The Record- HOLD THE SUN

“Hold the Sun” is NYC songwriter/singer Cassandra Kubinski’s full-length follow up to the acclaimed 2005 EP “hiding underneath.”  The more organic pop/rock/jazz sound of “Hold the Sun” shows an evolution and maturation from the pop sound of “hiding,” but keeps the sassy and intelligent lyrics, sparkling piano playing, and crystal voice Kubinski has become known for.  Evoking at times Tori Amos, Norah Jones, Natalie Maines, and Carole King, the collection of songs on “Hold the Sun” reflects a writer coming of age; it deals with ambition for the future, reflections rooted in the past, and of course, love.  In her own words:  “I wanted this record to be more honest and spontaneous than “hiding underneath” was, and to reflect my rock influences more.  After touring for 2 years behind “hiding” and working with so many other writers and artists, I wanted to capture performances that were more “live” sounding, both from my musicians and myself.”  The result is an album of nuanced vocal performances, ranging from the fire and rough passion of “Ride Alone” and “Racecar” to the bittersweet regret of “Echoes” and “Hardly Is A Love Song” to the naked, grateful romance of “Cradle the Moon.”  “My biggest influence as a writer is probably Billy Joel…the range of emotions he covers on each album, the honesty and immediacy of his lyrics, and his sense of humor.”  The independently funded and released album is co-produced by Cassandra and Doug Bull. 

The Songwriter

Kubinski has spent the last few years playing NYC (Cutting Room, Living Room, Bitter End, Knitting Factory, Rockwood Music Hall), the Northeast, and as far as Germany.  Along the way, she’s kicked off a reputation as an award-winning, creative, ambitious songstress, garnering accolades from the Billboard World Song Contest (3rd place Pop winner for “Wherever You Wait”), Positive Pop (digital distro winner for “Cradle the Moon”), and major industry organizations (showcases for Songwriters Hall of Fame, Songwriters Guild of America, BMI, Songwriter’s Circle).  She’s also the winner of the prestigious 2006 Abe Olman award, given to the year’s most promising songwriters from the Songwriters Hall of Fame, and the 2007 Anna Sosenko Assist Trust grant.  On tour, Kubinski has been seen opening for Anna Nalick, the October Project, and Ingram Hill, among others.  You can find her music distributed through her website, www.CKubinski.com, as well as on iTunes and on terrestrial and internet radio stations (WFUV, Harris Radio, etc.) and podcasts worldwide.  She tours with her guitarist, James Adamo, and often plays with a rotating cast of well-known musicians in NYC.  Her latest project is contributing songs and appearing as Sam in “Clear Blue Tuesday,” the rock movie/musical slated for Festival release in Winter 2008.

The Back Story

Cassandra Kubinski began her performing career in Enfield, CT, where she was raised.  She squeaked out “Somewhere Out There” at the ripe age of 3, and there was no shutting her up after that.  At 13, she began her professional performing career, playing “Annie” in the 20th anniversary revival of the show at its birthplace, the Goodspeed Opera House in East Haddam, CT.  Other leading theatre roles followed, as well as film and TV performances with Michael J. Fox in “Spin City,” and Anna Paquin and Sean Connery in the film “Finding Forrester.”  She is a graduate of Florida State University and continues to act in New York theatre and film productions, including roles at Lincoln Center and off-Broadway.

In Her Spare Time…

Cassandra is involved as a volunteer performer for LifeBeat, the music industry’s AIDS-fighting organization, and received the 2006 Bob Caviano Service Award for her dedication to the cause.

She serves on the board of Add Joy to Learning, an organization that teaches the music biz to urban youths.  She is also a published writer/reviewer for SongwritersTipJar.com, Indie-Music.com, and Music News Nashville, educational and networking websites for songwriters.

She is short (5 feet), a certified dark chocoholic, and a Leo… which explains a lot.

© 2007 Samantha Fier

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