Uncommon Ground ^ Athena Reich

Athena Reich
Athena Reich has enjoyed tremendous success as a singer/songwriter and actress. She is originally from Toronto, but is now based out of New York City.

Currently, she is working on her 5th CD, “Little Girl Dreams” with Emmy/Grammy Winning Producer Cynthia Daniels (Melissa Etheridge, Dave Mathews Band, “Producers” on Broadway). All songs are written by Athena Reich except for “Love is Love” which is co-written with multi-platinum hit songwriter Lorraine Ferro. Athena will promote the upcoming release with a North American/European tour. As a personality, she is often asked to present awards or host TV shows. Most recently, she was an entertainment correspondent for “Under the Pink Carpet” on PBS, a Host for “Girls on Girls” on Here! TV, and a featured artist on Air America Radio. This March she will be featured on KTU on Z100 radio. Athena is signed with MGAM (music), Maude Kaplan Management (acting), and Goldenrod (distribution).

For the past 3 years, Athena Reich has been booking and managing her own tours across North America. She has lived out of her van, crashed on the couches of artists and activists, and played house concerts, festivals and clubs across the U.S. and Canada. She’s played over 150 dates a year, released 4 independent CDs, and shared the stage with the likes of Jim Carrey, Sarah McLachlin, Peaches, Randy Neuman (Village People) and Stephen Schwartz (author/composer: Wicked).

Athena’s first CD, “a sly sardonic grin”, is a mix of spoken word and music. It was nominated for “Best Spoken Word” by Just Plain Folks. From the start, Athena has marked herself as a bold artist, eager to tackle issues with honesty and humor.

Her second release is the original cast recording of “Athena Under Attack”, a rock opera that takes place on 9/11. This stunning musical explores connections between domestic violence and war, and illustrates the necessity for peace. “Athena Under Attack” was produced as a play at numerous theaters and festivals including the 14 th St. Theater, The Toronto Fringe Festival, Ladyfest East, and the Producer's Club in New York.

Her third release, "Stranger Things Have Happened", features a full band of internationally renowned musicians including Francine Kay, John Fraboni and Jean Cyr. Quirky string and horn arrangements were created by Greg Pliska (Carly Simon, Hem, James Iha of the Smashing Pumpkins) and the album was produced by Billboard Award recipient Paul Johnston. Athena's voice is as wild, beautiful, and breathtaking as her live shows.

Her latest release, “Stories from the Road”, is a live and intimate album in response to the demands of her fans. It features Athena on piano and guitar as she weaves songs about heartbreak, yearning, and political protest with hilarious anecdotes about life on the road.

As an actress, Athena has appeared in numerous commercials, Film, TV and Off-Broadway productions including Fran in The Day They Shot John Lennon and principle roles on the History Channel and CNN. She won Best Comedy at Canada's YTV Youth Achievement Awards (Judge Eugene Levy). In 2002, she was commissioned by WCS to write a poem for the new “Alien Stingers” exhibit at the New York Aquarium. Her work is displayed at the Museum for Peace in Uzbekistan.

Athena’s music is pop/punk with a theatrical twist. Imagine if Annie Lennox, Ani DiFranco, Emily Haines, Dresden Dolls, and Regina Spektor had a sleepover party in 1930’s Berlin. Athena’s music is accessible, unique, theatrical and fresh. Athena is constantly pushing boundaries, mocking taboo, and making you pee your pants with laughter.