Getting to know Carly Kane

Last fall, an overwhelming number of Metromix fans voted Carly Kane Atlanta's Hottest Rocker Chick. It's obvious to see why; she is blonde, cute and hot. However, there is a lot more to Kane than her looks. The lead singer of Stellate, which was formerly called Helios (the band changed their name in January 2009 due to a legal issue), has just released more power pop hits. She's also adding her voice and support to several great local causes.

With an already smoking career that includes opening for Garbage, Switchfoot, and Panic at the Disco, Kane is looking forward to an even brighter 2009. Stellate's new EP, "I Get a Rush," which was produced by ZK Productions and mastered by Sterling Sound, recently hit iTunes. Kane is anxious to share the songs live with her fans.

"Our songs have lots of energy and are very passionate in one way or another," Kane says. "Live, they are a whole lot of fun and I love singing them. They're really energetic and really catchy, but they don't have the typical hook that's repeated over and over because listeners are smart. They want something catchy but not too simple."

You can catch Stellate at some of Atlanta’s hottest musical venues like Vinyl and Smith's Olde Bar. However, the group also has a large following among the under-21 crowd too, which was evident with their performance on 2007's Warped Tour. In an industry that often times manufactures provocative pop stars only to revel in their defects, Kane is breaking the mold and cherishing her role as a positive young leader.

"I will always sing and write. It's in my bones," Kane says. "I also think, though, that a lot of people are looking for someone to look up to. There are some, but too few. I want to help be one of those people."

Kane's positive, yet hip, demeanor and her powerful songs make her the perfect candidate. Her energetic presence onstage shows kids of all ages the power and excitement of doing what you truly love. It's also clear that Kane uses her music as a way to express emotion. Tracks like "Sing, Sing" and "Heartbreak" do just that.

"I absolutely love 'Sing, Sing' for its energy and how much fun it is to perform," says Kane. "I also love 'Heartbreak' because it’s such a heartbroken and passionate song. It feels really cool inside to sing it out and express all that emotion."

In addition to writing music and performing, Kane is involved with several local charities. Friends Helping Friends is a local organization that raises funds to help children who are suffering from cancer. It's a cause close to Kane’s heart. She also feels very strongly about creating a positive environment and outlet for orphaned children, and hopes to further work on turning this idea into action.

So there you have it. With all of Kane’s musical and personal passions, it's easy to see what makes her so hot. Looks like all those Metromix voters were right.

For more information on Stellate, visit: www.stellatemusic.com. To find out more about Friends Helping Friends, visit www.fhfproject.com