“Tori Roze Wraps a Love Blanket Around San Diego's Soul By Chad Deal | Posted November 30, 2011, 11:11 a.m. RSS | E-mail the Author Three and a half years ago, singer/songwriter Tori Roze played her first show with her current backing band The Hot Mess at the now defunct Portugalia in Ocean Beach. “The owner loved the turnout, so we made it a weekly Wednesday night event,” says Roze. “We moved it to the Ruby Room on Tuesdays in June because Portugalia unfortunately closed down after being open for 8 years. The theme is generally female fronted bands, but there is so much male talent out there that we have honorary men bands. I use it as a platform to get performances out there that people wouldn’t normally get to see or know about it. I play out a lot and go to shows a lot so I gather all these random talents and throw a party.” Talents past at Roze’s “Ruby Tuesdays” include Veronica May, Sister Speak, Steph Johnson, The Cathryn Beeks Ordeal...ENTIRE ARTICL”

“Local songbird Tori Roze has a very particular set of pipes with an onstage flair that’s second to none. More Photos To be honest, the first time I heard Tori Roze and the Hot Mess live, I was pretty shocked to find out that they were from this neck of the woods. We’re growing crazy good talent in this city! This is a band that has the uncanny ability to transcend both gender and generational gaps by simply spot-on rock and blues numbers. At their last show at Bar Pink on December 2, the band let their influences show by covering Amy Winehouse, Dionne Warwick, and MGMT. A little soulful, a little funky, and a whole lot of fun. Recently I chatted a bit with Ms. Roze about her background, band, and attempt at reality tv stardom. Let’s start off with a who’s who of your band. Who would you guys most like to share a bill with? There are six of us: Johnny Alexander - guitar, Harley Magsino - bass...FOR THE WHOLE ARTICLE, PLEASE GO TO URL ADDRESS ;)”

“Sweet Serendipity UCSC grad Tori Roze makes triumphant return with jazz/R&B outfit The Hot Mess So far, Tori Roze’s life has been a series of blessings in disguise. The first occurred when the singer/songwriter left The Boston Conservatory for an education that didn’t focus solely on musical theater. After being turned down by several schools, Roze ended up at UC Santa Cruz. “It turned out to be a good surprise,” says Roze. “I loved going to school in Santa Cruz—I didn’t think I would, but I learned so much and I was exposed to so much.” After graduating in 2005 with a theater degree, Roze returned home to San Diego. When plans to move to Los Angeles fell through, she met her band mates. “One day I was singing karaoke and some guy came up and asked if I had a band,” she explains. “Being in San Diego was the best mistake ever.” ....for the FULL STORY, go to the link! ”

“Is Tori Roze The Next Voice? by Dave Good ....to see this story in full, click the link Has she actually seen the show? She has. Assuming Roze is selected as one of the final four and lands up on broadcast, how does she plan to hold her own in the midst of what is easily the single most gaudy, over-the-top, over-wrought set on television? “I’ve done theater my whole life.” She laughs. “I’d use it to my advantage. That whole set would be my bitch.” ”

“SAN DIEGO -- NBC San Diego last week created a competition that pitted local musicians against each other for the exciting opportunity to move forward and try out for the new hit show, "The Voice." The artists chosen to go up against each other were: Miss Erika Davies, Ashley Matte, Stevie Harris, Marie Haddad, The Ambassador, Greg Gibson, Matt Commerce, Alyssa Jacey, Jesse Lamonaca and Tori Roze. The competition played out on the NBC San Diego Facebook page and those who "LIKED" the page were eligible to vote for one of two musicians on each day (round). The musicians with the most votes were declared winners. The five who received enough votes to move forward and represent NBC San Diego are: Tori Roze, Ashley Matte, Matt Commerce, Alyssa Jacey and Greg Gibson....to see the rest of this story, go to link!”

“Finding bands or artists on the interwebs may seem like the most convenient way anyone gets discovered these days. However, to find a band by “winging it” feels more legitamite because you know they are not just any studio band and have the chops to perform live...Two weekends ago I was lucky enough to check out some bands with a friend of mine at the Viper Room...With drink in hand, I awaited as the curtains opened up. I was suddenly overwhelmed with the sultry voice of Tori Roze and the soulful melody of The Hot Mess...At first listen, I instantly got the feel of Amy Winehouse and hints of Adele. Of course in her own right, Tori is not just a copy and paste of these artists. Besides having an amazing voice, she plays the trumpet and has the showmanship with a little swag on stage which, is the whole package...Their album, From the Hip... Overall, a definite listen from beginning to end.”

“Tori Roze has a big voice. With a set of pipes that powerful, she could crack safes, cause hurricanes, or devour Tokyo. But luckily for San Diego, she uses that voice as a force for good, tirelessly treating fans to her sultry mix of blues and soul. Along with her backing band, The Hot Mess, Roze can be heard around town covering everyone from Ella Fitzgerald to MGMT, or wowing audiences with cuts from her own arsenal of swanky originals. Her talent hasn’t fallen on deaf ears — the song “Sweet Drank” was recently featured as a Tim Pyles Local Member of the Day selection and she was nominated for Best Acoustic Act at last year’s San Diego Music Awards. Tori Roze and The Hot Mess have a slew of gigs lined up in the coming weeks — including an appearance at the San Diego Art Walk and Street Fair — and in September they’ll take their steamy stylings abroad for a European tour. Playing all those shows requires plenty of stamina and dedication... ”

“...The last performer in this set was Tori Roze who fronts a 6-piece group called The Hot Mess. I've seen this band play in many different configurations but tonight it was just Tori and her mom, flutist Lee “Mama Roze” Clark. This ended up being one of the most diverse three songs of the night starting with the rockin' tune "Secret" which sounded really good stripped down. Grabbing the guitar, Tori played a pre-Hot Mess song that I’ve never heard before with Lee’s flute accompaniment adding some late-60s flavor. In December Tori and her band released their debut CD, From The Hip, and although she calls herself a true "soul singer" she can deliver torch like nobody's business and did just that ending the set with her ballad "I Try" bringing everyone up to their feet. ”

“TORI ROZE AND THE HOT MESS From the Hip Hearing Tori Roze’s sultry voice for the first time is like learning that Santa Claus isn’t real: It absolutely breaks your heart. Roze seduces you with her Erykah Badu-esque flair, and just when you think she can’t be any smoother, she claws her way into your ears with her rocking roars. While her band is clearly most comfortable playing blues-rock, they show their versatility in “Shanghai Sue.” With its steady walking bass line and ominous horns, the track transports you straight into a 1940s detective flick. Interestingly enough, the backup vocals are provided by Lee Clark, Roze’s mom, a fine singer in her own right who augments “Tick Tock” with rhythmic glottal stops and tongue clicks. Knowing that Mom is around when Roze bares her soul with lines about “injecting love into one’s veins,” the emotional pull of this record is that much stronger. myspace.com/toriroze —Sean Michael Delizo”

"San Diego's Funky Songstress: Tori Roze"

"Tori Roze's voice gives me fierce goose bumps. She grooves with soul, style and just enough rock to let you know she's serious."

““My parents maintained a very musical household,” says singer-trumpeter Tori Roze. “My mom played with Randy Holden, the lead guitarist in Blue Cheer, and she opened for groups like Canned Heat and Three Dog Night. She used to hold Janis Joplin’s Southern Comfort bottle for her offstage.” Roze’s parents were also involved with the San Diego Repertory Theatre and with Indian Magique, a theatrical troupe that won the Canadian Emmy for Best Comedy Show in 1977. In high school Roze fronted the band Carne Askata before departing to attend Boston Conservatory for a year. After doing a semester in London with music and theater classes at the Old Globe, she eventually graduated with a degree in theater from UC Santa Cruz. She currently fronts the six-piece rock ’n’ soul combo Tori Roze and the Hot Mess. “If Erykah Badu, Amy Winehouse, Ella Fitzgerald, Pink, and Adele were all to get together,you’d get the essence of our sound. Bottom line: we like to put some stank on it."”

“Ranging from the Joss Stone-ish "Sweet Drank" to the 1990s Taylor Dane dance-anthem style of "Like a Rockstar," Tori Roze is both gritty and soulful. Apparently she subscribes to the MC Hammer school of break-ups, as she sings in "Bet's Off": "You're just trying to make me jealous/Better try harder 'cause nobody can touch this." Her tortured yet self-confident style makes this songstress too legit, too legit to quit. ”