These days I generally perform as a solo singer/guitarist, but on the album I was lucky enough to have the following people help me out:
Kerry Gilmartin, double bass, Hammond organ;
Jacob Mann, drums;
Jaye Kranz, electric piano;
Dean Fairbairn, harmony vocals;
Guy Kachel, harmony vocals;
Susanna Carman, fiddle;
Steve Davies, low whistle.
Influences
If Tom Waits went bail for Johnny Cash, and together they broke parole, drove all night through the Carolinas, PJ Harvey behind the wheel, Townes Van Zandt and Son House on the radio; ran the border and holed up in a cabin in the Wicklow hills where Elvis Costello helped Nick Drake finally find his sense of humour....this might come close....
Sounds Like
This is backwoods soul music: melodic, lyrical and contemporary, yet rooted in an older, mythic soil; a rich and ancient sediment of storytelling and folk memory. Karl threads his bruised tenor voice, alternately warm and honeyed or scuffed and worn as a favourite old leather jacket, through acoustic and resonator guitars, drums, double bass, Hammond, Wurlitzer, fiddle and mandolin. Whether testifying like a revival tent preacher or intimating in a tender falsetto, his finely-crafted songs take you on a journey back to the grit of working-class Dublin; from the peat bogs of an Irish glen to the red earth of the Australian bush; from the cool of a back porch in the Appalachians to the funky heat of the Mississippi delta.
Raised in Dublin on a cultural stew of Irish ballads, his elder sister’s Elvis Presley and
Johnny Cash records and sixties and seventies pop music on the radio, Karl’s influences have always been diverse. Having cut his musical teeth in countless informal sessions in Dublin, Karl later played guitar and sang with bands in Dublin and London, playing music ranging from Steely Dan covers to self-styled ‘Pimp Rock’ (this latter occupying a strange netherworld triangulated by Isaac Hayes, The Pixies and The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion).
Since moving to Australia in 1998, Karl has continued to be involved in music, and after attending songwriting workshops with Kristina Olsen, found a new voice in writing and performing his own songs. In 2003 his song, 'Firstborn', featured on the 'Fatherhood' compilation, alongside songs by Paul Kelly, John Butler, Archie Roach and Tex Perkins.
Having been nominated for a Dolphin Award (NCEIA) for 'Saddle Road' in 2004 and 'The Fixer' in 2005, Karl took the Folk category award in 2006 for 'Pilgrim Song'.
'The Fixer' also earned Karl a nomination as a finalist in the Folk category of the 2006 National MusicOz Awards.
'Betty On The Wireless', inspired by a story heard on the ABC’s Life Matters, received airplay and Karl was interviewed live on the program in October 2005.
In the Dolphin Awards 2007 Karl received no fewer than FOUR nominations, including one for the prestigious 'Album Of The Year' award. 'Repentance Creek' was also nominated in the 'Production/Engineering' category and two songs were nominated: 'No-One Ever' in 'Country' and 'The Fixer' in 'Folk'.
A charismatic and unashamedly emotional live performer, he has been steadily building a loyal local following. Highlights include appearances at the inaugural Fatherhood festival, where he was invited onstage to sing with Jimmy Little and Archie Roach, and the inaugural Bangalow Pacific Songwriters Festival. Karl is co-founder of the Mullumbimby Folk Club, a monthly not-for-profit event set up in February 2005 to provide an intimate showcase for original songwriting.
Karl is proud to announce the independent release of his debut album, 'Repentance Creek'. Featuring ten original compositions, the album draws on Karl’s diverse influences, unified by his songwriting craft, his melodic gift and his deep roots in a lyrical tradition.
'Repentance Creek' has been gaining generous airplay on local radio Bay FM 99.9 (www.bayfm.org), was the featured album on 7tHe Hobart 92.1 FM's (www.7the.org)'Mostly Folk' show and has been on the playlist of Western Australia's Down Unda Thunda Radio (www.downundathundaradio.com.au
) for several months.
Check out the blog to read what reviewers are saying about the album. 'Repentance Creek' is available online at: indie-cds.com
I wanted to say hi and thanks for being a friend. We're gonna ride... where the warm wind blows... where the nights last long... where the days are short.... down this dusty road. Watch the Indian Summer Video NOW
I wanted to say hi and thanks for being a friend. We're gonna ride... where the warm wind blows... where the nights last long... where the days are short.... down this dusty road. Watch the Indian Summer Video NOW
Hey Karl, Nice to meet you. Really enjoyed having a listen to your tracks - lovely sound. One of them - Noone ever - reminded me of Jesse Winchester. I'm just exploring the folk club scene in NSW as our band loves playing folk clubs. We're currently recording our second album and hope to tour NSW after we launch it here - probably in the new year. So have a listen! Cheers!
Thanks very much Karl, yeah i cant wait to get back home for a while, i will most certainly line it up with folk club. Hope all is well. Thanks for having a listen. It means a lot. Jesse
Hey Karl, how are things. I can't wait to get back to another folk club. I just recorded some new songs with my band, just in my room. But they came out alright. If you get a chance to have a liten i'd love to know what you thought. Jesse SS
Hey Mister Karl... hope you're doin well. I see you are at the Muddy in September... will try hard to get to that one. Merryn will be here too!! Cheers for now.. mz.
