Comments for Hsu-Li, Magdalen, Evolution

Contact Information: CHICKPOP Records 117 E Louisa St #422 Seattle, Wa. 98122 Website: http://www.netmusic.com/magdalenhsuli Email: mailto:powrbabe@speakeasy.org mailto:powrbabe@usa.net Tel/Fax: (206) 325-7944 CD is available through: http://www.goldenrod.com http://www.ladyslipper.org http://www.rahul.net/hrmusic http://www.amazon.com http://www.cdnow.com Borders Books and Music Tower Records Similar To These Artists: Ani Difranco Tori Amos Alanis Morissette Lauryn Hill Biography Magdalen Hsu-Li, is a pioneer among Asian-American women in music. One of the first bi Chinese-American singer- songwriters to emerge in the United States as a star in the acoustic/pop/alternative genre, Magdalen has broken new ground as the forerunner of a new wave of Asian musical artists. As novelist Amy Tan defined the first era of Asian-American literature, so is Magdalen defining what Asian-American`s in popular music can do today. Magdalen writes universal, personal, and political songs that stretch the boundaries of our conciousness, while appealing to a wide spectrum of people. Magdalen is a consummate performer, visual artist, and free spirit with a world vision who cannot be categorized. Audiences across America are raving about her powerful live performances. Her spectacular live shows are high energy, conciousness raising, events featuring: piano, vocal and and drumset duos, impromptu standup and theatre, thought provoking poetry readings, and spiritually rousing percussion and drum improvisations. In addition to performances, her lecture series includes 2 programs which encourage diversity; "Redefinition of Identity - Asian Women in the Arts (feminist focus) " “Redefinition if Identity - Asian-Americans in the Arts” and an interactive workshop called “True Diversity - Exploring Race, Gender, Sexuality, and Programming”. Expect the unexpected…from the tenderest of piano ballads, to raging political piano punk, Magdalen`s music reflects her talent and skill as an instrumentalist and singer while deepening her artistry with a powerful message about multiculturalism and diversity that`s sure to uplift many hearts. She is a new voice for an increasingly diverse and multicultural generation coming into their own as individuals in the 21st Century. Magdalen was nominated for a GLAMA(Gay and Lesbian American Music Award) for "Best Out Song" for "Monkeygirl", the single from her her critically acclaimed 1998 release Evolution, which was co-produced by Dale Fanning of Liquid City recording artists, The Living Daylights. Magdalen recieves airplay on hundreds of college and commercial radio stations throughout the US. Evolution was rated number 5 in WCUW`s 91.3 Airwaves Top Ten in the April 1999 edition of the Worcester Phoenix, in Worcester, Ma, and placed in the Top 10 "Hot Sellers" CD Sales List in the April 1999 issue of The Advocate. Her CDs and singles also regularly chart in Outvoice a weekly national listing of the GLBT Music Charts, Her recordings are distributed nationally through Goldenrod Inc., Ladyslipper, Harmony Ridge Music, Amazon.com, and CDnow.com and is available at Borders Books and Music Stores, Tower Records, and women’s and GLBT bookstores nationwide. Press Quotes "With a Jackie Chan karate chop to the stereotype of the submissive Asian woman, Magdalen Hsu-Li answers back in the name of all outsiders—not as an agitprop political shouter but in the seductive voice of a tender-hearted artist who transmutes anger, beauty, and hope into a fully realized album. Hsu-Li never compromises her music to make a political point and never compromises her politics to make her music more accessible. She clearly took care to make her powerful feelings sonically strong and melodic. Prepare to be surprised: All the colors of life shimmer in her well-crafted soundscape." Jim Fouratt, The Advocate, May, 1999 From “10 To Watch For On The Web” "Magdalen Hsu-Li is no shrinking violet...her engrossing 1998 album Evolution will tip you off to this fact. From soaring vocals to gritty angst, Hsu-Li shows that it`s possible to have it all and to escape being labeled both as an artist and as a woman. In this well made, instrumentally enticing album, Hsu-Li highlights facets of her anger while explaining through music, mind you that evolution is necessary and welcome". Amy Kepferle, Every Other Weekly, Bellingham, Wa. March, 1999 "Evolution" is a brilliant album that contains some of the best female vocals and smart, strongly-felt songwriting I`ve heard in ages. Magdalen is simply amazing...she truly stands out as one of the first Asian women to come out with songs and an image that do not fit the cliches and stereotypes." The Asian Reporter, Portland Or. May 1999 “Magdalen represents an emerging rebellious Asian generation. She seduces you with her voice and captures you with her words. It’s great to see Asian women fighting like this. Blow em away Hsu-Li!” Doualy Xaykaothao, WBAI Radio, NYC, NY. Feb, 1999 "Musically, Hsu-Li withholds nothing. Confrontational as all hell, she shows her piano no mercy, taking intolerance and every Œism¹ in the book prisoner with a rare and relentless fury, an approach that earns her infinite comparisons to Tori Amos and Ani DiFranco." Susan Moll, Rockrgrl Magazine, May, 1999 "Magdalen Hsu-Li writes very personal songs and she doesn`t use kid gloves or obtuse phrases to get across her point. She`s from the new breed of female artists that gets right in your face to rise to the level necessary to awaken awareness of unenlightened behavior sometimes evident in our society...cutting edge avant-garde somewhat reminescent of Laurie Anderson, to modern jazz, folk, pop ala Ani DiFranco and Tori Amos. She plays a powerful hard driving piano, and has assembled a fine array of musicians to compliment her vision and musical essence. " Jack Sutton, Harmony Ridge Music, 1999 "Evolution" is powerful, passionate, and intelligent, with an admirable social consciousness. I saw Magdalen Hsu-Li perform on April 12, 1999, and she put on a great show! She performed all of her consciousness raising songs from Evolution, but also peppered the night with clever bits of poetry and spoken word and a number of songs not available on album. Most impressive was her interplay with her phenomenal drummer, Deb Lane, as the duo performed and improvised off each other tremendously well. Magdalen`s warm stage presence belied her confrontational and thought-provoking lyrics, poetry, and stories, and her voice is rare in that it comes across better live than on CD. A very fine concert." Mark Miazga, Common Grounds Coffeehouse, MSU, East Lansing, Mi, May, 1999 "I recently heard a song from Magdalen Hsu-Li`s last recording. It was marvelous. Based on that one cut, I`d highly recommend that you request one if you`re interested in original, contemporary acoustic music." Ellen Hayman / DJ - "Conversation at the Rose Cafe" KFAI 90.3 & 106.7 FM Minneapolis, MN, June 1999 "I`ll second Ellen`s recommendation. I`ve played several cuts off the album on Womenspace and am looking forward to meeting Magdalen." Carolyn VandeWeile / DJ - Womenspace WFHB FM, Bloomington, IN, June 1999 "I`ve been waiting for a long time for an Asian-American singer-songwriter whose music would tackle issues and experiences that I can relate to as an Asian woman in America. Hsu-Li is a natural performer. When she attacks the piano she is all woman and all knowing...the raw emotion...the personal and confessional lyrics...her impassioned performance...all wrapped up in one ferociously talented package." Ria Roncales Goodwin, The Asian Reporter, Portland, Or. 1998 "One of the better new folk songwriters in town, with a postmodern edge." The Seattle Times, Seattle, Wa. 1998 "Magdalen Hsu-Li isn`t afraid to push some buttons. Using her experience as an Chinese-American woman, she writes personal lyrics that address larger societal issues head-on." The Seattle Weekly, Seattle, Wa. 1998 "Magdalen Hsu-Li`s always straightfoward and sometimes startling lyrics firmly establish her prescence and personality throughout her moving 5-song EP, "Muscle and Bone" Those who witnessed the Femme Vitale Summer 97 Tour which visited the Jambalaya last August, know her power as a performer. Politically, spiritually, and poetically against the grain...that Magdalen has found many truths is apparent throughout "Muscle and Bone". Her strength, honesty, and haunting prescence make her an inspirational, emerging, diva who already influences and supports truly alternative music and art. Kara Vernor, Rhythmic Review, Eureka/Arcata, Ca. 1997 "Muscle and Bone" adds a twist to the feminist rage of Ani Difranco, as Hsu-Li addresses cultural themes as well as gender topics set to angular emotionally intense music. R.M. Willamette Week , Portland, Or. 1997