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"  Chrissy Coughlin, a new pop/rock artist busily promoting her recent album Look Ahead on the NYC and Boston circuit, hit our summer music craving spot on. Putting her love for performing and singing on the back burner to pursue an education, it wasn&amp;#039;t until grad school (where Coughlin was earning a degree in environmental management) when she found herself fiddling with the guitar and suddenly intent on putting her thoughts down on paper. That&amp;#039;s when she began song-writing. A few years later, doctors found a tumor in her calf, an experience that she says gave her the jump start and inspiration she needed to make a change and follow her dreams. Ranging from pop hits to emotional ballads, many of Coughlin&amp;#039;s carefully crafted originals delve into relatable themes of relationships and love, the lyrics a perfect soundtrack for sitting poolside or working out. &amp;quot;I think there is a little Sheryl Crow in [the album], and [in general], my voice tends to be compared to Natalie Merchant,&amp;quot; she says on her MySpace.com page. On her musical influences, she adds, &amp;quot;I love Patty Griffin. I love Lucinda Williams. I love Aimee Mann. I love U2. Maybe you will hear a little of them as well.&amp;quot;    Chrissy recorded her album in the secluded and cozy woods of New Hampshire and found her producer off a friend&amp;#039;s recommendation. (He seemed like a good fit, so I just went for it,&amp;quot; Coughlin says.) And going with her gut, she explains, has paid off. A handful of great songs to choose from, my instant favorite became the album&amp;#039;s first track, &amp;quot;Back to You,&amp;quot; an upbeat and poppy crowd-pleaser. Led by the happy sounds of an electric guitar, Chrissy sings, &amp;quot;If I don&amp;#039;t turn around and stay, I would be a fool/I am coming back to you,&amp;quot; the kind of tune that begs for a convertible and sunshine.  &amp;quot;I hope you agree that these songs capture the rawness of emotion, hope, love, patience, knowing, frustration, confusion, and even a little anger,&amp;quot; she says. To listen, visit Chrissy&amp;#039;s website . We recommend the songs &amp;quot;Watch Your Step,&amp;quot; &amp;quot;On the Surface&amp;quot; and &amp;quot;Perfect Time.&amp;quot; -Meredith Stebbins  What are some of your favorite independent or up-and-coming artists? Tell us in Comments. "^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
<http://www.womansday.com/life/a42166/chrissy-coughlin-5689/>