Artist description "Instead of covering old ground, XYRA's music begins where others leave off, exploring future themes with heartfelt emotive lyrics and vocals, as well as outstanding instrumental orchestration." ~+~ Russ Elliot - New Musical Discoveries - London

Music Style Progressive-Alternative ~ Goth/Art Rock with Pop sensibilities

Musical Influences U2, Siouxsie & The Banshees, Depeche Mode, Bryan Ferry & Roxy Music, Annie Lennox w/ Eurhythmics, David Bowie, T-Rex, Nico, Velvet Underground, Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, Jimi Hendrix, Procol Harum, Cream, Traffic, The Who, The Kinks, Jeff Beck, Psychedelic, Stones, Beatles, Incredible String Band, Donovan ~ Marlene Dietrich, Edith Piaf ~ Classical, World Traditions, Torch Blues and Jazz ... RADIOHEAD!

Similar Artists Siouxsie, Nico & The Velvet Underground, the mystical side of Zeppelin, Procol Harum, King Crimson, Peter Murphy, early David Bowie, Kate Bush, Annie Lennox, Bryan Ferry & Roxy Music, The Cranberries

Artist History In concert with powerful instrumentation, the songwriting and vocal abilities of Xyra Harper-Cann create a definitive edge and esoteric quality rarely found in contemporary Rock music! Over all, the material rouses interest among audiences and press alike, garnering favorable reviews locally, nationally and internationally. Nominated for a Grammy, Xyra and sundry players have released three self-published CDs, produced by Marco Delmar and mastered by Bill Wolf. The next CD ~ 'Liquid Light' ~ from which samples can be heard on MP3.com, is slotted for release in 2003. ~ In 2000, The Kennedy Center added Xyra & Verborgen to their official roster of artists. Additionally, in 2001 & 2002, XYRA (the band) was recognized by The Washington Area Music Association (WAMA). ~ Xyra & friends have played such notable venues as The Philadelphia Music Conference, IOTA, Blues Alley, BLACK CAT, The State Theater, and a TAXI-sponsored showcase @ DOWNTIME in NYC. ~ The BRYAN FERRY connection ~ 'While My Heart is Still Beating', written by Bryan Ferry and Andy MacKay, is one of the few cover songs Xyra and company have performed. Upon completion of recordings for 1999/2000 CD releases, including the Ferry/MacKay tune, Xyra discovered the wonderful world of Mechanical Licensing! After *1,500 copies had been pressed, it became clear that permission was needed from the original artist, Bryan Ferry, to market the CDs. In the process, the Xyra & Verborgen version wound up in the hands of publishing director for EMI/Virgin, Glenn Goldstein, who liked it enough to send it directly to Bryan Ferry. Subsequently, Xyra received a phone call from her agent in LA, saying that Bryan expressed 'personal interest in the artist and their career, and wanted contact information.' Obviously, besides being inspiring and encouraging, this was quite a relief. ~ Soon thereafter, the appropriate Mechanical Licenses were received from the Harry Fox Agency, in NYC, and all was 'comme il faut!' For additional bio information on Xyra & Verborgen, please visit: www.angelfire.com/va/XyraAndVerborgen

Group Members The XYRA Band: Xyra - vocals & rhythm guitar ~+~ Andrew Cann - Piano/MIDIs & 2nd lead guitar ~+~ Jeff Spencer - principal lead guitar ~+~ Ron Smith - drums ~+~ TBD - Bass ... The LINE_ (precursor to The XYRA Band): Xyra - vocals & rhythm guitar ~+~ Andrew Cann - Piano/MIDIs & 2nd lead guitar ~+~ Piano/MIDIs & 2nd lead guitar ~+~ Bret Empie - MIDI/keys ~+~ Doug Empie - Electric violin ~+~ Christian Nokes - electric guitar treatments ~+~.... XYRA & VERBORGEN: ~+~ Xyra - vocals ~+~ Andrew Cann - ~+~ Norm Thorne - Drums & percussion ~+~ Larry Lawrence - Fretless & hollow-body bass ~+~ Don Stapleson - Clarinet, flute & saxophone ~+~ Eric Ulreich - principal lead electric & classical guitars ~+~ Fred Lieder - Acoustic & electric cellos ~+~.... ~+~ EARLY VERBORGEN included: Cris Chillura - Spanish, dreadnought & electric guitars ~+~ Edwin Cleverdon - 6-string bass guitars ~+~ Robert Foglemann - Clarinet & flute ~+~... SPECIAL APPEARANCES: Marco Delmar - guitar overdubs on 'Liquid Light' ~+~ Robert Goldstein - mouth-percussion on 'I've Had to Know' ~+~....

Instruments Vocals; dreadnought, classical & electric guitars; piano/MIDIs; drums & percussion, bass, cello, violin, clarinet, flute, saxophone

Albums Xyra and company have various MP3 CDs available online - the commercially released CD albums are: Where Glass Birds Fly and Frightening Beauty - plus an EP: Shadows of Light - Noncommercial demos include: Red Sand of Mars, Chaos... In Search of Meaning - by Xyra & THE LINE, and Siren in the Water ... to be released commercially as LIQUID LIGHT!

Press Reviews National Public Radio and Public Radio International, including the world-acclaimed 'Talk of The Nation' and 'Metro Connection' with *Mark Jenkins* ~ 100 GANNETT News Service publications, including USA Today! ~ United Nations Magazine, Pacifica Radio, WRNR-FM, WETA-FM, WAMU, Radio Brazil, Radio FEDRA-Yugoslavia, The Washington Post, Washington Times, and Washington City Paper, among others

Additional Info Available through most online outlets, to include *CDNOW* and *Amazon.com* . You may also order from retail music outlets, including *Tower Records* via distribution databases, on location.

Location Arlington, VA - USA

Copyright notice. All material on MP3.com is protected by copyright law and by international treaties. You may download this material and make reasonable number of copies of this material only for your own personal use. You may not otherwise reproduce, distribute, publicly perform, publicly display, or create derivative works of this material, unless authorized by the appropriate copyright owner(s).