Colin Hogan, a songwriter and singer from Newport News, Virginia,
uses her classical piano training that began at age 5 as a foundation
for performances that are deeply personal and refreshingly varied.
Music critic Jeff Miers of the Buffalo News wrote about her ability to “pay homage to the rich history of songwriting, while finding opportunities to incorporate distinctly modern themes, styles and technology. It’s absolutely refreshing to see young songwriters discover and develop synergy between a world of music that is solely theirs and one that has been shared for centuries.”
Colin immersed herself in the craft at Randolph-Macon College in Ashland, VA, where she earned a Bachelor degree in Music Industry. During her college career, she interned at Righteous Babe Records in Buffalo, New York, where she captivated audiences in the snowy city. Two encore performances there have netted her larger and larger audiences.
Buffalo’s Shambu News characterized her as having “percussive, Latin-inspired guitar work and full inviting voice.”
Several years of performance experience in the Hampton Roads area, and bass accompaniment provided by Brian Link, have earned her a growing reputation as a must-see performer throughout the region. The duo has a musical style described as diverse originals ranging in genre from syncopated funkiness and sexy blue soul to bleeding romantic poetry.
“The first time I saw Colin perform, I could tell she had ‘it,’” wrote Paul Magill in Rockitz magazine. “The ‘it’ is a fine captivating voice, comparable guitar skills, wonderfully structured original songs by the scores, and a stage presence that is natural, relaxed and fluid. She looks like she was born to perform on stage.”
In January 2006, her demo found its way into the hands of New Orleans legend Dr. John, who was so captivated by her rendition of Bill Withers’ “Ain’t No Sunshine” that he requested that Colin join him on stage during his Hampton, VA show. The impromptu duo sang a memorable rendition of the classic “Makin’ Whoopee.”
There’s no doubt that she will be discovered again and again by music lovers and musicians throughout the region, and soon, nationwide.
