SpiritEast is a writing and performing family, writing individually and collectively resulting in a wide variety of material. Their style is compared to "Fleetwood Mac meets the 21st Century." When the girls are singing leads "A Cross Between Alanis Morrisette, Sarah McLachlan, Sheryl Crow, Alison Krauss, and Amy Lee." There are also hints of influences from The Beatles, The Cars, The Doors, Heart, and more recently KT Tunstall, Anna Nalick.This leads to a universal and interesting fresh appeal. They enjoy collaborating with many friends. Along with having 3 lead vocalists this leads to each song having it's own unique sound. Even after listening to 10 or more songs SpiritEast still sounds new. Crissalyn's 18- year old perspective brings current influences, creating a great balance with the other more seasoned players.
A BIT MORE BIO STUFF
Phil-
Phil has worked in various parts of the music and TV industry starting in Colorado in the 80's doing audio for TV and cable ski movies, commercials aired on ESPN and international cable, recorded bands and played regionally in Colorado. More recently he has recorded the Sacred Steel Millennium Celebration in Nashville, a 4 day concert of spiritual music, including Troy Jackson, the Henderson Sisters, the Campbell Brothers and more. He has since been recording and co-producing the internationally renowned Campbell Brothers ,who have recently played with the Allman Brothers and Jerry Douglas of Alison Krauss and the Union Station, and many other prolific musicians. John Medeski of Medeski Martin and Wood has also produced the Campbell Brothers new release on Ropadope Records " Can You Feel It?"recorded by Phil at Spiriteast Studio. Phil has also recorded Steve Gadd who plays drums with Eric Clapton, Paul Simon, James Taylor and more. Phil also engineered a cut on the recent Vanguard release “Creole Bred”, produced by Ann Savoy and also featuring Cyndi Lauper, Taj Mahal,and more…
Crissalyn-
Nicknamed “Kippy” by all who know and love her-
Kippy was born on May 1, 1989 in Rochester, NY, and still resides there today.
Surrounded by a music loving family, she got the “music bug” and sang before she could speak.
In her elementary school years she sang solos at church and joined her school’s chorus. Along the way she has been involved in talent shows where she has performed her own songs, as well as songs that she has co-written with her mom (Heather) and dad (Phil). With a very imaginative mind and a flair all her own, she has brought great lyrics and melody to all the songs that she has been involved in writing. A member of NSAI, she attended her first songwriting workshop in 2004 in Nashville, TN at the age of fourteen. She has been playing the piano for four years now and loves using it as a steppingstone to create other great songs.
Currently seventeen and a senior, she
has performed in many talent shows and vocal competitions, including this springs choral competition in NYC. Not only did her chorus have an incredible, memorable trip, but they also brought home the Platinum award...the highest award given!
Heather-
Born and raised in Rochester, NY, Heather grew up loving the arts. She was involved in chorus at school and was a member of her church choir. Into her middle school and high school years she performed in many plays.
Throughout the years she has modeled for print, including a full page in a #1 European fashion magazine(i-D), and has been in commercials and film. Along with her great love for acting, she has her cosmetology license and has been able to use her creative talents doing hair for the Off-Broadway show, Aida.
She began writing songs at the age of thirteen and continues writing. She loves collaborating with the other members of her band as well as other songwriters.
Chris-
Born on Long Island, NY, Chris started playing the drums at the age of seven. He moved to Rochester later on after graduating from SUNY Fredonia. He and Phil came to know each other in their twenties through mutual friends, and with a few others formed a band called “Bigtalk” which attained radio airplay here in the US and abroad (“Someday Probably Today”, “Keep On Walkin’”, and “In the pull of Jupiter”). Playing out at gigs, get-togethers and friends weddings seemed to be the trend for the six years that “Bigtalk” was in formation. Throughout those years, they collaborated and created some great songs….some of which are now performed by Spiriteast today. Now new songs are continuously developing through Chris’ great percussion talents and collaborations with the others in the band. Chris is definitely the glue that keeps everything in Spiriteast moving along.