NASHVILLE |DT: DECEMBER 10, 2008
FR: SHAZILA MOHAMMED/MITCH SCHNEIDER
SET TO RELEASE DEBUT FULL-LENGTH ALBUM IN EARLY 2009
BUILDING ON SUCCESS OF FIRST SINGLE “COURAGE IS…”
AND DEBUT EP ‘YOU CAN’T GO BACK’
FEATURED IN ALL PROMOS FOR SECOND SEASON OF
ABC FAMILY’S HIT SHOW “THE SECRET LIFE OF THE AMERICAN TEENAGER”
“…effortlessly tuneful and accessible…exuding the sort of hang-tough-and-survive attitude that elicits a sea of cell phones held aloft.”
THE STRANGE FAMILIAR started in early 2007 after singer/songwriter/keyboardist KIRA LEYDEN and guitarist/songwriter JEFF ANDREA set up a makeshift studio in Leyden’s parents’ basement in Ohio. Now based in Los Angeles and joined by bassist FRANK FREEMAN, the band has gone on to sell over 50,000 downloads of their debut single “Courage Is…,’” reaching the Top 10 Rock Singles chart on iTunes. Playing resonant pop rock that’s defined by Kira’s soaring vocals and elegant keyboards, matched with Jeff’s urgent guitar work, they have gained a rabid following online. They were averaging 20,000 plays a day on their MySpace page, and one fan-made YouTube Video featuring the lyrics of “Courage Is…” has received over 300,000 views, while several other videos featuring THE STRANGE FAMILIAR received 100,000+ views–all without a record label or manager.
In addition to this, Kira and Jeff first achieved success in 2006 as songwriters when their song "Invisible"–originally performed with their previous band Jaded Era–was covered by Ashlee Simpson and produced by Ron Fair. It reached #21 on the Billboard Charts, #1 on iTunes and #1 on MTV’s “Total Request Live,” and is currently included on the PlayStation 2 game “Sing Star Pop.”
The band teamed with producer Brian Malouf—who’s produced, mixed and engineered albums for artists ranging from Michael Jackson to Michael Franti & Spearhead to Everclear–in early 2008 to record their debut five-song EP You Can’t Go Back. THE STANGE FAMILIAR has returned to the studio with Malouf and Curt Schneider and is currently putting the final touches on their full-length debut which will feature six additional tracks, including new single “Secret Life (You and Me).” The album (title TBA) will be available digitally in early 2009.
THE STRANGE FAMILIAR and first single “Courage Is…” were featured in all promos for the hit ABC Family series "The Secret Life of the American Teenager" starring Molly Ringwald–a 2008 Teen Choice Award-winning series. Of the song, Leyden says: “We received a massive response. The message of the song just hit home with so many people who wrote to tell us about how our song affected their lives. The stories were so moving. We heard from everyone from pregnant teens to soldiers returning from the Middle East to victims of abuse–they could all relate. We’re actually in the process of finishing a music video for the song inspired by the real stories that our fans shared with us.”
ABC Family’s "The Secret Life of the American Teenager" again turned to THE STRANGE FAMILIAR to help launch the second season of the show with the band’s new single "Secret Life (You and Me)." The song is currently featured in promos for Season 2 of the "The Secret Life of the American Teenager," which debuts January 5, 2009.
For press information on THE STRANGE FAMILIAR, contact:
MSO 818.380.0400
Shazila Mohammed x238, shazila@msopr.com
Mitch Schneider x235, mschneider@msopr.com
http://
THE STRANGE FAMILIAR SET TO RELEASE DEBUT FULL-LENGTH ALBUM IN EARLY 2009 BUILDING ON SUCCESS OF FIRST SINGLE “COURAGE IS…” AND DEBUT EP ‘YOU CAN’T GO BACK’; NEW SINGLE “SECRET LIFE (YOU AND ME)” FEATURED IN ALL PROMOS FOR SECOND SEASON OF ABC FAMILY’S HIT SHOW “THE SECRET LIFE OF THE AMERICAN TEENAGER”
