Saturday, July 28, 2007

New talent releases EP at ruKus

By Sarah Poulton

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Danielle Lyn has only been performing since June.

WARREN — Her raspy and out-of-pitch rendition of Aerosmith’s “Cryin’” hurt enough to make Steven Tyler bawl his eyes out, but Danielle Lyn could certainly belt out her originals.

The 20-year-old singer from Struthers has been recording since January, and released her EP “76 West” at ruKus, The Festival.

Her Jewel meets Blondie sound matches her punk-pop look and she sounds great as long as she doesn't try to sing metal. For being new to the scene, Danielle Lyn is someone you'll remember.

Danielle Lyn said she started recording in January and played her first show in June at The Cellar with Joe Bonnamossa, a blues guitarist. So far, she’s been doing 30-minute sets, but she hopes to make them longer and have more originals in time for VexFest IV.

For now, she's still writing and recording with her drummer and producer, Jason Levis. The former Cherry Monroe drummer helped her form the band and co-writes the melodies. She said she writes all of the lyrics, but struggles with the melodies because she is still learning the guitar.

“I'd have all these melodies in my head,” Danielle said. “I'd just kind of sing it out and he'd play it for me.”

Danielle said she had a blast at ruKus because she was singing for a great cause — the Hattie Larlham Foundation — and got a chance to see a lot of her friends. She said some of them, she hasn't seen in more than a year, but near or far, they are always supportive of her.

“We all used to go to a lot of concerts together,” Danielle said. “Now, they're coming to mine. It's awesome.”

Moe Angelo, The Kellys bassist, said he discovered Danielle through his wife. He said this was the first time he met her in person, and was excited about her involvement in ruKus.

“She’s done a really great job in promoting this thing,” Angelo said. “She is really different for this area. I enjoy it.”

Danielle said she'd never pass up the chance to play live, but ruKus was special.

“I think it's awesome,” Danielle said about the festival. “There's not too many things like this in Youngstown. I was excited about the benefit part.”

Like most bands at ruKus, Danielle Lyn brought her following. But instead of them driving to Warren from Youngstown or Niles, they came from Chicago and North Carolina.

Angela DaCorte of Crete, Ill., outside Chicago, spent nine hours in a car to see Danielle sing. DaCorte said she’s known Danielle for about two years — they met during a roadtrip to Pittsburgh with mutual friends.

“She’s a really talented, sweet girl,” DaCorte said. “I love her and I hope she’s a big star someday.”

Jennie Lanning from North Carolina flew into Philadelphia, then drove for six hours to see her friend. Lanning said she met Danielle at an Ingram Hill concert in Pittsburgh.

“I was pretty blown away,” Lanning said.