Hometown: Holmdel, NJ
Website: www.erynshewell.com
Sounds Like: Adele, Eva Cassidy, Etta James, Joss Stone, *Susan Tedeschi*
Genre: Pop
Singer Eryn is on a quest to establish her voice, both literally and figuratively. As an award-winning emerging artist, she's been hard to categorize - often described as a mixture of blues, soul, jazz, pop, rock and country. Now she's figured out that puzzle and seeks to lay claim to the 'RetroPop' genre with her upcoming EP 'Lady E', out April 6th.
Eryn combines an old school sound that evokes the rhythms and recording techniques of the past with a modern pop mindset and powerhouse live performances. She's looking for something authentic, commenting, "The music industry always goes through waves of the bubble gum and the raw, and I feel like the public is starting to tire of the bubblegum that has been on the scene for the last decade."
In 2016, she became the youngest-ever inductee into the NJ Blues Hall of Fame. Born and raised in Maryland and now living in New Jersey, Eryn began singing professionally at the age of 13 and hasn't looked back. She has performed with or opened for such luminaries as Buddy Guy, Dr. John, Greg Allman, Robert Cray, Don McLean, Johnny Winter, The Gin Blossoms, Bernard Purdie, The Little River Band and many others.
Changing her name has been a crucial part of her new, self-empowered perspective, as she sheds her last name 'Shewell' to perform simply as 'Eryn' - "This EP represents a new chapter in my book of life, and for me as an artist. There have been many changes for me since I released my last record four years ago. Not only did I get married to the man of my dreams, I was able to cut out a lot of negativity and find a new self-worth. It's almost as if changing my name represented letting go of my past pain and heartbreak. We will always go through tough times but now I feel more prepared to tackle them. Loving and understanding myself is the key to this. It feels as if all my previous works were me as a girl, and now I have become a woman."
Much in the way Bruno Mars recalls the excitement of 1970s music, or Amy Winehouse took listeners on a journey back to the 1960s, or Meghan Trainorevokes a 1950s vibe, Eryn hopes to have Lady E transport listeners to another era. The EP delivers in a big way - starting with Eryn's powerful, thrilling vocals and reinforcing them with a compelling range of songs, from the wit and catharsis of first single 'Hallelujah You're Gone' (out March 23rd,) to the understated storytelling of 'Stranger in my House', to the epic build of 'The You Missing From Me', written by Bon Jovi's David Bryan, which rises to an anthemic high and is surely a centerpiece of the EP.
The pedigree on Eryn's upcoming EP is impressive. It was Produced and Mixed by Jack Daley (Lenny Kravitz, Joss Stone, Beyonce,) and Daley also played bass on the EP. Songwriting credits include ASCAP Award winner Cheryl DaVeiga & Anthony Krizan (Spin Doctors, Lenny Kravitz,) and the musicians are among the best in the business.
"This is an album chock full of singles as compared to one that may have one or two good songs, and all the rest filler. This is world-class hit making, and is extraordinary uncommercial. A balance that is rarely achieved these days."
Phil Rainone - Jersey Beat Magazine
" This is an adult contemporary disc that culls years of experience with elations and triumphant wins, and places them in an intricate arrangement of production and presentation that will take her far up the ladder of commercial success."
John Pfeiffer - Aquarian Weekly
"Shewell is a young person with an old soul. She takes the listener on a roller coaster ride of emotions on her latest release."
Dominic "Donnie G." Gregoria - The Rag Magazine
““3.5 stars out of 4 - Eryn’s latest record is like a time machine that gracefully glides between two worlds and creates an utterly timeless experience that will grow on you with each and every listen."”
Gary Wein - The Penguin (USA)
““…the fusion of genres is this CD's greatest strength. The songs Eryn writes are so strong that they transcend the standard blues, jazz and soul we hear so often and Eryn always adds something of her very own. The songs get better every time you listen…””
Ron Bervoets - Rootstime (Belgium)
““I genuinely cannot believe this great musical talent is not signed to a major record label. Are they deaf or just plain stupid? Eryn is light years ahead of so many of the signed artists out there.””
Tom Evans - PalReviews (UK)
"a seductive range changing voice..." "...bending and moving to the music, especially in tunes where her voice trails off in jam band moments of pleasant belting-meets-screaming...when songs later her voice is soft as butter and seems to roll off and melt into the air around you."
Lisa Rich - Backbeat (USA)