NEW YORK (Top40 Charts/ Shore Fire Media) - The all-female string quartet ESCALA will land stateside on June 23rd with the release of their self-titled debut album on Columbia Records. Produced by Grammy Award-winning producer and legendary musician Trevor Horn (Cher, Seal, Paul McCartney, Pet Shop Boys,
Charlotte Church), the album fuses contemporary music with classical instruments to create a fresh and innovative sound.
Simon Cowell was bowled over by ESCALA the moment he heard them in the semi-finals of Britain's Got Talent. "They are completely original and they have got it all; remarkable dedication and training, looks, intelligence, the right attitude to make it big and music that has wide appeal. With their amazing stage presence as well, they are a rare talent."
ESCALA's debut album features the quartet's renditions of recognizable songs from a broad cross section of artists and musical genres. Songs include Led Zeppelin's "Kashmir" (featuring Slash), "Live and Let Die" by Wings and ESCALA's signature tune "Palladio."
ESCALA are: violinist Victoria Lyon (the great-great-grand-daughter of the renowned 19th century opera singer Jenny Lind), violinist Izzy Johnston, viola player Chantal Leverton and cellist Tasya Hodges. All four women studied at prestigious London music colleges on their way to becoming highly trained, professional classical performers. Recruited as part of a large string ensemble for a UK arena tour, the four women became close friends and after performing in front of 14 million viewers on Britain's Got Talent 2008 final, the quartet was signed by Simon Cowell to Syco Entertainment.
ESCALA made their U.S. TV debut on Oprah on May 11th with a performance of "Live and Let Die" as part of a special "World's Got Talent" show that included Susan Boyle and Simon Cowell.
Escala Track Listing:
1. Requiem for a Tower (Clinton Mansell)
2. Palladio (Karl Jenkins)
3. Kashmir (Featuring Slash) (Robert Plant/ Jimmy Page)
4. Finding Beauty (Craig Armstrong)
5. Children (Roberto Concina)
6. Live and Let Die (Paul McCartney/ Linda McCartney)
7. Chi Mai (Ennio Morricone)
8. Feeling Good (Leslie Bricusse/ Anthony Newley)
9. Sarabande (Handel)
10. Clubbed to Death (Rob Dougan)
11. Adagio For Strings, Op 11 (Samuel Barber)