New Music from Diana Chittester – In This Skin

Singer, songwriter Diana Chittester reveals very little about her personal life on her website or anywhere else. The lady hails from Cleveland by way of Pittsburgh, PA and, originally, small town PA. Imagine that…we have Western PA in common. She claims Cleveland as the root of her musical growth. Funny, I ended up there for a while too but I have zero personal musical talent and Cleveland didn’t help it! Anyway, that’s all I could really find out about her as far as background and personal information.

Her style has been described as a soulful, bluesy mix of folk and folk rock music. Having heard her for the first time ever, live, at Columbus Pride 2012, I’d have to also say her style is “money”, as in, “right on the money” for a folk rock turned indie rock singer.

In fairness to Diana, before I jump to conclusions, the lady has traveled the state of Ohio extensively and visited other parts of the Midwest and New York. She’s played all the usual suspect venues for an up and coming Ohio based performer. Heck, in mid July, she’s even opening for Western PA/Eastern OH favorite Donnie Iris (yes he was popular way back in 1982 and, yes, he’s still around). Now for my assumption; she’s played Cleveland Pride and Columbus Pride, She’s played at the hottest Columbus LGBT Dance Club, Wall Street, at Wimfest and at a couple of other popular festivals that attract the lesbian music lover. If she’s not a sister (and I’m willing to bet she is), she’s a darn fine supporter and straight ally with some amazing vocal chops and the meaningful lyrics to show them off.

Last week, Diana released her bands debut album under her own label, Fighting Chance Records, titled, In This Skin. The MP3 version has 11 songs, a few of which I got to hear at Pride. You can hear samples of the “In This Skin” MP3s and purchase them or the CD on Amazon. Give them a listen. I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised.

As a side note, I learned a little about “Fighting Chance Records” and I’m going to quote from her own material verbatim because I think the reason this company exists gives you some background into exactly where Diana is coming from:

What is Fighting Chance?

Fighting Chance is an artist run record label created in 2011 by artist Diana Chittester and her business partner Jessica Rosenblatt. Together their goal is to successfully promote, perform and distribute music on the terms of the musician without any outside influence from a major label. Many smaller or independent record labels have been bought out by major record labels. The goal of Fighting Chance Records is to remain detached from the big business operation of music.

FCR Motto: Then you have a Fighting Chance.

While working in the music industry it quickly became clear odds were against us and conformity was believed to be the path to success. What started as a unique style of songwriting soon became our identity. Our goal is not to appease a market but rather to create and exist as an artist who influences and inspires new ideas rather than recreating what has been done.

Pulling from a Melissa Ferrick song released in 2002, “If this is as hard as it gets you’ve got a Fighting Chance.” We survived our past and have made it this far, then we have a ‘Fighting Chance’ to conquer what lies ahead. Following in the footsteps of artists that have inspired us we hope to pass on a fighting chance to all of those who choose to be individuals.

To close, for those of you in Ohio, especially those in Northern Ohio, you should absolutely catch Diana Chittester live. Click here for Diana’s tour dates. If you’re not in Ohio, you’re missing out but now you can actually buy her music too.