SoundClick artist: Aisling Peartree - R&B/gospel/hip hop/folk/etc. singer and songwriter

I am actively working towards the day when my music will allow me to live my dream of being an activist for women, victims of violence, people of color, and inner-city neighborhoods.

Always looking to collaborate: bands, songwriters, producers. hit me up on myspace.com/aislingpeartree, or email aisling.peartree@gmail.com.

It's hard to define my genre, so I try not to. But I am a singer and songwriter, and I play a lil piano. Along the way I've been influenced and moved by (and I've sung some of their songs): Anita Baker, Donny Hathaway, Gladys Knight, Bonnie Raitt, Faith Evans, CeCe Winans, David Gray, Karen Clark-Sheard, Etta James, Tracy Chapman, Stevie Wonder, Whitney (pre-Bobby), Otis Reading, Sarah Vaughn, Usher (Burn and Moving Mountains), Mariah Carey (her first several albums not the new stuff yuck), Mary J., Timbaland, Tori Amos, Sade, Natalie Merchant, Jazmine Sullivan (After the Hurricane), Fiona Apple, Coldplay, Aretha, Eva Cassidy, Vivan Green, John Mayer, etc. etc.

I have been hired to sing for weddings and church services, Amen?! I was leading a band in NYC for a few months, covering some of my favorites. I did reference vocals for a few songwriters, hooks for rappers, and back-up vocals for R&B singers. I sang for showcases, NYC gospel competitions, amateur theater while at Columbia, and campus/sorority events. Now I'm back in Boston (I grew up in Dorchester- Upham's Corner), and I'm writing songs, recording, and singing with a jazz/R&B/soul band. our next show is Saturday 5/2 at Max's Blues Cafe (68 Field St., on Rt. 28 in Brockton), 9 pm. I'll be singing a set, covers and originals.

I am actively working towards the day when my music will allow me to live my dream of being an activist for women, victims of violence, people of color, and inner-city neighborhoods.

Always looking for bands, songwriters, producers, and beats to collaborate with/on.

Right now i'm loving After the Hurricane by Jazmine Sullivan, Knock You Down by Keri Hilson/Ne-Yo/Kanye, Gibberish by Ryan Leslie, Moving Mountains by Usher, etc.

Why this name?

cuz it's my name! pronounced ashleen.

Band History:

i just turned 26, and this birthday means more to me than any other, because this year i can honestly say i'm lucky and blessed to be alive, and right now my family and friends could be mourning me instead of celebrating with me. we have it in our power to stop domestic violence and rape, but only if we aren't afraid to talk about it. with tina turner, rihanna, jaslene from america's next top model, and halle berry, we have public reminders that women in this country and this world are not safe. and often it's violence at the hands of the ones we love most. more victims need to speak out. and everyone, male and female, needs to listen. those who have experienced violence and who are in the public eye would do us all a great service by sharing their stories and trying to effect change. i am one of the lucky ones, the ones who got out and managed to survive. there are too many who don't. we have to teach our young men never to hit, beat or rape. and we have to teach our young women never to stay. as women we also can't resort to violence, despite attacks from all sides on our bodies and souls. most importantly, we must get help if we have a problem being violent or tolerating violence. amen.

Favorite spot?

Born and raised in Boston (Dorchester- Upham's Corner), I've lived in Miami (Liberty City), I went to college in New York City (Columbia University '05) and then lived in the Bronx (South Bronx). I love Cape Town South Africa (I was so blessed to have been able to study abroad there and then go back a couple years ago!) I'm back in Boston n reppn the bean, trying to put Boston on the map in 2010!

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Photos