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Debra Arlyn Named February “Best Vocalist Of The Month” With
Her Song “Tell Me Now”
By Dale Kawashima
Debra Arlyn, a promising pop/soul singer & songwriter
based in Portland, OR, has won the February SingerUniverse “Best Vocalist Of
The Month” Competition, for her performance of her song “Tell Me Now.” This
song is included on her most recent album Tomorrow Another Day, which
she released independently in May 2008.
Debra Arlyn
“Tell Me Now” is an appealing midtempo cut, which starts
softly, then gradually builds in emotion and intensity. This song provides a
fine showcase for Arlyn’s clear, expressive vocals, which can become quite
soulful at times. Notably, Arlyn also plays piano on the album, and she wrote
or co-wrote all the songs. “Tell Me Now” was expertly produced by Rob Stroup,
who owns and operates a studio in Portland called 8 Ball Studio.
Arlyn (who is 23) was born and raised in Corvallis, OR (south of Portland), where she was first introduced to music by her father, who played
piano and guitar, and was a touring musician. She learned to play piano, and
early on she was inspired by listening to such artists as Carole King, James
Taylor and Kenny Rankin. In high school, she sang in both her school and church
choirs. Most impressively, in 2004 Arlyn entered and won the Oregon Idol
competition, which led to her traveling to Los Angeles to compete for American
Idol that year.
Following high school, Arlyn attended college for a year,
but then she decided to concentrate fully on her music career. She formed a band
and she developed her songwriting skills. “In 2005, I put out my first CD,
which was called Complicated Mess,” recalls Arlyn. She wrote and
produced this album herself. “Then in May 2008, I released my second album, Tomorrow
Another Day.” Both albums were released on her label, Homeslice Records,
and have sold a combined 5,000 units to date.
Debra Arlyn performing live.
Arlyn has become an established indie artist in the
Northwest region, winning several honors and awards. In 2008, she was named
Best Female Artist Of The Year at the Portland Music Awards, and in 2007, she
was runner-up at the Winery Music Awards (sponsored by Best Buy and iFanz). In
addition, CDBaby selected Tomorrow Another Day as one of the best pop
piano albums.
Her success can be attributed to her two album releases, and
to her extensive concert touring (both with her band and as a solo performer).
She has played at many music festivals, universities, and at state fairs. Arlyn
says: “I’m already booked the next six months, doing a lot of shows throughout
the West Coast, from Seattle down to L.A. and San Diego, plus shows in Colorado and Montana.”
In addition, here are four, talented vocalists/artists who complete our Top Five Vocalists honorees list for this month's competition, with their credits, plus their e-mail and website links. You can listen to their songs by clicking the music players below.
Bryson VanCleve
"Peace Of Mind." (rock/pop). Performed and written by Bryson VanCleve of Van Nuys, CA.