Me...me....and this other crazy chick named Kursten.
Looking for upright bass/cello, and percussion wouldn't hurt.
Influences
Life is my influence. Thus far I've lived a full one and I don't intend stopping any time soon. In fact I intend to keep on keeping on because what is life without the end of the day....Don't Surrender.
As for human influences....well, all the people who've been true throughout my life; they are my true family. This includes those I have had the great pleasure of meeting and traveling with as well as many people I've not met, or not met yet. For a few people in particular who became or remained my friends through some of the darkest of times in my life I am eternally grateful, you know who you are. Thank you so much for all your support.
I would like to add a little tidbit in here for those musicians who helped me through a few of the particularly rough times in my life. Specifically Ani Difranco, Fiona Apple, Tori Amos, Kathleen Edwards, Ray LaMontagne, Modest Mouse, KT Tunstall, Dave Matthews Band, John Butler Trio, and Rachel Yamagata. Oh this list could really go on forever. It is amazing to me that people I had never even met were able to influence my life in a positive way and remind me that there really was a reason to get up some of those mornings. If I can give that back to just one person on this earth then my time on this earth was not wasted.
There have certainly been times in my life during which I felt I had no voice. There are a great many things we will allow to be taken from us, but music is something that cannot be separated from a person. It keeps us strong and reminds us of who we are when all other hope seems lost. Musicians are but mediums. And each of us is strong in our own right, musician or not. Anyway...I just needed to throw that out there.
I am blessed with several people in my life that see my dream and are as committed as they can be to helping me see it realized...and I wouldn't be where I'm at emotionally and even sometimes financially without them. But they can't do it all.
So Please Donate NowFor every donation I recieve I will then donate 20% to
The Mission of the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence (NCADV) is to organize for collective power by advancing transformative work, thinking and leadership of communities and individuals working to end the violence in our lives.
NCADV believes violence against women and children results from the use of force or threat to achieve and maintain control over others in intimate relationships, and from societal abuse of power and domination in the forms of sexism, racism, homophobia, classism, anti-Semitism, able-bodyism, ageism and other oppressions. NCADV recognizes that the abuses of power in society foster battering by perpetuating conditions, which condone violence against women and children. Therefore, it is the mission of NCADV to work for major societal changes necessary to eliminate both personal and societal violence against all women and children.
NCADV's work includes coalition building at the local, state, regional and national levels; support for the provision of community-based, non-violent alternatives - such as safe home and shelter programs - for battered women and their children; public education and technical assistance; policy development and innovative legislation; focus on the leadership of NCADV's caucuses and task forces developed to represent the concerns of organizationally under represented groups; and efforts to eradicate social conditions which contribute to violence against women and children.
Singer/Songwriter Kursten Bouton is becoming one of the most sought after artists in the greater Philadelphia area. Crafty and heartfelt lyrics are the foundation for her unique and captivating style. Her voice and the delivery of her music resonate deeply and there is a certain amount of healing that happens. Upon each listen to her songs there is always something new to discover.
Currently hailing from Montgomery County, Kursten has been a featured artist at Chaplins Music Cafe, Crossroads Coffee House, Intermezzo Cafe, and Dawson Street Pub in Philadelphia, The Wired Cafe and Gallery in Bethlehem, and was the driving force behind the successful "Breakthrough and VOTE!" events, bringing about much needed opportunity and ease of registration for previously unregistered citizens.
On an average day Kursten Bouton is anything but an average single mother of two; plucking out tunes on her guitar and giving adversity a run for its money. Her Baby Boutons are an endless supply of inspiration for her whether it comes directly from the mother/child relationship or simply in the will to keep on keeping on. One thing is for sure, this girl means it when she says "Don't Surrender!".
"True dreams never die, and no one ever said my life would be easy. Dreams are so beautiful, they are not even tangible. People can allow themselves to be kicked around and neglected. Journals can be crumpled up and thrown in some deep dark corner. Guitars can be stuffed into a gig bag and hidden deep in a closet. But a dream is something inside you that no one can see until you pull yourself up and realize it. Materialize it."
"I decided to start sharing my music because I know that I am not alone in my struggles. I know there are other people out there who need the healing of my words just as much as I do. How do I know? Because of good family. Because of good friends. Because I needed artists such as Ani Difranco, Tori Amos, Fiona Apple, Kathleen Edwards, Rachel Yamagata, Bjork, Poe, Tristan Prettyman, John Butler Trio, Dave Matthews, Amos Lee, Ray LaMontagne, well you get the picture....
I honestly don't know what else I would possibly do with my time here. I am meeting some amazing people along the way. To those people all I can say is, thank you and I can only hope to deliver a fraction of the inspiration you've all given me.
Thanks so much for the invite, however there is no way I can get to Philly anytime soon due to my crazy schedule but keep in touch! I may catch you somewhere - sometime.
My movie is being pirated! Read my blog and leave a comment
because I would love to know what you think about pirating. Go to www.joelvalliefilms.com to read the blog.
Hey Kursten Bursten! Just showing your page some love. It's been a while. I have to come out to see you play again. Your Cd is wonderful by the way, can't stop listening to it! Hope to see you soon!
"Ticklin' The Strings" by Sweet Hollywaiians
Amazing Japanese hot string band playing 1920's, 30's, 40's style hawaiian, swing, calypso, blues, italian music and originals,featuring vintage instruments.3 songs with Robert Armstrong and Tony Marcus(from Robert Crumb and His Cheap Suit Serenaders)
"The Sweet Hollywaiians have probably the best feel for this 20's music of any string band working today. They manage the rare feat of sounding relaxed even when their playing is hot, are top notch musicians with tasteful arrangements and a full, rich, warm sound.Plus, they have a nice gamut of tunes, from King Nawahi to Giovanni Vicari to Bobby Leecan. See them live, if you can, for an unforgettable experience. If you can't, buy their Cds!" ~ Terry Zwigoff
hello my dear patient wife, soory to have been neglecting you lately. i miss you too. i have started shopping for new phones wich means giving up unlimited long distance but my old ones arent working anywhere convienent anymore and i cant drive without a hands free and what good is unlimited if i cant run up the minutes with you anyway? so hang in there i still love ya.
![Arkitech (DC Studios)[ StarTeamMuzikGroup]](http://c4.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/47/s_ef87bcb44a4f81f142d0d8bb3dbeb62b.jpg)
