Music
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Minnesota-bred Trina Hamlin could never have imagined that she'd be writing songs for Dawson's Creek when she grew up. Hamlin placed two zingy pop nuggets on episodes of the ubiquitous teen series.
"Even Now,"a raucous John Mellencamp flavored love song, is the kind of tune that could shred your heart if you heard it on the radio during a nasty breakup. This sinister emotionalism is also present in "In My Life," one of the year's best, most unadulterated pop songs.
For those wishing for a wider spectrum of emotions than Dawson et al. can offer, try Hamlin's most recent CD, Living Room (ModMusic Records), where folk, rock, blues and gorgeous melody-driven choruses converge. Onstage at the Newport Folk Festival a couple of years ago, Hamlin moved evenly between giddy rockers and bluesy acoustic fare
— Karen Iris Tucker - TIME OUT New York
You might not have heard of her, but music insiders are betting you will soon. She is Trina Hamlin, a New York –based singer/songwriter, guitar and harmonica player. Critics have described her music as Sheryl Crow meets k.d.lang meets Dave Matthews. "A soulful acoustic performer with the heart of a rocker" It’s a sound that is making her a prominent force in today’s “unplugged” movement critics say. She’s coming here because WKRQ-FM promotions director Von Freeman found her playing a bar in the East Village and fell in love with her sound. - Jim Knippenberg - The CINCINNATI ENQUIRER
…Thankfully, that nightmare is still a long way off, with people like Trina Hamlin proving that a great voice can still be the best secret weapon.
Hamlin, who’s currently working on her debut effort with world-class producer Steve Rosenthal, has a musical and emotional range that should take her far. Like Joan Osborne, she has a voice that amazes and her songs are endearingly raw, mixing elements of R&B, Blues and Rock with grace and apparent ease.
Catch her now in this intimate atmosphere before she moves on to bigger and better things. - Mike Breen - Cincinnati CITY BEAT
Trina Hamlin blew me away at a club in New York a few months ago. A gritty, passionate soulfulness drives her work on songs like “Keeping Me Whole” and “I”. Hamlin, a superb guitarist and blues harp player, sends her skydiving voice over skipping melodies, flicking out a Toni Childs huskiness at times, holding a note forever, suddenly dropping to a whisper. She knows how to build in intensity in a manner that lifts the listener thoroughly into the song. Her harmonica-driven “Down to the Hollow” and her cover of Hendrix’s “Angel”, sung a capella on her tape may be the two most moving back to back pieces I have ever heard. I was left slack-jawed. – Joe del Priore - HUDSON CURRENT
By Jim Catalano
Special to the Journal
Firey New York City-based singer-songwriter
Trina Hamlin performs at Juna’s Café Saturday.
With a powerhouse voice, sizzling harmonica
chops and a gift for blending blues, folk, pop
and rock, Hamlin has what it takes to break into
the musical mainstream.
So far, she’s off to a good start. Hamlin has
had three songs featured on the television show
“Dawson’s Creek,” and has appeared on
“Late Night With Conan O’Brien” and at the
Newport Folk Festival. Hamlin’s latest album,
“Living Room,” is one of the more impressive albums I’ve heard in the past year, especially with catchy songs such as “Wounded Knee,” “In My Life” and “A Thought.”
- THE ITHACA JOURNAL
Big. Beautiful. Even a little brash. Trina Hamlin's music smoulders sweetly just before it sets the place on fire. Add in that irresistibly twinkling grin and you've got the Foundation for a wonderful time.
-Marilyn Rea Beyer
WUMB Boston - WUMB Boston
The exhilarating rawness and sheer grooving rush of the highlight track “Down to the Hollow” both belies the accomplished textures of Trina Hamlin’s Living Room and underscores the importance that blues and mood play in her music.
Hamlin alternates between rootsy and informed breakdowns with squawking harmonica and growling guitars and pure indie-pop beauty, and she does it easily and without ever sounding unfocused.
The fact that her voice simultaneously conjures Michelle Malone, Chrissie Hynde and Paula Cole is indicative of Hamlin’s breadth of style. When she slides from the roadhouse growl of “Down to the Hollow” into the huge, lush tones of “Even Now” and on to the brooding “Discontent,” her easy and honest comfort with so many styles is stirring.
- PERFORMING SONGWRITER
Discography
Alone
Living Room
Foundation
Living On Love (upcoming release)
Photos
Bio
Trina Hamlin is known for her sizzling blues harmonica and her energy-packed singing and guitar work. Her pure voice and unspoiled powerful presence have gained the singer-songwriter from Minneapolis a steady national following since she began playing solo shows on the downtown New York City club scene.
Hamlin attended Berklee College of Music in Boston and graduated with a degree in Professional Music. Afterwards, she moved to New York City and began performing and honing her songwriting skills. She was chosen as a "Most Wanted New Artist" at the Falcon Ridge Folk Festival and as an alumnus of the Newport Folk Festival, performed to a sold out crowd along with Ani DiFranco, Dar Williams and the Indigo Girls. She has shared stages with Ricki Lee Jones, John Hiatt, Duncan Sheik and Paula Cole and performed on The Late Show with Conan O' Brian with the "Suits" Her music has been heard in the CBS-TV movie "Friends at Last," starring Kathleen Turner as well as on the WB’s "Dawson’s Creek".
Hamlin has jokingly said that the blues were created in her native Minnesota. She's only kidding, of course - but nevertheless, there’s "something in the water" there and Hamlin went and had herself a drink. Maybe that’s why she’s one heck of a soulful interpreter. These days, live and on record, Hamlin can be found accompanying herself on guitar, harmonica and piano, working her keen sense of intuition and surrounding herself with music. Hamlin's website is www.trinahamlin.com .
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