Sleep-depriving skunk or not, there’s no way the entertainment industry—or the more discriminating music lover— can snooze through a boisterous wake-up call from an artist of this clear and convincing caliber.

What better use of zzzz-free time than to soak up the unusual yet comforting, soothing yet invigorating stylings of the delectably named Noush Skaugen (is it just me or does this moniker ignite the salivary glands the way only a sampling tray of Swiss chocolates with a chaser of robust, toe-curling Icelandic ale could?). There’s an intriguing blend here of a Petula Clark accent—if she’d been raised on Coronation Street– Duffy, and Chrissie Hynde all squeezed through a colander, producing crisp, seed-free, musical texture that’s sure to leave a good taste in your mouth.

Every cut, every listen to every cut, reveals a new and heartier nuance, a vulnerability that effortlessly tugs at you and refuses to let go. Case in point: cut no. 10, “One Last Time”, which offers a haunting melody line that’s the perfect backdrop to Skaugen’s flawless vocals from soaring soulfulness to searing grittiness.

You know how, if you’ve listened to enough music, you begin to re-juggle various elements of the song—melody, arrangements, vocals, even lyrics—in a solo game of “If I were producing this, I’d do (fill in blank) this way.”?

Well, not once throughout this entire captivating CD did my delusion-fueled mind go to THAT place. There simply was no opportunity, no reason to second guess any element of these songs.

Even the French language cut, “Je Dormais Encore (I Was Sleeping Still)” (no kidding!), a traditional green light for me to pick apart vocabulary, grammar and/or pronunciation, left me flummoxed. Translation: there’s nothing (for me at least) to pick on here. On the contrary, this cut especially had me sit up (in bed, no less) and take notice. Reminiscent of Quebec’s Nannette Workman, minus the Dumaurier/Camel’s Unfiltered rasp, but with the passion from whence the term “feminine wiles” was conceived, this cut transcends language and culture. Noush est simplement exceptionnelle!

And to think we almost lost this Tracy Chapman-inspired singer-songwriter, and amply-able guitarist to a career in law. Now THAT would have been criminal.

And to all the Tinseltown producers who’ll inevitably—unless jaw-dropping beauty has slipped out of fashion— soon be stepping over one another to get this British babe on screen, “Hands-off!”—-unless her musical talents get equal time in the spotlight.

Sleep-depriving skunk or not, there’s no way the entertainment industry—or the more discriminating music lover— can snooze through a boisterous wake- up call from an artist of this clear and convincing caliber.

Be proud Noush—your mother most certainly would be (or depending on your spiritual/otherworldly leanings) is.

 

ANTIMUSIC Magazine/Gisele Grignon

http://www.antimusic.com/reviews/08/NoushSkaugenLostandFound.shtml

ASCAP Plus Award, HEIL Artist Endorsement, Award Winning Movie, Featured on the Hit TV Show CSI, ‘Adeline’ Music Video chosen OFFICIAL SELECTION of HD Fest, 8th Annual IMA’s Spotlight Artist!!! and much more….

Hi there mate!

Happy New Year, I wish all your dreams come true this year! Thanks for stopping by & taking a peek at my site.  If you’d like to avoid the January gloom, & don’t have it already, do something nice for yourself – gift yourself my album LOST AND FOUND:)

My round-up of news for autumn 2008, is pretty cool -

*I got an award from ‘The ASCAP Plus Awards’!!!

*I am the 8th Annual Independent Music Awards Submission Spotlight Artist!

* The music video for ‘Adeline’ was OFFICIAL SELECTION of The HD Fest in Los Angeles in December. Directed by the great ‘Jako’. Yay!

* The music video to ‘Let You Go’ was released this month – see it on my website Widget and my Youtube Channel. A feel good vid, We filmed this one day on Zuma Beach in LA – beautiful place. Directed by the lovely ‘Nina Weiland’.

*WIDGET

Which leads to me to let you know about my ‘Widget’ on the Home page of my website – it’s awesome! You can post it and embed it on your pages, to be the first to know when I have News, New Tracks, New Videos – whenever I update my website, the Widget automatically updates on Your page – how amazing is that – gotta love modern technology:)

* Big Thank You to Bob Heil who gave me a ‘HEIL Artist Endorsement’ with a super groovy mic for me to use on stage!

* Got a wonderfully flattering review in Anti Music Magazine by G. Grignon – check it out in ‘Press’ on my website. Here is a quote from the piece;
“Tinseltown producers will soon be stepping over one another to get this British babe on screen” G. Grignon/Anti Music Magazine

* Big Thank You to Steve Ellis and everyone at WMSV – ‘Beautifulize’ the second Single on their charts, is now at #36. WMSV Rocks!!!!!

* I starred in the most awesome crime show on TV  – ‘CSI’ as ‘Mindy’ a Lab Tech.

Yes, for those of you who haven’t googled me – hee hee, I am also an actress – not one of those musicians that fancied trying acting for something else to do, but I did go to school for it and trained. Love it, so when I get a chance while I’m not on the road, I jump!

* I also am the Lead in the Thriller/Suspense Feature Movie ‘THE ROAD TO EMPIRE’, which has just had the Trailer released.

See it on the website: www.theroadtoempire.com and it’s on Youtube.

It was OFFICIAL SELECTION at FIVE Independent Film Festivals around the world: London, Brazil, Ireland, Shanghai and Houston.

Check it out & shoot me a line, let me know what you think….

Stay tuned for the Release Date:)

I’ll let you in on a secret…I really fancy playing ‘Wonder Woman’ when they decide on shooting the movie – an absolutely fabulous, strong woman. The suit’s pretty sexy too, although looks tight:) not sure how she did all those kicks in the original TV series:)

Lots of stuff is happening this coming year, so Please sign up to my email letter on my website…..

Noush xoxo