Suicidal Poets Interviewed

1} What got this band together and started in this business?
Michelle was performing at a gig in a bar called Rosie's when she was approached by bass player Carmelo who expressed an interest in forming a band and writing songs/music together. The first song we wrote together was "Life is a mystery" and we went on from there to write many more. Carmelo knew Iggy (drummer) who in turn knew Dale (guitar player) and subsequently we met Hugh also a guitar player and the Suicidal Poets were formed. Our newest members are John and Steve both playing guitars.

2} Who writes and produces all the material for the band?
Carmelo writes and produce all the music and Michelle writes the lyrics. We collaborate on all aspects of the music. Sometimes Carmelo has already written a piece of music which incorporates the melody and I just follow it or I already have a new song/melody in my head which I tape and then work on further. Some of the Instrumentals are compose between Ish & Carmelo..

3} Who is the bands musical influence?
That is hard to do. Our main objectives are to stay away from everyone's style in order to stay original. The band consists of artists specifically selected for their particular talent and chemistry, whether they are Jimi Hendrix sound alikes or a John Bono freak. If you ask me about individual musicians, Michelle loves Dido, Cranberries, Janice Joplin, Soul II Soul, Aretha Franklin and Jewel. I like to listen to Tool, Moby, Train, Yes, > Pink Floyd, ELP and lots Of jazz John our guitar player loves Rush, and Steve, our rythem guitarists loves The Who. Our sound and style is a product of the freedom of musical expression that maintains in our band. Every past and present band member has contributed a little piece of their world to our music.

4} How did the band get together?
Michelle was performing at a gig in a bar called Rosie's when she was approached by bass player Carmelo who expressed an interest in forming a band and writing songs/music together. The first song we wrote together was "Life is a mystery" and we went on from there to write many more. Carmelo knew Iggy (drummer) who in turn knew Dale (guitar player) and subsequently we met Hugh also a guitar player and the Suicidal Poets were formed.

5} What is your musical background like?
Michelle (lead singer) has been in church choirs, folk groups and attended piano and guitar lessons from a very young age. Her family is also very musical, so it just was natural that she would pursue a career in music. I have been playing bass since I was 15 and was lucky to play with a few world known acts and not so known but great artists and learned so much from them. Our guitar player John comes from the heavy rock scene like Rush lately has found a love for the Blues. Steve our secong Guitar player likes a very wide range of Music from Southern Rock to the Who, Iggy (our drummer) has been playing off and on with Carmelo the bass player in different local bands since we were 15 years of age. He is like a brother to me. The same goes for Ish-Paul the keyboardist but he is on a different planet altogether. He listens to Beethoven and the like.

6} Any other members in your family that are musicians?
Quite a few between Michelle and I. I remember as a child this all night Jam sessions that when on until dawn.

7} What is the TOP reason why you want to play music?
I think I can speack for most of the band and say that it's mainly because we love to perform.

8} What has been your best show?
I have to say that mostly we have had so much fun on this band that all the hard work really has payed off but one show that comes to mind is the August 4th Multi-Cultural Extravaganza celebration held at Camp Combe Putnam Valley NY. YMCA The crowd brought blankets and chairs and camped out and played on the great lawn at Camp Combe. Although there were a variety of ethnic foods, the sausage and peppers were the first to go. The entertainment was non-stop until after 8 pm. Each entertainer thanked the Gods for keeping the rain up in the sky, where it merely threatened but did not come down. When the show producer introduced the "Suicidal Poets" band, no one knew what to expect. he explained that the bandÃ's name came about during one particular performance, when the lead guitar player cut his thumb which started bleeding, but he continued playing. When the guitarist finished, there was blood all over the place. The promoter said to the audience, "They were the kind of band that would rather commit suicide than disappoint you!" The name stuck.

The crowd loved us. The perennial favorite was the "youngster" Pete Seeger, who packed the crowd in with his storytelling, folk music and banjo strumming. As dusk began to fall it was time for the finale, a jam session made up of performers from the days events. Under the direction of Dave Amram, the band consisted of Ivan Santiago on percussion drums, Jose Ortiz on bongo drums, Carmelo Risquet on guitar, Michelle Risquet on lead vocals Iggy n drums, Rivera on saxophone, Hugh Grant on guitar, Robert LaBoudiere on tambourine and Adam Amran on guitar. For their first song they played Happy Birthday to Carmelo Risquet, with the audience singing along. It was truly a great show 9} Any good stories you want to tell us?
Lets speak a bit more about the bands influences. Believe it or not The band was first named "Claddagh" and it was composed of Michelle on vocals and Louise on acoustic guitar/backing vocals. Louise is no longer in the band as she went back home to Ireland. Carmelo of course played bass and acoustic guitar so it started out as a traditional Irish band but as we started to write our own material we sort of strayed into a more rock/pop sound. I think the Irish influence is still evident which without a doubt is attributed to Michelle who writes the lyrics/melodies. The name Suicidal Poets really comes from the song title Suicidal Poets where we describe how artists dedicate their lives to the arts only to be recognized for their work after they die. Their works are described as kissing the skies only to be returned which means their talent may die with them but is immortal and will live on forever in this world. It also describes competitiveness amongst poets to see who can use the most flamboyant speech/words hence the line "twist and wrestle with swollen words". It's the same with musicians. We really do live by that standard and will dedicate the rest of our lives to our music. There is no other way.

10} Any embarrassing moments on stage?
Actually yes last year on a hightly anticipated show I had somebody tune my bass and when we started the show My bass was completely out of tune on a very complicated tune and I must admit that I was pretty embarrace as I'm sure some people had to noticed..

11} Where can people access your music on the web? Click here for our home page; from there you will find links to other websites that will sell our CD's or freely download some of our demo samples or try us on http://www.evor.com/suicidal_poets.html or Sonic Garden... @ http://www.sonicgardens.com/sonic-web/artist.cfm?artistid=828

Jigg daddy here for the next installment of Shattered-dreams music mag. This month I take a look back at an interview I recently conducted with the hottest unsigned band from the New York area by the name of Suicidal Poets. The band is got one of the hottest females in the world playing in this band, if you don’t mind me saying. So let’s just get down to bidness here so you people can go browse the rest of this months issue. Also I encourage everyone to post on our boards in the Feedback area.

JAG 911-Hey Suicidal Poets tell us about your band and how you got started in the biz...

Suicidal Poets- Michelle (lead singer) has been in church choirs, folk groups and attended piano and guitar lessons from a very young age. Her family is also very musical, so it just was natural that she would pursue a career in music. I have been playing bass since I was 15 and was lucky to play with a few world known acts and not so known but great artists and learned so much from them. Our guitar player Hugh comes from the heavy rock scene but lately has found a love for Gospel and Jazz. Iggy (our drummer) has been playing off and on with me in different local bands since we were 15 years of age. He is like a brother to me. The same goes for Ish-Paul the keyboardist but he is on a different planet altogether. He listens to Beethoven and the like. Jag 911-Who are the bands musical influences... Suicidal Poets- We all come from different musical backgrounds. Janis Joplin, Aretha Franklin, Sade, Mary Black, Soul to soul, are a few of Michelleâ ™™s favorites. Carmelo likes rock like Pink Floyd, Yes, Tool, Train, ELP. Iggy our drummer likes classic pop and Hugh is into jazz, blues, gospel and R&B. Ish-Paul the keyboard player likes classical music. Jag 911-How did the band get together... Suicidal Poets- Michelle was performing at a gig in a bar called Rosieâ ™™s when she was approached by bass player Carmelo who expressed an interest in forming a band and writing songs/music together. The first song we wrote together was "Life is a mystery" and we went on from there to write many more. Carmelo knew Iggy (drummer) who in turn knew Dale (guitar player) and subsequently we met Hugh also a guitar player and the Suicidal Poets were formed. Jag 911-Where have you played and has the band played for any big time talent or open for... Suicidal Poets- We have had the honor to play with and opened for great artists such as Pete Seeger and David Amran. They were such nice, down to earth people. The show was televised on cable television upstate New York, still is I think. It was a Multi-Cultural event Extravaganza celebration held at Camp Combe, Putnam Valley, New York. The crowd of over 1,500 brought blankets and chairs and camped out and played on the great lawn, The entertainment was non-stop until after night fall. Each entertainer thanked the Gods for keeping the rain up in the sky, where it merely threatened but did not come down. When the producer introduced the "Suicidal Poets" band, no one knew what to expect. The promoter explained that the bandâ ™™s name came about during one particular performance, when the lead bass guitar player cut his thumb which started bleeding, but he continued playing. When he finished, there was blood all over the place. The promoter said to the audience, "They were the kind of band that would rather commit suicide than disappoint you!" The crowd loved us .The perennial favorite was the "youngster" Pete Seeger, who packed the crowd in with his storytelling, folk music and banjo strumming. As dusk began to fall it was time for the finale, a jam session made up of performers from the days events. Under the direction of Dave Amram, the band consisted of all the members of the Suicidal Poets, Jose Ortiz on bongo drums from the David Amram Orchestra, Michelle Risquet on lead vocals and David Amram on Keyboard. The Jam session ended with a Bass Solo by Carmelo our bass player that literally electrified the audience and even stunned David Amram himself. JAG911-Where do you see the band in 10 years... Suicidal Poets- We are presently working With Talent2k who claims they can get us signed in within a year as well as sending a few submissions to Taxy but so far the offers do not balance the work we have devoted to this project so an the meantime we are treating the band as an Independent Biz and we have been very successful at it. The band stated in a little garage about 5or 6 years ego and now we are on every website and ezine you can think off, we are getting offers from CD distributors from Japan to the States and even Air play. plus offers for venues all over. So only god know where we will be. We can only take it one at the time. JAG 911-How has the feedback been on your music... Suicidal Poets- The feed back has been fantastic , The band has had band reviews and CD reviews even from 16 time Grammy award winner Jazz Guitarists Carmine D'Amigo among others their so many great independent artists out there that we could not help to feel nervous about our CD at first but we have had so many great comments that has giving us so much encouragement. and confidante Is like ok we can breath out. Jag 911-What kind of connections have you made in the music biz or have you made any as of yet.

Suicidal Poets- We have met and in some cases even caught the attention of major producers like Lewis A Martinee who produced artists such as Vanessa Williams, Enrique Iglesias and The Pet Shop Boys to name a few. David Amram who has used our bands an a few occasions, loves us and even the managers For Pete Seeger who wanted to use us for the International New York State Rock Festival that by the way went cold after 911 and of course Talent2k who we had turned down a few times but kept on pressing that they get us what we are looking for. Also I must mention Frank Cotolo and Charlie from the http://www.evor.com website who have been promoting our band Frank was the writer for the Wolfman Jack television Show. You can find Suicidal Poets website @ http://www.evor.com/suicidal_poets.html or @ http://www.besonic.com/suicidal_poets where you can download loads of stuff from our band but those Mp3s are pretty close but not the same as the CD versions. You can find loads of pictures @ http://www.sonicgarden.com/sonic-web/artist.cfm?artistid=8281

JAG 911-Any final words for our readers and KJAG FANZ?...

Suicidal Poets- I Must add that KJAG and KMA have been great to us and Highly recommend to all indie and local Artists. They will get you air play and get your stuff heard!

And some of our tunes can be heard on KJAG The Attitude Radio Networks @http://www.listen.to/kjagradio Meet us back here next month for more in depth interviews with the bands making music and making the shape of the future of the music world. This article was written by The Jigg Jaguar a.k.a. The King of Mental Illness host of "The Jigg Jaguar Show" which is syndicated daily over The Jigg Jaguar Radio Network Check out his website at http://www.talk.to/jiggyjaguar Thank you, James Lowe KJAG The Attitude Radio Networks And KMA Entertainment http://www.kjagradio.cjb.net

Every group has the task of branding themselves with a name. It does not matter if it's a musical group or a civic group there is a name. Names don't always tell the whole story though. When I first started on the review of Suicidal Poets, before I listened to them I had a preconceived notion I would be listening to a hard edgy rock band. Instead I found a band, whose music was in a way mysterious, haunting and though not hard it has its own edge, and now I realize that the name "Suicidal Poets" appropriate.

The lead vocals done by Michelle Risquet do remind one of a mix, of Madonna and Cyndi Lauper, the difference being in that Michelle is her own voice and talent. Carmelo Risquet is the other force behind Suicidal Poets, writing the music while Michelle writes the lyrics. It is easy to hear how well the two work together. The music flows well and the talent of the musicians in the group does come through.

The rhythms work well with the 80's style music. At times the music reminded me of the title song from the movie "A Never Ending Story", by the group Limahl. If you are familiar with that song you might get a glimpse of what to expect when you listen to Suicidal Poets.

The songs I listened to were on the EvoR site. The 3 songs: "Just Tell Me Something", "Lay in Grace", and "Suicidal Poets". Gives a good listen for someone looking to check this band out. The song "Just Tell Me Something" an 80's style song with a good rhythm, and the most aggressive of the three songs. The other songs are more subdued and melodic. They do remind me to be in similar style as the Madonna song "This Used to Be My Playground".

The music is very reminiscent of eighties pop, it's up to you whether this is a good thing or not, considering the general slamming of that era's music. It is well crafted with clear lyrics, the musical style well woven. The Suicidal Poets are a group with a definite hook and may it grab you and pull you on it.

By Bill Carrera

SUICIDAL POETS Single (CD) (Own Release)
I liked the name the first time I saw it and it already reveals a sort of fragile melancholic thing and I think Suicidal Poets can be described as such or as someone else did : goth folk. Mind you, the essence of this New York band stays pop through and not in the least because of the voice of Michelle Risquet who is from Irish origin, she really sounds like a lorelei while the muisic is a sort of dreamy indiepopsound that can be best compared to The Sundays and on this cd the band are bringing 12 poppearls….and with their music having scored well on lots of websites that promotes unsigned bands we know they have a future and yup, better admit it, Michelle looks dead sexy too!!!

       The Original Sin    http://mitglied.lycos.de/DreamsNeverEnd/original.htm
    --The Original sin Magazine 10/20/2002

Monthly Award for Best Local and Unsigned band

Exclusive interview with The Suicidal Poets

The Suicidal Poets boast influences ranging from Aretha Franklin to Pink Floyd to meanderings of a classical nature. In New York, their reputation has been built upon electric live gigs and a clutch of memorable and touching songs yet over here they’re yet to break it big.

However, all that might be about to change as The Music Press.co.uk catches up with guitarist Carmelo Risquet. . .

In what’s been billed ambitiously as their most revealing interview yet, The Suicidal Poets talk about love, life and music.

The Suicidal Poets are an ambitious band from America's second capital. Their music epitomises today's youth, bringing together raw emotion, drive and musical flair. Carmelo flamboyantly describes the origin of the name as "artists' dedication of their lives to the arts only to be recognized for their work after they die".

In today's pop-dominated Britain, a band with talent is a rare thing. However, as well as rare, The Suicidal Poets are real. They write and produce their own songs and they might yet take the UK by storm. But their influences are not as alternative or wayward as their music so often suggests. The band confess to liking that man whose songs are on all the adverts, Moby and pop soulstress, Dido. Expanding on this, the band are a little more forthcoming and the answers a little more favourable: they list Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd and U2 among others.

As well as a common hatred of the recent trend of manufactured bands, the band are keen to tell us more. I asked Carmelo why the world needs The Suicidal Poets.

"I feel what others lack we can offer like true musicianship and originality. We try very hard not to sound like anyone else and therefore have developed our own place in the music world. . .

I love so many different artists and different types of music that just listening to everything has maybe influenced an original style of my own."

Whilst Carmelo and the gang don't go for experimental or even commercial pop music in the same way as other recent bands, they are keen to emphasise the heart and soul that goes into their records. Carmelo expands,

"our music comes from the soul and every single word and chord has deep felt meaning, something that can never be reproduced". . .

The Suicidal Poets even claim to be fans of traditional Irish music. The band explain, "as we started to write our own material we sort of strayed into a more rock/pop sound but I think the Irish influence is still evident which without a doubt".

SMALL TALK:

The Music Press.co.uk speaks to The Suicidal Poets

The Music Press.co.uk catches up with the American band to tell us more. . .

Firstly, describe the origin of the name “Suicidal Poets”. I’m intrigued!
The name really comes from the song title Suicidal Poets where we describe how artists dedicate their lives to the arts only to be recognized for their work after they die. Their works are described as kissing the skies only to be returned which means their talent may die with them but is immortal and will live on forever in this world. It also describes competitiveness amongst poets to see who can use the most flamboyant speech/words hence the line "twist and wrestle with swollen words". It's the same with musicians. We really do live by that standard and will dedicate the rest of our lives to our music. There is no other way.

What would you describe as the band’s main influences?
That is hard to do. Our main objectives are to stay away from everyone's style in order to stay original. The band consists of artists specifically selected for their particular talent and chemistry, whether they are Jimi Hendrix soundalikes or a John Bono freak. If you ask me about individual musicians, Michelle loves Dido, Cranberries, Janice Joplin, Soul II Soul, Aretha Franklin and Jewel. I like to listen to Tool, Moby, Train, Yes, Pink Floyd, ELP and lots Of jazz, Hugh our guitar player loves Gospel & R & B, and George, our new drummer loves heavy metal. Our sound and style is a product of the freedom of musical expression that maintains in our band. Every past and present band member has contributed a little piece of their world to our music.

Why does the world need The Suicidal Poets?
I feel what others lack we have to offer like true musicianship and originality. We try very hard not to sound like anyone else and therefore have developed our own place in the music world. I love so many different artists and different types of music that by just listening to everything has maybe influenced an original style of my own. We have worked very hard from the first chord to the first verbal muttering on our music. It came from the soul and every single word and chord has deep felted meaning something that can never be reproduce.

Let’s speak a bit more about the band’s influences. How has traditional Irish music crossed over in to your sound?
Believe it or not The band was first named "Claddagh" and it was composed of Michelle on vocals and Louise on acoustic guitar/backing vocals. Louise is no longer in the band as she went back home to Ireland. Carmelo of course played bass and acoustic guitar so it started out as a traditional Irish band but as we started to write our own material we sort of strayed into a more rock/pop sound. I think the Irish influence is still evident which without a doubt is attributed to Michelle who writes the lyrics/melodies.

A question for Carmelo: who are your favourite guitar players?
I have a lot of favorites but the first that comes to mind are Jaco Pastores, Ron Carter, Jeff Beck and Jimi Hendrix. Their playing styles have influenced many of my bass licks and musical compositions.

A question for Michelle: what do you think of Bjork?
It's funny you ask that question because my sister kept telling me to listen to Bjork and I never got around to it. Since you asked me that question, I borrowed the CD from a friend and I'm hooked. She is wonderful and very unique which I admire. She reminds me a bit of Sinead O' Connor, Alanis Morrisette and The Cranberries all thrown in together but at the same time different. Her voice is magnificent, so raw and so real and unspoiled. The lyrics aren't bad either, I'm a sucker for good lyrics.

So tell us where you will be playing next. Any plans to hit the West Coast and will you be coming to the UK soon?
This summer and progressively the remainder of the year we will playing NY. NYC. NJ, Going west is a big possibility since the record companies we are dealing with are mostly based there. It's likely that Michelle and I will be making some appearances in March of next year in Spain and Ireland We hope to hop over to the UK and gig there as well. The band has gained some popularity there and would love to meet some of our fans.

Finally: if you weren’t musicians what do you think you’d be doing: soccer players, selling burgers? Tell me more!
Life without music would be an empty world for me, when I'm not writing or arranging music I'm playing it or listening to other artists looking for fresh ideas. I also love to play chess and have played in a few international tournaments. But I hardly play the game anymore.

Making money by investing in real estate or by creating an invention. I have two inventions that I think would sell but I'm not gonna tell you. Of course you need money for all of this which is an obstacle but I'd sell hotdogs if I thought it would make me rich but I'm not complaining because I have a very good job

http://www.themusicpress.co.uk/

Suicidal Poets Suicidal Poets display a plethora of style & diversity whilst carving out there own unique niche in the music world. The enthralling vocal charisma of Michelle Risquet propel the dynamics of Suicidal Poets along with fellow songwriter Carmelo Risquet. Their compositional & production skills coupled with Carmelo's bass/synthesizer work & Michells's guitar playing, are a perfect compliment to fellow band members "Iggy" Ignacio's drum/percussion excursions ; Hugh Ford's lead guitar flourishes & Ish-Paul's keyboard nuances. From the opening sequence of "Just Tell Me Something" with it's imaginative & unique vox quality, it's obvious that Michelle Risquet has an alluring vocal range & timber that is highlighted in her tenor pitch that is a magnetic element in the bands sound. As the atmospherics of "Lay In Grace" settle in, the dramatic balladry & piano exude a somber shadow like effect ; Whereas "Life Is A Mystery" & its acoustic proto-pop folk mirror the Gaelic folk tinged alternative exploration of "Suicidal Poets". In songs like "Digital Moods(Electric Dreams)" the listener is witness to an ambient cascade, whereas "Echoes In A Curved Mirror" offer a textural world beat flavor of free form avant garde soundscapes. These works are reflected in the world fusion flute splashes of "I'm The Only One" to the ambient experimentation of "Ground Zero(Wasted tears)." Other cuts such as "Ashes" further explore this territory with its alt-avant orchestrations & production dynamics. Suicidal Poets have this extraordinary capacity to variate & segue into other enabling musical modes as is the case in "Love Is Lonely" with it's pop/r&b post modernism to "Cries Of War" which segues into a guitar edge oriented pseudo metalism. In "Silver Horses" we are treated to a blues tinged fusion with time signature changes. Turning another page as Suicidal Poets is so adept at doing can conjure up cuts such as "Silhouette" with its coffee house alt-folk, or other tunes like "You Got The Feeling(Trance Demo Project)" & it's hypno-dronic techno-pulse. One may then approach another chapter to find the band in free form with synth bass & horn punches via "Visions From 3 Pictures" or the alt-fusion of "The Smoke Room". When Suicidal Poets choose to become more intimate in their audio muse, we are delighted to listen to "Sea Of Love" with its string flourishes or the alternative avant pop rock of "No Less Than You". Taking us a step further with "Falling" , Suicidal Poets highlight a contemporary acoustic reflective chiming pop flair. Or in "Part Of Me" we hear the warm unpretentious humanity of the gifted vocal dance of Michelle Risquet & again come full circle in a musical meridian that radiates outward to the listeners senses & makes us aware of the unique creativity & artistic complexity that sublimely manifests itself in the musical magic of Suicidal Poets. Review http://www.u-g-a.com/SP/main.htm Spotlight http://www.u-g-a.com/ARTISTS/artists.htm

A fascinating sauce of Celtic strings, deep synth bass, guitar and choirs. Gershwin meets Celtic/New Age Romance?
Suicidal Poets: Without You

This begins with sampled vocals, stirred into a fascinating sauce of Celtic strings, deep synth bass (probably), guitar and choirs. Where it really succeeds is in the strange meeting of modal minor key changes, bluesy flourishes, and distant monastic chanting. Gershwin meets Celtic/New Age Romance? Unfortunately, I have not yet downloaded the Part Two of this extended instrumental, but am very much looking forward to hearing it. Listen to this a few times before deciding whether you like it or not - it will bear repeated playing. I suspect that it will obtain the best effect when wedded with its sister track. Even then, this does stand alone as a "prelude". There is more to come...

Aeon7 - reporting from the ever-silent choir of the voodoo-hoodoo sex-hungry orchids.

Suicidal Poets Review- By EVOR Staff reviewer Joel Pirard
This New York City-based band is anchored by Irish-born lead singer Michelle Risquet and Carmelo (-- the two met in NYC), who together write most of the songs. Carmelo plays bass, acoustic guitar and synthesizers. Guitarist Hugh Ford, drummer/percussionist Joe Ignacio Rodriguez and Ish-Paul Perez on keyboards round out the group.

I am a sucker for good female vocals. This band has them, in great quantity. I am reviewing "Just tell Me Something".This song is a fairly commercial sounding rocker, that is quite bouncy and has a real pop feel. Very radio friendly.

"Ashes', simply put, has great atmosphere, and beauty, lush orchestrations, and very melodic acoustic guitar in the intro.Segues into intense soundscapes, that evoke all kinds of images, haunting vocal, stabs, mixed well in the background, leading to an aural climax that is superb, the piano, sneaking in and out of the arrangement, this is INTENSE.

"Echoes In A Curved Mirror" is an extended 17-pjus minute epic, that leads in with what apparently is a trademark Suicidal Poets' approach. This piece goes into so many modes and moods, that it needs to be listened to more that once. The guitar work is intense.

'Cries of War" features Michelle again in her signature style. The song rocks and has good hooks and is a fast-paced. I am very taken with the approach to writing these guys have, and am not at all surprised that their music is HEAVILY featured all over BESONIC's international charts.
This song probably kicks ass live! My overall rating is a SOLID 9 ! (out of a possible 10)

National Media Networks
Interview 3/15/02

NMN: What got this band together and started in this business?

Artist Response: Suicidal Poets
Michelle was performing at a gig in a bar called Rosie’s when she was approached by bass player Carmelo who expressed an interest in forming a band and writing songs/music together. The first song we wrote together was "Life is a mystery" and we went on from there to write many more. Carmelo knew Iggy (drummer) who in turn knew Dale (guitar player) and subsequently we met Hugh also a guitar player and the Suicidal Poets were formed.

NMN: Who writes and produces all the material for the band?

Artist Response: Suicidal Poets
Carmelo writes all the music and Michelle writes the lyrics. We collaborate on all aspects of the music. Sometimes Carmelo has already written a piece of music which incorporates the melody and I just follow it or I already have a new song/melody in my head which I tape and then work on further.

NMN: Who is the bands musical influence?

Artist Response: Suicidal Poets
We all come from different musical backgrounds. Janis Joplin, Aretha Franklin, Sade, Mary Black, Soul to soul, are a few of Michelle’s favorites. Carmelo likes rock like Pink Floyd, Yes, Tool, Train, ELP. Iggy our drummer likes classic pop and Hugh is into jazz, blues, gospel and R&B. Ish-Paul the keyboard player likes classical music.

NMN: How did the band get together?

Artist Response: Suicidal Poets
Carmelo knew Iggy (drummer) who in turn knew Dale (guitar player) and subsequently we met Hugh also a guitar player and we started Jamming at Iggys garage where you could not swing a cat but many many great songs came out of there.

NMN: What is your musical background like?

Artist Response: Suicidal Poets
We all come from different musical backgrounds. Janis Joplin, Aretha Franklin, Sade, Mary Black, Soul to soul, are a few of Michelle’s favorites. Carmelo likes rock like Pink Floyd, Yes, Tool, Train, ELP. Iggy our drummer likes classic pop and Hugh is into jazz, blues, gospel and R&B and. Ish-Paul the keyboard player likes classical music.

NMN: Any other members in your family that are musicians?

Artist Response: Suicidal Poets
Michelle (lead singer) has been in church choirs, folk groups and attended piano and guitar lessons from a very young age. Her family is also very musical, so it just was natural that she would pursue a career in music. Carmelo has been playing bass since he was 15 and was lucky to play with a few world known acts and not so known but great artists and learned so much from them. His Family also is full of musicians some are recording artists Our guitar player Hugh comes from the heavy rock scene and Also Has a few artists in his Family including his sister Patti Ford.

NMN: What is the TOP reason why you want to play music?

Artist Response: Suicidal Poets
I don’t know what wich is on top but I can tell you that there is nothing more rewarding then playing live to an electric audience, You can literally usurp their energy and become elevated to a higher level that you never thought you could. We all have different Ideas some of us love the studio and writing , others wish we would just jam out and some of the others just love the stage.

NMN: What has been your best show?

Artist Response: Suicidal Poets
The New York State festival last year where we had the honor to play with great artists such as Pete Seeger and David Amran. They were such nice, down to earth people. The show was televised on cable television. It was a Multi-Cultural event Extravaganza celebration held at Camp Combe, Putnam Valley, New York. The crowd of over 1,500 brought blankets and chairs and camped out and played on the great lawn, The entertainment was non-stop until after night fall. Each entertainer thanked the Gods for keeping the rain up in the sky, where it merely threatened but did not come down. When the producer introduced the "Suicidal Poets" band, no one knew what to expect. The promoter explained that the band’s name came about during one particular performance, when the lead bass guitar player cut his thumb which started bleeding, but he continued playing. When he finished, there was blood all over the place. The promoter said to the audience, "They were the kind of band that would rather commit suicide than disappoint you!" The crowd loved us .The perennial favorite was the "youngster" Pete Seeger, who packed the crowd in with his storytelling, folk music and banjo strumming. As dusk began to fall it was time for the finale, a jam session made up of performers from the days events. Under the direction of Dave Amram, the band consisted of all the members of the Suicidal Poets, Jose Ortiz on bongo drums from the David Amram Orchestra, Michelle Risquet on lead vocals and David Amram on Keyboard. The Jam session ended with a Bass Solo by Carmelo our bass player that literally electrified the audience and even stunned David Amram himself.

NMN: What is the TOP reason why you want to play music?

Artist Response:
Fame, fortune and recognition

NMN: Any good stories you want to tell us?

Artist Response: Suicidal Poets
One night in Images in New Jersey when we were doing a gig,our bass player Carmelo ripped calluses off his fingertips while performing he really gets into his music and blood was spurting all over the stage, the band members and even the audience. The crowd was mesmerized thinking it was part of the act. One member of the audience even said "my god they really are the SUICIDAL POETS". We thought this was hilarious. We had lines of people looking for our autograph, which was very flattering

NMN: Any embarrassing moments on stage?

Artist Response:
Not really but our most disapointment moment came a few years ego when we were schedule to close the Columbus Festival In new York City with an audiance of more then 30,000 people, after a few notes into our set the police stopped the show and by the time the smoke cleared the time had run out. Oh well.

You can view entire interview full of Pictures @
http://www.nationalmedianetworks.com/Interview/suicidal_poets_interview_3.htm

Suicidal Poets are A super talented band, their music speaks to the very soul of man. If you want to be amazed then you must check this one of a kind gem, A diamond that shines so bright it's blinding.

                              HEET!

Carmelo has not been afraid to experiment with mood, style - and even some daring improvisation - to extend the range of both musician and listener. The band will go far, since very few with popular appeal also have the courage or the artistic integrity to take this road.
"Visions From 3 Pictures (The Fuse)": The Suicidal Poets, clearly one of the best loved bands on the network, have consistently retained their "instant" pop appeal, while yet refusing to sell out and go all out commercial. Carmelo has not been afraid to experiment with mood, style - and even some daring improvisation - to extend the range of both musician and listener. The band will go far, since very few with popular appeal also have the courage or the artistic integrity to take this road.
There can be advantages, after all, in sticking to bouncy pop music for fluffy bunnies, soap addicts, and curb crawling film producers. Every performing artist wants the standing ovation, see the crowd go wild. Some financial remuneration for the weeks, months and years of hard work can be helpful. Taking risks is, well, risky.

I admire anyone who puts out a track 12 minutes and 15 seconds long for a free mp3 download for one thing. I was wondering what the band would come up with that would play almost as long as Beethoven's Moonlight Sonata. I was not disappointed. Once again, my hat goes off to the band. I am not a great film fan, though, since I like my mind to conjure its own pictures, and in any case, the rot was already well set in even in the great silent days. I mean, look what happened with Faustus - it wasn't only Hollywood that dumbed down the classics. It was happening right at the very beginning, even with those incredible art sets. The medium was more powerful than the guy directing the camera, the writers, the plot, the actors or the audience. One day it will stop having any effect at all, then we will dream again...

The track comes in with BIG film music sound. It's really a great intro, the helicopter's eye view of the Acropolis, wheeling down and panning out to the arena of the Gods. The scene quickly melts into one of the band rehearsing before the gig. A choppy welter of fusion riff, which drops down suddenly into cavernous booming depths. Carmelo walks to the window and looks out onto a strange vista. Suddenly that dream of last night began to make sense. She knew that she should never have given the blue bottle with the bone in to that man in the doorway. She spent all night looking for that bone and that bottle, but by the end it had turned into a small furry creature that lived in a caravan in the next-door neighbours back garden. Staying up to 6 am mixing the track certainly does weird things to your head.

After four or five minutes, a pale blue interlude and a delicious cascade of chords, a lone pianist goes mad in an attic. White horses surf in on a tide of glissando. The devil rises up over the village at the beginning of Faustus - which had nothing to do with Faustus, but the crowd loved the effect, just like they loved Jurassic Park 70 years later. The pianist turns out to be Beethoven. The Fur Elise is perhaps the definitive "unrequited love" song of all time. When Ludwig gave the song to Elise, she said it sounded like a funeral dirge. Elise, probably, did not have the crazy, unfathomable height and depth and breadth that Beethoven saw when he looked into his heart and saw the beautiful image of Elise. The secret of the Fur Elise is one that Beethoven could not utter, though it dances silently between the notes of every piece of music he wrote. He, like his contemporaries, and like most of western civilisation even now, built his Kingdom of Heaven from the bricks and mortar supplied by Plato. The fissure in that train of thought that today is a yawning abyss that still no one sees but the visionary, standing alone, caused a thousand symphonies, a million poems to be composed. Each one running - from fissure to fissure, from fissure to abyss. But as the Faithful know, the death of the Lord was a Glorious one. Even Faustus was saved, in the end (though not in my version, but that's another story).

We're back into the fusion riff, but more broken up. The camera pulls away from the band, revealing that the nightclub is now empty. Only the bust of Ludwig Van Beethoven, frowning, next to the mantelpiece.

Once upon a time, many earnest, marijuana toking pop music fans, tried very hard to like The Beatles (well, really John & Yoko's) "Revolution Number 9". In those days, art was becoming painfully self conscious, resulting in the "deconstructionist" phase in schools and colleges that has inspired the new age movement of today. Pop music began to take itself seriously. John Cage wired up a piano, and the Velvet Underground wired up an entire generation on speed. Narcissus looked at Narcissus, and both of them were strangled by weeds. Beatle Paul sang: "And in the end, the love you take, is equal to the love you make." I always thought the impression created by the music was so much better than the lyrical ideas! I doubt if Paul read Plato, but Plato must have known that one day, the Ideal of Perfection would be replaced by the Ideal of Your Whim. Woolworth introduced Pick 'n' Mix selections about the same time that Hey Jude was climbing up the charts towards the number one position. Great tune!

"Visions From 3 Pictures" actually works where "Revolution" fails to work. "Revolution" had the advantage of being created by The Beatles and the fact that it could have been created on two Fuji Cheri reel to reel tape recorders (for all I know). But I don't want to listen to it! I DO want to listen to "Visions from 3 Pictures", and I know exactly why. It is emotional, emotive, and visionary - as opposed to conceptual. I prefer to see fish swimming in the sea than frozen in tanks.

If my memory serves me well, this unusual anthem has already topped several charts here at BeSonic. I shall continue to follow this band's career with interest. Watch this space!

Review By Aeon7
Electric Dreams, by Carmelo Risquet. This number, which has been retitled I think, so as to liberate it from the slightly stifling "digital" tag, demonstrates that Suicidal Poets have the potential to be more than just another pop band. The theme which begins and ends this instrumental piece is a dreamy D minor mood over a few chords, which opens out into a more open-ended modal exploration which immediately evokes nostalgia. The moments where the tonality is uncertain, through key modulation which is probably the result of improvisation either in the performance or the mixing, all work with remarkable effectiveness.
I hesitate to label this with influences or further genre definition (how many reviews at Besonic are nothing more than a genre classification or a list?) as all music like this is really a "mood", which can only be created by musicians with a certain degree of emotional sensitivity. I'm not sure of the actual instrumentation, there is plenty of keyboard ambience, an insistent echoed guitar, possibly mandolin, and some rather fabulous sax, with plenty of added percussion effects.
On a purely personal note, I find that much percussion in new age and other instrumental music that's around, I could do without - it seems obligatory to have drums rolling around and cymbals crashing. (Though I do like the chime or bell sounds on this one.) Maybe if I say it often enough, some of the more inventive musicians doing contemporary sounds might be brave enough to drop the drum kit and percussion range? Not everyone will understand or appreciate that sentiment - I happen to think that even some of Ennio Morricone's best loved pieces would sound better without the drum tracks. But that's really quibbling, I just think that the percussion and drums have been "over-extended" in all music since the 80's, to the degree where you can sit in a cafe now in some provincial nightmare like Bath, Somersetshire, and hear the most incredible drum tracks, from some Acid Jazz label or other, and it all sounds completely "normal". If anyone heard those sounds 20 years ago or more, they would fall over, but we are now conditioned to super percussion engines and bionic drummers with hi-tech kits.
This is a great blend between nostalgia - without the cloying sentimentality that so often spoils the dream in other music - and what is at times slightly sinister, ominous. I hope that the Poets will continue to experiment and stretch themselves out with more adventures into the musical worlds that are beyond the mundane preoccupations of a million tv watchers watching themselves watching nothing fill emptiness until death intervenes... at the very moment when no one was watching.

Better to make doorways in space and pass through them without ever looking back. Not from fear, but from knowing, and from knowing there's a better way. And that is the acceptance of change as the necessary condition of the universe. Death, or rather the slavery that arises from belief in it, is merely a condition of not knowing, which is ignorance. So let there be light, and after that, night! Come play, in the music of the ages, in the endless orchards that are woven between the cleft hooves of the old god - not dead, but dreaming. Aum.

Suicidal Poets

One of our dearest friends here at besonic.
The music is great and now they are another artist
that is showing besonic a real sense of community.
22.04.2001 TornadoRecords about Suicidal Poets

Suicidal Poets is more then music. With their poetic lyrics and their music originality this band will make it in the music busniess.
The band are a cross over between many different styles of music including Folk, Rock, Pop, and many more.

Suicidal poets launched onto the internet scene in April 1999 and since then the band have had a spiral of success.

The band has now been included on several compilations CD's including the highly acclaimed compilation CD with loads of artist's.

Their unique electic style of music which ranges from pop, rock to gothic folk led by the lead songwriter of major produces like Lewia A Martinee who produced artist's like Vanessa Williams, Enrique Iglesias and The Pet Shop Boys to name a few many credits go to Dale Straitour guitarist and Iggy our Drummer who first knocked on my door and ask me to come out and play again after a long absence from the music scene.

WELL DONE!!! We are always here for you if you need any help.

It’s seems as if features are in vogue at the moment, the more the better. “Lay in Grace” has been featured now for the fourth week in a row on the German site “Yahoo musik” and now Life is a Mystery took the #1 spot dropping “Lay in Grace” to #2. Supposedly “Suicidal Poets” was to be “feature of the week” as well but there’s only room for 4 songs and Suicidal Poets are already occupying 2 of those spots, maybe next week. The direct link is http://de.music.yahoo.com/71/ there are 2 other great artists being featured this week. Check them out as well. ((((((( Support your Community artists ))))))) The Suicidal Poets seem appropriately named -- at least for the most part.
This New York City-based band is anchored by Irish-born lead singer Michelle Risquet and Carmelo (-- the two met in NYC), who together write most of the songs. Carmelo plays bass, acoustic guitar and synthesizers. Guitarist Dale Streit and drumnmer/percussionist Joe Ignacio Rodriguez and Ish-Paul Perez on keyboards round out the group.
It is Michelle's gentle, seductive and ghostly vocals that give the band its identity, its signature sound -- an eclectic alternative/pop rock type of sound. At first, the overall atmosphere is, well, haunting -- right from the Gothic title design Song Suicidal Poets on the CD. Consider the lyrics: "Scenes from my nightmare, pictures from a coma...where suicidal poets twist...and wrestle with swollen words...I want to pour ink all over you and leave my mark. I want to hear you call me from beyond and lay your icy fingers on my form." (the "icy fingers" part is repeated numerous times)
The other tunes are "Just Tell Me Something," which breaks suddenly from the "lifestyles of the strange and eerie" to a more 80's/pop-sounding (dare we say Cyndi Lauper?) song, also woth mentioning what is probably the prettiest melody in "Life is a Mystery" and "I'm the only One," turning back to the spooky, dark mood with Michelle's best vocal efforts on the CD. next to "Lay In Grace".

(Suicidal Poets - Life is a Mistery
            
Wiebke Greinus

Suicidal Poets Lyrics Review For a little twist on the News the lyrics to Suicidal Poets were skipped from the semifinalist Poetry competition and advanced into the finals in the International Open Poetry Contest Held by the International Library of Poetry. www.Poetry.com So far the poem is doing better than the Lyrics for “Cries of War” which won in 1995 and was published by the International library of poetry that year. They were so impressed by the lyrics for Suicidal Poets that “Nature’s Echoes” offered to publish our poem in what promises to be one of the most highly sought after collections of poetry they have ever published. Schedule for publication in Spring 2001. This is what the International Library of Poetry had to say about our poem. “Your Poem was selected for publication because of its unique perspective and your artistic vision. We believe that it will add to the importance and appeal of this edition. You should be genuinely proud of your accomplishment. Of the thousands of poems we read each year, only a fraction can be published. We are pleased that “Suicidal Poets” will appropriately achieve the recognition that a national publication can give it.” Now we have to keep our fingers crossed for the John Lennon Songwriting Competition. Scenes from my nightmare,pictures from a coma. Extremist freaking out,hiker going nowhere. Where suicidal poets twist and wrestle with swollen words, that can't be swallowed but kiss the sky only to be returned. I want to pour ink all over you and leave my mark. I want to hear you call me from beyond and lay your icy fingers on my form. Moisten my body with your breath and penetrate my soul. Within your clenched fist I am trapped inside me, beneath your skin is where I can be free. I want to pour ink all over you and leave my mark. I want to hear you call me from beyond and lay your icy fingers on my form. Suicidal poets exchanging words which bear no weight, Torment my brain and leave me bloody speechless. I'm left alone to gather broken pieces. I want to pour ink all over you and leave my mark. I want to hear you call me from beyond and lay your icy fingers on my form. (©1997 A.S.C.A.P)

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Lay In Grace
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Lay In Grace

The Suicidal Poets seem appropriately named -- at least for the most part.
This New York City-based band is anchored by Irish-born lead singer Michelle Risquet and Carmelo (-- the two met in NYC), who together write most of the songs. Carmelo plays bass, acoustic guitar and synthesizers. Guitarist Dale Streit and drumnmer/percussionist Joe Ignacio Rodriguez and Ish-Paul Perez on keyboards round out the group.
It is Michelle's gentle, seductive and ghostly vocals that give the band its identity, its signature sound -- an eclectic alternative/pop rock type of sound. At first, the overall atmosphere is, well, haunting -- right from the Gothic title design Song Suicidal Poets on the CD. Consider the lyrics: "Scenes from my nightmare, pictures from a coma...where suicidal poets twist...and wrestle with swollen words...I want to pour ink all over you and leave my mark. I want to hear you call me from beyond and lay your icy fingers on my form." (the "icy fingers" part is repeated numerous times)
The other tunes are "Just Tell Me Something," which breaks suddenly from the "lifestyles of the strange and eerie" to a more 80's/pop-sounding (dare we say Cyndi Lauper?) song, also woth mentioning what is probably the prettiest melody in "Life is a Mystery" and "I'm the only One," turning back to the spooky, dark mood with Michelle's best vocal efforts on the CD. next to "Lay In Grace".

(Suicidal Poets - Lay In Grace)
Mehr Informationen zu dieser Band

This just in..
about SUICIDAL POETS:    ..talk back!

Suicidal Poets The song 'Suicidal Poets' is described as 'Folk Gothic Rock', and I thought it would be inspired by the late Romantic era poets, but in fact it was inspired by a film about someone in a coma who has nightmares... 23.12.2000 Aeon7 about Suicidal Poets The Suicidal Poets - what a great name for a band - are lead by singer Michelle Risquet who has her pristine torso elegantly displayed on the band photo. The Poets are a New York band, though Michelle hails from Ireland, and consequently the band have gained some popuarity there. Eclecticism in music appeals to me, and so do 'poetic lyrics', so I listened especially to two tracks, 'Just Tell Me Something', and 'Suicidal Poets'. 'Just Tell Me Something' is basically pop, though it positively thunders along on the back of a powerful rock bass and drum work out. The vocals are close in to the mic for the main part, which I suspect is Michelle's preferred style, and stretch out a little more on the choruses. Obviously the production here is aiming at a commercial sound, and gets it. My only reservation is that more could be done by throwing the 'pop hit sound' text book out of the studio window, maybe, and trying to find something more unique and perhaps more daring instrumentally and structurally. It may be my own peculiarity, but I would love to hear the same song played acoustically and low. 'Just say you love me Just say you need me Just say you care for me Just say you want me ... Your constant lies are so transparent You act as though you couldn't care less.' Well, says professor Aeon (BeSonic's number one psychedelic guru, let's not forget), that is because this kind of 'love' has more to do with need, personal attachment and self gratification than anything else - it only ever results in the misery outlined above. It always leads to rejection because it is selfish to begin with. But try telling that to the girl who inspired this song lyric, she is probably the one who is going to buy the record! Maybe it will act as a kind of reflecting mirror for her to look at her own soul in, so she can see where she keeps getting it wrong - again, and again, and again... 'Suicidal Poets' is described as 'Folk Gothic Rock', and I thought it would be inspired by the late Romantic era poets but in fact it was inspired by a film about someone in a coma who has nightmares. For a moment there I thought it must be about Mr Average Citizen then (who won't be reading this, so that's alright), but no! This is more to do with art, and I found the lyrics very interesting: 'Where suicidal poets twist and wrestle with swollen words, that can't be swallowed but kiss the sky only to be returned. I want to pour ink all over you and leave my mark. I want to hear you call me from beyond and lay your icy fingers on my form.' Now I felt much more comfortable with this one than the last one! The band are not afraid to tackle ideas about the continuity of existence - I think they are growing on me. There is no doubt some considerable potential here. Overall, I suggest there are, basically, two ways the band can go, either more commercial and throw out the artistic integrity which is obviously right up front now, or less commercial and explore the whole dynamics artistically. Those who read my reviews regularly will know, of course, which way I would rather see it go, but then I don't give a flying sausage for anyone's ambition to become a record company slave. The band describe themselves as being comparable to Cindy Lauper, Madonna and Tina Turner. This, for me, is the grift. These are all examples of success, so far as that goes. But I could see so much more in Suicidal Poets if they cared less about that kind of success and more about art as being something you are rather than something you do - let alone something you can sell to a record company. To 'what gets my goat' on the BeSonic page, the band put 'Record Deal'! I wondered whether that was because they don't have one and would like one, or whether they have one and wished they didn't! Mmmm, well I have seen some very talented artists slaving away behind the counter in HMV stores just to pay off the debts they incurred - many years ago - from a nice little record deal. Ask Nina Simone how much she got paid for her last number one hit. (It was a lot less than it cost you to read through this post.) But you will think I am cynical and jaded. Everyone knows pop music is fun and makes people rich and 'empowered' to lead happy, creative, fulfilled lives... Meanwhile, I will be watching the progress of Suicidal Poets with a great deal of interest. This is Aeon7 reporting from the dark outskirts of an infinity you would love to know... but it's a smile on the void. Whatever next? Catch you later... --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Letter from Goldenhall Records 11/08/2000
Dear Suicidal Poets,
Golden hall records are putting together a promotional CD for the company.
There is normalcy a charge of $XXX.XX to use our service and industry contacts.
If you would like to be included on this CD to be distributed nationally we would extent to offer to place you for free. If you would like to accept this offer email us immediately
                                                   Thank You Golden Hall Records   

This is what the International Record Licensing Music Group had to say About the Suicidal Poets CD
Sampler
Congratulations you have been selected as one of eighteen artists to be included in our Maidem France,
Jan 2001 catalog and compilation disc the following is the song we feel would best represent your band at the show
At #1 Just tell me something
Maidem France is the largest industry trade shows in the world, with nearly 3,500 record labels from 96 countries attending. Our goal is to stablished a license, sub publishing or import export deal for our artists.
Each artist gets an entrée in our catalog + one full song on our compilation CD         

                                    Nov 12 2000
                                                Johnny Mendola

This is what IMG had to say About the Suicidal Poets CD Sampler

You Guys Rock!! You are the best group I’ve heard all week!! I love Your Sound!!
The material is very well written both musically as well as lyrically!! Amazing Vocals!!
Very reminiscing of Madonna in our opinion your work would be easily marketed to the right audience
Of music industry professionals!! Great mix great writing great sound!! Very marketable!!!!!
We feel you have got what it takes and you are ready for the next step.
Original Excellent
Drums Good
Bass guitar Good
Guitar Excellent
Keyboards Excellent
Vocals Excellent
Harmony Excellent
Complimentary Excellent
Style Excellent

suicidal poets
9 Jan 2000 15:46:12 GMT, Sept 2nd, 6th & 13th
featured track on MP3tv - lay in grace

musical pros
According to member Casmelo Risquet, the band's name was first formalized when "one night our bass player ripped calluses from his fingers while playing. He started bleeding profusely all over the stage and band members... when a member of the audience remarked 'God, they really are the suicidal poets'. They thought it was part of the act." Now that's rock 'n' roll.

musical cons
"Financially we're not in a position to produce properly and record our music so we do the best we can with our self-made home-recording studio."

host website
www.soundclick.com/suicidalpoets

home websites
www.farmclub.com
   www.garageband.com

significant others
Just Tell Me Something
Lay In Grace
Suicidal Poets
Silver Horses
Life Is A Mystery

perfect day
They might be contemplating death, but the Suicidal Poets' idea of a perfect day is rather optimistic: "Being featured in front of 135 million viewers or receiving our first music grammy." Not too morbid, eh?

Visit NOW at http://www.now.com

Artist: Suicidal Poets
CD: Suicidal Poets (Icy Fingers Productions)
By: Les Reynolds
Indie-Music.com
The Suicidal Poets seem appropriately named -- at least for the most part.
This New York City-based quartet is anchored by Irish-born lead singer Michelle Risquet and husband Carmello (-- the two met in NYC), who together write most of the songs. Carmelo plays bass, acoustic guitar and synthesizers. Guitarist Dale Streit and drumnmer/percussionist Joe Ignacio Rodriguez round out the group.
It is Michelle's gentle, seductive and ghostly vocals that give the band its identity, its signature sound -- an eclectic alternative/pop rock type of sound. At first, the overall atmosphere is, well, haunting -- right from the Gothic title design on the CD cover through the title track. Consider the lyrics: "Scenes from my nightmare, pictures from a coma...where suicidal poets twist...and wrestle with swollen words...I want to pour ink all over you and leave my mark. I want to hear you call me from beyond and lay your icy fingers on my form." (the "icy fingers" part is repeated numerous times)
The CD is only four tunes long, each lasting about four minutes and change.
The other tunes are "Just Tell Me Something," which breaks suddenly from the "lifestyles of the strange and eerie" to a more 80's/pop-sounding (dare we say Cyndi Lauper?) song, followed by what is probably the prettiest melody in "Life is a Mystery" and ending with "I'm the only One," turning back to the spooky, dark mood with Michelle's best vocal efforts on the CD.