Larissa Tormey

Russian born, Dublin based singer Larissa Tormey has just released her debut album in English. This latest release comes quite soon after her Doors to Joy EP, which rolled out to critical acclaim. Classically trained as a pianist and vocal coach, Tormey has been singing and performing music for years, both in her native Russia and in rural Ireland where she now resides. Her debut album was recorded at Ventry Studios with producer and all round talented guy, David McCune. Tormeys backing musicians include Gavin Murphy (musical director and pianist) and Bill Shanley, (guitar) who has worked with music titans such as Ray Davies, Mary Black and Sinead O’Connor.

Perfect As I Am is a slick, well-produced debut album which has a tendency to be unvaried and familiar in a forgettable way. However, Tormeys impressive and powerful voice stays with you and warrants a proper and close listen.

The second track ‘Addiction’ is one of the highlights of the record. The slide guitar (excellent work by Bill Shanley) and tinkling piano give an otherworldly feel to the song. The slow build and gradual crescendo showcases the full range of Tormeys voice. There are elements of Kate Bush in this song which give depth and scope scarcely found in the grand scheme of the album.

Another standout track is ‘Doors to Joy’. With gently strumming guitar and soft block chords on piano, the subtle intro gives space to Tormeys vocal experimentation with bluesy flat sevens and jazzy spirals. This is where Tormeys talent really lies: in the simple melody lines that allow her to improvise and embellish (which she can do apparently without effort) without having to fill her lungs for bellowing high notes.

‘Nothing Lasts Forever’ is one of the more up-tempo tracks, with brilliant input from Shanley and Murphy. The folksy/bluesy influence is clearly heard here to great effect, and the ever-there presence of a Russian accent adds a memorable flavour to the song.

Surprisingly, the low point of the record is the titular track ‘Perfect As I Am’. With a melody line half-stolen from Puccini’s Nessun Dorma, and lyrics more commonly found in a Disney tune, this song (two versions of it, in fact) do very little to demonstrate the true powerful quality of Tormeys voice, and instead attempts to be some sort of power ballad which falls short of its mark. Although, short comings aside, this song might be just the ticket for someone in the initial turmoil of a bad break-up.

While the tinkling piano and simplistic melodies tend to be a bit Disney-esque, Tormeys masterful command of her sonorous voice means Perfect As I Am packs a tad more weight than a run-of-the-mill Celine Dion sound-a-like. Where Tormey’s strength really lies is in the songs where she is not going for fireworks. It is when she holds back slightly that her vocal quality becomes very interesting. There really is more power in the arrow that’s left in the quiver. In any case, this album comprises of songs that would be a perfect addition to a recent divorcѐes playlist. - http://www.puremzine.com/

The holiday-themed song comes out on December 1st, just under a month after the release of the singer-songwriter’s debut album sung in English, “Perfect As I Am.” All profits from the single’s sales will be donated to the charity.

Special Christmas is special in several ways. A story behind it is very special to Larissa Tormey, and the song is going to become special to many children in need this December. And of course, it’s a song for the most special of all holidays.

One night two years ago, while recovering after a sudden loss of her mother, Larissa couldn’t sleep and decided to pray. She found herself writing instead, and by the morning – Special Christmas was born. Larissa Tormey never stopped writing since then.

All profits from the sales of the single will be donated to anIrish charity, Special Needs Parents Association. It exists to support parents of persons with special needs and disabilities, by improved treatment, education, welfare and acceptance for children. You can find out more about the charity at www.specialneedsparents.ie

“The most precious relationship we have in our lives are the relationship with our parents,” says Larissa, commenting on why she chose to support the charity. “It’s very sad to lose them, but it’s much harder when children are sick or, even worse, when children have to leave us first…”

Special Christmas was recorded by Kevin Whyms, a multi-instrumentalist and composer, known for his virtuosic guitar style. The picturesque music video, reflecting the meaning of the song, was filmed by a talented young film director Andrew Jordan.

About Larissa Tormey: Larissa is a native of Russia, where she has a successful music career as a singer-songwriter . In 2001 she moved from the busy city of Moscow, to the quieter countryside in Ireland. Living on a rural farm has given Larissa a new way of writing music that is influenced by classical, contemporary, jazz, pop and folk music. In June 2014, Larissa was accepted as a guest singer at YOUBLOOM Global Music Village, a music conference event for the best international artists, in Dublin. Larissa also spends a lot of time working for charities and fundraising for different causes that are dear to her heart.

www.larissatormey.com
www.specialneedsparents.ie - http://www.imro.ie/

Born and bred in the capital city of Russia, Larissa Tormey is a Moscovite singer-songwriter who is a budding lyricist with extensive experience in composing and perforforming live. As a clasically trained pianist and vocal coach, she has been performing music in both her native Russia and Ireland for years.

Tormey found her musical style that is influenced by classical, contemporary, jazz, pop and folk music, when she moved from the busy metropolis of Moscow to the hushed Irish countryside in 2001. Three-years on, Tormey found herself accepted as a guest singer at YOUBLOOM Global Music Village, a music conference based in Dublin, for the best international artists.

Following on from her cirtically acclaimed Doors To Joy EP, Tormey released her debut album Perfect As I Am in English in late 2014. The album was recorded at Ventry Studios with backing musicians Gavin Murphy (musical director and pianist) and Bill Shanley (Ray Davies, Mary Black and Sinead O’Connor.producer David McCune) on guitar. The album features Tormey's infamously powerful vocals and lyrics.

Tormey spends time working with charities and fundraising for different causes, her Charity Christmas Single "Special Christmas" released in December 2014 in aid of "Special Need Parents Association" Ireland, was named amount 6 top Christmas Singles by Irish Independent.

Her debut country single 'Only A Woman', released 1 February 2015, reached Top 100 AirPlay singles in a first week of its release and was premiered on Hot Country channel. Tormey is currently working on a Country music EP.

Essential info:

Artist: Larissa Tormey

Genre: Contemporary, Singer-Songwriter, Country

Sounds like: Celine Dion, Faith Hill, Annie Lennox, Kate Bush

Single: Perfect As I Am

Release date: Out now

Website: larissatormey.com

Facebook: facebook.com/larissa.tormey

Twitter: @LarissaTormey

YouTube: Channel - http://www.musicweek.com/

Larissa Tormey - Special Christmas (iTunes €1.29)

Singer-songwriter Larissa Tormey has recorded Special Christmas in aid of Special Needs Parents Association (www.specialneedsparents.ie) which supports parents of people with special needs and disabilities.

Larissa wrote the song after the sudden loss of her mother two years ago and all profits from this recording go to the charity.

“The most precious relationship we have in our lives are the relationship with our parents,” says Larissa. “It’s very sad to lose them, but it’s much harder when children are sick or, even worse, when children have to leave us first.”

Special Christmas was recorded by Kevin Whyms, a multi-instrumentalist and composer, and the video was filmed by director Andrew Jordan. - http://www.independent.ie/