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She was a soccer player in another lifetime where her motto was “play like hell or get off the field.” Carlyn jokes that too many whacks upside the head forced her off that field and into music but what really did it was discovering a connection to life, something she realized after a good friend’s suicide. Born and raised in Philadelphia, as an adult she made her way to Boston, acoustic guitar firmly in hand. Don’t mistake her for the many other singer-songwriters who seek folk fame in those hallowed coffeehouses. While Carlyn’s been compared to Ani DiFranco and Joni Mitchell it’s only because her aggressive guitar work and introspective lyrics lead you there. She’s her own woman, playing all over New England. Carlyn has three recordings, the latest, Lust Love Lost, released in 2006.

Her day gig as a biologist gives her a keen eye for detail. It’s apparent in “Three Doors Down,” a story about the girl next door who, “… had laughter like candy, rolled around on your tongue” but it all turns sinister with a violation: “But you tread on her heart like a crushed up tin can.”

You can hear the spirit of Michael Hedges mixed with the melodic sensibilities of Dave Matthews on “The Look.” “Sweet Young Thing” features a forceful guitar strum that more than compliments the not-so-subtle lyrics. It’s an out front song of desire you thought only a man could write.

She taught herself to play at the age of 10, painstakingly picking out the melodies to her favorite tunes. Along the way she took a few lessons, always keeping that 10 year old mindset and never shying away from doing her own thing. Right after college there was a short stint with a couple of folk bands until the real world beckoned and she chose school and biotechnology. While the tragic loss of her friend initially inspired her songwriting, it was a chance meeting with another friend who got her back into performing. In the middle of her buddy’s new song, she broke out into some harmony. Some musicians would have shushed her for the interruption but this one smartly exclaimed, "Oh honey, you have to play with me!" Carlyn lifted her broken left hand (a soccer injury) and gently reminded her that she wasn't going to be playing anything for a while. Her friend replied, "It ain't gonna be broken forever," so Carlyn used guitar playing as physical therapy and was on stage with her 5 weeks later. When Carlyn realized how it was also emotionally therapeutic, she stuck with it, playing more gigs and releasing her first recording in 2005.

She has three albums – a self-titled 5 song EP released in 2005, a live CD from early 2006, Session: Live, and Lust Love Lost, released late in 2006. It’s a studio version of the live CD, with several additional songs, featuring New England based musicians Joey Ammo (guitar and bass), Allison Hale (vocals), Lisa Annunziata (bass), and Don “DC” Culp and Deb Blackadar (percussion).

Carlyn Hutchins is one singer-songwriter who plays like she means it and doesn’t intend to get off the field any time soon. If your team favorites include the Indigo Girls, Melissa Ferrick and Patty Larkin, then you’ll want Carlyn to play for you too.

For show dates, pictures, sound clips, and more, check out www.carlynhutchins.com.