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The eclectic singer-songwriter, instrumentalist, composer and actress has already seen her music secure charting spots on Billboard and placed in movies and hit television shows like Dawson’s Creek and Lost. She has also acted in productions in film (In the Line of Fire), television (Star Trek: Deep Space Nine) and off-Broadway theater, all while opening for popular artists such as Chicago, Kenny Loggins and Joan Jett. With that breadth of experience, it’s no wonder that she envisions her songs as “mini-movies” complete with characters, storylines and plot resolutions. Her stirring and vibrant songs embody universal themes of love and strength that are central to humanity.
Katrina’s upcoming album release, Crazy Amazing, is a collaboration with Los Angeles-based singer-songwriter Jefferson Denim (Billboard award-winning songwriter and star of NBC’s Days of Our Lives.) Many of the tracks on the album explore deeply personal themes, including an articulation of how all people feel the need to escape (“Stargazing”), a track examining the all-encompassing human connection (“Pure Emotion”) and a song about finding the light that motivates people to live their best life (“Something to Fight For”).
“Jefferson and I trust each other and know each other very well in the most positive ways,” explains Katrina. “He is an all-around amazing musician and songwriter with a really selfless attitude and joie de vivre. We came to this project with the same goals of wanting to write an album that let people know they are not alone and as a call-to-action for helping humanity.” Crazy Amazing was recorded in Los Angeles with the production of the album overseen by Grammy-nominated producer Dave Darling (The Temptations, Def Leppard, Glen Campbell). In addition to his work as a producer, Darling was also a founding member of The Boxing Ghandis and experimental industrial band 58, which included Nikki Six of Mötley Crüe fame. “At this stage in my career, I tend to pick my projects pretty carefully and for different reasons than I might have before,” says Darling. “With Crazy Amazing, I got the two things I look for most: recording and creating with friends and working on a project that goes beyond just music. It is a project with a point of view and a message.” Crazy Amazing is scheduled for release in Fall 2018. It will be available for purchase and streaming on all major platforms, including Spotify, iTunes, Amazon and Google Play. It can also be purchased on Katrina’s official website, www.KatrinaCarlson.com. One of Katrina’s latest singles, “Bloom,” currently appears as the end credit song in the award-winning, feature-length documentary, The Heart of Nuba. The film follows the selfless and courageous efforts of American doctor Tom Catena as he attempts to treat patients in the war-ravaged Nuba Mountains of Sudan. The film was recently screened at Washington D.C.’s National Cathedral and is currently available on Hulu, iTunes, Amazon, Google Play and Xbox. “The song has had an enormously positive impact in the Nuba Mountains and in the lives of so many who live there,” she says. “I feel blessed beyond measure to have had a part in a film that has created awareness of the heinous atrocities that have taken place, raised over a half a million dollars for the Mother of Mercy Hospital and has helped cause a ceasefire, along with stopping the bombing of innocent civilians and children. People live outside of foxholes because of this film and to participate in any way brings great meaning to my musical mission.” A native of Paradise Valley, Arizona and currently living in Los Angeles, Katrina is no stranger to the music scene in Southern California. Her debut album, Apples for Eve was released in 2001 and produced by Emmy award-winner Ron Cohen. In 2002, Katrina was a finalist in the Rolling Stone / Jim Bean Emerging Artist series. To date, Katrina has released six albums, including the upcoming Crazy Amazing. Her second album, Untucked, included four singles that spent a combined 18 months on the Billboard and R&R Adult Contemporary charts. Her single “Drive,” a cover of the classic Cars song, went Number One in Los Angeles and even broke into the Billboard Adult Contemporary Top 20. “I was beyond thrilled when I found out I was going to have a song in the Top 20,” Katrina exclaims. “But also, it was a long road building my career to that point, so it was also very rewarding and affirming.” Away from music, Katrina enjoys adventure traveling, hiking, cooking and spending time with her family and friends. She has also been a vocal advocate and supporter of many non-profits, such as Los Angeles Children’s Hospital, National Charity League, Everychild, The Epilepsy Foundation, Best Buddies, Visionary Women and The Take Heart Foundation, which was founded by Katrina and her husband, Ken Carlson. The Take Heart Foundation is a non-profit supporting the work of the aforementioned Dr. Tom Catena and Mother of Mercy Hospital in Sudan. All money raised through the organization is used to purchase important medical supplies, food, train hospital staff and support a local school.
Electronic Press Kit from Nicholas Goehner on Vimeo.
“Such poignancy is rare for AC radio, but programmers are clearly developing a rare core artist for the format. Talent can still transcend the machine.”
“…it will remind you why you fell in love with great music in the first place.”
“Katrina Carlson is the most exciting new singer I have heard in a decade.”
“Honey-voiced blonde swan dives into the deep end of the Pop life pool and surfaces for an enjoyable hour long float.”
“…classical brilliance and Pop vitality”
“…A gem of a pop record, …laced with lyrical depths [and] full of heartfelt emotion and individual truth, accompanied often by little touches of grace.”
“Utterly Charming.”
– Rebecca Hogan
Review / June 5, 2020
Science has shown that, “Thinking positive, happy, hopeful and optimistic thoughts decreases Cortisol [the body’s stress hormone] and produces Serotonin [the body’s natural anti-depressant], which creates a sense of well-being. This helps the brain function at peak capacity.”
The Mental Health Foundation’s book, “Doing Good Does You Good” says, “It’s often said that ‘it’s better to give than receive’, but this is actually backed up by research ‘While it’s easy to feel too busy or stressed to help others… evidence shows that doing good for others is actually beneficial for your mental health and well being. It can help reduce stress, improve mood, self-esteem, longevity and happiness. From volunteering, to random acts of kindness, your good works can help others and yourself.’”
With these facts in mind and an awareness that many people are feeling discouraged and helpless during these uncertain times, the longtime friends and bandmates, Katrina Carlson and Jefferson Denim say, “[we] felt compelled to create and co-host a podcast that would share the inspiring stories of everyday humans doing crazy amazing things… people who utilize their time, talent and resources to give back, pay it forward and just make a really positive difference.”
This resulted in the “Crazy Amazing Humans” (CAH) podcast, which now consists of seven episodes on YouTube and several other platforms. In the introductory episode, Getting to Know You, Carlson and Denim immediately connect with their audience in a sincere and transparent way. They have an innate ability to create a personal relationship with their listeners and viewers.
It is clear that they themselves are crazy amazing humans who effectively dedicate their skills, talents, and empathetic gifts while drawing from real-life experiences to create a sincere interaction with their podcast guests, bringing inspiration to their audience.
Carlson and Denim are both accomplished professional musicians, singers, and songwriters. Each podcast episode has its own individual song performed by them. Both have strong ties to the Santa Monica community and are involved in several non-profit organizations. Carlson has lived in Santa Monica for over thirty years. She and her family are host to the well-known Santa Monica Halloween House, which is visited, free-of-charge, by an estimated 15,000 people every October.
The CAH podcast episodes, one through seven, span a wide range of guests. From a teenage paralympic track champion who founded a sports organization; to a behind-the-scenes look at the award winning documentary, “The Heart of Nuba” which follows an American doctor working in a war-torn region of Sudan; to an Oceanscape photographer dedicated to raising “blue consciousness.”
Every episode ends with inviting listeners to connect and be heard by emailing comments, questions, or sharing their own Crazy Amazing Humans story or experience. Carlson says, “Our mission is to find stories of people from all walks of life who are choosing to write their own narratives by becoming a part of solutions. We celebrate choices that make the world a better place, we do so in a way that shows that all of us have this capacity… We want to inspire people and make them feel not alone. We all have our stories and our challenges. We focus on everyday people, not people who are unattainable.”
Regarding his own experience in living a life that uplifts and inspires others, Denim says, “If you go through rough times you look for people who may be going through rough times too…[and] say, I get it, let’s talk, how can I help?”
Carlson says, “we are on a mission to inspire and remind you that you are Crazy Amazing.
It is as simple as saying, ‘yes’ and responding to the needs that are right in front of us. Remember that every little kindness has the potential to create Crazy Amazing Human experiences.” The podcast can be found at crazyamazinghumans.com.
– Jo-Ann Greene
Katrina Carlson captured pop fans’ hearts with her debut album, 2001’s Apples for Eve, while her smash sophomore set, 2003’s Untucked, helped send a quartet of singles into the U.S. charts. Since then, the singer experimented with an edgier sound, but returned to lusher pastures for her third set, Here and Now. “Break My Fall,” however, is a sharp reminder of her journey into tougher lands, on a song underpinned at points by fiery rock guitar that singes classic rock territory. “The Secret” is nowhere near as hard, yet still has a pop/rock edge, but these two song’s are the exception to the set’s overwhelmingly soft and quiet rule. The album’s lovely title track and first single is much more representative, a shimmering number filled with orchestral strings that swell languorously into the crystalline chorus. “Daisy in Chains,” in contrast, is dappled with ’60s sunshine pop, threatening to break from its shackles, and just about does during the anthemic chorus. In contrast, “No One Is to Blame” is deliberately edged with an ’80s pop style, a reminder of its past. A Top Five hit for Howard Jones back in 1986, the British star joins Carlson for a cover that arguably bests the original smash. Its downbeat theme fits beautifully within this set, whose own themes revolve around fragile relationships, searches for love, and the need to hold it tight. For Carlson, love is a balm, and the only cure for her own insecurity. Obviously she’s not alone in this attitude, giving her lyrics a universal appeal. The music, comforting and comfortable, soft as a summer breeze, and flecked with lush atmospheres and pop sweetness, provides the perfect foil for Carlson’s own sweet tones and heartfelt deliveries. The album may be a tad to laid-back for the pop kids, but more mature fans will adore it.
– Chuck Taylor
Review / July 14, 2007
Katrina Carlson has established a quiet, but persistently prosperous reputation at AC radio with five hits, beginning with 2003’s Benny Mardones duet, “I Know You By Heart,” then an endearing cover of the Cars’ “Drive” through to top 15 2006 hit “You Are Christmas.” Upcoming full-length “Here and Now” is previewed with another creatively arranged cover/duet: 1986 AC No. 1 “No One is to Blame,” featuring the song’s original artist, Howard Jones, on vocals and piano. Production from Ron Aniello (Barenaked Ladies, Lifehouse, Jars of Clay) keenly preserves familiar elements, as Carlson and Jones trade off with innate chemistry that makes the song sound as if it were always meant to be delivered as such. “Blame” feels primed to fuel Carlson’s first top 10 at the format. Utterly charming.
– Chuck Taylor
Review / July 15, 2007
“Katrina Carlson should be a tutor in indie promotion. “Suddenly Beautiful” is the fourth hit single from debut CD “Untucked,” which, oddly, has yet to be picked up by a major label. Unlike previous adult contemporary offerings (most notably, “I Know You By Heart” with Benny Mardones and a cover of the Cars’ “Drive”), Carlson demonstrates a bit more acoustic-leaning grit in the Jack Joseph Puig radio mix – which makes sense, given the lyric: “I’m a fallen star, the sky gets so dark you don’t know/Suddenly, you make me beautiful.” Such poignancy is rare for AC radio, but programmers are clearly developing a rare core artist for the format. Talent can still transcend the machine. “Beautiful,” indeed.
April 10, 2007
Singer Katrina Carlson may not be Southern, but she does call herself a country girl. Carlson was born and raised in Scottsdale, AZ.
“I lived in the most western style city in the west. I am a Southwest country girl,” Carlson said.
There is not even a trace of country music’s typical twang in Carlson’s voice. However, her lyrical, storytelling songwriting style does fit in with songs written by some of country music’s greatest singer/songwriters.
Carlson’s music especially shares similarites to that of country favorite Deanna Carter. Both ladies have the same knack for writing about life’s ups and downs, sometimes in a serious manner and others in an over-the-top hilarious way.
When it comes to Carlson’s voice, it is extremely smooth and could be compared to likes of Sheryl Crow, Jewel and Sarah McLachlan. “We’re all rockers, but friendly rockers,” Carlson said, while laughing. “I love to play music to lift people up.”
She has had a successful career with several albums. She is planning to release her new CD, “Here and Now,” early this Summer. Carlson did not start out in what she calls the pop, rock ‘n’ folk genre. She was classically trained and developed skills in the operatic and Broadway singing styles. “It’s a salute to my roots. Plus, people seem to like it.” She plans to begin her Knoxville performance, which will be held at 7:30 p.m. on April 21 at the Civic Coliseum, with 30 seconds from a song from the opera, “Carmen.”
Her Knoxville performance will allow Carlson to experience a dream come true, to perform during the same show as her childhood hero Kenny Loggins.
The concert is also a fundraiser for East Tennessee Children’s Hospital. Ticket prices start at $45. “This is a cause that is near and dear to my heart. I have my own children, and one of my friends has a child who is in and out of the children’s hospital here,” Carlson said.
For more information on Carlson or to enjoy some of her tunes, visit www.KatrinaCarlson.com.
-August 14, 2007
A hit on adult contemporary radio, the rootsy singer-songwriter from Arizona is back with her third album, “Here and Now.” The second (and title) track off the new disc blends her gentle voice with heartfelt lyrics and a backing orchestra for a power ballad inspired by holding her newborn baby for the first time.
TBA
Song: “Go-To-Girl”
Album: Untucked
TBA
Song: “Getaway Car”
Album: Untucked
Airing: 9/5/07
Song: “Be The One”
Album: Here and Now
Airing: 8/17/07
Episode: Can’t Buy Me Love (#302)
Song: “Feel For Me”
Album: Here and Now
Airing: 8/10/07
Episode: Season Premier: Valley of Shadows (#301)
Song: “Feel For Me”
Album: Here and Now
Airing: 4/25/06
Song: “Dive”
Album: Untucked
Airing: 12/17/05
Song: “You Are Christmas”
Airing: 12/15/05
Song: “Count On Me”
Song: “You Are Christmas”
Album: Untucked
Airing: 3/12/05
Episode: Human Body (#411)
Song: “Dive”
Album: Untucked
Airing: 4/23/03
Episode: Catch-22 (#620)
Song: “Blue Streak Cadillac”
Album: Untucked
Airing: 1/23/02
Episode: Sleeping Arrangements (#512)
Song: “I Know You By Heart”
Album: Untucked
Airing: Daily
Song: “Friday Night”
Album: Apples for Eve
Song: “Winning’s Everything”
Album: Apples for Eve
Song: “Apples for Eve”
Album: Apples for Eve