Karen Brown
For the past six years, singer songwriter Karen Joy Brown has surprised and delighted Northern California fans and media with what the Chico News and Review calls her “deeply soulful voice”. Terre Reynolds of KZFR Face the Music describes her as “having the whole package…..a beautiful voice, can play well, and writes beautiful songs.” But what new listeners invariably attest to is her singular ability to express emotion through a uniquely rich voice.
how it all began.....
Brown discovered a love of performing though drama and musicals in her early years, and awakened a passion for songwriting when she picked up her father’s guitar at eighteen. Throughout college and career as a Spanish/ESL teacher she developed her musical skills in a church setting leading gospel music for small groups and congregations.
what are the songs about?
Songwriting gradually revealed the front lines of an ideological battle that later prompted a break from organized religion in search of a greater sense of the un-tame divine. Literate lyrics demonstrate a preoccupation with philosophical/spiritual issues, love and loss, a deep affection and awe of the beauty in deceptively mundane life, and a wry sense of often self deprecating humor.
what kind of music is it?
Above all, her music centers on well crafted vocals and acoustic guitar while reflecting the influence of an eclectic array of bands from old-school country Marty Robbins, to the Beatles, to‘70’s rock like the Cars or Tom Petty, to soul and gospel, the Indigo Girls, not to mention her guilty, fervent devotion to ’80’s music. Call it pop/rock for the use of simple chords to deliver a poetic message, folk for the simple combination of individual voice and instrument, but don't forget the overtones of soul and jazz in the sensual, sometimes swinging rhythm and vocals.
recordings?
Efforts to date have produced a three song EP featuring Goodbye, My Beautiful Ocean, her 2007 first full-length release, Fabulous Junkyard, and May 16th, 2010 makes her second CD, Little Words, available for purchase at live shows, on CDbaby, and on iTunes.
what's new?
After 2008's summer in Spain and resettling, Karen is booking shows again both solo, and with her project, Karen Joy Brown and the Bona Fides that joins the best of acoustic songwriting material with the smooth swing and improvisational spirit of jazz. Members include Christine LaPado on upright bass, Chris Wenger on lead guitar, and any other like-minded souls as they pass on through.
is there anything else?
2010's focus brought the new album "Little Words" pleasing fans who waited patiently for favorite songs like, "I Know What Heaven Is," and, "Scarlet Silence" to make it on a recording. Karen is booking shows as available, but plans to work toward getting the current CD the exposure it deserves on community and internet radio, and pitches to TV and film. She continues teaching adult ESL in northern California, and widening her repetoire singing with the Chico Acapella gospel choir.