Katrina Carlson(I)
- Actress
- Writer
- Producer
With the mind of a diplomat and the musicality of a modern pop diva,
Katrina Carlson is an artist with true mass appeal. Her stirring,
vibrant songs embody universal themes of love and strength that are
central to humanity. The critics love her albums, and so do Carlson's
growing legions of dedicated fans.
Carlson grew up in Paradise Valley, Arizona, the youngest of 11 children.
By the age of 12 she was playing both piano and guitar, and composing
songs to entertain her family. Her early talents for songwriting and
performance set the stage for Carlson's bright future.
Initially, Carlson did not formally pursue a musical career. She
attended Brown University, where she majored in international
relations, foreign policy and diplomacy. After graduation, Carlson
found herself at a crossroads. Dealing with a recent family tragedy and
feeling disillusioned by the political climate in Washington, D.C., she
moved to New York for some "musical therapy." Carlson earned admission
into the Manhattan School of Music and Brooklyn College's opera
program. During this time, she expanded her creative repertoire and
joined an Off-Broadway Cole Porter review amongst many other musical
productions. Carlson also appeared in the 1999 indie romantic comedy
Special Delivery, and contributed two songs to the film's soundtrack.
In September 2001, Carlson released her debut record, Apples for Eve,
with songs co-written and produced by Emmy winner Ron Cohen. Soon
after, Carlson's music started to spread its way throughout American
culture. Her music graced the soundtracks of television shows Dawson's
Creek, Lost and Passions, as well as the feature film Go Tigers!. As a
result of these successes, Carlson was selected as a 2002 finalist in
the Rolling Stone/Jim Beam Emerging Artist series.
Carlson's second record, 2003's Untucked, contained four hit singles
that spent a remarkable 18 combined months on the Billboard and R&R
Adult Contemporary charts. The romantic pop ballad "I Know You by
Heart" is a powerful and moving duet featuring Benny Mardones -- best
known for his 1980s hit single "Into the Night." Follow-up tunes such
as "Count on Me," "Suddenly Beautiful," and Carlson's skillful
rendering of The Cars' classic "Drive" are musical gems that brought
the album well-deserved praise including an award for "Best Independent
Pop Album" at the 2003 Los Angeles Music Awards.
After releasing Untucked, Carlson continued her sonic diversity by
expanding her 1970s-era, soft-rock sound to include a deeper, edgier
pop-rock sound. This creative evolution has shaped Carlson's latest
effort, Here and Now. Produced by Ron Aniello (Barenaked Ladies,
Guster, Lifehouse), the new record offers a lush collection of sweeping
power ballads and upbeat pop tunes. A major highlight is the title
track, inspired by the moment Carlson first held her then-newborn baby,
Ruby Rose, and mused over experiences and lessons learned in her own
life.
Here and Now's first single is a modern take on the Howard Jones
classic "No One is to Blame," with a guest appearance by Jones himself
on vocals and piano. With songs such as "Be the One," "First To Say
Goodbye" and "Lost," Carlson again demonstrates her enrichment as both
an individual and a professional musician. This growth is equally
evident in the diversity of Carlson's live performances. While on tour,
she has opened for such artists as Kenny Loggins, Chicago, Eddie Money
and Rick Springfield. Priding herself in the ability to "mix it up"
onstage, Carlson offers audiences everything from an unplugged acoustic
show to a full rock band extravaganza.
As a songwriter, the former actress explains that she envisions her
songs as "mini-movies," complete with characters, storylines and plot
resolutions. Much like contemporaries Sheryl Crow and Natalie Merchant,
Carlson views herself in various shades, and by that standard, Here and
Now is a rainbow of textured life stories. Many of the songs included
on her new album lend themselves to use in film and television. "Feel
For Me" has already been tapped by the N-Network's "South of Nowhere,"
and will be featured in the first two episodes including the season
premiere.
Katrina Carlson is an artist with true mass appeal. Her stirring,
vibrant songs embody universal themes of love and strength that are
central to humanity. The critics love her albums, and so do Carlson's
growing legions of dedicated fans.
Carlson grew up in Paradise Valley, Arizona, the youngest of 11 children.
By the age of 12 she was playing both piano and guitar, and composing
songs to entertain her family. Her early talents for songwriting and
performance set the stage for Carlson's bright future.
Initially, Carlson did not formally pursue a musical career. She
attended Brown University, where she majored in international
relations, foreign policy and diplomacy. After graduation, Carlson
found herself at a crossroads. Dealing with a recent family tragedy and
feeling disillusioned by the political climate in Washington, D.C., she
moved to New York for some "musical therapy." Carlson earned admission
into the Manhattan School of Music and Brooklyn College's opera
program. During this time, she expanded her creative repertoire and
joined an Off-Broadway Cole Porter review amongst many other musical
productions. Carlson also appeared in the 1999 indie romantic comedy
Special Delivery, and contributed two songs to the film's soundtrack.
In September 2001, Carlson released her debut record, Apples for Eve,
with songs co-written and produced by Emmy winner Ron Cohen. Soon
after, Carlson's music started to spread its way throughout American
culture. Her music graced the soundtracks of television shows Dawson's
Creek, Lost and Passions, as well as the feature film Go Tigers!. As a
result of these successes, Carlson was selected as a 2002 finalist in
the Rolling Stone/Jim Beam Emerging Artist series.
Carlson's second record, 2003's Untucked, contained four hit singles
that spent a remarkable 18 combined months on the Billboard and R&R
Adult Contemporary charts. The romantic pop ballad "I Know You by
Heart" is a powerful and moving duet featuring Benny Mardones -- best
known for his 1980s hit single "Into the Night." Follow-up tunes such
as "Count on Me," "Suddenly Beautiful," and Carlson's skillful
rendering of The Cars' classic "Drive" are musical gems that brought
the album well-deserved praise including an award for "Best Independent
Pop Album" at the 2003 Los Angeles Music Awards.
After releasing Untucked, Carlson continued her sonic diversity by
expanding her 1970s-era, soft-rock sound to include a deeper, edgier
pop-rock sound. This creative evolution has shaped Carlson's latest
effort, Here and Now. Produced by Ron Aniello (Barenaked Ladies,
Guster, Lifehouse), the new record offers a lush collection of sweeping
power ballads and upbeat pop tunes. A major highlight is the title
track, inspired by the moment Carlson first held her then-newborn baby,
Ruby Rose, and mused over experiences and lessons learned in her own
life.
Here and Now's first single is a modern take on the Howard Jones
classic "No One is to Blame," with a guest appearance by Jones himself
on vocals and piano. With songs such as "Be the One," "First To Say
Goodbye" and "Lost," Carlson again demonstrates her enrichment as both
an individual and a professional musician. This growth is equally
evident in the diversity of Carlson's live performances. While on tour,
she has opened for such artists as Kenny Loggins, Chicago, Eddie Money
and Rick Springfield. Priding herself in the ability to "mix it up"
onstage, Carlson offers audiences everything from an unplugged acoustic
show to a full rock band extravaganza.
As a songwriter, the former actress explains that she envisions her
songs as "mini-movies," complete with characters, storylines and plot
resolutions. Much like contemporaries Sheryl Crow and Natalie Merchant,
Carlson views herself in various shades, and by that standard, Here and
Now is a rainbow of textured life stories. Many of the songs included
on her new album lend themselves to use in film and television. "Feel
For Me" has already been tapped by the N-Network's "South of Nowhere,"
and will be featured in the first two episodes including the season
premiere.