With Slow Down, her self-produced debut, Emilie Cardinaux establishes herself as an insightful, savvy songwriter with a voice decidedly her own. Drawing from the rich traditions of blues, folk, rock, and country music, Cardinaux (pronounced Car-din-oh) crafts compelling songs with thoughtful, intelligent lyrics. Her strong melodic sensibility veils subtle harmonies, which invite repeated listening. As a lyricist, Cardinaux portrays complex, often conflicted characters sustained by humor and optimism. Her tone easily shifts from sassy and streetwise ("Cowboys," "Same Place Twice") to contemplative and intimate ("Doesn't Take Long," "On Your Own"). As a singer, she conveys emotional depth and soulfulness, while her tone remains direct and unaffected. A versatile musician, Cardinaux plays keyboards, guitars, banjo, bass, melodica, and cello on the album, sculpting sophisticated arrangements that showcase her clear voice. Slow Down features standout performances by a number of noteworthy New York-based musicians, including bassist/guitarist Tony Scherr (Bill Frisell, Willie Nelson, Norah Jones) and drummer Shawn Pelton (SNL, Sheryl Crow, Bob Dylan). Whether playing solo or with her band, Cardinaux is a captivating performer, spontaneous and full of charm.
Born in Dayton, Ohio, Cardinaux now lives in New York City's East Village. A visionary educator, she is the founder of Outer Child, a creative music program for children in lower Manhattan. The Outer Child Band, featuring 10- and 11-year-old musicians and singers, performs regularly in the city on weekend afternoons for all-ages audiences. Recently, she and her students had the honor of recording with Pete Seeger on his upcoming single. Cardinaux is currently writing and recording a new album for and with children. Since 2010, she has acted as the vocal producer for young singers in Bubble Guppies, a Nickelodeon cartoon for preschool-aged kids. Cardinaux makes her Hollywood debut this year in the upcoming Garry Marshall film New Year's Eve, slated for release in December, 2011. She plays the role of the piano player in a fictitious band alongside Jon Bon Jovi, who stars in the movie. When she's not making music, Cardinaux designs and handcrafts fine jewelry.
