Kristina Olsen - Acoustic guitar, Steel-body slide guitar, Saxophone, Concertina and Piano
with on some concerts
Peter Grayling - Cello, Mandocello and Mandolin
George Butrumlis - Accordion
New CD 'Quiet Blue' Now Available from CdBaby
www.cdbaby.com/cd/kristinaolsen5
Finally Kristina has released her long-awaited blues album - Acoustic blues with a bawdy storyline edge. Laced with slide guitar, mandolin, drums and Kristina's raw velvet voice, recorded 'live in-studio' in Australia.
Kristina Olsen is one of the most entertaining and compelling performers on the international folk circuit.
A fine instrumentalist (acoustic guitar, steel-body slide guitar, saxophone, concertina and piano) as well as a powerful songwriter with a big bluesy voice, Kristina has audiences around the world coming back for more.
Her mix of strong songs in the troubadour tradition, some jazz-inspired sounds and powerful bottleneck blues (as well as her hilarious storytelling) makes for a diverse and satisfying musical experience, on stage and on disc.
Born in San Francisco and raised in Haight-Asbury during the 1960's, Kristina's approach to music and life was formed by that environment of vital cultural expression, social activism and diverse musical influences.
She now calls Venice Beach, Los Angeles home but rarely sees it from touring ten months a year!
It was on one of those tours that she met Peter Grayling, a cellist from Western Australia and a new musical alliance was formed.
In March 1998 'Duet' was released in Australia, their first duo recording.
In 1999 the pair released 'Truth of a Woman' and in Feb 2002 a live cd 'All Over Down Under' (recorded in Australia - as you might have guessed from the title!) with the addition of Melbourne based accordian player George Butrumlis, In Your Darkened Room in 2004 and in 2005 a Live DVD. and has just released 'Quiet Blue' (Dec 2008).
Before 1999 Kristina had released four critically acclaimed CDs on the Philo/Rounder label.
Fairport Convention recorded her song 'Dangerous' on their '97 release, 'Who Knows Where the Time Goes?' and she performed at the Cropredy Festival and the Sidmouth Festival in summer '97.
She performed on Michelle Shocked's album 'Short Sharp Shocked' and also won the Kerrville Songwriting award with her song for battered women 'I'm Keeping This Life of Mine'.
Like many modern artists, Kristina isn't easily pigeonholed. What can't be denied though is her honest enthusiasm for her craft.
"I love writing songs, but my favorite songs don't seem to come from me, they seem to come through me, like maybe I am the channel for that song - It is an absolutely euphoric feeling when it happens," Kristina stated in an interview with 'The Performing Songwriter'.
"I couldn't say what I was feeling so I had to write songs to keep from exploding, there was no choice in the matter, I had to write."
Kristina's music is available as Mp3's through all the major download sites including iTunes, Napster and Payplay
Cd's can be ordered in Record stores worldwide via Super D Distribution, from CdBaby (also as mp3 'album' now from CdBaby) or Burke's Music (Australia)
(Footage from recent McCabes concert below - There are 20 Kristina videos on Youtube)
It would be impossible for anyone with blood in their veins not to empathise with her… full-
throated voice and crisp guitar. John Shand, Sydney Morning Herald
Olsen rocked the audience with her traditional blues style laced with modern lyrics. “She’s
original and she’s modern. She was the best performer here,” said one of the vendors who
had been listening to the blues for two days. Kendra Milligan, Sun News, New Mexico
Olsen’s singing is as powerful as it is delicate, forceful as it is tender, and she asks a lot of
herself, instrumentally, vocally, and emotionally. The audience loved it, demanding that Olsen
return to the stage for three encores. Patrick Shepherd, The Press, Christchurch, NZ
"A joy to watch and hear" Maddy Prior
"Kristina once seen and heard is not easily forgotten.
Her skills in writing and performance along with the charm of her musical personality have always ensured this - miss her and miss out" Simon Nicol, Fairport Convention
"A magnificent singer who talks about rude things!!" Les Barker
"Kristina changed my life" Jackie Hanham, workshop participant
"Kristina Olsen not only reduces grown men to quivering wrecks with her songs, she also knits socks between sets... That's talent for you" Caz Graham
Dearest Kristina, thank you so much for your lovely mail! It made us smile and opened our hearts! We are so looking forward to seeing you again next year in Venice.
Your music is so beautiful, it goes right through into our souls.
looking forward to seeing you in Yungaburra :) an friend introduced me to your music on his yacht after he'd had you out on it - nice work :) bring on the festival!
ps. oh gosh and your cd went missing some time over the cruise and you should have seen the RUCKUS that caused! ;) LOL. I was worried I wouldn't make it back to shore alive ;) eventually it turned up but seriously anyone would have thought it was made of gold :) (literally I mean, because the music is gold) yeah it was pretty funny.... AFTER the cd reappeared much later, but not at the time. Anyway, before it disappeared, we all sipped champagne (rum for the captain) to the Big-O and I wished it was me who had written such a cool song :)
HI darling Kristina, from the wintery adelaide Hills! Have missed catching up with you, and your inspiring strong voice. Hope we cross paths at a Festival in Oz sometime, Heres a photo of us playing at the opening concert at The National this year-which is where I first heard you play, and was moved to tears :-) Xx Kim FiddleChick!
After you've finished here, you may like to hear this poem sung on myspace...
Poem 2 of 230, WalkaboutsVerse (please see my blog): WALKABOUT WITH MY PEN
Once drove an old sedan, up north, From a place in Sydney to Cairns; Then to Kuranda I went forth, By train, to look without set plans.
I browsed through the trendy market, With fresh fruits of tropical kind; Walked to the creek through lush thicket - Nature’s hand giving peace of mind.
I dined in a scenic cafe; Then, outside, as I wrote for yen, Some passing Kooris called-out: “Hey, You go walkabout with your pen.”
Request or question, I don’t know - Assured voices, elderly men. That’s now several years ago, And I’ve seen the world - with my pen.
I'm still haunted by your wonderful song MY FATHER'S PIANO. I catch myself singing it in all kinds of situations. Thank you for the inspiration you bring!
hello there, lovely Kristina. It was so good to meet up with you again at yackandandah and to hear your wonderful music. i have told the Greek'italian joke with great success and the blues/jazz musician one. I will do my very best to come to Selby on Friday night, to not only hear you but to perhaps learn some more jokes! Thank-you, too, for your kind words and we are enjoying your Blue Cd very much. love and blessings to you, Rosie Haden.
hi Kristina - am sure looking forward to seeing one of my all-time favourite performers at yackandandah! yee har! Kindest regards, cheers and blessings, Rosie
Hi Kristina, thanks for adding me as your friend. I'm a huge fan of yours. Also it's very exciting you're touring with Mary Coughlan. She is wonderful and I once had an hysterically funny dinner with her in her house in Brae. With your sense of humour, You may enjoy "So sue me" on my space. Love and Peace. Nina
HI Kristina ...great performances at Woodford !!! Wow ..it couldn't have been any hotter !!!! At least there wasn't any mud !!! HAPPY NEW YEAR Pat :)) www. folkredlands. com
Hey Kristina, It is my honor to be your friend. I wish you and yours Happiness, Love and Peace. Have your best day ever, and tomorrow do the same. Bill
Online Now!
