HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS: KIM DIVINCENZO RETURNS TO THE JAVA HUT

(December 23, 2005) Singer/songwriter Kim DiVincenzo is one of those people who's determined to make a name for herself in the music industry. Almost as soon as she began showing up on local club and coffeehouse listings - shows turned into events by her persistent promotion whether it be headlining at the Java Hut or appearing as an opening act or playing an open mic at the Tammany Club - she left town for the West Coast. Kim's back in town to spend the holidays with family; her musical one can catch up with her this Friday night, December 23, at 9:30 a.m. the Java Hut, 1073A Main Street, Worcester. Wormtown.org plays catchup with Kim amongst the holiday craziness.

WORMTOWN.ORG: You put in a lot of hard work making a name for yourself in this area before making the move to San Diego a few years back. Why did you make the move (like, why would anyone want to leave Worcester for the West Coast)?

KIM DIVINCENZO: I always wanted to move away to a new place and I knew it was now or never. I knew that in order to really test myself and my music I was going to have to go to where a lot is happening. And I heard a lot of great things about the singer/
songwriter music scene in San Diego and LA. I had a few friends in San Diego so I decided to make the move. I knew I could spent more years spreading my name and tunes from Worcester to Boston, But I felt I could make things move faster if I went to the West Coast.

WORMTOWN.ORG: Were you able to use what you had done here in Central Mass in getting some initial breaks in California or did you have to start from scratch? How did you break in out there? How would you say things are going for you as a performer?

KIM DIVINCENZO: Well I did pretty much start from scratch, but I left Worcester equipped with some great musical tools. I had begun to understand how venues work in booking and also started to get comfortable performing. I also recorded my second CD "Here and in Between" with Matt from C2 recording in worcester before I left so I would have the product to sell and for booking purposes.

I got there and just did my research. I found every open mic in SD and played them all on a weekly basis. I guess people started talking and I was able to book shows at the venues. Networking is so crucial in this process. I got out there and played and then I made myself available to chat with other artists, venue bookers, and fans after shows. I passed out sampler CDs, cards with my website and posted my gig posters where ever I could. And I guess it worked because people would come up to me and say that they had heard so much about me and wanted to hear me play. A huge part of that was the branding of my name and networking.


WORMTOWN.ORG: I notice you've been making some appearances on college radio out there. How do the stations in California compare to the ones here in being supportive of performers trying to break into the music business?

KIM DIVINCENZO: There are a handful of some really supportive local college and mainstream radio stations that are all about the local music. After about 8 months some of these station got in touch and wanted to include me in their local features. I got to perform on the 91X FM morning show for their "big Break" which was awesome. It felt great to perform live and interview on a Clear Channel station. The college stations were great as well helping to promote shows, CDs for sale etc. There is a truly amazing local music scene in San Diego that is like now other and I feel so fortunate that I was able to jump right into it.

WORMTOWN.ORG: Has you music changed since your were in Worcester and if so, why?

KIM DIVINCENZO: Definitely. I have grown as a songwriter. My move has done some amazing things for my music. In time you become a better guitar player, have a better ear for a catchy melody and the art of actually composing a song. A lot has to do with endless experimenting and also meeting other great artists who help you to test your boundaries and really reveal what you can do. My new EP Will consist of all new songs written once I moved to SD.

WORMTOWN.ORG: When you get up in the music, whose music goes onto your music player (CD, MP3 or I-Pod?)? Whose music is inspiring you these days?

KIM DIVINCENZO: Wow. that is hard there is a lot to list so here's a few. Radiohead, Jeff Buckley, Damien Rice, Sunny Day Real Estate, The Fire Theft, Dave Matthews, Jason Mraz, Rachael Yamagata, Pinback, Pink Floyd, Guster, Imogen Heap, Augustana, John Mayer, Death Cab for Cutie, The Postal Service, Rufus Wainwright, Elliott Smith, Aimee Mann, Jude, Ben Harper, Michelle Branch, Rainer Maria, Switchfoot, Jack Johnson, Weezer, Ani Difranco, Coldplay, Howie Day, Sara Harmer, Nickel Creek, Ryan Adams, Laquardia, Muse, Mazzy Star, Fiona Apple, Etta James, Gavin Degraw, Karen Ires, Sigur Ros, Ray Lamontage and then some of my dear friends and local musicians who are truly incredible and should have been signed yesterday

WORMTOWN.ORG: What brings you back to the area, what can people expect at your Java Hut appearance, and how much of a shock is this cold weather to you?

KIM DIVINCENZO: Home with the family for the holidays. People can expect to hear some old familiar tunes as well as tons of new tunes that will be on the new EP. I will be joined by Rosco P on acoustic guitar as well. I will throw in a few covers as well as a Holiday tune, since it is the season and all. I feel I have grown so much as a musician so it is exciting to share that with everyone. I also have a very talented young player named John to open the show who will be playing some covers and originals.

WORMTOWN.ORG: You'll be giving out CDs with tunes from your upcoming release at the Java Hut. What can you tell us about the new CD and when will it be available?

KIM DIVINCENZO: Yes. I got some Sampler CDs made just for this show so people can take some new stuff home with them. It has two mixes from the new EP - they are still a work in progress but enough for you to see where we are going with it. One that shows the more full band produced side and one that brings it all back to the simple acoustic feel. I also put on there my version of "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas that my producer (Keith Orfanides) and I decided to record one day. I am shooting to release the EP sometime in February/March but we will see how that goes. I don't want to rush this. You will
hear the full band and great production as well as an acoustic, bare bones feel too.

You can sample Kim's music at http://www.listentokim.com and http://www.myspace.com/kimdivincenzo