Angela Predhomme

Angela Predhomme knows exactly how to write a song that is both relaxed and powerful. The songstress is in sparkling form with her new album, Let it Fall, apparently floating on a cloud of sweet melodies, sugary harmonies and the occasional soulful wail. The album is pop, make no mistake about it. But it isn’t in the least bit disposable or trite. The songwriting is exemplary, and the tone is both joyous and poignant. - The Metro Times (Detroit)

"Angela has found a way to weave her exquisite voice into the classic song structures from pop to retro-soul to blues to the Carol King inspired piano/guitar balladry of the early 70s. Oh, and it's pretty good fun, too!" - Rob Reinhart, WDET Detroit

Mom's tune gets Beatle nod

By Christopher Behnan • DAILY PRESS & ARGUS
• May 5, 2010

In an indirect, but definite way, Paul McCartney is a
big fan of Hamburg Township singer-songwriter
Angela Predhomme.

Predhomme's song "This Might Be Good" was a
finalist in the adult contemporary category of Song
of the Year, an international songwriting
competition which The Beatles pioneer helped
judge.

The Houston, Texas-based competition judges
songs monthly, culminating with the year's best
song, as judged by a celebrity panel.

"This Might Be Good" was in the top five songs for
December, but didn't take monthly bragging rights.
Judges for that month included McCartney, pop
singers Rihanna and Sting, and country singers
Faith Hill and George Strait.

Contestants submit a recording of their own songs
and are judged primarily on the song's merits. The
competition isn't televised.

Predhomme said she's inspired most by The Beatles
in her songwriting, and that McCartney's approval of
her work breathed new life into her career.

"It's such a big song contest with judges like Paul
McCartney. That's why I was so flattered and excited
by it," she said.

"He's such a big influence of mine, and The Beatles
are such an influence," Predhomme added.

McCartney, along with John Lennon, led The Beatles
to international stardom beginning in the early
1960s. The band made its first big splash in
America on "The Ed Sullivan Show" in 1964.

Predhomme said she wrote the melody for "This
Might Be Good" with McCartney's songwriting in
mind. She also named musicians Ray Charles, Carole
King and contemporary artist James Blunt as
influences.


"This Might Be Good" was inspired by the time
period in which Predhomme met and fell in love with
her now-husband, and was recorded at Tempermill
Studios in Ferndale last summer.

As a contest finalist, her song will be circulated for
possible licensing deals. She released a self-titled
album in 2008 consisting of 12 songs.

Her melodies, much like early Beatles music, are
upbeat and unpretentious. The vocal styles of
singers Stevie Nicks of Fleetwood Mac fame, and
contemporary artist Sarah McLachlan are evident in
her music.


Predhomme, 42, began songwriting on a regular
basis about five years ago, after studying every
book she could get her hands on discussing music
theory and style. She was already a classically
trained vocalist and pianist.

"I'm a creative person. I knew that I wanted to write,
but I wanted to get trained right before I started
writing," she explained.

The mother of two daughters doesn't plan to give up
her day job teaching English as a second language
at Michigan State University. Predhomme holds an
English degree, which she said has helped her
"interconnect" her lyrics, drawing from a large
vocabulary and knowledge of pronunciation.

Readers of the former Livingston County Press or
Brighton Argus may recognize her as a graphic-
design artist for the newspapers in the early 1990s.
She created graphics for the two former papers
before they were combined into the Daily Press &
Argus in 2000.

The afternoon of her Daily Press & Argus interview,
Predhomme was working on a rough cut of "I Claim
You," a song she was preparing to take to a
professional studio.

She records rough versions of her songs in her
small basement studio. There, she's most proud of
her first royalty check, which she hopes will become
the first of many. Her work has been licensed for
commercial use, including for television production
company Telepictures Productions in Burbank, Calif.

"Everything is Alright," which appears on her album,
has received regular airplay on WJIM-FM radio in
Lansing.

Predhomme hopes to have her work performed
commercially, primarily in television and film. She
has representation in San Francisco she hired to
propose her work for commercial use.

Jim Kissling, a recording engineer at Tempermill
Studios, said Predhomme came into the studio intent
on capturing a live-band feel on "This Might Be
Good." She came into the studio armed with
musicians to produce that sound.

Predhomme later e-mailed Kissling informing him
about her progress in the songwriting contest.

"That song immediately popped right back into my
head, so I think that's a pretty good indication she
had a strong melody and a real strong hook on that
song. That's a very good sign when things stay with
you," Kissling said.

"She's just a very friendly, warm person and that
probably comes through in her music as well," he
added.

Contact Daily Press & Argus reporter Christopher
Behnan at (517) 548-7108 or at cbehnan@gannett.
com.

- The Livingston Daily (Gannett)

Angela Predhomme's voice is a distinct treasure: one moment tackling soaring lyrical lines with grace, the next dripping with soulful sweetness laced with bluesy grit. - Women of Substance, Bree Noble

By Liz Carnegie

Clawson is known as “the little city with a big heart.” This weekend, the motto could change to “the little city with a lot of art.”

On Saturday, the Clawson Arts and Cultural Foundation will host the 3rd annual Arts & Authors Festival. Artists from all over Michigan who create everything from the written word to the beaded bracelet will showcase their work during the four-hour outdoor fete on the grounds of the Blair Memorial Library.

Clawson residents Lisa and Matthew Ball, who function as the festival coordinator and director respectively, are the creators of the artistic showcase. The couple have been living and raising a family in Clawson for the past 10 years and are both active artists and business owners in their own right.

A few years ago, they realized that while Clawson has a bustling parks and recreation department, a farmers market and many other events for all age groups, the city was lacking an arts festival. They decided to act on their idea and brought their concept to a meeting with Mayor Penny Luebs.

Matthew Ball credits this meeting with Luebs as the one that got the festival and the foundation off the ground.

“She graciously discussed forming what is now called the Clawson Arts and Cultural Foundation,” he says.

Luebs says she was quick to respond to the idea because of its community-based viewpoint.

“The art committee philosophy fits very well with my philosophy that if you have family friendly events you get more and more people out to talk to each other and meet their neighbors, and neighbors lookout for their neighbors,” she says.

In addition to more than 27 authors and artists at the event, there will also be live music. Singer-songwriter Angela Predhomme will perform with percussionist Kevin Finegood. Predhomme has performed at the Arts & Authors Festival since the first one , three years ago at the Hunter Community Center. The Hamburg Township resident’s adult contemporary music has been showcased on network television and in films.

Also performing will be the indie/acoustic band Kate Jablonski and Oak City Roots.

“There is a gamut of authors and a gamut of artists that are going to participate,” Matthew Ball says. “We have everything from children’s book authors to adult special interest, sci-fi, self-help, just a full range of topics are going to be there. (On) the artist’s side of it, we have illustrators, painters, crafters, beads, and people who make jewelry. Everyone is from Michigan.”

Plans to expand the festival in the future are a possibility but Lisa Ball points out that it will take more volunteers interested in and excited by the arts to make that happen.

“Right now we kept to one day because the Clawson Arts and Culture Foundation is still a really small group. As we keep gaining success and more people grow to know it and then want to volunteer and support it, hopefully then we can expand it to a weekend event,” she said.

Festivalgoers will be able to enjoy handcrafted ice popsicles from the Detroit Pop Shop, and food from General Custer Dogs as they walk among the art and music. “Star Wars” characters, courtesy of the 501st Legion, Great Lakes Garrison, also will stroll around the grounds throughout the day. - Daily Tribune - Oakland Press

“In a crowded playing field it takes a unique musical voice to break through. Angela Predhomme has that unique voice.” - John Schoenberger, Triple A Editor, All Access

Rating: 4.5 Stars (Out of 5)
Angela Predhomme - Don't Wonder
2011, Angela Predhomme

Before getting into the music itself one must consider the voice of Detroit’s own Angela Predhomme. Unadorned and simple in its beauty and grace, Predhomme’s voice is built on the purity of tone of classical training, the clear, clean sound of pure pop music and hints of a country twang. Predhomme retains the girl-next-door mystique even as her songwriting grows in depth and sophistication on her second album, Don’t Wonder. Predhomme’s self-titled debut (2008) showed flashes of what listeners will hear here, but Predhomme has definitely taken up the challenge; the growth is exponential.

Don’t Wonder opens with "I Claim You", with Predhomme infusing honest, heartfelt lyrics with a sense of fullness and warmth that is not often heard in popular music. "At Your Own Risk" features a straightforward pop arrangement colored by country guitar stylings. The chorus is catchy to the nines, and Predhomme writes from a well of real emotion. The result is a pop song with real commercial potential, even if the chorus ends in a semi-awkward lyrical aberration that shatters the rhyme scheme of the song.

"My New Favorite Song" is a classic pop love song that could be a hit in any of the six decades preceding its release. This is an example of near-perfect songwriting, capturing the moment of falling in love in words and music. The chorus is so universal you'll be singing along before it’s even finished the first time. "At The End Of The 13th Week" explores heartbreak and the complexity of recovery in a nuanced story set over a wonderfully simple arrangement. Predhomme's voice is never better than right here. "I'm Wearing Black" is a bluesy, down tempo number that's seductive and sweet. Predhomme goes for a lush, sensual sound here that's full of warmth.

"You Matter To Me" is a sweet ballad that borders on cliché but is heartfelt. It's a solid album track may play better live than in the studio. "Redeemed" is a personal manifesto for picking up the pieces and moving on. This could be an anthem for the broken hearted; inspiring in its lack of affectation. Predhomme might just have a hit on her hands with aptly named "This Might Be Good". It's a catchy, low-key love song with serious mix-tape potential. The songwriting and performance are brilliant; the only thing missing is airplay. Predhomme has a Leslie Gore moment on "What Your Words Don't Say", a classic-style love ballad about the ways we show how we feel. "Don't Wonder" is another mix-tape destined number that also has potential as a first dance number. Don't be surprised if this simple song of love and commitment winds up on a movie soundtrack one of these days.

Predhomme digs down for "Deeply", a beautiful song of hidden love and longing. Predhomme captures a gorgeous 'Wow' moment in song; capturing the tragedy and beauty of ambivalence in a moving number that will haunt you. Don't Wonder takes a bow with "The Silence Of Winter", an instrumental featuring Predhomme on piano, accompanied by cello and guitar. The effect is intriguing, maintaining a hint of pop sensibility while attaining a sound that approaches the realm of modern baroque.

Angela Predhomme takes a giant leap forward on Don't Wonder, melding musicianship and art to break down barriers she perhaps didn't even know were there. The depth of honesty in both Predhomme's lyrics and composition are striking, evoking both an emotional and aesthetic beauty that were hinted at on her previous album, but never fully realized. This is what it sounds like when a talented musician finally lets go and gives in to their muse, while making the conscious choice to speak freely in their own voice. "Don't Wonder" wears the shine of brilliance at times, and should find its way onto a number of "best of" lists for 2011.

- Wildy Haskell

Carefree, folksy, soul and thought provoking are just a few words to describe Angela Predhomme and her music. A student of Motown, a writer of Americana, and a singer that's as transparent as her lyrics, Predhomme drifts with ease and delights the musicians soul.

Songs like, Passing the Days, showcase her Motown bent and her Michigan upbringing with poppy choruses and more upbeat melodies. But in her more reserved pieces is where she truly embraces what I believe to be "her sound."

When I'm Gone, a stripped-down delight with lilting vocals and sparse instrumentation, is performed in the vein of a Norah Jones, Joni Mitchell, Sara Bareilles hybrid.

Her best song though, is Release. It's a softly spoken tune with easy going piano work and a simple string arrangement. Predhomme's found her niche in this one - slightly soulful, mostly folksy singer/songwriter.

All in all, her album is a success! Be sure to check out Angela Predhomme and get a copy of her self-titled album.

RATING: 4 of 5 stars - Ross Christopher

Angela Predhomme’s debut is a nice record in the singer/songwriter genre. She has a sweet voice and has penned some good songs.

Opener Passing the Days is a little like Heather Nova, and has utterly gorgeous vocals and a fluid melody.

Georgia is darker, the singer singing of a girl in trouble. The melody is bright, but the words don’t match it.

If I Could Love Like My Dog is a bit on the silly side, but Predhomme pulls it off, with wide-eyed naivety of the charming variety on her side. The melody and piano playing is top notch.

Welcome Home is a fine moment, a moving song that’s well performed.

Angela Predhomme’s debut is very promising indeed. - Anna Maria Stjärnell