Robyn Cage

Singer and songwriter Robyn Cage, born under the name Robyn Kemp, was raised in the Utah desert. She trained in classical piano at The Boston Conservatory, performed at Boston Symphony Hall and soloed with the Boston Pops and Mormon Tabernacle Choir. After moving to New York City to pursue an acting career, Kemp was regularly cast as a commercial actress. During a visit home, Robyn guest-performed with a friend and realized she’d been following the wrong dream all along. Frustrated by the cycle of an actor’s day – audition, rejection, self-doubt – she had fallen out of love with the lifestyle and the city she had been calling home. It took a visit back to her roots for the epiphany to occur, but once realized, the transformation was swift and complete. Kemp cancelled her return flight, dropped acting for singing and changed her name to Robyn Cage. “I just couldn’t shake this feeling that I was in the wrong place, doing the wrong thing with my life.”

Six years ago, Cage began her songwriting journey. The first song she wrote was “Burning Now” but it did not appear on her debut EP Raining Sideways, released in 2010. The public had to wait four years, for the release of her second EP, Tales Of A Thief, to hear it. Now, after a successful crowdfunding campaign, Cage’s debut album, Born In The Desert, is here. Though more than half of the songs come from her second EP, there are five new titles for fans to enjoy.

Born In The Desert is end-capped with two songs that bring to mind clear visions of a Hollywood-inspired Wild West. “The Arsonist & The Thief”, the first cut off the album, leaves you with a single thought before you get to the chorus: this woman is a storyteller. Channeling the likes of Red Sovine and Leonard Cohen, Cage is a self-proclaimed story lover. She says: “I love stories. I love music that makes you feel like you’re being transported to another place and time.” The storytelling motif, combined with the visual it conjures, easily places the listener in the heart of an old saloon waiting for a showdown to begin all while endearing the audience to the plight of the outlaw. If gypsies and freaks are more your game then it is “Theatre Noir” that will speak to your soul.

While the album, overall, deals with the rebirth of self from the growth process involved when relationships end, the storytelling manages to keep the album from becoming melancholy, despite a number of slow-tempo songs. Though Cage claims “you may never hear my music on a top 40 radio station”, fans of Foster The People and Milky Chance will find “If You Don’t Try” to be an old familiar tune. The standout songs on this album, “Capacity” and “Theatre Noir”, were both co-written with Stuart Maxfield. This is a writing partnership we hope to see flourish in her sophomore effort.

Born In The Desert is an excellent first effort. It is possible that the tempo of the album, listened to in full, could leave some listeners hoping for a change and this is where Cage has room to grow the musicality of her work. “Letting Go”, vocally reminiscent of Irish singer Orla Gartland, is an example of the right combination of difficult message wrapped in a musical tune strong enough to keep your attention. To accomplish a song whose message is capable of transforming life’s most difficult experiences, like this one, is an important talent to nurture.

In a recent interview, Cage said she changed her name, in part, to create an alter-ego that would help her amplify her darker side, with a character that feels a bit otherworldly. This idea seems to flow through many of Cages blog postings as well. In an entry about “Theatre Noir” she speaks about feeling awkward in her own skin and hiding her inner child. In discussing and working through these ideas, Cage has begun the transformation. Still, the line from talking about it, to become it, needs to be crossed. When she can focus less on ‘acting’ a part for her music and embraces her true self – the self that encompasses these parts of her personality – then she will be unstoppable. - Pop Magazine

Robyn Cage, sporting a visual likeness to red-headed singer/songwriter Neko Case, has a voice that is strong yet flexible. It goes from falsetto to a groan in just instances, and collides with the strength of her lyrics, usually containing some kind of motivation and optimism. Moving from New York City to Park City, UT. to continue her pursuit of music, her songwriting somehow captures the boldness of the west coast: holding a muscularity and openness that seems to mirror her general atmosphere and the prominent topography.

Cage showcases the brilliant landscape that surrounds her in the new music video for her song "Larger Than Life". Roaming the cliffs of the Red Rock Desert in Moab, UT., she belts her lovelorn lyrics as she descends and ascends the sandy landscape. While she sings about being a microcosm of human identity, one can't help but see the reflection in the gigantic, timeless nature that surrounds her. The fading sunset, the humongous cliffs, and the concave dips in the rock emulate her message about empowerment and having strength to triumph over the unachievable. - Baeble Music

Park City based alternative-pop artist Robyn Cage is a singer-songwriter with an entrancingly emotive artistic sensibility. The songstress is currently gearing up for the release of her debut album ‘Born In The Desert,‘ Robyn had this to say about her latest project:

“Rebirth is a huge theme of the album, I was born in the Utah desert, and metaphorically reborn when I returned to write these songs. The Utah desert is mysterious and epic with strange rock formations and lots of openness. I wanted the songs to have that same feeling, like an escape to another world that is dark but beautiful.”
Premiering exclusively on GroundSounds is the title track from her forthcoming album. “Born In The Desert,” opens on a remote desert mesa near Goblin Valley, with Cage emerging from an antique clawfoot bathtub and playing an ornate 1860’s piano. Together the album and video deliver an indelible message: Embrace your uniqueness, and love that what makes you different. Check out “Born In The Desert” below and grab a copy of of Robyn’s debut album on October 2nd. - GroundSounds

Park City singer/songwriter/pianist Robyn Cage — formerly known as Robyn Kemp — has more than a new name. Cage credits the Utah desert for the awakening a new artistic identity after years of acting in New York City. The Boston Conservatory-trained actress performed first as a pianist at age 7; by 11, she was writing her own music and winning national competitions. Feeling the pressure of being a piano prodigy, she turned to acting, which soon revealed a new set of difficulties.

"When I was doing a theater piece, I was really happy and having a good time. Between shows, I would go to a dark place. I got really depressed, anxious and insecure. Every time I was out of work, I got freaked out," said Cage.




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Finding herself once again under intense pressure, Cage reconnected with her beloved piano. She recalls that desperation motivated her to turn to producer Alex Houton in New York and persuade him to sign her. She returned to music — and Utah — and never looked back.

Cage — whose music is described as ethereal, powerful, beautiful and dark — celebrates the release of her debut, full-length album, "Born in a Desert," at an album release party at O.P. Rockwell in Park City on Friday. She spoke with The Tribune about rediscovering herself, working with producers such as Dan Burns (Carina Round, Diddy, Rachael Yamagata) and why she hopes her music will bring together those who feel different.

New beginnings

By the time I left New York, I wasn't living the life I wanted to live and I wasn't being the person I wanted to be. I didn't know what exactly to change, so I just changed everything. I left the relationship I was in, I left my job, I left the state, I decided to change careers. I overhauled my entire life and I came back out here. I wanted to become someone else a little bit, so I ended up taking the name Robyn Cage because I felt like it's a little edgier and a little more badass. It sort of invokes that caged-bird imagery.

Making 'Born in a Desert'

About half of the songs on the album are co-written. Once I felt like I fleshed out the songs enough, I took it to L.A. and that was a crazy experience. I had never worked with session musicians before. I really had a vision for this record, and from the very first track that was recorded, I knew these guys were so good — they immediately picked up on the vibe of the music and they just got it. I [also] worked with Grammy-nominated producer Dan Burns. … That was one of the most incredible weeks of my life. It was a couple of things that made it possible for me to go out to L.A. [to work on the album]. I got a sponsor for the first half of the album and video. The second half of the album, I ran a Kickstarter campaign. I set out to raise $10,000 to cover the recording costs and ended up raising $18,000. That was pretty awesome.

Rebirth

The album has this theme of rebirth. I wrote about half of the songs in the desert in southern Utah. It's a place where I spent a lot of my childhood. There's a lot of desert references in the music. It's very much what inspires my music videos. A lot of the songs are broken-hearted love songs. Even among those, I don't ever want it to feel like brooding love songs. It's growing and overcoming something and about empowerment. Another theme throughout the album is self-acceptance and expression, being who you are meant to be. A lot of it is a product of the changes that I have made in my life in the past five years.

Cage onstage

I throw in a little bit of my theater tendencies. … I love performing live. I feel like I am in my element. Band shows are the most fun because they are more high energy. It's energizing. I have learned over the years how to really read an audience. You can feel when you have them and when you don't. When I feel that the audience is with me, there is nothing better than that. I try to take the audience on a journey in a live show and give them a full range of emotions.

Music for the dreamers

I've become more and more interested in reaching the people with my music. … I always felt like one of the weirdos, and I think as I have gotten older and more comfortable with myself, I've found that I like that I am weird and that I am nerdy. I like that I kind of live in a weird little fantasy world. I think that the people who are going to benefit from my music the most are those types of people: the dreamers, the misfits, the weirdos. That's something that people could relate to. I am trying to look at ways where I can involve those people more. I think that we are in this together. I want to build up a community of weird artsy types. - Salt Lake Tribune

Brand-new songs from the debut-album of Robyn Cage, songstress with a flair for the theatrical & dramatic – Born In The Desert plays with an exotic, vibrant dynamic you wouldn’t expect to come from a first record or first time out. Truth be told, she’s spent her lifetime immersed deep in music and has studied at several levels and worked with numerous professionals in the industry to bring this album to life…so…yeah, she’s new – but Robyn Cage is anything but inexperienced when it comes to making music – she already sounds completely pro on Born In The Desert!

The journey begins with “The Arsonist & The Thief,” which immediately stands-out for both the music and lyrics. Beautifully played bass and guitars fuel the sparkling atmosphere amidst a gentle beat in an intoxicating combination as Robyn begins to weave her words fantastically through the rhythm. As beautiful of a beginning as you could imagine the start of an album to ever be – it’s a gorgeous rhythm and vocal-flow that meet each other perfectly to form the magic in this first song. Robyn sings confidently and flawlessly, continually building the strength in her tone as the song heads to the end. “The Arsonist & The Thief” is a fantastic choice to open the album and experience – perfect beginning and assuredly a high-standard set immediately with this brilliant start.

If you look in the list of names that have had a hand in her music on Born In The Desert you’ll notice amongst them is Darryl Neudorf…who has worked with talent like Sarah McLachlan in the past – something I think you can noticeably hear on the second tune “Larger Than Life” at times. I have no official notes or anything that tell me he worked on tracks other than “Burning Now” but you can certainly hear the influence of artists like Sarah McLachlan on “Larger Than Life.” It’s an empowering anthem, Robyn sounds confident and clear…but the song itself feels a little less personal and more of an attempt at a hit-song as opposed to most of the material on this record that highlights her uniqueness & authenticity. You can hear she still believes in all the words she sings…just not as connected to them emotionally perhaps in comparison to tracks like “If You Don’t Try.” Great rhythm & vocal-flow bring this third tune to life and Robyn lets the vocals soar into the atmosphere of this dreamy song – “If You Don’t Try” really puts the distinct & endearing qualities of her vocals right on full-display.

With its piano-led beginning, the title-track “Born In The Desert” does not disappoint. A crown-worthy, slow-burning melody…the subtle-nature of this track has an intensely textured melody to it. As it thickens towards the middle, she reminds me completely of Poe through the vocals and music – and I’m audibly always on the hunt for another sound similar to that, so believe me, “Born In The Desert” works for me all the way through. Picture like…Lana Del Ray with enough iron in her blood to actually give some energy to her airy vocals and you’d have something closer to Robyn Cage’s confident delivery and similarly-picturesque lyrical ability.

As I’ve mentioned already, “Burning Now” certainly has an ace up the sleeve with the assistance of seasoned-pro Darryl Neudorf at the studio-controls…and whatever money, bribe or deal was made to get him there was every bit, 100% worth it. Absolutely the stand-out track on the record so far – “Burning Now” is freakin awesome in every possible way from performance to production, words to music…and I completely love the way Robyn sings this one in the songs beautiful verse and chorus. It’s certainly a single-worthy song…perfectly written and produced.



I mentioned a flair for the dramatic & theatrical in the opening of this review…and that aspect makes itself known as a dominant force driving the vibrant tunes “Annabelle’s Dance” and “The Cave.” Both of these tunes add real dimension and depth the album’s overall sound and really shows us yet another side of Robyn through unique atmospheres in comparison to much of the rest of the album. I mean…all the songs are unique yes, but these two in specific incorporate some really cool samples & sounds into their melodies…”Annabelle’s Dance” is the perfect mix of light-and-dark, and “The Cave” works along a wonderful supressed set of drum-sounds that spread-out around a song that almost sounds as if it contains an eastern-influence to its rhythm & groove.

“Cinderella Story” absolutely got me for its sweetness and its direct, honest approach in the lyricism. Beautiful melody here…think something like The Cardigans-meets-Keane…or maybe just The Cardigans on their own. Of course, that semi-theatrical aspect still follows Robyn’s music here on “Cinderella Story” as well…so maybe the sound & style is all a little closer to something like Hooverphonic with all of the fantastically dreamy elements and captivating atmospheres on this record. Whatever the comparison you might come up with might be – I’m sure we could all agree that a melody like “Cinderella Story” is a winning one.

She carries the song completely with her beautiful voice in “Letting Go.” There’s music as well…but so sparse, so minimal really, that it’s completely up to Robyn to create the existing melody in this song…and she NAILS it here. In a golden-moment…one of those performances you wish you could frame and display…Robyn is angelic on “Letting Go” – that’s a magnificent performance right there, that’s what that is.

With a delicate & tricky vocal-rhythm similar to something you’d find from Regina Spektor or Chantal Kreviazuk, “Capacity” is tiny, innocent, sweet and yet again, spectacularly beautiful. Really loved the music of this song; it’s still subtle but noticeably compliments the ideas put forth in the vocal-melody…it might sound simple to the ears somewhat – but I assure you the perfect in a song like this is intensely complex…and Robyn has done an extraordinary job here on “Capacity.”

“Theatre Noir” is undoubtedly a song that reflects a lot of what Robyn loves most about making music and the combination of clever lyricism and exotic and unexplored textures in song. That flair for the theatrical side of music is going to resonate with some a lot more strongly than others…it is not the kind of music you’re going to find on the radio anytime soon, but I wouldn’t be surprised to find Robyn’s music popping up in movies over and over in the future to come. There’s a place for songs like “Theatre Noir” in the new season of American Horror Story I’m sure isn’t there? And I mean this in the best of possible ways…I love that show…this inventive, bizarre, creative and camp performance would fit right in there.

Post-originals, the album continues on with a solid remix of “Larger Than Life (The Planetaries Version),” which adds a little more strength and beat to the music…and again, even though this song to me is more on the Americal-Idol-ish side of music – to me this mix sounded closer to the attempt & ideal of the concept realized than its original mix. There are also two additional mixes of “Burning Now” which completely warrant a listen; the first one, the “Kristin Royal Remix” is immediately captivating…somehow she’s taken the sound closer to Alanis Morrisette with a massively revitalised structure to the music. Honestly – it’s freakin’ brilliant. It’s SO DIFFERENT than its original version that “Burning Now (Kristin Royal Remix)” is absolutely like listening to an entirely different song – the experience is massively captivating and one of the highlights on the record for my own listening-experience personally. Found once again in its acoustic-form right after…it is AMAZING just how much Robyn has been able to pull out of this one idea; I love the stripped-down piano-led performance of “Burning Now (Acoustic)” – because MAN do you ever get a full-dose of this lady’s wonderful voice.

Usually I rebel against repeating songs on an album unless the versions have a truly audible reason for existence…and every single one of these songs deserves the right to live and thrive on your stereo-systems. I even enjoyed “Theatre Noir (Live)” a little more-so than before…it truly sounds like it was written with intent to be performed & played-out live, so to hear it in this setting I thought made the atmosphere of the song a little more appropriate. Very cool to hear Robyn pull this off with the same confident approach live as she has on record – if this live ending is any indication, I’d say that whether in the studio or on the stage, you can expect absolute excellence from Robyn Cage.

Find out more from her official page at: http://www.robyncage.com/ - Sleeping Bag Studios

There’s a dreamy, sultry quality to Robyn Cage’s vocals and style of music - sort of a cross between classic piano rock with a near-Vaudevillian undertone. It’s quirky without being gimmicky and relays a personal touch that’s immediately endearing. On Tales of a Thief, Cage explores different aspects of her persona while maintaining a common thread throughout.

“Cinderella Story” is a creative retelling of a classic writing convention, playing off a tale that everyone knows and can invest in (“tell me Cinderella/how long will it take/til the Cinderella story doesn’t feel so fake”). “The Arsonist & the Thief” shows off Cage’s range both vocally and emotionally, an effective performance that casts a wider net for crossover audience appeal. “If You Don’t Try” then shows off Cage’s control and steady songwriting hand injecting an infectious vocal melody that leaves a lasting impression. “The Cave” moves even further into Cage’s beautifully melancholic world, one that she walks freely about in comfort.

As easily accessible as this EP is, “Theatre Noir” finds Cage in even more interesting form exploring a dramatic and very easy-on-the-ears vaudevillian style of writing and performance. She inhabits this shift of style with an ease that opens up a wealth of possibility for her in other genres, and this natural delivery of the theatrical adds a delicious sense of quirkiness to the overall collection.

Cage’s lead single “Burning Now,” moves in a different direction than the whole of the EP, but shows off yet another side to her songwriting and performance arsenal - this would be equally at home on a Florence and the Machine record or as the perfect accompaniment to Tori Amos. It’s clear that Robyn Cage has a great deal of talent and range, and the songs on Tales of a Thief are indicative of an even brighter future ahead. - Indie-Music.com

When it comes to lyric driven, emotionally resonant female musicians, Adele, Fiona Apple and Lana Del Rey are a few names that come to mind. And Robyn Cage would be right at home on that list.

The Utah native deftly layers sultry vocals over dreamy soundscapes rounded out by the rich tones of vintage piano to create her atmospheric sound. Her songs are intensely personal and reverberate with authentic emotion. “I've spent five years learning to embrace my inner freak,” Cage says. “I'm learning to accept my eccentric self rather than trying to hide it away.”

Cage recently released an EP called Tales of a Thief, a collection of six songs that comprise the first half of her forthcoming full-length album. These songs are the culmination of five years spent writing and refining, along with many sleepless nights. “Most of my songs start with the lyrics. I’ll get an idea for a song from something I see or hear, or I’ll just wake up in the middle of the night with a phrase stuck in my head,” she says.

A Musical Theatre major at the Boston Conservatory, Cage is “very comfortable tapping into and expressing the emotion of a song.” The impact of her performance comes from channeling the energy of the songs themselves, careening from passion and heartbreak to frenzied celebration. “I love stories,” she says, “and there is a mini-story in every song I write.”



Five years ago Cage was living in NYC, working professionally in musical theatre and waiting tables between gigs. “I thought I was living the dream, but I couldn't shake the feeling that I was in the wrong place, both physically and artistically,” she says. It was time for a change.

In spite of her trepidation, she reached out to a music producer and convinced him to sign her. The first song she wrote is called “Burning Now,” which became the first single off her EP. Cage had found her true calling in song writing. She bravely rearranged her entire life, leaving Manhattan to settle in the mountains of Park City. “Returning to my home state has been a creative rebirth for me as an artist,” she says.

Her personal and artistic evolution has been a journey of self-exploration, encountering and embracing the complicated layers we all have but often hide. “I've made friends with the darker side of my Gemini personality,” she explains, “and now it manifests beautifully in my music, not in my life. I'm happier, more creative and more driven than I have ever been.”

Cage teaches voice and piano at the Granger School of Music and performs locally while she continues to work on her music. She started a Kickstarter campaign to fund the completion of her first full-length album, and the response has been incredible. Less than 24 hours after it launched, she had already reached 31 percent of her goal; “I'm blown away,” she says, “I'm completely floored and filled with gratitude.”

To read more about Cage, hear more of her music and find out where her next live performance will be, check out her website here. Visit her Kickstarter campaign here to learn how you can contribute to the completion of her debut album.

“This album is dedicated to the dreamers, the oddballs, the 'mad ones,'" she says. "For those with a voice inside waiting to be found, fighting to be heard and understood, this music is for you.” - Salt Lake Magazine

One advantage to being a sensitive singer-songwriter in Utah: When you make a music video, you can throw a bed in the middle of the Utah desert and — BAM! — instant visual metaphor.

That's what Park City-based singer-songwriter Robyn Cage has done with her new single, "Burning Now," released today.

Cage is a Salt Lake City native and actress who was living in New York when started songwriting in 2009, recording an EP, "Raining Sideways" (under the name Robyn Kemp).

Cage recorded the single, "Burning Now," with producer Derryl Neudorf, who has worked with such artists as Neko Case and Sarah MacLachlan. In May, she went to Los Angeles to record more songs with producer Dan Burns, for an EP, "Tales of a Thief," due out in September.

The video was shot a couple of weeks ago in the Utah desert, near the Bonneville Salt Flats. Directed by Bryce Johnson, the video showcases Cage as a woman contemplating the departure of her boyfriend (played by Paul D. Mann) — with their bed, surrounded by empty desert, as the central theme. - Salt Lake Tribune

Robyn Cage’s expressive voice and impassioned live performances have captivated audiences from Boston’s Symphony Hall to the stages of NYC. A professional actress, trained at the Boston Conservatory and praised by The New York Times and Variety, Robyn turned to songwriting in 2009 and recorded her “Raining Sideways” EP with producer Alex Houton. In 2014 Robyn teamed up with two time Grammy-nominated producer Darryl Neudorf (Neko Case, Sarah McLachlan) to record “Burning Now”, then headed to L.A. to record with Grammy-nominated and Juno Award-winning producer Dan Burns (Carina Round, Early Winters). Robyn relocated from NYC to her mountain home in Park City – her music is a synthesis of New York’s culture and Utah’s desert wilderness.

Robyn Cage is also thrilled to announce the release of a new music video for her song “Burning Now”. The song is the first single from her upcoming Tales of a Thief EP, which is due in September, and has been nominated for a Utah Music Award in three categories: Alternative, Pop, and Electronica.

The music video for “Burning Now” (watch below!) was filmed in the Western Utah desert, near the Nevada border, with videographer Bryce Johnson. Cage and her film production team braved 100 degree heat and blinding sun, soon followed by gale force winds, thunder, lightning, and torrential rain. Despite the extreme weather, or perhaps because of it, the results were magical- the video culminates in Cage playing a 119 year-old piano as it is consumed in a bonfire that defies the driving rain.

In a review of the Tales of a Thief EP, Indie-Music.com describes “There’s a dreamy, sultry quality to Robyn Cage’s vocals and style of music – sort of a cross between classic piano rock with a near-Vaudevillian undertone. It’s quirky without being gimmicky and relays a personal touch that’s immediately endearing.” Official release date for the Tales of a Thief EP is forthcoming… - Music Inform

Wonderful songwriting that takes the right amount of risk to sound different but wonderfully so. - CDReview

Brilliant, piano-led character study and cautionary tales of mismatched desire. Fantastic writing across all the songs, and a real skill for the melodramatic and haunting chorus. Superb vocal work, too! - MikeWhitePresents

Robyn Cage, known to some nightlife-loving Parkites as singer and songwriter Robyn Kemp, will celebrate her three years of performing in town with a CD release party at Downstairs on Sept. 25.
The album is called "Tales of a Thief," Cage said during an interview with The Park Record.

"The title comes from a song, 'The Arsonist and the Thief,' that is on the album," Cage explained. "That's my favorite of the songs, and the thief in the song refers to me."

Another aspect of the title is based on the fact that Cage likes songs that tell stories.

"Not all of my songs do that, but I really enjoy writing songs that are tales," she said. "So that's where the title came from."

All the tracks on the record were written during the past five years of Cage's life.

"The overall theme is about growing from a younger, angsty self into a more mature and comfortable self," she said. "I think you can hear that in the songs in the album."

"Tales of a Thief" is a six-song collection and Darryl Neudorf, who has worked with Neko Case and Sarah McLachlan, produced the first single, "Burning Now."

The song has been nominated for a Utah Music Award in three categories -- alternative, pop and electonica.

"Darryl liked the song and we went into an electronic style for that, because that's what I thought I wanted to do," Cage said.

Dan Burns, whose credits include Lenka, Michelle Branch and Carina Round, produced the other five tracks.

"I actually met Dan through Carina and went out to L.A. and recorded with three session guys," Cage said. "It was an awesome experience."
One reason was because Cage was totally immersed in the recording process.

"It was different than what I expected," she said. "I gave the songs to Dan and he sent them to the musicians.

"When I arrived, I had heard of stories where producers try to change the songs, and I was ready to fight for what I wanted them to sound like, but I didn't have to," Cage said. "I went in and played the songs on the piano and the musicians charted it out. I played it once more and they asked some questions and then we started recording."

Cage said she felt as if the musicians knew the songs better than she did.

"I just sat back and watched them do their thing," she said. "The songs shaped up better than I thought they would ever be."

Cage has been a staple of the Park City music scene for the past three years, under the name of Robyn Kemp.

She grew up in Salt Lake, graduated college from the Boston Conservatory and worked in New York City doing musical theater, before returning to the Beehive State.

"After spending a lot of time in theater, I got a bit disillusioned with the scene," Cage said. "At that time, there didn't feel like there was anything original happening. It was all just movie adaptations and relaunches of old musicals.

"I felt like I wasn't doing what I wanted to do, which was write my own songs, but that was also something that I avoided, because I was scared to death about doing that," she said, laughing. "On a whim, I submitted some music to a producer and I ended up signing with him. I felt that this was what I should have been doing all along."

Cage released her first, three-song extended play album, "Raining Sideways," in 2010 under her real name, Robyn Kemp. The EP is available on iTunes for $2.97.

"It was my first attempt of songwriting and felt it was pretty decent, even though I didn't feel like I knew what direction I wanted to go musically," she said. "So I spent the past few years narrowing down to what I want my sound to be and what I want to say as an artist."

With "Tales of a Thief," Cage feels she has found her voice.

"Vocally, I'm used to playing characters because of theater, and have been trained in different styles, but really didn't know who Robyn was," she explained. "So, I'm starting to like how I'm sounding and that has helped me sing in a more truthful way."

Robyn Cage will perform a CD release party for her new record "Tales of a Thief" at Downstairs, 625 Main St., on Thursday, Sept. 25, at 7 p.m. For more information, visit www.robyncage.com. - The Park Record

'Raining Sideways' is a beautiful song, with beautiful vocals. It is a relaxing song, with a breath of fresh air. The song has not been over-produced, as with many songs nowadays. It has instead got a careful blend of music with a raw sounding vocal attached. Robyn Kemp clearly is a talent to watch out for in the future. - Matt Rudland, Owner of Abbiko Music Group

We really like this artist’s voice and her sonic vision that almost seems to exude sensual heat vapors. Cage infuses “Burning Now” (her apology to a lover she has driven away) with a breathy, aching emotion accompanied by a mournful piano that’s bathed in a bucketful of reverb. The song has strong moments that could be strengthened by some trimming/editing. Continuing her fire imagery, the vivid characters and events in Cage’s “The Arsonist & The Thief” proves her to be a captivating storyteller. Our favorite is “If You Don’t Try...,” whose hook sinks in slowly but surely. Film/TV prospects are strong for this artist, whose songs are for the brokenhearted and whose voice is nothing if not seductive and compelling. - Music Connection

We really like this artist’s voice and her sonic vision that almost seems to exude sensual heat vapors. Cage infuses “Burning Now” (her apology to a lover she has driven away) with a breathy, aching emotion accompanied by a mournful piano that’s bathed in a bucketful of reverb. The song has strong moments that could be strengthened by some trimming/editing. Continuing her fire imagery, the vivid characters and events in Cage’s “The Arsonist & The Thief” proves her to be a captivating storyteller. Our favorite is “If You Don’t Try...,” whose hook sinks in slowly but surely. Film/TV prospects are strong for this artist, whose songs are for the brokenhearted and whose voice is nothing if not seductive and compelling. - Music Connection