Luthea Salom

Luthea Salom
Background information
Origin Barcelona, Catalonia
Genres Indie pop, indie folk
Occupation(s) Singer-songwriter, musician
Instruments Vocals, guitar, ukulele
Years active 2001–present
Labels Subterfuge Records
Website lutheasalom.com

Luthea Salom is a Catalan indie folk singer-songwriter[1] based in New York City.[2] She has released four albums. Her most recent CD The Little Things We Do was released on 8 October 2013 by Subterfuge Records reaching number one on iTunes Spain (Alternative) with her single Hey! Wake Up.

Her work has been shortlisted for the Grammy Awards and she was a finalist for Rolling Stone Magazine contest Termómetro RS with her song "Tomorrow". With her videos Blank Piece of Paper and Be Me she has won several awards in numerous contests like International Motion Art Awards by AI-AP (American Illustration and American Photography) as well as International Songwriting Competition, Crank Your Cred, Festival de Cine de Zaragoza and Musiclip. In 2011, she was invited to perform at the annual Christmas Party organized by RAC 1 at Palau de la Musica Catalana. She has appeared on many Spanish National TV shows broadcast on RTVE,[3] EITB,[4] TV3 and Canal 33 as well as Canal Nou, La Otra, Telemadrid among others, and also on Spanish National Radio Stations including RNE: Radio 3,[5] Radio 4,[6] REE; Onda Cero, COM Radio, Cadena Ser,[7] Catalunya Radio, ICat FM[8] and RAC 1.[9]

History

Luthea Salom was born in Barcelona, Catalonia. Her parents emigrated to Fredericton, Canada,[10] when Luthea was a baby. They lived there for several years before returning to their home town in Catalonia where they opened an art gallery. Luthea started performing and writing music at the age of 13[11] and she soon appeared in several festivals around Spain. As a teenager she moved to London where she joined several local bands as a guitar player and backing vocalist.[12] In 1999 she recorded a demo with her original songs and was soon spotted by the Ex- Apple Records (Spain) AR, Frank Andrada, who signed her to his independent label.

Luthea Salom's first two CDs were produced by Grammy Award Winning producer Malcolm Burn, leading to more than 200,000 visits on her MySpace page by 2009.[13]

After opening for such acts as Norah Jones and Alanis Morissette she came out with her first album Out and WIthout. After the release she was invited to open for Emmylou Harris for a Benefit Concert held in Deep River, Ottawa (Canada) in 2003. Her second album Sunbeam Surrounded by Winter was on the Grammy Awards 2008 Ballot for 9 categories including Best New Artist and Album of the Year.[14] National Spanish Television said, "Inspiring, original and with a great sense of style are just some of the adjectives that the media has dedicated to Luthea Salom...Luthea's folk songs are touched by a very colorful pop, at times sentimental and acoustic. This is the best way to describe songs like "Like A River", which shows the talent of this singer, an artist who stands out in her genre due to her optimism."[15]

In 2010 Luthea was made an endorsee by Ovation Guitars,[16] Sonor[17] and Kala Brand Music Co.[18] in the USA and worldwide. In 2012 she was made an endorsee by Guild Guitar Company.

In June 2011 Luthea Salom won the Myspace 'Crank Your Cred' award by International Songwriting Competition for the month of June 2011, with her song "Blank Piece of Paper" entered in the Folk/Singer-Songwriter and Music Video categories.[19]

2001: Out of Without

Luthea Salom met up for the first time with Grammy Award Winning producer Malcolm Burn in his Clouet Street studios located in New Orleans during the summer of 2000. In September they started recording her debut CD that was released by Mondicor in 2001. Producer and multi-instrumentalist Ethan Johns (Rufus Wainwright, Ryan Adams, Ray LaMontagne, Kings of Leon, Laura Marling among others) recorded guitars and drums. Acclaimed cellist Jane Scarpantoni (Suzanne Vega, Indigo Girls, Ray LaMontagne, Sarah McLachlan, R.E.M., Lou Reed among others) also appears on several songs on the album.

2007: Sunbeam Surrounded By Winter

In 2004 Malcolm Burn and Luthea Salom started the recordings for her second CD which was originally titled Incessant Spinning in Kingston, New York, at Maison Bleue Studio and in Skopje, Macedonia, with members of Project Zlust.[20] The CD came out in 2005 and was sold out in Spain. It was then re mastered and re released in 2007 under the title Sunbeam Surrounded By Winter.[21] Luthea was invited to take part of compilation CD Discovering Bowie produced by Valentí Adell. They recorded "Rebel Rebel" and the single was added to Sunbeam Surrounded By Winter as a bonus track.[22]

In 2007 London-based independent music publishing company Fairwood Music[23] (David Bowie, JJ Cale, Noel Hogan) discovered and signed Luthea Salom. John Deane of Fairwood Music has been quoted as saying that Luthea has created timeless melodies and well-crafted lyrics. Her creativity, approach and originality will resonate through contemporary music for years to come.

Redwood Entertainment Inc. signed Luthea Salom in 2008 and released and promoted her album in the USA leading her songs to be on broadcast radio across the country on several college radio stations and also NPR & Sirius, with songs "Rebel Rebel", "Dragonfly" and "Like A River".

In 2008 Sunflower Group Entertainment discovered and signed Luthea Salom to their publishing company based in New York City.

Spain's Noticias Clave says "Excellent North American singer/songwriter Luthea Salom is back with a new production filled by her developed folk-rock style which wraps up her vital lyrics that speak both about living in peace and being a rebel. Lyrics are essential in the work of this Canadian-New York-Barcelona citizen, but for those who can't understand English it is still possible to enjoy her musical repertoire, which evolves from her song writing, to the last note of the arrangements, and through her attractive, direct and nuanced interpretation."[24]

Considered a remarkable CD[25] with a unique combination of moving melodies and thoughtful lyrics,[26] in 2008 the CD was launched in the USA[27] and it soon attracted the attention of specialized media entering the ballots for The Grammy Awards in 2008 in 9 categories: Best New Artist, Album Of The Year, Best Pop Vocal Album, Record Of The Year, Song Of The Year, Producer Of The Year Non-Classical, Best Engineered Album Non-Classical, Best Female Pop Vocal Performance and Best Instrumental Arrangement Accompanying Vocalist.

2010: Kick In The Head

After touring Spain, Portugal, the USA and Germany,[28] in November 2009 Luthea Salom entered Vapor Studio (Barcelona, Catalonia) to record her third CD which was produced by Valentí Adell and mixed and mastered in the USA by Chris Badami.[29] The CD, titled Kick in the Head, came out digitally in July 2010 hitting the stores in several European countries in October 2010. In April 2011 it sold out in Spain.

Spain's Noticias Clave says Kick in The Head Luthea Salom's latest album "shows her as a talented artesan of songs that she delivers with a personal touch and rock-folk color, where the lyrics (in English) find the best expressive vehicle in her voice – spirited and full of nuances – and her clear diction. The simplicity of the arrangements, seasoned with details that enhance all instrumental expression, contributes to the enjoyment of a successful musical discourse, with good final-touches around a voice that believes and makes us believe in what she says."[30]

Germany's Kultur Cottbus says,"Luthea Salom's bittersweet style is very convincing with her cute voice, almost cheeky lyrics, and her spare guitar-based music. After this song you have already fallen in love with her. Without exaggeration I proudly say that Luthea Salom's "Kick in the Head" is already the best music discovery of the year."[31] Other reviews from Spain include, Noticiario Indie which says, "Kick in the Head is in full swing now, not only all over the news but also in everyone's mouth,"[32] and Lagartoon Musica Alternativa states,"A great artist with a wonderful career ahead."[33]

In April 2011 Kick in the Head entered the ballots for Independent Music Awards in Spain in seven categories with songs Blank Piece of Paper and Happy.[34]

In June 2011 Luthea Salom won the Myspace 'Crank Your Cred' award by International Songwriting Competition for the month of June 2011, with her song "Blank Piece of Paper" entered in the Folk/Singer-Songwriter and Music Video categories.[35][36]

In 2012 Kick in the Head was shorlisted for the Grammy Awards in three categories with songs Blank Piece of Paper and Happy.

Her video Blank Piece of Paper won the International Motion Art Award in 2012. And her video Be Me was a finalist and semi-finalist for Festival Internacional de Cine de Zaragoza and Musiclip.

Luthea's song Tomorrow was a finalist for Rolling Stone Magazine's awards "Termómetro RS" in September 2012.

Luthea's music video from the single Blank Piece of Paper is playing on rotation on MTV Spain and Sol Musica[37] and viewable on YouTube.[38]

2013: The Little Things We Do

The Little Things We Do (Subterfuge Records, 2013) was recorded in Sabadell (Barcelona) at Vapor Studio and produced by Valentí Adell during the months of November & December 2012 and January & February 2013. It was soon spotted by the major independent label Subterfuge Records who decided to first release a presentation EP Never Blue"[39] in July 2013 prior to the full album in the fall of 2013.

The song Hey! Wake Up was chosen for online promotional campaigns by Addicted to Dior, Oysho and it later appeared on the crowdfounded documentary 1001 Formas de tomar café directed by actress Leticia Dolera for Nespresso. The single made it up to number one on iTunes Spain Alternative charts in November 2013. In June 2014 the single was featured in the first episode of El Chiringuito de Pepe, a new TV series airing on Telecinco which reached an audience of over 4.6 million people.

Luthea's songs Crazy and The Way Things Are were used by designer Chie Mihara for the promotional campaigns for her FW 2013/2014 shoe collection. The Way Things Are was also the theme song for Jaume Barberà's new TV program Retrats which airs on Canal 33 (Catalan Television).

Discography

Studio albums

Singles

Compilation albums and collaborations

References

  1. thrillerwebzine.com
  2. telecinco.es
  3. "Luthea Salom – Winter Tires on Los Conciertos de Radio 3 (RTVE)". YouTube. Retrieved 26 September 2013.
  4. "'Jungla Sonoran galdu naiz': Luthea Salom". EITB.com (in Basque). 3 March 2011. Retrieved 26 September 2013.
  5. "Disco grande Disco grande Lunes a Viernes de 17.00 a 18.00 horas Disco grande – La felicidad de Luthea Salom". RTVE (in Spanish). 5 November 2010. Retrieved 26 September 2013.
  6. "Luthea Salom a La Taverna". RTVE (in Spanish). 12 November 2010. Retrieved 26 September 2013.
  7. "Luthea Salom – Cadena Ser". YouTube. Retrieved 26 September 2013.
  8. "Luthea Salom. 10.01.10 Els Concerts del Cabaret Elèctric". YouTube. Retrieved 26 September 2013.
  9. "El cant agredolç de Luthea Salom". RAC1 (in Catalan). Retrieved 26 September 2013.
  10. Ruiz, Raul. "Luthea Salom". IndyRock (in Spanish). Retrieved 26 September 2013.
  11. lifetimemusic.net
  12. Valdeon Blanco, Julio (26 April 2011). "El disco del día: Luthea Salom". Efe Eme (in Spanish). Retrieved 26 September 2013.
  13. "Luthea Salom". Kultur Leioa (in Spanish). Retrieved 26 September 2013.
  14. eitb.com
  15. "Like a River (Luthea Salom)". RTVE (in Spanish). 20 June 2008. Retrieved 26 September 2013.
  16. "Luthea Salom". Ovation Guitars. Retrieved 25 September 2013.
  17. sonor-orff.com
  18. "Kala Ukulele Artists". Kala. Retrieved 26 September 2013.
  19. songwritingcompetition.com
  20. "Luthea Salom: Incessant Spinning [Bonus Track]". AllMusic. Retrieved 26 September 2013.
  21. "Luthea Salom: Sunbeam Surrounded by Winter". AllMusic. Retrieved 26 September 2013.
  22. "Luthea Salom: Rebel Rebel". AllMusic. Retrieved 26 September 2013.
  23. "Fairwood Music – Spain". Retrieved 28 September 2013.
  24. "Luthea Salom: ‘Sunbeam surrounded by winter’". Noticias Clave (in Spanish). 2 July 2008. Retrieved 28 September 2013.
  25. "Luthea Salom – Artista del mundo". Inzona. 18 September 2008. Retrieved 28 September 2013.
  26. "Luthea Salom". Radio Timetravel: Newcomer (in German). Retrieved 28 September 2013.
  27. Yahoo
  28. ticket-regional.de Ticket Regional
  29. "Luthea Salom presenta su nuevo trabajo en Zaragoza". Heraldo. 20 May 2011. Retrieved 28 September 2013.
  30. Moré, Antonio (25 October 2010). "Luthea Salom: ‘Kick in the head’". Noticias Clave (in Spanish). Retrieved 28 September 2013.
  31. "Die Ukulelen-Kraft – Luthea Salom: "Kick in the head"" (PDF). Blicklicht (in German): 7. November 2010. Retrieved 28 September 2013.
  32. Bonilla, Enric S. (13 April 2011). "Entrevista a Luthea Salom". Noticiario Indie (in Spanish). Retrieved 28 September 2013.
  33. "Entrevistamos a Luthea Salom". Lagartoon Música Alternativa (in Spanish). 18 April 2011. Retrieved 28 September 2013.
  34. "Luthea Salom". 3er Premios de la Musica Independiente (in Spanish). Retrieved 28 September 2013.
  35. "International Songwriting Competition". Retrieved 28 September 2013.
  36. "Luthea Salom Interview: "One thing is an artist and a different thing a craftsman"". MusiCultura. 21 July 2012. Retrieved 28 September 2013.
  37. "Luthea Salom". Sol Musica (in Spanish). Retrieved 28 September 2013.
  38. "Luthea Salom – Blank Piece of Paper". YouTube. Retrieved 28 September 2013.
  39. {{http://www.mondosonoro.com/Noticia/Luthea-Salom-presenta-su-nuevo-Ep-Never-Blue/223123.aspx}}

External links

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