Neara Russell

[gillyking]

Our good friend Neara has a new mashup of California Girls up at YT that she performed Thursday night at the Hollywood Egyption Theater.. There's a tremendous honkey tonky solo @ the end of the 2nd minute that really rocks. I hope you guys enjoy her magnificent talent as much as I do since Haley introduced her to us a few months ago..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=97Rr5JOrfVM

[john]

Neara playing with Bridgit Mendler.

[Miguel]

Neara getting to use her singing skills. I think I prefer this performance from Toronto in August.

[Tusk]

Interview with Neara
(Scroll to the bottom of the page)



Looks like she's keeping pretty busy, even mentions work used in the show "Dexter". Find out the origination of her name and that apparently she tried out for AI or XF and actually got to perform on XF playing behind two performers.

The part of the interview about Haley

Me: Apart from recording your own music, Neara, which I will get into in a minute, you also play piano and keyboards for some other artists such as "American Idol" runner-up Haley Reinhart. I have a picture of you and Haley here.



Me: First of, I am a fan of "Idol", are you as well?

Neara: Yes, I loved the early seasons with Kelly and Carrie. They are two of my vocal idols. Kelly's range kills me every time!

Me: How did you get to be a part of Haley's band? Did you know her before hand?

Neara: I played keyboards with Haley for her spring promo tour. She held auditions in LA for her band, and I decided to go all-out on my organ solo in the audition. Guess she was pretty stoked about that. We had a fun trip.

Me: You girls are close in age I imagine, so you must of got along pretty well, am I right?

Neara: Yeah, we had a good time on the road! I like hanging with other musicians in general, but it's especially cool when we're all involved in the same project and working towards the same goals. Haley likes guacamole as much as I do, which made tour dinners pretty awesome.

Me: I love guacamole as well. So, was Casey from "Idol" hanging out with you girls a lot? LOL.

Neara: Haha no, haven't met him ... though we've got some buddies in common. He's got a killer touring band, as well!

[Haleylvr4evr]

I saw Neara on tv! She is in a commerical/segment on Disney with Bridgit Mendler

[john]

Neara missed appearing with Haley on Idol but she did get on X-Factor a few weeks back with Bridget Mendler.

[Tusk]

Neara missed appearing with Haley on Idol but she did get on X-Factor a few weeks back with Bridget Mendler.

Not to be disparaging, but I thought I would never be so underwhelmed by any performance on the XF stage. They usually go waaay OTT, just in case, but this performance was so.....thin.

Bridget has a decent enough voice, but not to make a living by it, and like AI alumni, Disney/Nickelodean alumni have a steep hill to climb to legitimacy, except AI prepares them better for the recording industry whereas Disney's talent's musicality is usually secondary to their looks and 'apple pie' marketability.

[Tusk]

It's Neara's Birthday she put out a lyric vid that includes faces of her fans

Neara Russell ‏@neararussell 8m
Thank you so much to everyone who contributed their smiling faces to this video!! You are all beautiful :-) #GetHappy http://youtu.be/3akR26oQE_o

Lynne Clarke ‏@LyndylooLynne 13m
Hippo, birdy two ewes, hippo birdy two ewes,hippo birdy two ewes,hippo birdy two ewes!) have a Supa day@neararussell x)

Tusk ‏@HaleysTusk 4m
@LyndylooLynne @neararussell Lynne you are an inspiration.
Hippo Birdy Two Ewes 4 me 2 pic.twitter.com/6PLroqB82p

[My Alter Ego]

^^Ahh -- that's cute!

[john]

Sex and Sunshine
https://soundcloud.com/neararussell/sex-and-sunshine