Singer-songwriter Leslie Sanazaro, one of a handful of local artists we selected as  a face to watch this fall, is making good on that promise.

Her new CD, “On Your Roof,” is out, with a release concert at 8 p.m. Saturday at the Chapel.

“I’m giving this (CD) a big push. I’m excited about it because there’s more potential with it than before,” says Sanazaro, 32, who released “Stars in the Attic” in 2006.

“I’m gonna promote it, push it, look for publishing and tour more than ever. It’s not just because of the project and how I feel about it, but I’ve never been in the position I am now,” she says. “I have more of an understanding, a more well-rounded view of what the potential is.”

On her new project, Sanazaro wanted to create a short-length CD that was well-produced with tight compositions tied together. She didn’t want to put forth just another collection of songs.

She began the writing last year during a transitional period of her life. “It’s music with a lot of forward motion and a lot of gratitude,” she says. “I paid homage to the things that helped put me in the position to move forward.”

One of her big events last year was an environmental tour of the U.S. and Canada with other singer-songwriters. She called the trip a wake-up call.

“When I got home, I didn’t feel the same. I made big changes in my life. I was engaged, and I called off my wedding, moved into my bass player’s place and just worked on my music. I really thought about what I was going to do,” Sanazaro says.

That led to her performing in Asia from February to April, a period she called emotional. “I was happy to see that through that transition I still loved being in St. Louis.”

The title track is what she describes as her St. Louis anthem.

“It was definitely influenced by the city. I began writing it and thinking about the color of the sunset here. It looks more different to me than anywhere else.”

On first listen, Sanazaro’s music brings to mind Regina Spektor, a comparison she has heard before and welcomes.

“I appreciate the Regina influence. It was about two years ago when I started listening to her, and I thought her approach to songwriting was unique, and I like the quirky balances she strikes,” says Sanazaro, also influenced by the likes of Joni Mitchell, Paul Simon, Rickie Lee Jones and Carole King.

Sanazaro, a former Webster University student, started out singing jazz in the mid-’90s, merged into Philadelphia’s indie singer-songwriter scene around 2000, and began playing in
St. Louis not long after moving back to the area in 2004.

Sanazaro’s upcoming performances include Sqwires on Oct. 4, a Barack Obama benefit show Oct. 5 at the Royale, Old Rock House on Oct. 9, and Cicero’s on Oct. 21.

Get more information at www.myspace.com/lesliesanazaro.

Photo: Leslie Sanazaro