Here's a few more snippets from the past. This is best enjoyed with a tall order of fries.
1997 NATIONAL NACA CONVENTION, Philadelphia, PA
This intensely popular band from Southeastern, PA, is exploding on the college music scene. Cross The Line is driven by the energetic musings of Sierra Kameron who belts out powerful lyrics with a four octave vocal range. Her voice alone is worth the price of admission. Cross The Line's college pop, modern rock sound is exciting and instantly recognizable. They grab your attention and inspire a full range of emotion. Strong songwriting combined with tight performances makes Cross The Line "Major Label Material". Currently Cross The Line can be heard on College Radio and in clubs throughout the Atlantic Region. Their song "Full Circle" was featured on a compilation CD with Major Label Recording Artists, Aimee Mann and Whorgasm. "Full Circle" went on to win "BEST SINGLE OF THE YEAR BY AN UNSIGNED BAND". Their video for "The View" can be seen on MTV's Indie 500.
ROCKPILE by Andre Calilhanna March 1996
The room is fairly loud, not unusually so, but the four of us are huddled in at our table at the near-end of the bar in an effort to better hear one another. The conversation has been meandering and has settled tenuously on the division between spirituality and religion, which is not exactly where Sierra Kameron, vocalist for Cross The Line, had intended it to be. "I'm not going to get all involved in my belief systems," she says, "but I find that I am a very disciplined person with my body. I don't drink, I don't smoke, I don't do drugs, and it's not a religious thing, it's just what I choose. I mean, I've done all that stuff, I've had my experiences with them. I've been on both ends of the spectrum, and I prefer this one. "You have to get beyond the mind-set of the physical and get into the spirit of ...'this is who I am, and whether it's accepted or not doesn't make me bad. And that helps your music" adds guitarist Bill DiLuigi. "Your techniques get better, and your concentration and your focus get better." How we arrived at this topic of conversation is a bit of a mystery, but in the end it serves as a revelation into what makes Cross The Line tick. At the forefront is Sierra Kameron, with a powerful four octave range and a voice that quickly becomes the defining sound of Cross The Line. Bill DiLuigi shares most of the writing duties and is mostly responsible for the various styles and directions found on Cross The Line's first full length release, "Full Circle", on Downingtown, PA based label Third Day Records. The rhythm section of drummer Steve Spatz and bassist Rob Trace first fused in a high school jazz band in Pottstown, Pa. Upon Trace's recommendation, Spatz was recruited last May, and production on the album was immediately begun. Since recording the album, the band has played extensively, often as an acoustic act, which has helped them focus and streamline their direction. "Just playing out acoustically night after night really helped our song writing sense, " says Bills. "We brake everything down and get rid of everything that doesn't need to be there and refine all the time." Which amounts to the fact that as the album is released, and as it gains recognition both in and out of the city, Cross The Line's repertoire extends beyond the material on the album. But it is the album's title track, "Full Circle," that earned them "Best single of the year" in the Delaware Valley Music Poll, and which, consequently, enabled them to be represented at the South By Southwest Conference by Delaware-area magazine Big Shout. And with representation at MIDEM (an International music conference held in Cannes, France) and inclusion in the Women In Rock showcase at The Middle East, Cross The Line has been sparking connections all over the city and possibly all over the globe. "There's the possibility of a distribution deal in Japan we got from a connection at MIDEM" says Bill. "They heard Full Circle on the Philadelphia Music's compilation disc, and supposedly really liked the track," Sierra chimes in. "And we may get to play the Montreal Music Festival this year too," Bill continues, "also from a connection at MIDEM." Sierra, who is a citizen both of Canada and the United States, is excited about the possibility of that."But," she adds, "I'm really excited about the Women in Rock show. It will feature eight bands fronted by women or consisting of women. It should be a great show." It's difficult to pigeonhole Cross The Line's sound. They are not terribly aggressive, musically, but there is a depth and maturity to their music that is apparent throughout the disc. Most of the material features clean tones and revolves around the smooth voice of Sierra, and try as you may, there are no obvious comparisons to make with other bands, particularly other female artists. "We try to stay true to ourselves," says Sierra. "I'm demanding of myself, and I think that's how it should be. You have to really care about what you put out."
Rockpile is published monthly out of Philadelphia.
THE UNIVERSITY REPORTER by Reggie Beehner
This rocking foursome, led by the durable and gutsy vocals of Sierra Kameron, has been a major player in the Philadelphia region for some time now. From dark and brooding modern rock to funky soul, Cross The Line encompasses a wide range of hooks and rhythmic shuffles to lay down a solid staple of radio ready songs. Under the strength of their new release "Full Circle", and the positive response the band has been attracting - accolades include an award for "best single" at the Delaware Valley Music Poll and a showcase in Philly's Women in Rock concert, Cross The Line seems on the brink of some major attention.
The University Reporter is a Collegiate Magazine published bi-weekly
BARFLY MONTHLY by Catherine Scharnberger
The Exton [Pa] based band, Cross The Line is really two bands in one. As a quartet consisting of Sierra Kameron on vocals and keyboards, Bill DiLuigi on guitar and vocals, Rob Trace on bass and Steve Spatz on drums, they are an energetic modern rock band. They perform music which Sierra describes as "very radio ready". They perform in Pennsylvania, New york, New Jersey and Delaware [as well as other Eastern states] and their recently released debut CD "Full Circle" has won rave reviews. The title track was voted best [single of the year] in a recent DVMP [Awards Ceremony] and after the band was represented at an international music conference in France in January, they were approached by a Japanese company who wants to distribute the album in Japan. At other times, Cross The Line performs just as a duo, playing acoustically. In that setting, says Sierra, "We can appeal to any crowd. We don't even set our playlist until we get there and see what the crowd wants....." Whether they're playing out as a four piece or a duo, some things remain constant. "We are great live performers," Sierra explains. "We have a lot of energy." And, she adds, "I have a four and a half octave range, so you're going to see somebody who can sing their ass off." Both lineups of Cross The Line regularly play in Lancaster. This month, the duo will perform at the Fulton Bar, 637 N. Plum St., Lancaster.
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