Coming July 8:

Leslie Mendelson!

Mendelson's vivid, subtly crafted tunes—which range from the effervescent exuberance of "Hit the Spot" and "I See Myself with You" to the bittersweet introspection of "No Easy Way Out" and "If I Don't Stop Loving You"—are supported by organically soulful performances and spare, understated instrumental arrangements. The result is a timelessly resonant and emotionally honest album which often recalls the classic work of such vintage role models as Carole King and Laura Nyro. Thanks in part to the influence of her father, a trumpet player and music teacher, Leslie became obsessed with music during early childhood, learning to play piano by ear and coming up with original lyrics and melodies. By her teens, she was writing personally charged songs in earnest, and making her first attempts at recording demos of her compositions. Mendelson achieved some early notoriety singing her original tunes with Mother Freedom, a popular Long Island funk-rock combo with which she recorded an album. But in the spring of 2002, Leslie relocated to New York City and her career as a songwriter began in earnest. She quickly became a fixture in Manhattan's downtown music scene, performing her own shows and participating in the famed New York Songwriters Circle, while hustling a living giving guitar and piano lessons. In 2005, while still juggling her budding performing career and her various musical odd jobs, Mendelson self-released her first solo CD, Take It As You Will. Mendelson notes, "Life is an adventure and you shouldn't be afraid to feel everything. My lyrics are very honest, almost painful sometimes. But I'm not feeling sorry for myself. I'm just admitting everything and putting it out there, without any sense of shame or embarrassment. On the one hand it’s kind of analytical but it's also kind of lighthearted, like, ‘It doesn't have to be so hard.’ Of course, life is hard, but that doesn't mean that it can't be groovy." More at www.myspace.com/lesliemendelson.