Karyn Oliver: News

OK, so I know I haven’t touched this journal in what, over two months. Bad, bad singer/songwriter. But I have been a busy girl. Symbiont’s been going like gangbusters and we’ve been recording - a lot. Recording all over the damn place. In between all of that I have become President of the Baltimore Songwriter’s Association, and a performing member of Indiegrrl. Somehow among all of this, I’m actually writing quite a lot just recently. Which of course just makes me more anxious to get a cd out before I feel compelled to make it a double album. Peace, and goodnight.

I've finally worked out how to publish my clips! Please check them out and let me know what you think! I am so NOT computer saavy, so this took forever I'm sorry to say. But I did work it out, and hopefully I'll be able to add more very soon.
In other news, it looks as thought I will be taking over as the new Baltimore Songwriters Assoc. President. I read somewhere that you should do something that scares you at least once a year, so I'm pretty much right on track! Hopefully the BSA will be doing some new and exciting things this year.

OK, so I finally had time to revamp - it's actually not as dreadful as I expected. Hostbaby makes it very easy. Somethings are proving a bit difficult. I still can't get my music clips up, but hopefully I will get that figured out soon. In the meantime you can go and check out the newly added photos and such.
Open mic at Kiss Cafe this month was awesome. Lots of great players came out. We're still working on the Symbiont CD, and it's coming together nicely. New singer (moi), new studio/engineer, all making a big difference. It will be well worth the wait when it's done.

It's been awhile since I've posted anything here - sorry about that. This winter is proving to be a crazy one. Matt and I just got back from a whirlwind drive to Florida and back, and I'm feeling a bit fried.
I'm thinking about revamping the website, so this may have a whole different look very soon - we shall see. Let's see, what else is new? Recording...recording...and more recording. All of which is very fun, and I'm learning a lot.
Symbiont is once again with out a percussionist - it's proving very difficult to find someone talented AND reliable - go figure.

Good morning. It's a soft gray morning, just the way I like them, when even the weather seems quiet. We had a marvelous time at the Pourhouse last night, once Jeff and Lauren got finished being lost ;-). Jeff, you really need to figure out the Maryland highway system. I mean, you GREW UP HERE, what is up with that? I'm starting to think you may be "directionally challenged". But I digress.
Anyway, the Pourhouse was really fun - thanks so much to Paul Harrison (http://www.paulharrisonmusic.com) for giving me the opportunity to play there every first Wednesday. This is quickly becoming one of my favorite places to play. Last night a man with fair hair and a slow, shy smile pointed at the dumbek and looked at me with a question in his eyes. I nervously looked at Jeff, who nervously looked at Matt - you never now how something like that is going to go. But as we all either nodded or shrugged I turned back around and gestured at the drum. I'm very glad I did. "Streett", as he is known to his friends (and I'm afraid I got a little too much mileage out of that one), turns out to be an awesome drummer. Man, but I love having drums with me. I particularly like the tribal feeling of a good hand drum - I could not stand still to save my life. It's times like these I rejoice in being the performer because everyone else was compelled to stay in their seats (it IS a coffee bar afterall) but I got to dance without looking like a fool! Or maybe I DID look like a fool.... I don't really care.

Things have been going at lightening speed these past few days - I figured out on the way home last night that I have been singing every day for the past week - and I can feel it. Not that I'm having a problem, but my voice is tired and perhaps a touch muddy. It sort of feels like I overdid it at the gym - imagine lifting weights with your vocal chords.
It's been a fun week. Thursday night I went down to Ze Mean Bean and shared a gig with Dani Linnetz (www.danilinnetz.com), an amazing songwriter from Brooklyn. She writes lovely, intimately personal songs. I met a very sweet, effusive Polish family who wanted to send me back to Poland with their boy - I politely declined - I sort of like the man I've got, thanks anyway.
Last night we played the Pourhouse in Westminster. I LOVE this place. They love musicians there, and it shows. They are happy to see you, they feed you well, and they treat you like royalty. They are just good people - I hope they stay open forever.

Whew - I just finished a 3 gig day. I've got a few Symbiont gigs under my belt now, and I have to say I'm enjoying myself tremendously. I'm still working out the kinks, but all in all things have gone pretty well thusfar. Of course, all I remember immediately following the gig is every mistake I made, but give an hour or two's distance and I begin to realize that people really responded, and I was having a damn fine time. There really is nothing I would rather do - thankfully, since I would probably suck at anything else. I realize now that I was "built" for this - nothing else has ever fit.

Some late night musings for you. Working on the cd today - thanks to Ty and Ken for a most productive evening. I just joined forces with Symbiont, and I'm very excited to be their new singer. This is a new venture for me, putting down the guitar and focusing on the vocals. I'm still working on my solo project, and I still have my own band, but expect there to be some shared gigs and cross-band jamming in the near future. I've been wanting more collaboration in my life, and the universe delivers. Maybe not in 30 minutes or less, but let's not get picky.

Newsong was utterly awesome. I met some fabulous songwriters from the Hudson Valley www.tribeshill.com . Our BSA performance well really well. The only downside was that I had a lot of requests for a CD that I don't as yet have. It's coming. it's coming, I swear! Lots of cool stuff ahead - check the schedule for upcoming dates (or get on the mailing list and be updated regularly but not constantly ;-).

We're off to compete at the Newsong Festival - very exciting stuff, this. I'll give you an update when I get back - won't have access to the computer until I get home. I hope to come back with some great stories, and lots of pictures! Speaking of pictures, I'll be updating the website soon, with some great photos taken by my friend Art Wachter www.takemypicture.net . Wheels up! See you soon!

These last few weeks have been fun - exhausting but fun - gigs, parties, jamfests, and recording. This month we are gearing up to go to the Newsong Festival, where I will be performing with some of my fellow BSA (Baltimore Songwriter's Association) members, and competing in the live round of the songwriting contest. I've been putting in time with Ty Ford to get my first release out. I hope to have that in the can this fall. I'm at the Pourhouse this Friday with some friends - hope to see you there!

What a week! The television taping was a lot of fun, and ArtScape was a blast! We ran a songwriting workshop, met some great people, and jammed with some amazing musicians. What more could a girl ask for? I'm happy, if a bit tired. Thanks to everyone who hung out to listen, and all of the wonderful people who helped out.
I'm also finding time to work on my first independently released CD. More on that later.
For those of you who haven't seen me in a while, I have a fabulous band now. These guys rock. Keep an eye on the website for more info about them, and photos as time goes on. We'll be at Cravings in Glen Burnie this Friday!

We had a great time in Florida, but of course it's wonderful to be back in Baltimore - home sweet home. We'll be at Ego Alley tonight, thanks to Symbiont www.symbiontmusic.com. Next week brings an exciting opportunity - I'll be on TV! I'm appearing on MPT Artworks Wednesday, July 14th at 7:30 pm, and again Saturday, July 17th at 9 am. I love public television. Tune in and check it out, and be sure to sign the guest book to let me know if you caught it!

An update from the road here in Flagler Beach, Florida. I was lucky enough to sing the "Star Spangled Banner" at the Green Flag Club at the Pepsi 400 Nacsar Race in Daytona. Having a great time here in sunny Florida, and the best news....the news page is now working! Thanks Rog!

5/2/04
Towson Festival Day - big fun, and the weather held out. too! We had a fun time, and met lots of fabulous new people. The website went online today, thanks to the collective genius of Nudge and Kelly Lundahl. Thanks guys, you're the best!