Abri van straten

Born and raised in Cape Town, South Africa, singer-songwriter and guitarist, Abri Van Straten, molds words and music to create a calming and serene facade he intercedes to invoke. Previously with the South African rock group The Lemmings, Abri toured nationally with them. Abri is married to Kristin Bauer, known for her character portrayal of Pam on HBO's hit show,True Blood. I had the great opportunity to chat with Abri about his passion for music, his love for animals, True Blood, future recordings, and much more! To learn more about his beginning with music, what influences him, and other morsels please visit his website. You can also stream his songs frim his current album, Sunlight and Shadows, at the conclusion of the interview below!

1. What, besides your familial history, do you attribute with your love of music and it's success?

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One word: Aesthetics. It is an interesting animal (aesthetics means beauty in all it's forms). The wavelength of beauty is the smallest, measurable wavelength in the universe and therefore, the most powerful. When I was a kid, music had a very strong effect on me. I never had to take drugs or anything of that nature; music gave me a high. Beauty is a world-changer. Aesthetics is why we do what we do without realizing it. It's very fundamental to all of existence.

2. You are very dedicated as an animal activist as well (which is something I highly commend and value). Your song "Voices" was written about the illegal practices of whaling, although it's a universal song. Please explain how near and dear this cause is to you.

I'm African and my family grew up in Kenya (in East Africa). My grandfather was a professor of physiology, and spent many years with animals, and would doctor them when they were sick. He had a chimpanzee, elephant, among other animals. Humans are not isolated, as we are part of a whole and must therefore take responsibility for all living things.

3. Has your fan-base grown due to the popularity of being Kristin Bauer's (Pam on True Blood) husband? Do you feel the grassroots methods are still the best and most organic?

I like to think and hope that I've made some new friends. It's nice to make new friends, even if they have fangs ;)
We live in an interesting time. When I was growing up the music industry was hard because there was no internet. Now, the internet has made communication much easier. It is an open playing field. All art forms stem from a basic desire to communicate. If you want to communicate , you'll find a way to do it! At the end of the day it's your own decisions that remain the cause point of your endeavors. The individual musician has to search for himself how far he/she wants to reach. Decide, and don't look at the recording industry to make the decisions for you. The universe often helps you in interesting ways once you do make a decision.Weird coincidences found me where I am. When The Lemmings were done touring, I had no desire to stay in L.A., and should have gone back home, but I had a feeling that I should stay and luckily I did...I met my wife!

4. Speaking of your wife, would you like your music to be featured on True Blood?

I don't think my music is True Blood. It's too sweet and nice...Lol True Blood is a bit more edgy; would be cool, but haven't gone down that avenue.

5. Any plans on future recordings?

I'm busy with it now. I have two albums of material written that I plan to record, and am starting to do that now. I'm excited to get it out there to people.

Fun Questions:

1. What are five albums you can't live without?

1. Police- Synchronicity (great record)
2. Dave Matthews Band- Under The Table and Dreaming; Last time I saw Dave when I was 14, and he was 17. I've known Dave since we were kids.
3. Bob Dylan- Infidels
4. Dire Straights- Money for Nothing
5. Whitesnake- Whitesnake (1987)

2. What was your first album on CD and/or vinyl?

John Denver- Rocky Mountain High, when I was about 7 years old.

3. What was your first concert? Have a favorite?

Foreigner (big band)- didn't see until I was 24 or 25. I lived in Africa and for political reasons bands didn't tour there so I had to wait many years. I had grown up with the posters and stuff on TV, you know of these American bands, and subconsciously I expected to see these 9 foot tall people coming on stage. It was kind of surreal to realize they were just "normal" size people like you and I. Wonderful show though!

4. Do you have a guilty musical pleasure?

Def Leppard- I love them!
Their album, Hysteria, is the one I crank up loud and listen and sing every song to.
To purchase Abri's current album, Sunlight and Shadows, and to receive an autographed photograph of Kristin Bauer, please visit their Amazon store. While there, you can also purchase his CD with his former band, The Lemmings.
My personal favorite songs of his are, "Monet," and "Count The Stars," which you can stream by clicking on the link below for your listening pleasure. Let his music take you to a far-away place only you can call your own!

Monet by Abri Van Straten
Count The Stars by The Lemmings
Abri on Facebook
Abri on MySpace

Promotional Photograph
Credits:
http://www.abrivanstraten.com
Slideshow: Abri Van Straten

Slideshow: Abri Van Straten

Related Topics

Abri Van Straten
Kristin Bauer van Straten
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- Examiner.com

If you've looked at the musical artists lined up to play at Phoenix Comicon next weekend, you may have noticed that one of these things is not like the others. That would be singer-songwriter Abri Van Straten, whose picturesque acoustic folk songs contrast starkly with the Japanese pop (Toybox), psychobilly (Deadman's Curse), and hip-hop (Mega Ran) dominating the music programming this year.

Originally from South Africa, Van Straten achieved some acclaim with his rock band, The Lemmings, playing smooth adult contemporary songs that, as far as sonic similarities, fell somewhere between Hootie & the Blowfish and Toad the Wet Sprocket. His first solo record, Sunlight & Shadows, sounds much more stripped-down and intimate. Many of the songs are simply vocal, guitar, and soft brushes on snare drums, but they're carried by diverse melodies and Van Straten's husky, rich voice, which has all the storytelling inflection of singers like Harry Chapin and Jim Croce, and a deep croon reminiscent of Leonard Cohen.

Van Straten lives in Los Angeles now with his wife, actress Kristin Bauer (who plays a vampire named Pam on the HBO series True Blood and will also be a guest at Phoenix Comicon). Many of his new songs tell tales of L.A., often turned inward. In "16th Floor," Van Straten sings, "Counting pigeons out on Hollywood Boulevard/What the hell am I doing here?" The song shifts from casual to haunting by the chorus, when Van Straten croons, "From the window of the 16th floor, I lose my grip/From the window of the 16th floor, my fingers slip."

Ghost are everywhere in Sunlight & Shadows -- as lovers on the avenues in "Sleepless," as phantom movie stars staggering down boulevards in "Living in L.A.," as forgotten ideas in "Lighthouses." We recently caught up with Van Straten to talk about the album, how he met Bauer, and his upcoming appearance at Comicon.

New Times: You grew up in an artistic household in South Africa, and started playing guitar when you were ten. What do you remember about some of the earliest songs you wrote?
Abri Van Straten: The songs I started listening to were singer-songwriters of the 60s and 70s, like Bob Dylan and Simon & Garfunkel. I thought that was how you did it. They take parts of life and look at them through song.


Bauer and Van Straten at the premiere of True Blood.
?NT: What is about the lyrics of artist like Bob Dylan and Simon & Garfunkel that you like? AVS: If you look at the function of art, it's where people get their ideas from, and the ideas shape our reality. Everything around you started as an idea. Art and entertainment are not the same subject. Dylan and those guys looked at life, but also thought about the future.

NT: What is your songwriting process like? Do you have a particular place you like to go, or time of day you like to work?
AVS: Into my own mind, and it doesn't really matter what time it is. I go into my head, and sometimes, I come out for coffee (laughs).

NT: How does your solo album differ from anything you've done with The Lemmings?
AVS: It's not too dissimilar, but especially live, there's a lot more rock 'n' roll energy to it. Solo is much quieter, and a more peaceful situation.

NT: Your acoustic guitar playing is very crisp and pronounced. Do you use a pick, or do you hand-pick?
AVS: I was classically trained, so I play classical guitar. I have long nails, which is scary for most women (laughs), but I'm just really drawn to the sound of guitarists like Jose Feliciano. I like that Spanish sound and color.

NT: What are the ideas and influences behind your song "Living in L.A.?"
AVS: Unlike New York or London, that have identities, L.A. doesn't -- it kind of morphs and shifts. And it's very haunted, as well -- it's literally crawling with ghosts, at these old hotels where people like Marilyn Monroe and James Dean used to stay.

NT: How long have you been living in L.A.?
AVS: Two years...I was there on tour, and I was hanging out in L.A., and Kristin [Bauer] called me and asked if I'd like to go have coffee.

NT: And now she's your wife.
AVS: Yes, now we are married. The universe was up to its old tricks again (laughs).

NT: How has your tour schedule changed since marrying Kristin Bauer? Are you playing a lot more fan conventions?
AVS: I'd never heard of these things until I met Kristin. There's nothing like them in South Africa. I think it's very much an American thing. But we had fun traveling the world last year and doing that.

NT: What can we expect at your Phoenix Comicon performance? Will you have any backing players, or will it be a solo show?
AVS: Just me on stage, naked, with a guitar (laughs). Really, I'm looking forward to it. I love Phoenix. I love the desert. I'm a desert person. It's really beautiful there.

Abri Van Straten is scheduled to perform at 6 p.m. Saturday, May 28, at Phoenix Comicon at Phoenix Convention Center. Visit www.phoenixcomicon.org for more information. - Phoenix New Times

Kristin Bauer will be the host of a fund raising event taking place in Milwaukee, WI on April 2nd. The major event is a concert including the headliner, Sugar Ray – but lookie here, Abri Van Straten will also be appearing and we’ve all know how talented and sexy that guy is. The Grand Slam - Community watch online

Kristin Bauer and her husband Abri van Straten were interviewed by Brian Ball on WomensRadio. Read a brief synopsis below, but really – listen to the interview; it’s quite charming. - True Blood News

Tonight, catch Abri on “Sports and Life with Cameron Datzker” at 8:00 p.m. PT. So, git on over to LATalkRadio.com and chill with Abri! - True Blood News

Metal stamping company, Kapco Inc. of Grafton, has announced the launch of its ‘Grand Slam Charity Jam’ event which hopes to raise $100,000 for more than 50 charities throughout Wisconsin. The event will be held at Potawatomi Bingo and Casino and will highlight celebrity artists like Sugar Ray, American Idol stars Kimberley Locke and Paris Bennett, Jamecia from Sounds of Blackness; Abri van Straten of The Lemmings; and The Boogie Men. - BizTimes

A zine about Abri van Straten, with news, pictures, and articles. - Zimbio

Abri van Straten Releases His New Album, Sunlight and Shadows
South African native Abri van Staten, the lead singer, guitarist, and songwriter of the South African group, The Lemmings, has released his latest album Sunlight and Shadows.

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Abri van Straten and Kristin Bauer
Quote startIt’s a musical story. My music has been described as fluid and poetic, and I look forward to sharing it with music lovers of all ages.Quote end

Venice, CA (PRWEB) December 7, 2010

South African native Abri van Staten has released his latest album Sunlight and Shadows. Sunlight and Shadows is an 11 track, emotion filled CD, featuring van Straten’s talents as a singer/songwriter. Each track has its own unique style, yet the album comes together as a whole to create a complete finished piece. The CD has been compared to James Taylor and Sting with his classical guitar style and his relaxing, beautiful voice.

Commenting on the new album, Van Straten said, “It’s a musical story. My music has been described as fluid and poetic, and I look forward to sharing it with music lovers of all ages.”

Abri van Straten was born in South Africa, and has been the lead singer, guitarist, and songwriter of the South African group, The Lemmings. The group has toured Europe, Scandinavia, and most recently the US, recorded four CD's and performed over one thousand shows.

van Straten now lives in California with his wife, Kristin Bauer, an actress currently a series regular on TV’s True Blood. - South African Focus

South African native Abri van Staten has released his latest album Sunlight and Shadows. Sunlight and Shadows is an 11 track, emotion filled CD, featuring van Straten’s talents as a singer/songwriter. Each track has its own unique style, yet the album comes together as a whole to create a complete finished piece. The CD has been compared to James Taylor and Sting with his classical guitar style and his relaxing, beautiful voice.

Commenting on the new album, Van Straten said, “It’s a musical story. My music has been described as fluid and poetic, and I look forward to sharing it with music lovers of all ages.”

Abri van Straten was born in South Africa, and has been the lead singer, guitarist, and songwriter of the South African group, The Lemmings. The group has toured Europe, Scandinavia, and most recently the US, recorded four CD's and performed over one thousand shows.

van Straten now lives in California with his wife, Kristin Bauer, an actress currently a series regular on TV’s True Blood.

The song from the album “Voices” was written for and donated to IFAW, the International Fund for Animal Welfare, to help them fight the illegal practice of whaling. Abri met IFAW through his wife and was moved by their persistent and effective programs. For a limited time Abri and Kristin are offering personalized autographs with every purchase of the CD from BauervanStraten thru Amazon.

Sunlight and Shadows is available at ITunes and http://www. http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/AbrivanStraten1. For more information visit http://www.abrivanstraten.com.

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Kristin Bauer from ‘True Blood’ with her husband, Abri van Straten - Gossip from A to Z

The UCLA Dance Marathon Benefiting Pediatric AIDS Coalition - Arrivals
#EVENT#THE UCLA DANCE MARATHON BENEFITING PEDIATRIC AIDS COALITION - ARRIVALS#KRISTIN BAUER#ABRI VAN STRATEN
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South African native Abri van Staten has released his latest album Sunlight and Shadows. Sunlight and Shadows is an 11 track, emotion filled CD, featuring van Straten’s talents as a singer/songwriter. Each track has its own unique style, yet the album comes together as a whole to create a complete finished piece. The CD has been compared to James Taylor and Sting with his classical guitar style and his relaxing, beautiful voice.
Commenting on the new album, Van Straten said, “It’s a musical story. My music has been described as fluid and poetic, and I look forward to sharing it with music lovers of all ages.”
Abri van Straten was born in South Africa, and has been the lead singer, guitarist, and songwriter of the South African group, The Lemmings. The group has toured Europe, Scandinavia, and most recently the US, recorded four CD’s and performed over one thousand shows.
van Straten now lives in California with his wife, Kristin Bauer, an actress currently a series regular on TV’s True Blood.
The song from the album “Voices” was written for and donated to IFAW, the International Fund for Animal Welfare, to help them fight the illegal practice of whaling. Abri met IFAW through his wife and was moved by their persistent and effective programs. For a limited time Abri and Kristin are offering personalized autographs with every purchase of the CD from BauervanStraten thru Amazon.
Sunlight and Shadows is available at ITunes and http://www. http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/AbrivanStraten1. For more information visit http://www.abrivanstraten.com. - Landing News

True Blood’s Kristin Bauer (left) and husband Abri van Straten, a member of the band “The Lemmings,” show their support for Dance Marathon. - Daily Bruin

Soothing sounds to the ear and soul. Abri has recently moved to the US from South Africa and now lives in California with his actress wife, Kristin Bauer, currently on True Blood. - Phoenix Comicon