Natalia Bortolotti
1137 Hacienda Place
West Hollywood, CA 90069
natalia
Press
The Good Evol "Butterfly Crush"
-Kevin Huber, Skope
Over the years we’ve seen punk, hard rock and even alternative rock bands slowly erode into over-commercialized, corporate puppet shows. Talking to many music fans out there, the response is overwhelming. Give me something new, something raw, something that’s pushes hard and is going to kick me in the ass. Something that doesn’t sound like – well Nickelback. Give me band similar to The White Stripes, Nirvana, Foo Fighters, with a jagged edge, a bloody tip and a no holds barred musical delivery. Give me something real!
So across my desk slides the new CD by California’s own The Good Evol entitled Butterfly Crush headed up by infectious singer/songwriter Natalia Bortolotti. What I heard put a smile on my face. Finally a band that gets it, with music in the vein of Pink, Paramore, No Doubt, and Garbage. Butterfly Crush is some of the best new music I’ve heard in quite a while and delivers many of the aforementioned items I spoke about. You want full tilt rock, you want punk, you want music that is packed to the hilt with energy and is entertaining to listen to? Well look no further. This CD covers all the bases delivering solid playing and amazing songwriting (by Bortolotti and Scotty Smith) and a musical flair that just lets it all hang out.
Butterfly Crush by The Good Evol is what we’ve all been waiting for. It’s a polished sounding musical production from start to finish (Smith also doubles as producer) served up hot with great playing, solid writing and is a fun filled musical experience akin to a party that’s out of control. It’s definitely a musical production that gives us a fresh glimpse at a hot new artist and takes us back a few years, before everything started sounding like – well Nickelback.
IMD Pick of the Week - The Good Evol "Butterfly Crush"
-Cyrus Rhodes, Indie Music Digest
California based “The Good Evol” has just released their debut CD “Butterfly Crush.” Band members include Natalia Bortolotti (Vocals, Keyboards) and Scotty Smith (Guitar, Bass, Drums). Smith pulls double duty by also serving as the producer. When the band plays live they bring in additional players: Steve Sicular (Guitar), Derek Spreckelmeyer (Keyboards) and Terry Thompson (Drums). The band is known for their high energy live performances.
The CD kicks things off with “Butterfly Crush” a catchy intro piece that sets the stage rather appropriately. This first song explodes in your ears like a lemon explodes in your mouth. It has pulsating rhythms, against catchy vocals against a grand mosaic of exotic soundscapes and musical melody. Track 2 “Love Ate My Brain” serves up a steady rock driven groove against pulsating melody and vocal layering that can be described as captivating, mesmerizing and infectious. Track 3 “Do Over” explodes into a kaleidoscope of sound with everything from pulsating keyboard and synthesizer accents, to exotic layers of sound that come at you from every direction.
As the CD slowly unfolds I can hear many different musical textures reminiscent of Garbage, No Doubt, Pink and Paramore. The music is extremely melodic but definitely brings to the table a lot of musical variety and a degree of unpredictability. You will notice rich musical textures overflowing everywhere - rocking rhythm guitar, driving rhythms, synthesizers and keyboard accents, and well placed vocal harmonies.
The vocal abilities from Bortolotti fill the sonic space quite well and mesh well with the music perfectly. She is the perfect vocalist for a band like this. All band members play their parts extremely well song for song and note for note. The sonic overdubbing and mixing is packed to the hilt and is chock full of exotic soundscapes that lunge at you from every direction. There's not a dull moment on the entire production. The melodic layering is deep, the sonic ambience is infectious, and the music is rocked out and fun to listen to. From mesmerizing “My Future Ex-Boyfriend” to hypnotic “Perfectly Flawed” to passionate ”11 Steps to You” to rocking “Growing up in Public,” this CD has something for just about everyone. The CD ends with “Serious Delirious” the perfect finale statement for a CD of this caliber.
From start to finish Butterfly Crush is a rock solid production. It’s extremely consistent, catchy, original, and very melodic. It’s strength – a total blast to listen to and the songs are extremely catchy and marketable. All the songs grab you, refusing to let go. All in all, The Good Evol combine amazing songwriting and top flight originality, in a mix with rich sonic layering. Make no bones about it, these are two talented composers and performers. When the ride is over you will want to do it all over again.
The Good Evol "Butterfly Crush"
-Bob Leggett, LA Music Critic
The Good Evol has just released their debut album, “Butterfly Crush,” and to be honest, I have a “crush” on it. This is not your run of the mill attempt at crashing into the power pop scene – this band has a gift, and they know how to use it. The album has all the pre-requisites of a smash – great vocals, interesting lyrics and incredible musicianship. Lead singer Natalia Bortolotti has a unique, identifiable voice that will soon put her in the same class with Gwen Stefani, Amy Lee and Hayley Williams. Natalia’s bandmates are as equally impressive as No Doubt, Paramore and Evanescence. Although the sound is closer to No Doubt, I hear potential in this band and have “no doubt” that they can compete with these bands one-on-one.
The songwriting duo of Natalia Bortolotti and Scotty Smith have created a true work of art. Their songs are fun, irreverent, and highly commercial, as evidenced by their recent placements in film and television, including ABC, CBS, MTV, VH1, CW and WB networks. Their songs are well written, as evidenced by the accolades and awards they have received from VH1, Billboard and the John Lennon Songwriting Competition. If their live show is half as entertaining as the songs themselves, this band is on a one-way track to the top of the music charts.
Their songs take a long look at the world in general, and present their findings in a way that is fun to listen to. I found it hard not to get up and dance as I grooved to the sounds of title cut “Butterfly Crush” and “Love Ate My Brain.”
Do yourself a favor – head over to The Good Evol's website and check out these tunes. Then, go to CDBaby and download the entire album. I can guarantee this album will be on my list of the Top 10 albums of 2011!
The Good Evol "Butterfly Crush"
-Michael Morrison, Music Emissions
Most would agree that the majority of popular artists out there have something truly special to give to their fans. This goes above the typical attributes like raw talent, amazing songs, nice voice, or even a very marketable look, sound and image. There's something truly infectious at the core of these artists that simply makes us feel good when we listen to them. Whatever "it" is - they all seem to have "it".
Today I listened to Butterfly Crush from California-based The Good Evol. This duo consists of singer/songwriter Natalia Bortolotti and multi-instrumentalist/songwriter Scotty Smith. When the band plays live they bring in additional players: Steve Sicular (Guitar), Derek Spreckelmeyer (Keyboards) and Terry Thompson (Drums). The band is known for their high energy live performances.
From start to finish Butterfly Crush from The Good Evol delivers the goods and is a highly entertaining experience. It has a very strong indie-alternative rock quality and even dabbles in hooky pop. Any fans of any of these musical styles will enjoy this latest release from The Good Evol. It's clearly marketed for those who like the mystique of a fun female vocalist. I get the impression these two are just rolling with what they know as performers and songwriters.
Favorite tracks include Track 1 (Butterfly Crush), Track 3 (Do Over) and the final Track (Serious Delirious). The CD has an amazing feel and all songs are extremely radio friendly. Within each one of these compositions these two find their musical mojo. The playing, singing and songwriting is spot on and makes the whole CD more marketable. The overall vibe is very fun, reckless and cannot be easily controlled. This CD has party crashers written all over it.
I see The Good Evol as a diamond in the rough, with an amazing amount of potential. As time goes by we will no doubt hear from these two again. I am eager to hear what the next release will sound like. I am also eager to see what the future holds for these two, as they fit together like a hand in glove.
Most famous artists out there have "it". Whatever "it" is, The Good Evol (Natalia and Scotty) have it.
Pick of the Month - The Good Evol "Butterfly Crush"
-Markus Druery, Indieshark
The Artist: I recently checked out the latest release from Southern California's The Good Evol. This band is headed up by energetic front-woman Natalia Bortolotti. The CD is entitled Butterfly Crush and was released in 2011.
The Band: The duo of Bortolotti and Scotty Smith bring to the table some impressive playing. You will find many impressive chops and a slamming playing style presented along the way. Bortolotti definitely holds her own remarkably on vocals and definitely brings the whole project together. The music possesses a very marketable Alternative Rock sound that is unique. Some pieces even cross the line into Punk Rock and Power Pop. All in all great music to crash a late night party. Music is timeless, very upbeat, emotional and easy to grove to. It will remind you of classic No Doubt, Paramore and even Pink.
The Songs: All songs are well rounded with amazing highs. There’s nothing like a good musical production to fill your sonic space and this is definitely one of them. Simply put, this CD personifies the human experience, with music that is 100% honest, pure and genuine. Scotty Smith doubles as producer on Butterfly Crush. The production is professional grade from start to finish with crystal clear recording quality. You can listen to the songs time and time again.
The Good: Overall remarkably consistent, well rounded musical production by Scotty Smith. An honorable mention goes out to the remarkable vocal presence of Natalia Bortolotti.
The Bad: Nothing to report.
The Ugly: Nothing to report.
The Verdict: Butterfly Crush by The Good Evol is an impressive collection of music. Natalia Bortolotti has star quality and is a marquee talent within this band. Her musical personality shines with a rare brilliance comparable to a priceless gem. It clearly sets a standard within this marketable genre and the more you listen to it, the more it will reveal itself to you. Folks who want a catchy punk rock sound will love this release.
The Bottom Line: This CD is freaking out of control - in a good way. Every now and then it's an absolute pleasure to jump head first into the pool - naked and drunk. Need I say more.
The Art of Songwriting
-Darby Beck, Performer Magazine
It isn't uncommon for fans of rock music to dream about being in a band or writing a hit song. It is, however, exceedingly uncommon for them to actually get a shot at making a career of it.
Enter Natalia Bortolotti, who has lived the life of a recording and touring artist and now has the opportunity to continue her career in the music industry - behind the scenes.
Her former bands, Hopechild and 9 Red Sun, toured with the who's who of music, including Barenaked Ladies, Matchbox Twenty, Sheryl Crow and Train. They had their share of success, winning every major award - short of a Grammy. But, like so many bands, they eventually disbanded, and the members went their separate ways.
Normally, that would be the end of the story. But, for Natalia, that's just the first chapter.
"I'm writing stronger songs today, than ever before," Bortolotti said, "I know I'll just keep getting better."
And, the awards keep coming. Her most recent is from VH1's Song of the Year. "World is Wide Open," placed as a semi-finalist in the pop category.
"I always strive to write a song that I'd want to hear, a song that moves me," she said.
Natalia currently has a publishing deal with Warner/Chappell - one of the world's leading music publishers. She is also the Creative Director at Hit Song Central, where she writes and produces hit songs for Artist Placement and Film/TV and also develops and produces up-and-coming young pop stars. Her proteges have successfully pitched to Disney, Hollywood and Interscope.She also teaches Voice, Songwriting and Music Business, at her home studio in West Hollywood. Former students include American Idol, X-Factor and Platinum Hit Finalists.
She hasn't lost the performing bug, though. She continues to perform live with her new band, The Good Evol, which performs her new material, as well as some Hopechild and 9 Red Sun classics. They play with Hot Hot Heat June 27th at the Roxy.
Would she consider a return to the road?
"Sure, I love the stage, but the studio is my first love," she said.
Let's hope she reconsiders, so that fans across the nation can experience this brilliant songwriter and performer in their hometown.Songwriter Goes Behind the Music
-Kate Williamson, San Francisco Examiner
Songwriter Wins VH1 Award
Natalia Bortolotti's tunes win awards, air on teen TV dramas.
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Teenagers catching their favorite drama on The WB may not know it, but some of the music aired on shows like "One Tree Hill" and "Gilmore Girls" were written in their own backyard.
California native Natalia Bortolotti was recently honored in the VH1 cable network Song of the Year contest, for a song she co-wrote with San Jose resident Scotty Smith called "Your Only Other." It placed as a Top 5 Finalist in the Pop category, according to VH1.
The honor will add to her already long list of awards, from such industry giants as Billboard Magazine, California Music Awards, and the John Lennon Song Contest. Not surprisingly, her songs are regularly featured in film and television.The song, beautiful and catchy, is pure pop. But the idea behind the song is for mature audiences.
"'Your Only Other' is a song about being really happy with the relationship you're in, but not losing yourself in the relationship," Bortolotti said. "I really wanted to write a non co-dependent love song."
For inspiration, she looks to such successful songwriters as Linda Perry, who has written hits for Christina Aguilera and Gwen Stefani, Kara Dioguardi, who has written hits for Pink and Kelly Clarkson, and Diane Warren, who penned the LeAnn Rimes hit "How Do I Live," among many other hits."That would be the ultimate for me, to be the person to call when you need a hit song," she said.
She's working diligently toward that end, according to Smith.
"She's scary bright. She really listens to what's out in the marketplace. She really has her finger on the pulse of today's pop song," said Smith, adding that she's a stickler for perfection. "She'll get a hold of an idea and won't let go of it. I call it reeling in the marlin, the big fish. Most songwriters will settle."
Bortolotti approaches music looking for the quality that distinguishes her own favorite songs -- "something that moves me." Focusing on lyrics and melodies, she collaborates with other artists, such as Smith, to fill out the remaining parts. And when she dreams up a catchy tune, she's quick to get it down.
"I'll call my voicemail and leave the melody because I don't want to forget it," she said.
© 2012 Music By Natalia. All Rights Reserved.
1137 Hacienda Place
West Hollywood, CA 90069
natalia
