Biography
Recently selected by About.com as a Best Unknown Folk Artist, Kate Isenberg is gathering a buzz that promises wide renown for the San Francisco-based singer-songwriter. Kate’s folk-pop songs evoke the soulful vocals of Suzanne Vega and the infectious riff-hooks of John Mayer, with lyrics in the tradition of Joni Mitchell: subtle storytelling, with insight and humor.
Already respected in the Bay Area’s songwriting scene, Kate stepped onto a larger stage with her second CD, THE TIME COMES ON HUMMING TRACKS, a finalist for the Indie Acoustic Project’s Best Female Singer-Songwriter Album of 2007 (a contest whose past winners include Vienna Teng and Allison Krauss). National magazines took notice of its “impeccable songwriting” (Performer) and “exquisite production” (Curve). Meanwhile, fans have crowded top Bay Area clubs for the dynamic pop of Kate’s three-piece band (Aaron Brinkerhoff, drums; Fergus D. Lenehan, bass), and for the vocal intimacy and guitar prowess of her solo performances. The album has drawn in many new listeners thanks to airplay on the Bay Area’s KFOG radio Acoustic Sunrise program.
Born in the Bay Area, Kate began studying violin at age eight. In her teens, she discovered the lyrically smart, melodic pop of Brian Wilson, Paul Simon, the Police, and the Indigo Girls. In college at Harvard, while studying literature, Kate taught herself guitar and began writing fiction and journalism. Words and music came together after college, when she began performing at top listening rooms on both U.S. coasts, including Café Du Nord (San Francisco), Eddie’s Attic (Atlanta), the Barns of Wolf Trap (D.C.), and Googie’s Lounge (New York City). By constantly reinventing her guitar approach with alternate tunings and melodic riffs, Kate has created a signature guitar style that tells stories as eloquently as her keenly observed lyrics. Her debut solo album, CADUCOUS (2002), won attention when its single, “No Need,” was chosen for a compilation CD featuring top songwriters in the U.S., including Indigo Girl Amy Ray.
Kate is now at work on her next full-length album. The new album, coproduced by Jon Evans (longtime bassist for Tori Amos), includes an array of national talent, including Evans, trumpeter Erik Jekabsen (John Mayer), and accordion/organist Julie Wolf (Ani DiFranco, Indigo Girls). Showcasing Kate’s electric and acoustic guitar skills, an ever-widening range of vocal expression, and her signature lyricism, the new record will announce a songwriting talent whose time has come.
Contact: info@kateisenberg.com or (415) 235-0028
Press kit: www.sonicbids.com/kateisenberg
Publishing: Kate Isenberg/Three Roads Records (ASCAP)
On the web: www.kateisenberg.com OR www.myspace.com/kateisenbergmusic
Instrumentation
Kate Isenberg - vocals, acoustic guitar
Aaron Brinkerhoff - drums
Fergus D. Lenehan - electric bass
Discography
THE TIME COMES ON HUMMING TRACKS (2007): Full-length CD. Independent release by Three Roads Records. (Released March 2, 2007)
DOLORES PARK CAFE ANNIVERSARY (2007): CD sampler. Released by Dolores Park Cafe, San Francisco, CA. Features "James" by Kate Isenberg (track 2, selected by the cafe from a Bay Area-wide pool of singer-songwriters).
HUNTING THE ZODIAC (2007). Film soundtrack. Features "Long Winter," by Kate Isenberg. International release, DVD sales.
THAT'S WHAT I HATE ABOUT FEMALES (2006). Film soundtrack. Features "Long Winter," by Kate Isenberg, performed live by Kate Isenberg and Vassi Johri. National screenings.
INDIE SAMPLER VOLUME 8 (2005): CD sampler. Released by Strange Bird Songs. Features
"No Need" by Kate Isenberg (track 4), selected by label from a nationwide songwriter search; other contributors include Amy Ray and Michelle Malone).
MUSIC STEW VOLUME 2 (2005): CD sampler. Released by Bazaar Cafe. Features "No Need" by Kate Isenberg (track 2, selected by venue in a Bay Area songwriter contest).
BETWEEN THE LINES (2005): Film soundtrack. Features "She Knows" and "Long Winter," by Kate Isenberg. National and international screening.
CADUCOUS (2002): Full-length CD. Independent release.
ALBUM (1999): Full-length CD. Independent release under the name Vice Versa (acoustic duo of Kate Isenberg and Rupa Marya).
Links
| http://www.myspace.com/kateisenbergmusic |