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Local artist Emily Wells scores for Project Runway

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Contributed by: Tracie Jackson on 3/4/2008

Indie darling Emily Wells of Highland Park and KCRW DJ Jeremy Sole were asked by Rami Kashou, a "Project Runway 4" finalist, to collaborate on a task, much like the tasks that Rami had undertaken during the show's season - create an extremely brilliant piece, in an unimaginably short amount of time, with a scant amount of money.

The outcome of their challenge - a lush sonic landscape, seeped in rich string arrangements and driving beats - was heard on the Bravo TV hit series finale that aired March 5.

During Fashion Week in New York City, at Bryant Park, the final threecontestants on Bravo TV's hit series Project Runway 4 revealed their collections to the gathered crowd.

As the models for finalist Rami Kashou took to the catwalk, prepared to 'own the runway', they strutted to the beats and strings created by the two extremely talented young artists.

Sole, host of "Branches" on KCRW, met Rami who explained his vision and theme. An Emily Wells fan, Sole played for the fashion designer a series of modern symphonies currently being written, performed and recorded by Wells.

After the first track, Rami knew that Wells and Sole were the two that could create the perfect aural backdrop for his Joan of Arc-themed collection.

Wells' latest record "Beautiful Sleepyhead and the Laughing Yaks" was released in 2007 to rave reviews and critical acclaim. iTunes chose Wells as an Indie Spotlight Artist and NPR featured her music on "All Songs Considered."

Throughout the past year, she has built up a strong following nationwide. When speaking with Wells about the project, she excitedly tells how she and Jeremy created the nearly seven-minute piece of music.

"We were guided from the beginning by Rami's theme of Joan of Arc, so we went for a mix of beauty and strength topped off with a little femininity and might," Wells explained one foggy afternoon in her studio nestled in the hills of Los Angeles.

"The process was basically Jeremy and I holed up in my studio for a week, building off of classical chord progressions," she said. "While much of the instrumentation was created by real instruments, we brought an old-school hip-hop flavor with an MPC 2000. The end result is a model's strut with a little street grit."

Wells is currently recording a new record titled "The Symphonies: Dreams, Memories & Parties."

While this record is a departure from her earlier releases, Emily, who began playing violin at age of 4, is excited by her latest creation.

"For the first time since I've been writing my own music, I've been using the violin, an instrument I know like a language, for songwriting. This project combines my love of classical, hip-hop, electronic and yes, even folk music, since each symphony tells a story," Wells said.

www.myspace.com/emilywells
emilywellsmusic.com

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