Bio

“I’m drawn to dreamy lyrics” explains songwriter Cristina Harris, “I’m here in the present, but there’s definitely a part of my brain that’s in the clouds.” Her lyrics may be inspired by daydreaming, but Harris’ new songs feel catchy and well-constructed, with direct and beautifully orchestrated piano and guitar parts laying a perfect foundation for her introspective thoughts. On her newest release Cover, Harris brings a confidence and vocal command to songs about finding freedom and independence, framed beautifully by her charismatic pop sensibilities.

Growing up outside of New Haven, Connecticut, Harris was surrounded by a musical family who encouraged her natural penchant for singing. In her early years, Harris gravitated towards the musical theater and opera. She studied bel canto with her grandmother, a professional opera singer, whose vast expertise helped Harris lay the groundwork for her vocal range. She was inspired by a family of musicians ranging from classical, jazz and rock.

From age 13, Harris also studied piano. “I was exposed to a variety of composers. I was drawn to the brooding, moodiness of Chopin and reveled in the simple, melancholy of Erik Satie” she says. She wrote her first instrumental piano composition at age 16, and was encouraged by her teacher to continue writing. Her voice had always come naturally, so she didn’t give it much thought as she got her BA in music at Southern CT State University, studying piano. While attending college, Harris played keyboards and sang background vocals in a “bubblegum garage punk-pop” band called The Battlecats. We would pack clubs and won “Best Band in Connecticut.” She went on to pursue a Masters degree in orchestral composition at the University of Portland in Oregon. But after a year of feeling like a round peg in a square hole in her traditional composition program, Harris began writing and singing her own songs. For the first time, she found a true freedom of expression.

She left the University of Portland and returned to New Haven and thus began Harris’ journey as a songwriter. She wrote a bunch of songs, released a few demos and played with her own band throughout Connecticut. She went out to Los Angeles where she recorded with Grammy-winning producer Ryan Freeland, known for his work with Ray LaMontagne and Bonnie Raitt among others. Her first full-length album, Safer in the Dark, led to some industry attention, and one of her songs, Banging Away, being used on the recent Netflix reboot of Charmed.

On the heels of this recent success comes her newest project, Cover, Harris generates guitar-driven songs, produced by fellow New Haven native Nick Bellmore, known for his work with Hatebreed and Dee Snider among others. The title track is an exploration of letting life go off the rails, harkening back to her fearless foray into independent music. “You’re off the track, off the track, you’re speeding back and switching tracks/Cover, you gave it all and nobody gave you Cover” she sings.

“Take Me Home” is a whimsical exploration of her memories with an irreverent, rebellious quality, “It’s a long, long day/ and looking back seems so far away/ but I face no regret/ since I paid my dues / If you jumped this train/ then we could drink whiskey lemonade/ cuz I don’t usually walk this way…If you see me / take me home tonight” she sings.

Inspired by Joni Mitchell, Tom Waits and Nina Simone, Harris says she approaches her music as poetry first and foremost, and as her songwriting skills have developed, she’s also learned to trust herself more as an artist.  “When I was writing in my 20s, it always felt like magic…I remember writing one of my songs, ‘Virginia’ and actually being in bed almost asleep, putting the light on and writing the entire lyrics without ever stopping. It just flowed out. It’s interesting in the early days of writing because you don’t yet have the faith that you will be able to ever write another song! You think, ‘I guess that’s it!’ As we mature as writers, we lose the naivete and innocence but we gain the confidence that our muse won’t abandon us.”

With gorgeous piano playing, and alluring vocals, Harris’ new project is a gift to any dreamer, with catchy melodies to inspire and propel you down the road.

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