Irene Pena is a pop gurl with a sassy streak, and one who sings, plays, and writes music with equal aplomb. Her songs are self-assured and much more than your garden variety pop ditty; they're short stories about life and love that engage the listener while they're singing along, and leave them wanting more. Irene wraps each one of her tunes in a memorable melody, with her unassuming-yet-powerful voice - the bow that helps tie everything together. She says her songs are "honest and from the heart," and after listening to examples such as the "Strawberry Fields Forever"-flecked, slightly mysterious "Must've Been Good," the cheery, impossibly catchy "One More Night" (which details the happiness of a blossoming relationship) or the slightly dark, edgy "Not From Around Here," you'll not only be convinced of Irene's honesty and hear her heart beating loud and clear, but you'll also become an instant fan of the Seattle songstress. Whether she's "acousticating" in coffee houses and pubs, rocking out in a club with her talented backing band, or laying down her sturdy original compositions in the studio, Irene Pena is all about the song and the story. Both are equally important in her world, and both contribute to making Irene Pena an artist who needs to be heard.