Karyn Ellis

* Guelph Mercury calls her “a revelation”. Globe and Mail says Karyn Ellis is a “must see” songstress and has “a magical way with song.” She’s the real deal – a modern musical darling who engages audiences with her voice (brandy sweet and dynamic), her fine acoustic guitar playing (distinctive and tasteful) and of course… her songs. She sings about wonders of the every day, beauty and hope, and good old-fashioned heart ache too. She’s making waves on the independent international scene: four and a half stars for her last album, Even Though The Sky Was Falling, Belgian e-zine CrtlAltCountry.be writes: “Flawless songs, an entirely fantastic voice… I cannot think of what else one could wish for.” Back home Calgary Herald gives it four stars too, adding: “This is a woman with stories.” And the stories keep flowing. Karyn’s upcoming album, More Than A Hero, is filled with ten new songs inspired by her recent move across Canada from Ontario to British Columbia. After a lifetime in Ontario and nearly a decade based in the Toronto music scene, Karyn packed up her bags in the winter of 2011 and moved eight hours north of Vancouver, British Columbia. She moved for love, and she moved for inspiration of the wilderness. She settled in to the foothills of the Cariboo Mountains where she wrote most of the new album over the course of a few weeks. Nestled in the woods, she sat on her porch where her writing sessions were accompanied by the constant burbling of the Cottonwood River, which runs by a few hundred feet behind her place. You can feel its influence; More Than A Hero takes on a rootsier, more earthy tone than her previous records. Many of the songs touch on themes of moving and other great leaps of courage. Karyn was voted “Most Original New Voice” by the Humber College songwriting faculty that included artists Danny Michel, Dahmnait Doyle and US songwriter, Jules Shear. She was shortlisted for the Colleen Peterson Songwriting Award two years in a row in 2009 and 2010, administered by the Ontario Council of Folk Festivals and Ontario Arts Council. Her song “Motorcycle Ride” received an honourable mention in the 2010 Island Mountain Arts Songwriting Contest. Additionally, “Little Grey Sparrow” was selected out of over 700 entries nationwide as one of five finalists representing Ontario in CBC Radio 3's "David Suzuki's Playlist For the Planet" Songwriting Contest, 2010. To date Karyn Ellis has released three albums Bird (2003), Hearts Fall (2005) and Even Though The Sky Was Falling (2009) through her independently run label Mathilde’s Home Productions – the release of More Than A Hero in October 2013 will make it four. Hearts Fall, Even Though The Sky Was Falling (ETSWF) and More Than A Hero were supported under Canada Council’s Specialized Music Recording Grant. ETSWF and More Than A Hero were also awarded FACTOR independent loans. Additionally, Karyn has lent her voice to a number of recording projects including those by Treasa Levasseur, Rob Szabo, Evalyn Parry, Michael Holt and Chris Warren. Even Though The Sky Was Falling had significant CBC airplay and reached #6 on CIUT (Toronto) as well as an appearance on the national Top-10 Folk/Roots/Blues chart. It received excellent reviews, including four and four-and-a-half star reviews in Canada and northern Europe. It appeared on CHARTattack Staff Top 10 Album Lists and Penquin Eggs Magazine DJ’s Top 10 choice for 2009. Her previous Hearts Fall also reached national campus Top-50 and national Top-10 Folk/Roots/Blues charts and spent six months on regional Top-30 charts on campuses across Canada including five weeks on CIUT Toronto top-30 topping at #3 and reaching #18 on CKUA radio Network (Alberta). Over the course of her career, Karyn has played hundreds of live shows across Canada and in Europe, appearing in small clubs, living rooms, soft-seaters and festivals. Some highlights include: • Vancouver International Writers Festival - "Torn From The Pages". She was invited to create and perform a new song at the festival based on a novel by one of the festival's feature writers (Timothy Taylor - "Blue Light Project". • Tours of Scotland, France, Germany, The Netherlands and Switzerland in 2011, 2012 and 2013. • New Waves Festival at the Young Centre, in association with Luminato in Toronto. • Bluebird North Concert Series in Toronto at the Royal Conservatory with Ian Thomas, Luke McMaster, Coco Love Alcorn as well as the Bluebird North Concert Series in Edmonton, Alberta. • Homeroutes Concert Series, Two circuits: Manitoba and Alberta/Saskatchewan. • The Annual Christmas Show at the Rivoli in Toronto, hosted by Mia Sheard. Line up included: Hawksley Workman, Ron Sexsmith, Luke Doucet, Melissa McLelland, Lori Cullen. • Michael Wrycraft presents: Girls Do Boys at Hugh’s Room, Toronto. Other artists included Ndidi Onukwulu, Cindy Church and Eliana Cuevas. • Robson Valley Music Festival (BC), Campbell Bay River Music Festival (BC), Peterborough Folk Festival (ON), Waynefest (AB) River and Sky Music Festival (ON) Artswells (BC) • Official showcases at NXNE (Toronto), OCFF (Kingston and Ottawa), NextFest (Edmonton) Among other artists she has played with, Geoff Berner, Rose Cousins, Jill Barber, Madison Violet, Elliot Brood, Annabelle Chvostek, Dala, Rae Spoon, Justin Rutledge and Selina Martin. Her songs have been appeared in TV and films, most recently “Degrassi: The Tenth Season” (Epitome Pictures), which aired on MuchMusic and over 100 international syndicates. Other placements include “Robson Arms” (Omni Productions), which aired on CTV, Bravo! and the Comedy Network and in UK filmmaker Gareth Griffith’s “Happy Fridays” screened at Cannes Film Festival Short Film Corner in 2008. Karyn also appeared in a documentary by filmmaker Dave Cool called “What is Indie” (Stand Alone Productions) distributed by the National Film Board of Canada. Even Though The Sky Was Falling featured two music videos: “Be My Girl” was directed by Karyn herself, and the video was picked up by Bravo! “Bitter Grasses” was directed by director Jonathan Bensimon (who has also worked with Jill Barber and Peter Elkas); it screened as part of the NXNE Film Festival in 2010. ******* QUOTES ******** “…a magical way with song…Leonard Cohen has no copyright on the word hallelujah.” ~ Brad Wheeler, The Globe & Mail, Essential Track of the Day "[A]s if writing a brilliant song were child's play...it is challenging to identify a single standout on an album that is so remarkably clear and consistent. Karyn Ellis is a singer we simply must embrace in Europe." altcountryforum.nl / Martin Overheul "[S]he shows the kind of vocal agility that only the greatest possess. Moreover, her eclectic approach to failed loves and her songs about burning desire offer the best imaginable playground for this.... pure enjoyment from the first to the last. 4,5***** " CtrlAltCountry.be/ Benny Metten "Canadian singer-songwriter Karyn Ellis is an innovative and eclectic talent...[she] has the uncanny ability of hitting the jackpot quite regularly with her songs... her work is of another level." Americana-uk.com / Maurice Hope “[One of] Five must-see songstresses, NXNE Highlights: this delicate, sweetly-melodic Toronto songstress needs to be heard.” (Also on the top-pick list: Zola Jesus, Fanshaw, Maylee Todd, Hannah Georges) ~ Brad Wheeler, The Globe & Mail 4****…. A classically trained musician who set out to sing opera, this bright Ontario girl got sidetracked into pop music and weird day jobs, including singing telegrams for a living. Even Though the Sky Was Falling, her sophomore CD, proves this is a woman with stories.” ~ Marke Andrews, Windsor Star / Calgary Herald (Canwest) “[Karyn] Ellis… was a revelation. [S]he offered poignant songs of the heart, whether the tender mercies of first love or the deep mercies of a woman dying with a heart full of love. Beauty, indeed.” ~ The Record / Robert Reid“ ““a voice that has an ethereal quality, sounding both innocent and weathered at the same time….Gems like “Not Looking for Love” show off a unique sound that is all her own.” ~ Sarah Petz, Stylus Magazine “Singer-songwriter Karyn Ellis finds inspiration in some bizarre spots – creepy CSI episodes, for example. But that doesn’t make the inventively arranged songs on her latest album, Even Though the Sky Was Falling, any less charming.” ~ Bernard, Perusse, What’s On Your I-POD?, The Montreal Gazette "The sky might be falling, but Karyn’s ten celestial tunes on “Even Though The Sky Was Falling”, her second full-length release, are sure to send this songstress’s star on a rapid rise." !earshot Magazine / Allison Brown "I can't get your record off repeat, but that's on purpose. It's astounding!" Stephen Pitkin (drummer & producer, Elliot Brood) “Karyn got on stage after a short intermission and just rocked out. She’s sweet and ferocious all at once and her album reminds me intensely of Hawksley Workman’s Treeful of Starling. It’s a celebration of the mundane…the stuff we’re all too hard-bitten and realistic to talk about in front of our friends. The stuff the Romantic poets wrote about. I’m in for the long run with Ellis.”~ ericmalette.wordpress.com / Eric Malette “Smart and Beautiful. ***** (5 stars) This album is a total surprise. Karyn brings her beautiful sound to life with playful lyrics that spark playful memories. I loved it from the first listen.” ~ iTunes Customer Review of “Even Though The Sky Was Falling” “Brilliant. Karyn Ellis’s Even Though the Sky Was Falling grabbed my heartstrings immediately and hasn’t let go… playful and refreshing… I highly recommend that everyone check out this unique and truly gifted Toronto songwriter and take a listen to this beautifully crafted album… Attending [Karyn’s CD Release Party in Toronto] is a must!” ~ NeNW.ca / Rozalind MacPhail “Lately, I am hooked on the sound of Karyn Ellis. Her new album Even though the Sky was Falling is just a gem. This Toronto based indie artist has created a sound that is both new and sentimental. I love her quirky twist of word. Songs of love lost and longing memories. Joy and beauty. All this and a stunning voice too. (sort of Jane Siberryish…if that’s a word!)... this album is full of intimate tunes that pull at your heartstrings. Ordinary life gone better.” ~ davidraithby.blogspot.com / David Raithby - Year End List [Even Though The Sky Was Falling] is ornate and beautiful and just wow.” ~ in an email from Tyler B., Ann Arbor, USA. MORE QUOTES... “...then you find someone like sexy acoustic goddess Karyn Ellis, and you think, "of course I want to love again!" And some have fallen in love with her latest, Hearts Fall. To be in love, and even better, to have an album at number forty-nine. Karyn Ellis, helping us learn to love again.” ~ Earshot-online.com ~ Inside the Chart / Bryndis Ogmundson !Earshot Charts Editor “ [Karyn's] voice is lovely, the arrangements are simple & clever, and there's an almost rustic quality to the record-likely from being recorded live off the floor-that makes it extra sweet.” ~ CBC Radio 1 / Amanda Putz BANDWIDTH re: Hearts Fall “Her voice dances along the line between cool and quirky without falling onto the wrong side. She comes across rather like Victoria Williams but clearly with her own sensitivity and sensuality....[Hearts Fall] is the sort of disc you are likely to buy several of to spread among friends.” ~ Penguin Magazine / Chris Martin “If you haven't heard this woman sing, you are missing out... what a refreshing new voice!” ~ NewMusicCanada.com / CBC radio 3 “Eloquent and original" ~ Kerry Doole, Tandem Magazine “From the first notes - you'll be head over heels in love…[Karyn's] tunes are unbelievably charming because they are organic and simple - but layered with elements of the sweetest pop conventions ever - conjuring up immediate reminders of what we love about musicians like Tanya Donelly, Hope Sandoval, CocoRosie and Martha Wainwright. Except Karyn Ellis does it her own, clever, beautiful, introspective and quirky way. The songs are both hilarious and lonely. Carefree and nostalgic.” ~ Upfront Magazine / Dan MacDonald “Pert and amusing singer-songwriting (8 out of 10). [Hearts Fall] is sheer indie delight. … there’s something very engaging about her sweet n sour soprano. Green chair shows a Norah Jones softness... and there’s intelligence and poetry in the lyrics, not to mention gentle humour. This is not a happy record. But it is one where misery is beautiful, raw and crisp.” ~ americana-uk.com (UK) / Lynne Pettinger “4 out of 5 ...such bittersweet pleasures. You can hear Welch, Waits, Amos, Brickell, Peyroux, the Cowboy Junkies and the Be Good Tanyas all rolled up in that one tiny body, that one mournful voice. Superior late night stuff!”~ CtrlAltCountry.be (Belgium) / Benny Metten re: Hearts Fall “4 out of 5… You simply have to delight in Karyn Ellis' fragile and sometimes oddly girlish voice. Her high tones and jazz-like melodies are reminiscent of Joni Mitchell, but minimal instrumentation and unexpected musical turns in otherwise straightforward songs are just as connected to the contemporary sound of free-style folk.” ~ Kindamusik.net (Netherlands) / Maurice Dielmans re: Hearts Fall Karyn “can envelop you in the warmth of that voice and break your heart at the same time.” ~ Indie-Music.com (USA) / Jennifer Layton VIsit www.karynellis.com for updates about shows & other whereabouts! You can also follow me on www.facebook.com/karynellishere