Caroline Trettine is half-German and spent the early years of her life in Nigeria. It was during this time that she composed her very first song which went like this: 'All aboard said the porter as he cut the string shorter...' At sixteen, she composed the melody that would become 'Sleep With Me', on her debut album 'Be A Devil', released on Billy Bragg's Utility record label.
Moving to Bristol, she was discovered by Gerard Langley, who invited her to join the 'Blue Aeroplanes'. She sang and played guitar with Gerard, Nick Jacobs, John Langley (Strangelove), Angelo Bruschini (Massive Attack) and Dave Chapman, in a series of memorable gigs.
She then left the Aeroplanes to pursue a solo career in London. Securing a contract with Billy Bragg and Pete Jenner's Utility label, she recorded the 'Be A Devil' album in 1990 at the Cathouse studios of Grant Showbiz (producer of Billy Bragg, The Smiths and The Fall). Successful tours with Bragg and Christy Moore, and appearances on regional and national BBC radio were met with great critical acclaim.
'Like [Sandy] Denny, Trettine hovers over great melancholy with an almost detached air that only cuts closer to the quick. To be worthy of such a comparison this early on is no mean feat.' **** (Q Magazine).
In the intervening years Caroline has continued to record material, experimenting with many different styles and working with a range of collaborators. She was one of the first acoustic artists to embrace hip and trip hop. She cites her major influences as Laurie Anderson, Nina Simone, Portishead, Joni Mitchell, The Smiths and Paul Simon.
In 2001, Carolne was in a position to release her second album, 'Ten Light Years'. It was recorded and produced by Richard Bell (Blue Aeroplanes) at Evensong's studio. Caroline describes it as 'an album of passion, excess, loneliness and enduring love'. Many musicians worked on the album with her. These include multi-instrumentalist Ian Kearey (Oyster Band, and Blue Aeroplanes); bass player Dave Chapman and guitarist Nick Jacobs (both ex Blue Aeroplanes); drummers Paul Stewart, and Alan Brown; Laurence Halcrow on concertina; 'spoken voice' from Ian Halcrow; plus featured producers - Gerard Langley (Blue Aeroplanes), Nick Jacobs and Dave Chapman.
In 2005 Caroline released her third album, 'Trail in the sky' on Oporto Records. The album was very well received - e.g. 4 stars **** in 'Uncut' (Jan '06).
Caroline continues to gig and record as a solo artist and as a member of the 'The Winnebago Orchestra' - hear their excellent albums 'Fifteen' and 'Born in the sun' on Tuition Records (released May 2006 and January 2008). She is currently working in the studio on new material (songs and sonnets) to be released in 2009 as well as recording with 'The Winnebago Orchestra' on their next album and preparing for the performance of her third musical 'Therapy - the sing-a-long cure'. And then there are the welcome call-ups from the BAs...!
Every time that we listen & write music... play an instrument... dance... act in a play... or work in some audio/image/video engineering process... something is healing inside...
When we share it with friends... something is healing all over...
cada vez que escuchamos o escribimos musica... tocamos un instrumento... bailamos... o trabajamos en procesos de ingenieria de audio/imagen/video.... algo se sana por dentro...
Cuando lo compartimos con amigos... algo se sana en todas partes...
El Amor puede conducir... de manera simple... todo...
Hi! My debut album Nectar: OUT June 10th In stores and available on iTunes. Yeah! :) Hola! Mi disco debut Nectar: SALE el 10 de Junio En tiendas y disponible en iTunes. Siii! :) ***La fecha de salida para España y América Latina será anunciada muy pronto!
A great night's jamming my dear! You sonded wonderful, If you could open with In your arms, that would be cool. See you and the gang on Friday, happy travellin!
hello. thank you for the love. i love your music very much. I listen to this album, and it was your fan. - be a devil - please come to osaka japan. id ilke to see a live. very best wishes. thank you.
Just dropping by to let you know that I've posted a new tune on my page called "Break the Habit and the Wolves Get You". It's a remix of a tune called "You Are My Habit" by China White (check out their page, link's in my top friends). Please give it a listen and any comments would be gratefully recieved.
hello Caroline! really looking forward to seeing your performance at femmes on the thames tomorrow night. please do tell your friends its advisable to reserve a table or arrive when the doors open at 7pm. Rosie x
Hey there Caroline I just want to say how nice it feels to hook up with someone with your talent in this MySpace universe. Love your tunes-enjoy the Holidays
Bill
Thanks for the add. It is good to find you on here. I saw you perform a few times in London in the early 1990s - if I remember correctly, supporting Billy Bragg, Andy White and then on your own at the Weavers Arms in Islington. I'm pleased to see that you're still writing and recording. I always thought that you had a wonderful voice and I still listen to your songs from that period on my old vinyl copy of "Be a Devil".
I will track down a copy of the new album and the one to come.
