Deanna Walton has a lot of experience singing backup vocals. Next month, she’ll take her act center stage.
The 26-year-old Vancouver woman is set to release her first self-titled album and will have a release party March 25 at Buffalo Gap Saloon & Eatery at 6835 S.W. Macadam Ave. in Portland.
Drawing inspiration from R&B soloists Lauryn Hill and India Arie, Walton’s sound is an eclectic mix of folk, soul and pop. Her songs heavily feature her on piano or guitar.
The 2003 graduate of Mountain View High School said the inspiration for her songs come mainly from her personal life, though the songs aren’t all love ballads. She admits there’s a breakup song in her playlist.
“It depends on what I feel and what drives me,” she said of her songwriting.
Offstage, you can catch Walton serving tables at the Olive Garden restaurant in east Vancouver, which offers her a lenient schedule so she has time for her shows.
After playing backup for a local band, Walton started her solo career last summer in Vancouver.
At her March 25 release party, which starts at 9 p.m., she plans to play songs from her new album with a full band, and Portland musician Sean Garcia will be the opener. Doors at the free show open at 8:30 p.m. Her album will be on sale.
About the release of her album, Walton said: “It’s really awesome. It’s just kind of rejuvenating to have it out there.”
B.G. woman’s photo hobby grows into much more
When someone asked to purchase a photograph Amy Cords had taken, the Battle Ground interior designer was puzzled.
“I just thought, ‘Why are you buying this?’” Cords said, adding that she thought her mother would be the only other person interested in her photos.
But today, the 31-year-old has sold dozens of pieces, participated in numerous art shows and has expanded her business, Amielya Kaenne Creations, to include photography.
Cords specializes in lifestyle photography and rodeo and rough stock events. Her portfolio has grown to more than 800 pieces, ranging from flowers to rodeos, landscapes to rustic scenery.
Cords doesn’t use Photoshop or other image-morphing software.
“I want it to be what it was, not what I think it should be,” she said.
Last spring, Cords had her first solo art show at an area winery. She displayed 28 pieces and sold nine in the first weekend. She participated in a handful of other art shows last year with mixed success.
Cords’ photos have been on display at coffee shops, jewelry stores and other businesses in the Battle Ground area. Cords markets her work to area medical facilities, clinics, dental offices, banks, credit unions and insurance offices. Cords also sells her photos to private buyers. Framed pieces can cost anywhere from $40 to $300.
“My emphasis is to make things affordable and available,” Cords said.
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