MP3 THE YAYAs - everything

Modern Folk, Acoustic, Singer/Songrwiter

10 MP3 Songs
FOLK: Modern Folk, POP: Folky Pop



Details:
The YA YAs are a tri-state trio comprised of three longtime friends, two instruments and one original sound. With bonds forged at college, The YA YAs have taken their varied artistic backgrounds and merged them into a unique musical expression. The band's quirky blend of folk and pop has been delighting audiences in coffeehouses, restaurants, and concert venues since 1998.

Catherine Miles' earthy, ethereal vocals are the center of The YA YAs sound. The resonance of her personal, yet universal, lyrics is matched only by the purity of her voice. Growing up on Long Island, Catherine spent many an afternoon singing with her grandmother. Later on, she spent many a night developing her voice, harmonizing with friends on Northport Harbor. The saucy redhead is also an accomplished visual artist, writer, actor, and Parking Goddess (an invaluable talent to have when looking for a spot at gigs).

Jay Mafale picked up his roommate's guitar one day and never looked back (even when that roommate came chasing after him). He provides the heartbeat of The YA YAs and adds a sparkle all his own to their arrangements. A graduate of The Greater Hartford Academy of Performing Arts in Connecticut and Hofstra University's Drama Program, Jay spent some time as a stand-up comic in a past life, which is obvious to anyone who's seen the band live. Jay also stars as Catherine's husband - a true role of a lifetime.

Never the third wheel, Paul Silverman began playing classical piano on his mom's Kimball spinet in New Jersey at age ten. Blown away by Gershwin, he followed the yellow bricks to musical theater before finding the long valley road to rock n' roll (although he has been rumored to play a mean accordion when no one is looking). Every time he plays in his favorite key of E-flat, Paul still thinks about his piano teachers, dreams of parmesan Goldfish, and wishes he, too, had a dog. Paul also is responsible for introducing Catherine and Jay, and, well...you know the rest.

The YA YAs' debut CD, "everything," is the culmination of years of work honing their style in live performance. The album was produced, mixed and engineered by Ben Wisch; known for his work with some of the best and brightest artists including Richard Shindell, Aimee Mann, Marc Cohn, Jonatha Brooke, Diana Krall, Lucy Kaplansky, Patty Larkin, Catie Curtis, Cheryl Wheeler, and Kathy Mattea. Joining The YA YAs on "everything" is legendary bassist and multi-instrumentalist Tom "T-Bone" Wolk; best known for his work with Hall and Oates, Carly Simon, Shawn Colvin, and the Saturday Night Live Band.

Apart, Catherine, Jay and Paul are brilliantly off-beat individuals. Together, they are in perfect time. Someone once said that seeing The YA YAs perform was like spending the evening with them in their living room - entertaining, inviting, a little goofy, and just a great night.