Nicole Torres: Press

“A musical Chameleon of sorts her latest work has
incorporated an electronic touch, but whatever she’s feeling
on a particular night comes off pretty effortlessly.”

"Far from the ear-candy shop of bubblegum Pop and mainstream monotony, a young doe-eyed songstress shares her own brand of bold, passionate, and poetic music... Her expressive style of writing is honest and sophisticated. Her energetic performances are engaging. Nicole Torres and the Affiliates create acoustic-driven, urban Jazz/Rock compositions that are best experienced live...Torres seems more interested in filling hearts through their ears than filling stadiums through the years. Given the growing fan base she's been accumulating, one may indeed lead to the other. "

"She dances across the stage as the music starts in a dynamic yet unassuming manner...She seems to grow to fill the stage she’s on, possessing a stage presence well beyond her years. She demonstrates a vocal range and musical savvy most American Idol contestants would die for – a woman born for the stage... This is sophisticated music, classically structured and yet containing various elements, rhythms and genres. Artistically, she moves through the wide plains separating Massachussetts’ Paula Cole from Mexico City’s Magos Herrera, incorporating jazz, pop, alternative and spoken word styles likely to hijack the attention of anyone within earshot... She uses her voice similarly in both high and low range plus rapid fire spoken word torrents. Broad pauses sometimes punctuate her songs, allowing time for the lyrics to sink in. "

"Her music is permeated with hip-hop- fused jazz and electronica, but, ultimately, she’s an urban-music pedigree. On top of it all, the girl can write. Damn, she can write. She’s a modern day poet-turned-musician. The music, however, is her path to the pen. "

 

"The music on Out of Harm's Way isn't just all over the map — the CD sports enough twists and turns for an entire atlas…singer-songwriter Nicole Torres's feverish eclecticism … leaves a mark, "Kind of Kind" rocks convincingly, and "Impotent Dragon" finds Torres delivering agitated poetry with all the attitude of a pissed-off rapper… it's also kind of endearing, in a totally eccentric way. Even when Torres doesn't seem to know where she's going she finds her Way."

She’s one of the top young female artists around. And a wonderful down to earth person as I can attest to.

Her style as a songstress has been compared to Ani Difranco and Fiona Apple, but with a mix of spoken word and light rap. Her latest album from 2007 is titled “Out of Harm’s Way.” I personally love her juxtaposition of steady toe tapping grooves with sudden bursts of soulful rock as demonstrated in the song “Impulsive.” Mellow, ambient chill music like “Synopsys” rounds out a truly unique style.

"If you like to keep track of what's hot and happening on the local music scene, Nicole Torres is one musician you'll want to keep your eyes-and ears- on. Whether solo or with her band, The Affiliates, Torres kicks out the sounds of urban life that her fans love."

“Fans who missed Ani Difranco’s show last weekend in Lyons can make up for it with a show from Nicole Torres, Denver’s answer to Ani...Torres and her trio, My Pet Alex, sound a lot like DiFranco’s jazzy “Evolve”-era folk music.  They share both slow funk rhyghms and spoken-word vocal stylings…She also has a deep alto voice with shades of Tracy Chapman, as well as faint rhythmic influences from her parents’ native Cuba.”
                                                 

"Contributing to Folk Fusion's growing fame is singer-songwriter Nicole Torres, 23. Nicole plays acoustic guitar with classical style and writes music with Folk and Latin influences. Her lyrics compete with the poetic grace of Bob Dylan..."

 

“Each of the trio members is high energy and multi-talented.  Sparrow’s [bass] guitar and Brooklyn-born John Minardi’s drum frame the talents of featured singer/songwriter Nicole Torres, 23.  She plays acoustic guitar with classical style and writes heartfelt music with folk and Latin influences to accompany her melodic singing with sharp spoken word poetry.  She joins the class of Ani Difranco, Alanis Morissette and Fiona Apple…”

... It is obvious that they are best listened to live...It needs to be seen and felt in person...In the words of fellow performer Chuck Mitchell, it is amazing to see such a new band perform that tight. Being true technical musicians, they sound as though they've played together for decades...The lyrics deserve equal acclaim...Torres has a depth to her writing that is so rare.  Every Lyric Torres sings, speaks and nearly yells at you, however, still, melodically, feels so personal that you want to give her comfort like a best friend would as she confides to you on stage...they are spreading their truly different sound and making waves in a flood of unoriginal and over-marketed bands of today.