Orianthi rocks out on "Heaven in this Hell"

Rock guitarist Orianthi has just come out with a music video for "Heaven In This Hell," the lead single and title track from Australian singer's new solo third studio album, "Heaven in This Hell," which finds the virtuoso guitarist and singer moving away from the melodic pop/rock of 2009's sophomore album "Believe," and toward a more adult contemporary and modern blues-rock sound. This is a more gritty, less pop-oriented album than anything Orianthi has done before. Orianthi cited modern country and blues as the main inspirations on the album's sound in the hope of reshaping and reclaiming her image.
From writing her first song at the age of 6, to being discovered and playing alongside her idols Carlos Santana and Steve Vai early in her career, Orianthi has made an enduring mark on the music industry. While many were introduced to this timid guitar goddess when she played the Grammy Awards in 2009 as part of Carrie Underwood’s band, it was being selected for Michael Jackson’s ill-fated "This Is It Tour" that exposed her to mainstream audiences. In the fall of 2009, Orianthi released "According To You," her first solo single, which went platinum in the U.S. and abroad. More than just a gifted guitarist, this success showed she had serious vocal chops as well.

If the goal was to put some dirt under Orianthi's nails then the album opener and title track certainly achieves that. "Heaven In This Hell," which Orianthi describes as a "stylistic mix of voodoo rock blues, with a bit of country," is a blues-rooted rock song which features swampy guitar riffs with an edgy Zeppelin-esque vibe. Orianthi wrote this song with Dave Stewart, lead singer of the Ska-Punk group Goldfinger, John Feldman, and Canadian record producer Gavin Brown. According to Orianthi it was Stewart's idea to put the nylon-string acoustic at the end. She recalled: "'Let's take it to heaven,' he said. He wanted it to float. I used an Alvarez classical for that part."
The 28-year-old guitar goddess takes footage from her "At Guitar Center with Nic Harcourt" podcast episode to come up with the visuals for "Heaven In This Hell." The clip is a black and white extravaganza, and shows what a classic rock chick our Orianthi is. It features Orianthi clasping her guitar and rocking out with band mates Tommy Henriksen on bass, Glen Sobel on drums, and also features Cyril Niccolai of The Fairchilds who plays her Voodoo Cowboy love interest. With the monochrome treatment by director Paul Boyd, Orianthi's image stands out. Her golden locks, fair skin and white guitar are sticking out in the contrast.

Orianthi and Flyleaf's Lacey Find New "Courage"

Orianthi has released a new music video for the song "Courage," from the Australian singer songwriter's recent release "Believe (II)," which has been in stores since June this year. The 25-year-old guitar virtuoso, who found fame in Michael Jackson's "This Is It," wears her chef hat every day to develop dishes for her pomeranian and bichon, who have been in her life for three years.
Following the success of high-energy singles "According to You" and "Shut Up and Kiss Me," Orianthi showcases her softer side with her new single "Courage," featuring Lacey Mosley from the band Flyleaf. Grab the track, which features yet another stand-out guitar solo. "'Courage' is one of my favorite songs to sing live... It's very spiritual and it takes you to a colorful place," she says. "I had a great time making the video with Lacey Mosley. I love the setting and the colors that were used in this clip - very earthy and exactly the way I envisioned the video for this tune to be," Orianthi commented.
The video featuring the Aussie guitarist/singer sharing screen with her featured great guest appearance and vocals by Flyleaf's leading lady Lacey. Together, the two ladies drive in a step van and travel across the country. When asked in a recent interview how her collaboration with Orianthi came about, Lacey said, "It's definitely different from our style. When 'Courage' came via email to me, I was thinking about this. The lyrics of the song straight-up said, 'Courage is when you're in pain and you keep on living anyway.' I was like, 'This is important to do.' So I did it. It was fun working with Orianthi. She's a really cool girl, and she has a great voice. When we were in between takes, she was sitting there with her guitar shredding for fun and talking to me at the same time [Laughs]. She's really talented!"
Orianthi is an absolute guitar sensation and has been labeled a prodigy. In the music industry she might be referred to as a "shredder." At 25 years old, Orianthi has already experienced what most aspiring musicians only dream of. She's opened for her hero (Steve Vai), backed an Idol (Carrie Underwood), traded solos with a legend (Carlos Santana) and shared the stage with the King of Pop (Michael Jackson). What's left to conquer? The world stage, for one, and this guitar wunderkind has her sights clearly set on the road ahead. Orianthi packs modern girl-power punch into every turn of phrase, but it's the shredding that takes her brand of rock to an entirely new level. The result: a thunderous, hook and riff driven debut that sounds larger than life. If, for a moment, you've thought the music world could use another taste of The Runaways' Joan Jett, let us introduce you to Orianthi.

Orianthi Premiered Video "According to You"

Australian-born Orianthi wants to inspire America's young women to put down their cell phones and pick up guitars. As the guitarist for Michael Jackson's ill-fated final tour, the 24-year-old followed in the footsteps of Eddie Van Halen and Jennifer Batten in working with the late legend. But as the music video premiere on Friday for her latest new single "According to You" from her debut album "Believe," proves Orianthi is ready to break out on her own.
Aussie guitar goddess Orianthi began playing guitar at the age of 11, and since then has performed with an impressive roster of musicians. She was discovered by Carlos Santana and has played with legends like Steve Vai, ZZ Top, and Prince, and stole the show from Carrie Underwood at the most recent Grammys. While recording her debut album, "Believe," she was chosen as the lead guitarist for Michael Jackson's comeback tour. The guitar phenomenon will be extensively featured prominently in the upcoming documentary about the icon's final days, "This Is It," opening October 28 for limited 2 week run 30,000 screens worldwide! The album "Believe" will hits stores the day before, on October 27.
The lead single from album "According to You" is an Fierce anthem about a catchy tale of an ungrateful boyfriend, and moving on from a bad relationship to a great one, featuring her strong voice and impressive guitar solo playing skills. "'According to You' is a pop song but I think the lyrics will really connect with a lot of young girls," Orianthi said. "It will make them feel good about themselves. It's really empowering and it connects with a lot of people as it's about leaving a bad situation and moving on to a better one. It's not a negative song. I thought that lyric would be great and then rocking it with the music and adding a guitar solo."
Orianthi is fierce and fabulous. "Playing guitar is my passion, and I love it," she admits. The rock should never be templated. That's why even though she has a great way with the guitar she comes off as an Avril Lavigne knock-off five years too late. In addition to her talent at guitar, Orianthi has a gorgeous voice and even sang at Michael Jackson's Staples Center memorial service. Even before starting rehearsals for his tour though, she was hard at work writing and recording the album with her band. "Believe" is full of anthemic rock tracks with a sound reminiscent of Paramore or Evanescence, but entirely Orianthi thanks to her signature shreds and thunderous hooks. If "According to You" is any indication, "Believe" will soon inspire a new guitar girl nation.