Nina Czempinski

Songs in the key of strife


Songs in the key of strife is the debut album by singer/songwriter Nina Czempinski. It is a collection of quirky acoustic jazz numbers with a unique Aussie flavour and has already been featured on independent radio PBS, RRR and the ABC. Recorded and co-produced with Nina by Myles Mumford at the Victorian College of the Arts, the music subtly moves from layered and insightful jazz soundscapes to silly tongue-in-cheek ditties and the seriously warped. There's some Led Zeppelin rock, doo-wop, gospel, even a circus themed tune, and a song meaningfully titled 'What I really want to be is a kept woman!' All songs were composed and arranged by Nina.

There is a glut of fabulous jazz musicians on the album, all of whom were handpicked for their particular style. The recording features the talents of Mark Shepherd (upright bass), Ben Hendry (drums), Jessie Mac (acoustic guitar), Michael Arvanitakis (upright bass), Dan MacDonald (drums), Natalie Grant (percussion, vibes), Paul Davies (electric guitar), Nick Lester (sax), Peter Carolane (Hammond) and Eugene Ball (trumpet). Nina played piano and Rhodes on the album and also added the layers of lush harmonies that drift by.Nina has developed her original soup of jazz and the popular song by playing everything from Beatles to Bach as a soloist here in Melbourne and Tokyo. She actually started out her music career singing in a funk band and trying to impersonate the whacky and wonderful Bette Davis. Her other musical dabblings include: singing in a swing band, the odd cocktail jazz gig and an 18 piece disco-orchestra. She has completed solo pianist/vocalist residencies in Tokyo and the Melbourne Sofitel's atrium.

Summing up, Songs in the Key of Strife is exactly what it says. It is a collection of well crafted stories about the heartache, paranoias and misdemeanors of a girl in Melbourne who takes life seriously but can't help poke fun at it. It's been created purely for the enjoyment of making music and hopefully will please the listener's ear too!


 


Recorded by Myles Mumford at VCA Scholl of Music, Sound Research Studio, Melbourne.

Mastered by Wez Prictor at the Finishing Post Melbourne Australia.

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  1. What's it all about
  2. The coconut always falls on me
  3. Passing Hands
  4. Enforced exile
  5. I'll just get used to it
  6. Sanya Blues
  7. Many Heavens
  8. A Kept Woman
  9. When the world was still turning

Nina Czempinski: all tracks, piano, rhodes, lead and backing vocals

Mark Shepherd: upright bass tracks 2-6, 8

Ben Hendry: drums tracks 1-3, 6-9

Jessie McIntyre: acoustic guitar tracks 2, 8

Michael Arvanitakis: upright bass tracks 1 &7 electric bass track 9

Dan Macdonald: drums tracks 4 - 5

Natalie Grant: vibes, percussion tracks 3,6

Paul Davies: electric guitar track 4

Nick Lester: sax track 1, 7

Peter Carroline: Hammond tracks 8-9

Eugene Ball: trumpet track 6