Rozzi Crane

Let me introduce a great friend of the beaver fam, Rozzi Crane. She’s a budding singer/songwriter out of San Francisco and has just completed her second self-titled EP, which will be released later this year. Although this isn’t your typical beaver post, I wanted to expose a great friend of ours to our followers and fans. Here is her cover of Radiohead’s song “High and Dry.” It’s a slightly slower and more simple version, but her touch gives us a mezmorizing twist of the classic.

To listen to the songs off of her new album please visit www.myspace.com/rozzicrane and stay in touch with this unbelievable talent!
- Chubby Beavers

Rozzi Crane, a promising, young pop/soul singer/writer based in Los Angeles, CA, has won the April SingerUniverse “Best Vocalist Of The Month” Competition, for her performance of her song “Know Your Name/” This song will be featured on her upcoming EP, which she will release independently this spring.

"Know Your Name” is an appealing midtempo cut which has a classic '60s groove. The song starts off relaxed and understated, with Crane's vocals in the verses recalling Norah Jones' sensual style. Then in the choruses and later in the song, Crane brings up the energy, singing in a higher range, with more intensity. "Know Your Name" provides a fine showcase for Crane's vocals, and this recording was skillfully produced by Don Boyette (a prominent L.A. bassist who is known for touring with Michael Jackson).

Crane, who is 18, was born and raised in San Francisco, CA, where she began singing and performing at a young age, at talent shows and in musical theater productions. She was inspired by listening to such favorite artists as Alicia Keys, Stevie Wonder and James Morrison. During high school, Crane began writing songs, and she released her first EP at the beginning of her senior year. In addition, she started playing with a band, and they performed a set during halftime of a Golden State Warriors basketball game.

After graduating from high school last June (2009), Crane decided to attend U.S.C. and move to Los Angeles. "I wanted to go to U.S.C., where I'm now majoring in Popular Music at the Thornton School Of Music on campus," explained Crane. "I also liked moving to L.A., where I could work with other musicians in the music industry. Also at U.S.C., I had the opportunity last fall to be the opening act for the Steve Miller Band - it was a great experience."


Rozzi Crane
Besides the Steve Miller show, Crane has opened for Neal Schon (of Journey) at the House Of Blues in Hollywood, and she will be opening for Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons. "I will be going on a tour, playing gigs in California (L.A., San Diego, the Bay Area) and in New Mexico," she said.

In addition to touring, Crane has also been able to place songs in TV shows. Four of her songs were placed in the Lifetime movie, Sins Of The Mother.

Currently, Crane is very pleased with the progress she's making. "I'm having an amazing time performing and working in Los Angeles, and it's been great going to U.S.C.," she said. "I'm looking forward to finishing my new EP and releasing it soon. And I'm writing new songs every day." - Singer Universe

What sets Rozzi Crane and Derik Nelson apart from the dozens of other performers at the University of Southern California? Just ask their thousands of followers. They might both have their own individuals bands (respectively “Rozzi Crane” and ‘The Derik Nelson Band”), but those two handsome prodigies with unique voices have four elements in common: talent, determination, an incredible stage presence, and humbleness. Nineteen year old Rozzi Crane exudes confidence as she sings her heart out, and Derik Nelson’s colorful ballads and energetic pop songs will instantly make you want to hum along. Those two self-made performers and songwriters with EPs and CDs already on sale were bound to meet, and while they’ve only started to collaborate, you can expect to see (or hear) a lot more of them in the future…

You guys are so young and already making it in the music industry. What makes you different from other artists?

Rozzi Crane: I generally say yes to everything…. on campus, that is (laughs). Any performance is publicity, and I figure that USC students who know me, are going to be more interested in seeing me perform that strangers.

Derik Nelson: Totally. Rozzi and I have adopted the mentality that any chance to perform should be taken. That mentality and that constant strive to be humble has set us apart. There aren’t a lot of people in the music industry who understand that personal relationships are important.

That said, the music industry is very hard to break into. How have your experiences as undergraduates been so far?

DN: I walked in to USC’s Music Industry program my first day and was told that you’re seven times more likely to get struck by lightning than make it in the music business. The chair of the department said: “anyone who wants to leave, there’s the door.” A lot of people walked out. That’s the moment I knew I wanted to be here, and nowhere else.

RC: As fun as it has been, it’s also hard… especially since we both have to be our own managers. When I’m promoting myself and my shows, I try to put my feelings aside.

Had you guys heard of each other before collaborating?

RC: Of course. The Derik Nelson Band is huge on campus! They had played during my orientation at the popular music program, and set the bar quite high for us freshmen. That was the first time I heard you. I was so impressed.

DN: As for me, I had heard in different social circles about this girl Rozzi Crane who was apparently very talented, so I went to one of her shows. Let me tell you: she just got up there and rocked it away. Gorgeous energy…

RC (embarrassed): Oh my God…

Can each of you talk about your favorite live experience over the past years?

RC: I got to open for Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons over the summer. It was a real honor to meet him. He’s such a cool guy. This desert windstorm was coming in, which added drama to the stage.

DN: The Derik Nelson Band played at Troubadour a year ago, which is a very famous Los Angeles club where James Taylor, Coldplay, and a bunch of great bands and artists have played. The entire room was packed. It was standing room only. You don’t get that kind of energy from every show.

So are the stereotypes about the Los Angeles live audiences true?

RC: Oh my god. (laughs). Sometimes audiences are really vocal and you know they like what they’re hearing. Sometimes it’s hard to tell what they’re thinking…that’s something I’ve just learned how to deal with.

Derik, you’ve written a song for Rozzi called “How does it feel?” No bad word joke intended, how does it feel to see your song performed by someone else?

DN: I’m so proud! She’s got attitude when she sings it, and it’s such a compliment to have someone with her talent get up there and sing something that I’ve written. I am nothing but proud.

What’s in the future for you guys? What are your short-term and long-term goals?

RC: I will always be writing and performing. I want to perform, perform, record, record, write, write, and work with the best people I can work with in order to reach the most people out there.

DN: I am just finishing my degree this semester, and I am looking into four main career focuses that will combine to create my living : performing, writing, recording, producing.

RC: And you have your album coming out, Derik!

DN: That’s right. The Derik Nelson Band is coming out with its debut album as a band on October 20th. The eleven-song album has been a labor of love for the past year.

RC: It’s amazing. (laughs) It’s going to be huge.

What is the image that you are both trying to portray onstage?

RC: When I’m on stage, I’m kind of an exaggerated version of myself. A lot of the time when I write a song about my life, I write it in the heat of the moment. It’s what works best. So when I’m playing live, I try to revisit those intense emotions.

DN: I want to portray the overall best image of myself on stage, which I hope comes across as confident, kind of a goofball, and someone that people can relate to. I don’t want to be a larger than life guy that shuts people out. I want to be relatable person that people can feel like they can talk to at the end of the show. The wall should be knocked down between the audience and the performer.

What is the song that you never get tired of?

DN: “When We Dance,” by Sting.

RC: “Irreplaceable,” by Beyonce. Favorite pop song of the past eight years. Beyonce is the ultimate woman. She kills it in everything she does.

The one song you can’t stand but that everyone seems to like?

DN: “Waiting on the world to Change,” by John Mayer.

RC: “California Gurls,” by Katy Perry.

The song you wish you would have written?

RC: “Everything,” by Lauryn Hill.

DN: “Empty,” by Ray LaMontagne.

The song you’ve been listening to on repeat recently?

RC: “F—k You,” the Cee-Lo song (laughs).

DN: “Break Even,” by The Script.

RC: I hate that song! (laughs)

How can Daily BR!NK readers contribute to your success?

RC and DN: Come to our shows!

DN: Visit our respective websites, and either sign up for the mailing list or tell your friends about the music.

RC: Pass it on if you like the music.

DN: Rozzi and I feel the same about people hearing our music rather than paying for our music. It would be a compliment enough if you listened
and were interested.
- The Daily Br!nk

"Even though Shay is obsessed with Nina Simone in the movie, and Jill Scott is a great singer in real life, the soundtrack is song mostly by a bluesy young singer named Rozzi Crane, and the songs are so good I will definitely download some of them."

-Linda Stasi
New York Post - New York Post

ozzi Crane, a high school junior and singer/songwriter at Marin Academy in the San Francisco Bay area, turns in a single that captures and showcases her sultry alto voice in the context of a jazzy/neo- soul/r&b flavored track that readily recalls Joss Stone.

With the backing of omnipresent keyboardist Cori Jacobs whose organ playing adds personality to the track, and pro vocal arrangements by the ascending Laniko Music that elevate and enhance both the production and the songwriting, Rozzi adeptly displays her emotive vocal qualities with an uncharacteristic calm and confidence for her age. It’s her best performance and most complete songwriting effort to date - despite the song’s short duration time of only two minutes and thirty-five seconds. It will have instant appeal to music supervisors for featured use. - Gian Fiero

"Neither Rozzi Crane nor Taylor Thompson had ever performed in a club, which is understandable since both are 15. Crane, a Christina Aguilera–inspired siren from San Francisco, hit the stage first with a three-song set predominantly of oldies: Gladys Knight's "If I Were Your Woman," Brandy's "Baby," and the blues standard "Call It Stormy Monday." She was solidly backed, as were the other participants, by Clear Soul, a jazz-imbued quartet that is especially distinguished by member Quetzal Guerrero, who alternates between acoustic guitar, congas, and electric violin. Though her cadenza on the blues was overwrought, Crane has alto pipes that are remarkably pliant, and her phrasing at times suggested an Anita Baker influence. She shows much promise and is currently working on a demo with Sundra Manning, Ledisi's former musical director, now Prince's organist."
Lee Hildebrand - San Francisco Bay Guardian