Robyn & Diane
Livingston Manor, New York, United States | SELF
Music
Press
October 2009 - "We Believe", written by Diane Riegal, was selected as Song of the Month on the Christian Songwriters Network. www.christiansongwriters.org - Christian Songwriters Network
Written by:
Maren Hogan
Contributing Writer
God is Here, a new release from singer-songwriter team Robyn Lensch and Diane Riegal, is an affirming, worshipful mix of melodious ballads and fast paced gospel. In the first track, "I Have a Destiny," the pair lends an Indigo Girls style to the popular worship tune.
God Is Here, an old school tune, lets the women mix their very distinct voices into one great praise song. The background completed with soulful backup singing and organ chords, is tastefully done.
This is Lensch's first recording of her own music in her studio, Prairie Rose. The result is excellent, although she could've had trouble on her hands, as varied as the music on the record is.
"Be Strong and Courageous", the third track, features steel guitar, tightly blended harmonies and serious vocal stylings laid atop a classic blues track.
Diane Riegal, a New York native, visited Omaha four times to complete the CD. Her and Lensch's attention to detail shows through in every song.
The piano, Lensch's first instrument, is a large part of virtually every song, but a variation of instruments throughout the tracks, keep the sound from getting static.
Easy to hear are the strong influences of Keith Green, (or for modern day music fans, Ben Folds) and Michael Card. Lensch's voice in particular resonates similar to Emily Saliers of the Indigo Girls: strong, simple and soulful. On the opposite end of the spectrum is Diane Riegal, who sounds like Kathy Mattea with some grits. It's a very pleasant and dynamic combo, and I see why the two continue to perform together at women's retreats and conferences around the country.
The lyrics never waver from the clear focus of the album: Jesus. In "Behold the Man", a heart wrenching song about Jesus' fight on the Cross, we hear "Surely He has borne our griefs/By His stripes, we are free."
No sophomore effort, this album is a showcase of two talented musicians, who've spent years honing their skills.
- Heartland Gatekeeper Jan. 2006
2008 Semi-Finalist UK Songwriting Contest
Christian/Faith Category
Diane Riegal
I Won't Be Shaken - UK Songwriting Contest
2009 - 12th Annual Unisong Songwriting Contest
HONORABLE MENTIONS
I Won't Be Shaken Gospel / Christian
by Diane Riegal Livingston Manor, New York, USA - 12th Annual Unison Songwriting Contest
Diane Riegal been selected as a nominee for the 2008 Independent Singer Songwriters Award Contest, an international competition supporting the disciplines of songwriting, musicianship and performance. Songs are judged by diverse panel of judges including Grammy and Billboard award winners, music industry professionals, musicians, music buyers and fans.
http://www.issa-music.org
- Independent Singer Songwriters Award Contest
I Won't Be Shaken (songwriter Diane Riegal) received an honorable mention in the Christian/Faith category of the 2008 Billboard Songwriting Contest.
The Billboard World Songwriting Contest offers unparalleled exposure among some of the music industry’s most influential professionals. The top three winners in each of our 12 categories win great prizes as well as placement on our Annual Billboard Song Contest Winners’ CD. This CD is a compilation of the best songwriting the world has to offer. When we distribute the CD to our exclusive contacts in the music industry, it can change lives. It has. It will. And you can be on it! Did we mention great prizes?
Our judges are picked from a select group of music industry insiders knowledgeable about songwriting, current trends, and the music business in general. Depending on what tier of judging we are on , they could consist of musicians, songwriters, music fans, and music business students.
During the final selections of our winners, our contest judges consist of industry professionals familiar with A&R, Booking, Management, Touring, Marketing, etc. and have a thorough working knowledge of the songwriting process as well as what it takes to succeed in today’s music and entertainment scene on both a national and local levels.
- Billboard Songwriting Contest
Discography
We Believe - 2009
God is Here - Robyn & Diane - 2005
I Won't Be Shaken - Tehillah - 2001
Photos
Bio
Robyn and Diane forged a musical relationship in 1997 while developing the Christian band Tehillah. Their musical relationship would soon turn into one of those "life" friendships.
Robyn carried with her 20+ years experience in Christian music ministry. Diane was the worship leader in her home church and had experience playing in secular venues. Both were songwriters. Both creative. Both exhibited the same off beat sense of humor. Both had a passion to use their musical gifts to glorify Jesus. Robyn played keyboards and Diane rocked on the guitar. Their voices blended like siblings. Robyn hailed from the mid-west while Diane's hometown was Brooklyn, NY. Twin sisters of different mothers with no resemblance whatsoever yet there was a connection. Go figure. A chemistry. Lucy and Ethel. A synergy where the sum was greater than the parts. It was certainly a God-incident that they met. Since their meeting, Robyn and Diane have been privileged to minister to a diverse spectrum of congregations.
Today, both live in states that begin with "N" (Robyn in Nebraska and Diane in New York). Despite the distance between them, they continue to collaborate on original songs, recordings, and live performances.
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