Melissa Axel
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At just eight years of age, Melissa Axel was writing songs about the bittersweet journey of life, love, struggle, and inspiration—and not much has changed since. This proverbial "girl and a piano" follows in the heady footsteps of fellow redhead Tori Amos's early work, fusing a myriad of contemporary influences with her own strengths as a singer/songwriter to transform life experiences and emotions into songs that express the fear and joy and pain and love that connect us all.
With a degree in Management from the University of Florida, Axel has spent as much time in the "real world" as she has chasing her musical dreams. This business background has served her well: she serves as a music business consultant to fellow artists and co-produces events such as the Sister Hazel Angels of Mercy Benefit Concert, which united performers and local businesses in supporting the namesake charity of the well known folk-rock band Sister Hazel.
Axel continued to pen lyrics throughout her college years, developing a fluid and distinctive style of piano playing as she began composing while finding her own unique voice through a diverse background of artistic, business, and life experiences. At Boston's renowned Berklee College of Music, she completed a professional diploma with studies in songwriting, performance, music business, and production/technology. Axel also served as Co-Director of Heavy Rotation Records through the release of 2002's Shekinah 13 Artists compilation—the first album produced by a student-run label to be distributed by a major record company (Epic/SONY).
On full scholarship to the Interdisciplinary Arts Program at Nova Southeastern University in South Florida, where she hosted the eclectic music show The Authentic Life on Radio X 88.5 FM, Axel was also awarded a 2005 Cultural Scholarship for her work promoting arts education with Lovewell Institute for the Creative Arts in Sweden. As Creative Director of the stage production The Human Adventure, Axel incorporated much of her original music alongside popular electronic, rock, and film score pieces for a multimedia-, drama-, and dance-infused presentation of the "hero's journey" toward fulfillment and authenticity.
Relocating to Colorado, Axel was nominated for the 2007 Denver Mayor's Award for Excellence in the Arts and continues to assist fellow artists and organizations as an independent editor, writer, and music business consultant. She co-hosts a monthly Songwriters' Workshop at Boulder's award-winning Coupe Studios, hosts local songwriter showcases at several of the area's most respected music venues, and is the founder of the Colorado Artist Network music/arts co-op and event production house.
Available now only via digital download, Axel's sold out debut EP Free Time incorporates her love of electronica, jazz, and music for film. Recently given a scholarship to WOMAD Summer School in the UK, she continues to hone her songwriting skills and is excited to learn about African polyphonies and percussion from some of the world's most vibrant and accomplished performing artists from 28 July–2 August 2008! Axel is currently recording her first full-length album Transition, with a limited edition pre-release EP available summer 2008.
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“Everything I do is with the goal of creating a more positive environment for music to flourish—others’ music as well as my own. This includes my working with fellow musicians and arts organizations to help them develop their business and promotional skills, sharing my knowledge as well as my vision, and being genuinely open to all forms of expression, seeking the most positive forces to align my work with.”