supersonic
Artist Information
Biography
It was the turn of the century in Los Angeles. Alienated first by a lame rock scene, then by an equally pretentious songwriter scene, Kristoffer Carter packed up his arsenal of instruments and influences (Ani Difranco, Hamell On Trial, Neil Diamond & Elvis Costello) and took aim at his Ohio suburban childhood. Carter came up through the Cleveland music scene as the touring bassist for ska rockers The Twistoffs, then reinvented himself as a laser-focused acoustic pop songwriter.
The result was the power-pop persona he called "The Kristoffer Carter Show", a well-oiled mash-up of his singer/songwriter and world beat roots. Music Connection Magazine called his debut release (The Salvation EP) "compelling electric-acoustic energy that echoes classic Elvis Costello." Steady packed shows at Hollywood's The Hotel Cafe followed, with KC sharing the stage with songwriters Gary Jules, Cary Brothers, and Garrison Starr.
After hundreds of shows in L.A., Chicago, and his hometown of Akron Ohio alongside acts like The Black Keys, Hamell On Trial, and That One Guy, The Kristoffer Carter Show expanded beyond the one-man rock show. Chicago producer Kevin Robbins signed The KC Show as the flagship act on his Local Road Records start-up in 2007. After hiring local session drumming legend Larry Beers (Nic Tremulis Orchestra, Dick Prall, Mucca Pazza) Robbins and Carter took 3 years to meticulously craft the long-awaited follow-up LP "SEASON II". Carter performed every instrument with the help of just a couple friends. The resulting production has been compared to everything from Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers to Brian Wilson's "Smile."
"I spent a few years writing the songs I felt could outshine some of the covers I was into playing at the time, and similar themes started to emerge. There's a lot of growing-up happening on the album in terms of the art/life and work/family balance. I was figuring out how to be a husband and a father, but Kevin was also pushing me hard to explore the sonic capabilities of the production. After we tracked Larry and Mike's drum tracks I didn't have the budget to hire guitarists, singers, or a cellist. So, I had to clock in and play all of it myself. It was madness." "SEASON II" is set for release in early 2011, and features arrangements that match Carter's ambitions as a songwriter and performer.
The Kristoffer Carter Show "SEASON II" is already receiving airplay on 91.3 The Summit in Akron OH, which helped launch local heroes The Black Keys. Select shows and continual touring will follow, with Carter recreating the album live with just a drummer and a couple loop pedals.
Carter joined forces with Hamell On Trial (Righteous Babe Records), contributing multiple instruments, backing vocals, and production to Hamell's 2011 studio release.
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For more information, please visit: http://www.kcshow.com
Instrumentation
Kristoffer Carter - Vocals, guitars, Cello, basses
Aaron Bakker - Electric Guitars and Backing Vocals
Discography
"Season II" (Upcoming - 2011) Local Road Records (Chicago, IL)
"The Salvation EP (2003) Self Released (Los Angeles, CA kcshow.com)
Official Website
Links
Press
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"...a supple blend of world beat, electric sounds, and power-pop prowess!"
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“Carter’s music is a supple blend of world beat, electric sounds, and power-pop prowess. His down ho...
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"Sharp pop sensibilities and a keen lyrical wit."
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kron-based singer and guitarist Kristoffer Carter (who used to play bass for ska band the Twist-Offs...
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Bassist Spotlight for August, 2011 :: Kristoffer Carter
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Meet Kristoffer Carter, a bassist from Akron, Ohio who regularly headlines solo bass looping shows a...
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"...a way with melody and serious songwriting chops."
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"Carter is a straight-ahead pop-rocker with a way with melody and serious songwriting chops. He’s al...
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"Season II" sounds and looks unbelieveable!"
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Kristoffer Carter's new album is just a great package. The song Hey Renee is my current favorite. Se...
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"Echoes classic Elvis Costello"
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"The Kristoffer Carter Show is compelling electric/acoustic energy that echoes classic Elvis Costell...
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"Homesick is probably the most perfectly written and arranged pop song..."
"Homesick is probably the most perfectly written and arranged pop song I've heard in years."
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"Kristoffer Carter's songs and persona were much larger...."
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"Kristoffer Carter's songs and persona were much larger than one man, one guitar, and a handful of l...
Setlist
Originals:
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Season II
When No One's Home
Homesick
Not To Go
Over That Now
Salvation
Big Radio Song
Together/Enough
What You Hold On To
Favorite Idiot
Happy Little Life
All Grown Up
You Played Bass
Hang Out
Good Morning
Ask
Some Covers: (Looped, full arrangement)
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(Love is) What I got - Sublime
99 Red Balloons - Nina
All I Want Is You - U2
American Girl - Tom Petty
Bad Luck - Social Distortion
Bad Moon Rising - CCR
Blister in The Sun - Violent Femmes
Bittersweet Symphony - The Verve
Both Hands - Ani Difranco
Brown Eyed Girl - Irish Guy
Bust A Move - Young MC
Chameleon - Herbie Hancock
Closer - NIN
Dancing With Myself - Billy Idol
Disarm - Smashing Pumpkins
Don't Panic - Coldplay
Don't You Forget About Me - Simple Minds
Every Rose Has Its Thorn - Poison
Folsom Prison Blues - Johnny Cash
Forever in Blue Jeans - Neil Diamond
Free Fallin - Tom Petty
Good Riddance (Time of Your Life) - Green Day
Hold Me Now - Thompson Twins
I Wanna Be Sedated - The Ramones
Ignition Remix - R Kelly
I will Survive - Gloria Gaynor/CAKE
Jack & Diane - John Mellencamp
Jungle, The - Master P
Just Like Heaven - The Cure
Last Dance With Mary Jane - Tom Petty
Learning to Fly - Tom Petty
Living on a Prayer/G Thang/Cover Madness - Various
Love Song - The Cure
No One (Alicia Keys) - Cover
Patience - Guns N Roses
Promise, The - When in Rome
Redemption Songs - Bob Marley
Regulate - Warren G
Ring Of Fire - Johnny Cash
Running To Stand Still - U2
Stay (Faraway So Close!) - U2
Summer of '69 - Bryan Adams
Sweet Caroline - Neil Diamond
Sweet Child O'Mine - Guns N Roses
The Gambler - Kenny Rogers
Two Of Us - The Beatles
When Doves Cry - Prince
Where The Streets Have No Name - U2
Wonderwall - Oasis
Yoshimi - The Flaming Lips
You Can Call Me Al - Paul Simon
Ziggy Stardust - David Bowie
