If you watch Kaya and the band play, you get these guys as well:
Dave - Guitar and Backing Vocals
Martin- Bass
Chris - Drums
If you are really lucky you could also have cello from Nicole, and backing vocals from my sister Ane.. although that's mostly on the record!
Influences
Anything that rocks my world; Pearl Jam, Cat Stevens, Kemopetrol, Damien Rice, Pink Floyd, Skunk Anansie, Alanis, Janis Joplin, Counting Crows, Live, Nina Simone, U2, Jeff Buckley, Bjørk, Radiohead, Seigmenn, Jewel, Nirvana, The Doors, REM, Smashing Pumpkins, Joni Mitchell, Bob Dylan, everything else i grew up listening to... Beatles, Rolling Stones, Jethro Tull, Led Zepellin et.c.
I also like individual songs from artists that i don't like. I love blues... blues is sexy. Some jazzy... mostly vocal music. I like good vocals. And some Norwegian bands that you don't know... or might do. Who knows?
Sounds Like
:: THE REVIEWS ::
“An outstandingly talented Norwegian/Scouse songwriter, Kaya's output is hard, constructed melodicism delivered with an extraordinary vocal talent.” - Order, BarFly Magazine
I can honestly say that this girl is in the first division of the first league of champions in her craft. Meat Market Special is cocky and charming, spritely and energetic, dynamic and original and The sick champagne waltz just happens to be all of that and oh my God how the hauntingly chilling strings opening makes this song so much more!
- International Online Magazine
“Both as a musician and a person, Kaya strikes the perfect balance. She is warm, charming and light-hearted in the gaps between songs and serious, powerful and mesmerising when it comes to the rendering of her music.
- Pollen8
“ Music of this calibre can burst your heart with its inviolate beauty (...) one of the most compelling, complete and classy acts that you're likely ever to see (…) these are real songs performed by an artist deserving of a wider stage. The widest stage.” Magnificent. " - Joe Shooman, Drowned in Sound Magazine
Huge vocal extravaganza, dynamic songs at their best. " - www.Glasswerk.co.uk
“The acoustic guitar and Kaya's voice are the only instruments needed to give the song the intensity that only a gifted vocalist and musician could achieve.”
Uneathedtreasures.co.uk
This is Kaya; a singer / songwriter who has built renown as an acoustic gem and "possibly the hardest working woman in Liverpool". 2009 is going to be the year where Kaya’s formula of “working hard, playing hard but not being a particularly hard person” will show to pay off.
Come back often for gig listings, to listen and read regularly updated blogs or buy the album and listen anywhere!
Originally from the north of Norway, Kaya Herstad has made Liverpool her home since 1999. Since then she has become a well-know name on the local scene and was chosen as BBC Merseyside ‘Artist of the Month’ for July and as ‘Spotlight Artist’ for Liverpool Acoustic in October 2008.
As a member of ‘Sense of Sound’ Kaya has also performed at the Royal Variety Show, with Ringo Starr at the Capital of Culture 2008 opening and as a finalist of BBC’s ‘Last Choir Standing’.
With her own music, Kaya has played alongside Brett Anderson (Suede), Cherry Ghost, Foy Vance, Noah and the Whale, The Wombats, Sandi Thom, Polly Mackey and pretty much the whole Liverpool scene. She has played gigs and festivals all over England, Scotland and Wales in addition to further ashore in France, Poland and even Bosnia; not to mention her native Norway where tracks from her debut album ‘Balloon in a Cactus Field’ have had prime time plays on both radio and TV.
'Balloon in a Cactus Field' was released on Ultimate Fake Records on the 24th November 2008 and is Kaya's debut album. It's also available on ITunes and is “a collection of beautifully crafted songs with a surprising bite”.
The fall of 2009 sees Kaya releasing the second single from the album and an anticipated tour with the band.
In short, Kaya is a dynamic performer both with and without the band and a prolific songwriter with most of her second album already written. Below is her single released in 2007, also on Ultimate Fake Records: 'Meat Market Special'
Hey! Skal ta bilder av de nye smykkene snart, men ser plutselig at det er et kult bilde av et av smykkene du har lagd til meg på myspacen min, det som er i bakgrunnen på sida, last det ned om du vil. Ellers har jeg lagt ut en ny låt der, don`t be afraid som jeg har spilt inn i eget hjemmestudio. Skal legge ut mer snart, må bare ta en dag og oppdatere hele sida, er så gammelt alt sammen både bildene og teksten hvor det bla står jeg har en 2 år gammel sønn osv hehe. Gla i dæ! Klæm
After you've finished here, you may like to hear this folk-carol on myspace... Poem 230 of 230, WalkaboutsVerse (see my blog for details): CHRISTMAS SUNG SIMPLY
As gospellers have said, Beneath signalling skies, On land dusty to tread, A trough in a stable Was the strawy first-bed Of a divine baby - The forgiving Godhead.
A season for new hope - There then and here now; The yuletide of goodwill - There then and here now.
In respect of this chance, Beneath bright or dark skies, Faith's the star that we glance Attending Christ's churches And trying to enhance, With singing and ritual, Our God-loving stance.
MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM ROOM21, THANKS FOR BEING OUR FRIEND THIS PAST YEAR, PLEASE VIEW OUR LATEST BLOG AND HAVE A PEEK AT OUR NEW PROFILE, ROOM21 PROMISES TO BE BIGGER AND BETTER IN 2010 SO KEEP IN TOUCH AND "GET AMONGST IT"
Thanks so much for tonight. It was great fun singing at Studio2, such a nice space to perform in and an interesting (and interested) crowd. You sounded great of course :)
Thanks Kaya, if you get a chance please let us know what you think of our online jam 'concept' or if you would like to participate, it would be great to hear from you.
Hi Kaya, I invite you to stop by and check out my brand new song "Silent Moon". Please leave a comment. I would really appreciate the feedback. Have a great week! Johnny
To celebrate the arrival of Producer Russ to the Fallen team, we're offering a massive 35% discount off all weekday recordings between 10am till 6pm until the end of December !!
This Monday (23rd November) at the Acoustic Live Lounge we've got SUZANNE JONES and MILES CARRINGTON performing PLUS loads of open mic slots! Night starts at 8:30pm so if you would like to get up on the open mic, please try and arrive early to get booked in to avoid missing out!
Last week we had The Good Intentions and The Rachel James Band performing. Both were fantastic and here's a video of their performances for you to enjoy
Add the Acoustic Live Lounge Youtube channel as a friend and subscribe to keep up to date with all the footage uploaded from the Acoustic Live Lounge: www.youtube.com/user/AcousticLiveLounge
Hopefully see you on Monday night Barry ACOUSTIC LIVE LOUNGE