Shades drawn, lights dimmed, you’re relaxing on your bed, and a soft voice echoes gently off the walls as the mood is set to sate the listening ears. Chrissy Depauw’s acoustic-soul LP is a sensual album. Her voice is magnetic. She is a star on the rise.

The Los Angeles based artist is more than just a voice. Depauw wrote and arranged all ten tracks on her self titled debut album. The CD touches on diverse topics, and embodies a soulful focus of relationships and life issues uncommonly visited. If you are unfamiliar with her as an artist, you may want to acquaint yourself with this talented songstress, because she is on the verge of signing with a major label.

Depauw is in the process of recording her second independent acoustic LP, and is due for release in October or November. Then, she will make a big splash by releasing her first complete LP once she has signed with a major label.

While simultaneously working on both projects, Depauw is working with established producers on the latter of the two projects. Darryl Anthony from the R&B group Az-Yet, Eric Seats who produced songs on Aaliyah’s final LP, and Focus, a producer with Dr. Dre are some of the names of the people that will influence the sound and outcome of her final product.

Depauw has performed locally at prime locations, such as, The Temple Bar, Hotel Café, and The Viper Room. Her accomplishments as an artist include selling over 10,000 albums independently and ranking in the top 100 Myspace artists in all of her categories.

Her musical journey began after hearing Lauryn Hill’s acoustic album. Depauw immediately purchased a guitar without having any knowledge or experience playing the instrument. Soon after, she began to create a sound of her own that was different from most of the influences she credits for her success as an artist. SWV, Jodeci, and Mint Condition are a few of the myriad of 90’s groups Depauw says were among her favorite artists.

Currently, Amel Larrieux is the artist Depauw recognizes for influencing her singing career. When compared, their voices both pose soothing harmonies causing attentive ears to paralyze drying eyes from blinking to break the pause of being completely consumed by vocals. In other words, they leave you mesmerized.

With the exception of the few extremely fortunate artists getting discovered quickly, Depauw is grinding her way to the top like many have done in the past. She performs regularly at the 3rd Street Promenade in Santa Monica, CA. You will know it’s Depauw when you hear a guitar and a mellifluous voice emerging from the crowded walkway. Enticing large groups of locals and tourists, she introduces her CDs by performing the original songs she has produced.

Touring is an endeavor Depauw hopes to soon include in her routine of performances. Among the artists she hopes to tour with are The Dave Matthews Band, Coldplay, and John Mayer. If her album takes flight the way she hopes it will, this may soon be a reality. There is no doubt she has complete control over her voice, and can sing well enough to establish her presence in her music genre. Her talent is undeniable, and should allow her to accomplish her expectations.

To purchase her current CD, or to view upcoming shows, you can visit http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=37376665&MyToken=063b8fd3-6f82-440b-b930-e8188ca7bb95.

By: Trent Hensley