Karly Summers
Victoria, British Columbia, Canada | SELF
Music
Press
Fame and fortune not on radar for young songstress
For 16-year-old singer Karly Summers, writing music is a rather therapeutic process.
Crafting music since she was eight, the Grade 12 Belmont secondary student has already been at it half of her life.
“It is a way of venting. You can get all your emotions and all your feelings out through song. It is kind of like closure in a way,” she said. “You have all your feelings out in a song and it is a finished product.”
Her musical style is reminiscent of Michelle Branch.
Her abilities have even been described as the probable outcome of a Sheryl Crow and John Mayer rendezvous.
While some compare her to established stars, all she wants is an opportunity – the fame she can live without.
“I really want to work towards having this as a career. I would rather really work hard on something that I love, than not work hard in something that I hate,” Summers said.
“I am going to put all my effort into this, I don’t want to be famous, I just truly want to make a living at this.”
She admitted having already been blessed with luck.
Her father, Tony Moskal, an audio-video technician, has created a audio-video studio in their house, while her mother, Susan Moskal – she moonlights as a nail technician – acts as Summers’ manager.
With the availability of such services, it’s up to her to decide how far she wants to take it. And by all accounts, her knuckles have been busily rapping on opportunity’s door.
“She came to me when she was 10 years old and asked me how to become a musician and not become famous,” said Susan. “She really wanted to play music, but the way pop princesses were viewed on TV, she didn’t want to be like that.”
Mother has listened while daughter plays alone in her bedroom for hours on end, strumming, singing and writing her own tunes into a little notebook, like many girls her age would write into a diary.
“She is a real musician, she just loves the art of it, whether there is an audience or not,” Susan said.
Summers’ next gig will be in front of an audience, possibly a huge one, as she’ll perform during the Capital Festival’s B.C. Day concert on Aug. 2. There will be nerves, for certain, but she has wanted this all her life.
“For some reason I seem to find some relaxing peace of mind when I am performing, which is kind of incredible to me because I am a nervous person,” Summers said.
“I love sharing with people. (I think) it’s refreshing for people to listen to something completely new, coming from someone that is completely new.”
Even if it is venting.
alim@vicnews.com
Check it out
• For a musical sampling of Karly Summers, visit www.karlysummers.com.
• She performs at 2 and 6:45 p.m. at St. Ann’s Academy on B.C. Day.
• A complete schedule of the 2010 Capital Festival can be found at www.capitalfestival.com. - Victoria News - Arnold Lim
Discography
2008 - 9 song acoustic CD sold at gigs and performances
*Current CD* 2010 - 5 song EP available at gigs and performances (4 tracks fully produced, 1 acoustic)
After graduation, Karly released the grad song she wrote and performed at her school's graduation ceremonies "Not Giving In," for free online download. Visit her website or here (http://www.reverbnation.com/play_now/song_9122413) to download it.
Karly is currently producing and recording her first fully produced debut album.
Photos
Bio
* Karly was named BC’s Best Emerging Artist this past August when she won Capital Festival Productions’ 2011 Best BC Emerging Artist Solo Artist Award.
Voted by the public, Karly Summers was in the Lilith Fair Top 20 artist search for Vancouver. Quite an accomplishment for a 17 year old girl, competing with 228 other established artists in BC.
PEPSI hired Karly to play for the opening ceremonies of their 100th Walmart in Canada. She was approved by the Walmart Canada Corporation and was so well received they hired her again for their Langford location's Grand Opening, requested by their employees.
Canadian Musician/Actor Tom Jackson was so impressed with Karly, he chose her to open for him, Christmas 2007. Since then Karly has been requested to play at countless Festivals and Fairs. Festivals such as the Vancouver Island Music Festival (Comox), where she was the youngest performer and captivated an audience of a few thousand with her mature sound. She has also had radio play (CKLR-FM 97.3, CFUV and 107.3 Kool FM) and TV interviews with Chek TV and Shaw Daily.
Karly opened for David Gogo in 2011 at the O'Siem BC Spirit Festival. She has also played along Steven Page, Maurice, The Lost Boys, Shari Ulrich, Greg Sczebel, and Valdy.
"Karly Summers is insanely talented... Conveying her feelings with a peaceful voice and well crafted melodies, this 17-year-old singer-songwriter delivers a fresh mix of poppy, yet sophisticated, acoustic rock."-Jeff Gargas President FTFrecords.com. US.
"It was shocking, refreshing, and exciting to experience Karly's talent for the first time. Beautiful songwriting with a voice to match Michelle Branch, Karly has extensive skills as an entertainer at such a young age. We've promoted her several times on The Eagle and see great things in her immediate future!" -Ryan Mennie, Music Director, CKLR-FM 97.3 THE EAGLE.
"Karly was a breath of fresh air at the Vancouver Island Musicfest. Her music enjoyed by our audience members of all ages!" -Doug Cox, Vancouver Island Music Festival Producer and accomplished Musician, http://www.dougcox.org/home.html
Karly's musical influences consist mainly of solo artists such as John Mayer, Sarah Mclachlan, Michelle Branch, Sheryl Crow, and Bryan Adams. Karly has been writing her lyrics about life experiences, feelings and realizations since she was eight years old. The people and events in her life inspire these lyrics.
Karly is a natural and relaxed performer with staying power. She is focused and driven to have a life long career in music. Karly Summers is the driving force behind her successes.
"Karly Summers is a warm and positive artist to watch out for. She has made goals at a young age to create music, and you can feel her dreams being achieved in every song." -Shamik/Musician
("Karly has everything going for her musically.") -John Capek, Award Winning Songwriter & Producer, http://www.johncapek.com/
"Karly, you have a hit on your hands. Everyone will be humming that chorus." As said by Larry Wayne Clark (Brain Child Music) after hearing her song "You'll Never Know."
http://www.brainchildmusic.com/discography.html
Karly is proud to have played for BC Days at St. Ann's Academy 2010 Downtown Victoria B.C and will be one of the featured artists for their 2011 Celebration (August 1st).
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