Hungarian pop singer Barbara Kiss releases debut album

From Me To You on Roadhouse Records

Barbara Kiss wants to be the first international pop star from Hungary and with her debut album, From Me To You, she’ll get her wish. The autobiographical, pop-drenched, twelve-track album was digitally released on all platforms in February on Roadhouse Records.

From Me To You as a whole represents Kiss’ life’s work, as it includes the singer’s first original song, “Your Smile,” recorded back in 2009, as well as a variety of tracks created for the album in 2010 and beyond. Kiss describes the album’s primary genre as “pop music, but with some rock flavors, dance songs and some beautiful ballads as well. Also it has that unique Eastern European feel to it, which makes it a little different from other artists’ music.”

Unlike many pop musicians (and especially ones just beginning a career,) Kiss writes most of her own material. Of From Me To You’s 12 tracks, Kiss worked on eight of the songs. She wrote the melody and lyrics for “Hero Of My Life,” “Perfect Night,” “You’re No Good,” “Memories,” and “Your Smile.” She also wrote the lyrics for “Time and Time Again,” “Smilin’,” “Lyin’,” and “Denyin’,” and co-wrote “Shy Boy.”

The album is largely biographical and unique to Kiss personally and culturally. “This album is a piece of who I am,” says Kiss. “I put my heart and soul into it and I kept my Eastern European heritage in it, so the melodies sound a little sad even though the words sound happy. I’m not saying it’s a depressing album, I’m just saying that Hungary is a small country with lots of suffering in its history and it reflects in every person who was born here. So that indescribable and invisible pain can be felt, but the uplifting spirit triumphs throughout the album.”

The recording process for From Me To You began in 2009, when Kiss started working with MC-Input, a music consultant who helped her get in contact with Italian producer Endrik Favero. With the help of Favero, Kiss recorded her first song, “Your Smile.” In the beginning of 2010, she travelled to Los Angeles to meet with music consultant Gingio Muehlbauer, who introduced her to producers, songwriters, musicians and engineers. She worked with Marcus Nand, Chris Wonzer (engineer for Linda Perry), Kristian Nord (producer for Tokio Hotel), Irene Peet, Boi and JD Salbego (Arthouse Entertainment).

After returning to Hungary she continued recording songs, performing and perfecting her vocal and dancing skills. While in search of career opportunities, she approached American independent record label, Block Starz Music (Machine Gun Kelly, Rhymefest), who were looking for upcoming female singers for their new compilation, She Got Next 2011. Her song “Catch Me” was chosen for the compilation, and to help promote the single, Kiss shot her first video for the song. She continued recording and started collaborating with rapper Ill Scorsese on two songs, “Sleeping Beauty,” and ’’On The Dancefloor.” ’’Sleeping Beauty” was released on Illa Scorsese’s album The Unauthorized Biography and they shot a video for the song, which was released March 19th and already has more than 23.000 views.

While enjoying the success of singles “Catch Me,” and “Sleeping Beauty,” Kiss wrote and recorded “Hero of My Life,” a new song written about the struggles she faces while fighting for her dreams. A video for the single was released on April 18th and gained Kiss well-deserved recognition.