When Karl Wolf describes the six
months since the release of his solo debut, Face Behind The Face, as
"just insane," he means it in a good way. A frenzied work schedule of
shooting videos, doing promotional tours, and performing in Canada and
abroad is paying off, as the world is responding welcomingly to this
vibrant new star.
Karl Wolf is a genuine triple threat of talent. A songwriter, producer
and singer of serious skill and originality, he excels in all three
roles on Face Behind The Face (released on MapleNationwide/Universal in
January). As Karl sings on the title track, "I'm coming out for the
whole world to see," and this is one memorable introduction.
Since its release, the album broke in the Canadian Top 100 sales chart
and spawned two hit singles, "Butterflies" and "Desensitize", with the
latter track (featuring hip hop star Choclair) reaching the BDS Top 40
charts. Face Behind The Face has been licensed internationally, and has
made Karl Wolf an instant star in the Middle East. "'Butterflies' was at
No. 1 for eight weeks on the radio there," explains Karl. "We had the
biggest ever in-store signing at the Virgin store in Dubai." Wolf
performed in Dubai as the special guest of the queen of modern r 'n b,
Mary J. Blige, and he knocked the stadium crowd over. Add in personal
props from Mary J., and you have what Karl terms "the pinnacle point of
my career to date."
Wolf is destined for many more career highlights. He may be new as a
solo artist, but he is certainly no musical novice. As an award-winning
producer and writer, he has been responsible for many multi-platinum
selling albums. It is now his time to take centrestage, and he seizes
his moment with true authority.
Karl turned his back on lucrative offers of work with other artists to
devote himself to Face Behind The Face. "I told myself that sooner or
later I have to focus on my own music or it will just wither away. Now
is the time," he explains. This meant becoming something of a recluse,
burying himself in his own studio and working tirelessly on the record.
"I locked myself in," recalls Karl. "I hardly went out for two years. I
was a bum, I grew a beard, and would just order in pizza. I was obsessed
but focused. I wanted to be right there when I had the
inspiration!"
The fruits of this creative compulsion are indeed tasty. Wolf wrote and
produced all the songs on Face Behind The Face, and played virtually all
the instruments himself. This is a musically diverse collection of
songs, fusing r 'n b, dance, pop and hiphop stylings. It is given
coherence via the gentle soulfulness of Karl..s voice and lyrics, while
his beats are both imaginative and catchy, sometimes hinting at his own
Middle Eastern background.
Wolf acknowledges the likes of Boyz II Men, Michael Jackson and Brian
McKnight as early influences and inspirations. "I feel my music has
contemporary elements but it is not scared to be emotional," he
explains. "It is just the music I like. I grew up in the '80s, and music
was emotional then. Today, especially in r 'n b and hiphop, everyone
wants to be hard."
In musical and lyrical terms, Karl Wolf is a lover, not a fighter.
Through his own family's history, he knows the consequences of war and
violence, as his family was forced to leave their native Lebanon for
Canada when Karl was just three. That background surfaces in the track
"Summer Days (In Beirut)", and Wolf is not afraid to project positivity
in his lyrics. "I am trying to be peaceful in my meaning and message. We
are influential as singers, and I..d love to influence kids in a great
way."
The return of war to the country of his birth clearly saddens Karl.
Plans to perform in Lebanon with Snoop Dogg obviously fell through, but
he takes pride in the fact that "Summer Days" is having a positive
impact there. "People there are adding the song to their Myspace sites,
using it for healing," he notes.
Face Behind The Face is an honest and personal document, and Karl Wolf's
definitive musical statement. "I'm most proud of this record. This is
the best piece of work I have created to date, and it is important I
went down my earlier musical road, just so I could gain the experience
needed to create this."
Still just 27, Karl has long been the recipient of serious respect from
his musical peers. He first made a real mark by writing for and
co-producing [insert title], the 2001 hit album from Gabrielle
Destroismaisons. Two singles co-written by Karl reached No. 1 on the BDS
Francophone Charts, and the disc earned him a Felix at the L'ADISQ
Awards for "Best Mix and Sound of the Year."
His work with Gabrielle brought Wolf to the attention of Antoine
Sicotte, of the top-selling pop band Sky. Upon realizing Karl also had a
killer singing voice, Antoine recruited him as Sky's new lead singer in
2002. Wolf co-wrote and co-produced the third Sky album, Picture Perfect
(on Sextant/EMI), one that registered strong airplay across the country.
The group also toured nationally, sharing stages with the likes of Snow
and Shawn Desman.
Karl and Antoine really hit the commercial jackpot with their joint work
on the songs on the hugely successful Star Academie reality TV show. The
subsequent album was the biggest-selling album in Canada in 2003,
notching a phenomenal half-million in sales and earning Wolf a SOCAN
Award for Most Popular Song. A Star Academie 11 sequel in 2004 was
another big success, going double-platinum largely on the strength of
Karl's writing and production.
Add in production and composition work for such other artists as Emily,
Mitsou and Jerome-Philippe, and a stint as vocalist with the
multi-platinum selling rap group Dubmatique, and you have one highly
impressive apprenticeship. Word of his talent has spread Stateside as
well, with such stars as Justin Timberlake, Christina Millan and Mya all
requesting that Karl send them material.
There is plenty of life left in the filler-free Face Behind The Face.
The upcoming singles "Cuz I Love You" and "Referee" further demonstrate
Wolf's stylistic range, and his cross-Canada back to school Summer Days
tour will confirm his prowess as a compelling performer.
The world is about to hear the sound of the Wolf, and it is one they are
destined to remember. "I'm excited, and there are a lot of good things
to come," Karl declares. Indeed.
Hi Wolf - You Have To listen to me Right now please - Now I finish 10 songs of my Album - evry thing right now going best to the best - i need some numper of your manger or some fax office numper - I have to show real professional record - so You can give me Little from your time please - send it priv msg or comment me please - thanks man - by the way I'm In Dubai is easy yeah ? You know thats it hope seeya there !
I think u'll enjoy this one. It's pretty cool but also a little creepy too LOL. You'll need to follow these directions EXACTLY to get the proper results. Put the followwing into the address-bar of your web-browser. Type ur favorite number between 1 and 999 & then type a dot & then type your favorite color & then type a dot & then type one word that best describes your mood & then type a dot & then type the word retwistic & then type a dot & then type com & then click enter. Let me know how it turns out for you.
U LIKE GERMAN R’N’B??? Order my new album at www.willmercene.com. Click on the button MUSIK and u can listen to all of the tracks. Would be nice to get a feedback from u!!! God bless, WILL MERCENE
check out my new mixtape "DJ Cosinus - RnB 2 HipHop Vol.5 hosted by Mike Bless (Slip-N-Slide Records)". The mixtape features the hottest Rnb and HipHop tracks from independent & major acts. 35 tracks actually mixed!
Visit www.myspace.com/djcosinus2010 for the free download.
Feedback is welcome!
DJ Cosinus (Berlin / Germany) Slip-N-Slide DJ Crazy Skillz Entertainment Coast 2 Coast Mixtape DJ
Thank you for your friendship. My debut single ROLLIN' IN THE HEY is currently #84 on the Music Row Breakout Chart and is poised to break into the top 75. Request it at your local radio station today. Also the CD is finally available. Visit my page to hear samples and buy it now! Also I value your opinion about what you think my next single should be so please drop me a line.
Heeeeeeeeeeeeeey karl <3 Thankssssssss 4 the acc <3<3 i loveeeeeeeee uuuu maan xD looooveee ur songs <3<3<3 comment me back plzzz i loveeeeeeeeeeeeee youuuuuuuu =)
I saw you at Virgin Fest and at the Armenian Fest in laval( u held my hand and sang to mee!!!) Im also going to see u in Ottawa for the lebanese fest. You're so talented and i respect you so much for producing your songs on your own. You have such great stage presence and put on such a good show and your gorgeousss!! I'll c u in ottawa!! xoxo
Online Now!
