Melany Watson

The parting of her lip gloss releases a flight of angels. Their velveteen wings caress listening ears as they lift soaring notes toward the charcoal sky; up and away into that sweet space where grace discovers reckless abandon.

One look, one listen, and you'll swiftly sense that New York City Soul-Pop Artist, Melany Watson, is bound for greatness. Hers is a voice wrapped in intricate black lace; soulful as the first quiet Sunday after a broken heart and powerful as the words that finally bring healing.

And she has that irrefutable diva flair.

Smart and sassy, this high-spirited Houston, TX native has no issue speaking her mind with the kind of confidence that only comes from overcoming an arduous past. She describes her younger self as an 'ugly duckling'; shy, pining for popularity, and battling body issues. But since we know that adversity makes an artist, Melany's long, painful struggle, and eventual escape from her 250lb prison, has undeniably created a musician with a message - one of hope and encouragement for others facing the same heartbreakingly difficult situations.

Melany's discovery of The Bodyguard (movie & soundtrack) proved to be a pinnacle moment in her swanlike transformation. At age 9, she worked up the courage to perform "I Will Always Love You" at a Girl Scout talent competition. She was instantly known as "the girl who could sing Whitney."

And just like that: direction defined.

Becoming a seasoned performer by her teens, Miss Melany was hired on as a background vocalist in her mother's live band, leading them to become a mother/daughter duo much akin to The Judds. After many years of recording together and performing all over Texas, Melany knew it was time to step out on her own. Moving to Nashville in 2004, she began writing her own songs and recognizing her true artistry for the first time. Finding your place in the industry can be an impossible feat, but once Melany moved past her deeply-rooted connections to country music, she was able to set her soul-pop voice free. When a gifted artist gives themselves permission to bare their truth - in their own way without regret - everything clicks. The world rewards authenticity.

Drawing the best from her heroes & influences (the rawness of Etta James, the vocal acrobatics of Whitney Houston, the vivaciousness of Chaka Kahn, and the universal writing style of Corinne Bailey Rae), Melany developed her own brand of blue-eyed soul while earning a Performance Degree from Belmont University, even honoring Mariah by bringing back the "whistle tone" on her original material.

Never one to sit back and take the easy route, Melany hitched her wagon to the wind once again in the Summer of 2012 and moved to The Big Apple, where she's already garnered multiple performances at legendary live music venue, The Bitter End. Now residing on the fantastically foretelling "Gold Street", our Lone Star State songstress is poised and prepared to charm the big city with her shiny high heels and perpetual passion for all things song.

Currently working in the studio with some of the best up-and-coming producers in both New York City and Nashville, Melany is busy writing and recording in preparation for the release of her self-titled EP, which she says will include five "no bullshit" soul-pop anthems, introducing her raw and real testimony to the world. Spoken like a fated luminary, Melany stated, "Music healed me in a way that I hope to do the same for someone else. I believe my message sets me apart from many female artists out there today; I don't write songs just about heartache and boys, I write about being brave, being a fighter, loving unconditionally, and last but not least...loving ya damn self."

You can hear rich, melancholy memories weaving in and out of the opening lines of the first Melany Watson single released on iTunes this year, "Fighting For Love." As the song swells, she acknowledges that "love should come easy, but easy won?t ever be us", while simultaneously making us believe without a doubt that the object of her affection is worthy of all earthly passion and protest.

Melany's latest single, "Broken Vinyl Record", gives us a guitar groove perfectly fit for a smart woman scorned to tell it to you straight. When she sings, "rhythm & blues don't feel the same unless there's a little misery in your past", you understand that this tough-as-nails siren writes her personal life lessons into songs, making each one relatable and thought-provoking.

The ingenious Miss Watson is dedicated to building her career the old-fashioned way; by paying her dues a thousand times over and continuing to live a momentous life suitably reflective of timeless songs. We can all look forward to watching this stunningly beautiful woman become everything she's ever dreamed of. The brightest stars have aligned, shining a spotlight down on the incredibly inspired music and moxie of Melany Watson.

Written by Lyric Everly | July 201