINE (USA) - Jimmy Rae This Hong-Kong based singer/song writer, Reign Lee, is ready to take the music world by storm. Not only does Lee write and perform all of her songs on the new record, but she is also the producer of Broken Skylines. This multi-talented artist is definitely prepared to excite the minds of music enthusiasts everywhere! Having a European-Canadian mother & Chinese father, this has played a huge role in her development as a musician. Reign has also lived, worked and studied in many places around the world such as: Ontario, Alberta, Arizona, Beijing, Illinois, New York and Hong Kong. This cultural diversity that Lee has experienced makes her very multi-dimensional. Broken Skylines is a very pure album in terms of Reign Lee’s passion on the recording. You can really feel her soul, at times, just by the way she sings her lines. It is both a very powerful & emotional listening experience for Reign Lee herself and her audience. Lee offers up a very pleasant pitch & melody throughout this record. It seems like so much damn feeling wrapped up into one small CD. I would say that Lee is blending various styles here from: rock, pop and alternative to make up one immensely in teresting sound. I would call Broken Skylines guitar-driven pop/rock with some slightly raw edginess to it. This is all twisted together to make up Reign Lee’s distinct sound. Some worthy accolades I’d like to mention here: MySpace charts have listeners ranking her as the #1 Alternative Indie Artist from Hong Kong. She is also the #1 Alternative Artist in Hong Kong on the Reverbnation charts. Her song, “Built to Last” is included for a Microsoft promotional campaign as the Sponsored Song. In support of Broken Skylines, she has had a TV appearance on the Tim Qualls Show and she will also be appearing on certain TV Talk Shows on ABC, Fox and Comcast along the way. Lee is set to embark on a long US club tour that will start up Oct. 14, visiting cities nationwide into 2010. See if Reign Lee is coming to a city/town near you! In the end, this record has so much passionate energy and Reign Lee is one serious artist. Just as a basketball player may make it rain three pointers, Reign is making it rain musical notes composed of nothing but precision & quality. For more on this multi-dimensional artist, Reign Lee, and her latest album Broken Skylines, SKOPE out www.myspace.com/reignleemusic 4 out of 5 stars REIGN LEE Live! @ UNDERGROUND 83 The Underground HK Aug. 8, 2009 Heather Lowe Reign Lee oozes confidence, a reflection of not only her live music experience, but also the clear fact that she belongs on stage. Her set flowed well as a complete whole, creating a laid back but also up tempo atmosphere. Sue Sherman on lead guitar pushes forward the lyrics with intense solos and riffs. Reign’s voice is also a delight switching from powerful overtones, to soft melodic notes, all the way summoning the passion evident within her lyrics. ‘Helena’ was a favourite, evidently enjoyed by the large audience Reign Lee maintained throughout the set. Reign’s string of upcoming live events only serves to prove her consistent popularity and suitability in live music venues. Reign Lee - BROKEN SKYLINES CD Review Amplifier Magazine (USA) - Tom Semioli Everything old is new again. This Hong-Kong based, Canadian born, well-traveled (she’s lived everywhere man - see Johnny Cash) chanteuse has rendered a refreshing, no-frills guitar-driven collection that faithfully harkens back to the 90s alt-rock bravura of the Smashing Pumpkins, Veruca Salt, Garbage, and Foo Fighters. Which means Ms. Lee delivers the goods, and then some. Guitarists Ken Able and Lee are a torrid twosome, spitting forth a kitchen sink’s worth of supporting riffs, harmonics, power chords, and feedback in all the right places. Five-stringed bassist Rob Struck holds the bottom firm (and low, low, low) whilst Kurt Wubbenhorst’s back-beat drives the songs through a brick wall. “Helena” is the obvious choice if you have to download one signature track - an anthemic melody mixed with sexual ambiguity never fails to please. For the more sensitive side of Lee, be sure to check out the ballad “Something About You” - Gilbert Halcrow’s overdubbed acoustic guitar leads and mandolin lines embellish Lee’s pathos perfectly. When it Reigns it pours…. highly recommended for fans of K.T. Tunstall, Fiona Apple, Gail Ann Dorsey and the like. For additional press, please visit: |
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