Melinda Ortner started music from her father’s footsteps and now in 2009 she’s recording her first full length album, making music videos and being shopped around for a record deal. After comparisons to Fiona Apple, Muse and Alicia Keys, she’s more than on her way. "Well, my dad was a music teacher and forced me, I was reluctant to play piano. I didn’t want to, but then I did. He made me practice. I couldn’t play with my friends until I practiced, which I’m very grateful for now. And then, I kinda dropped it. I wanted to do acting when I saw the movie My Girl. That was the moment, ‘I want to be an actress.’ Then I got recruited for the choir, because they needed girls. They didn’t know I could sing, I didn’t know I could sing either. So I said ok. And when I tried I and I thought, I’m not bad. And I went from there." Her musical influences vary from Ella Fitzgerald to Fiona Apple. "I would say, Ella Fitzgerald and Duke Ellington are the two singers that I wanted to sound like. From there, of course, Fiona Apple and Muse were like the obsessions I had in the last two years, where all I listened to was that. I would say I’m really really inspired by classical music and I try to incorporate it into my songs. Aside from that, Radiohead, and other bands that add regular piano stuff with electronica sounds." Fresh off the stage from HOTEL CAFE and The Whisky A Go Go, Melinda was voted Best of 2008 AND Best of 2007 for KLAS FM Radio in Los Angeles. Semi-finalist for IMWSC, Melinda Ortner has been building her growing fan base in the tough love trenches of Los Angeles. Nominated for the LA Music Awards in 2007 for her tune “Something You Said”, the same song is now being featured on Star 98.7.com's playlist. In 2009, she's won "Best Song" and "Best Performance" 4 different times at West Coast Songwriters Showcases and has been featured on MTV's True Life's 'Apollo's solo album. She was also recently a semi-finalist for the Independent Music World Series Contest put on by Discmakers. She was invited to perform at the 10th Annual Jeff Buckley Tribute held at The Key Club, hosted by Jack Osbourne. Coming in 2nd place for her tune “Sorry Tonight” at WCS Annual Play-Off's, and ranking high in several podcasts including “Next Big Hit”, Melinda's soulful voice and catchy songs matched with her honest and vulnerable performances keep her audiences returning. Three of her songs are featured in two movies: "Heartbeats" in American Pie 7: Book Of Love and "Something You Said" and "Maybe" in "I Hate Valentine's Day" by Nia Vardalos (My Big Fat Greek Wedding). “One of the most uniquely talented people I have heard on MySpace and as a producer” says Les July, pro-guitarist. She won “Best New Band” at the Annual Best New Talent Competition and is the main subject with song placements in an upcoming film documentary set to release in Europe this month. Read more on Last.fm. User-contributed text is available under the Creative Commons By-SA License; additional terms may apply.