Andrea Koziol
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Andrea Koziol

Toronto, Ontario, Canada | SELF

Toronto, Ontario, Canada | SELF
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Press


"various"

"Andrea continues to be slightly ahead of the curve with her latest CD "Half Way Sweet." Having fallen in love with the Ukulele - the instrument that seemingly has captured the musical world of late, she wrote this entire project on it. To say that it gives her writing brilliance a fresh slant would be an understatement. Once again, she has surrounded herself with the "cream" of the session players in Canada, this musical journey has no defined boundaries. And the live dynamic is a must! File under: Brilliantly unique."
DON BIRD- Folk Alliance

“…what Aretha Franklin might sound like were she given Sarah McLachlan’s backing tracks to wail over.”
ALEXANDER VARTY - The Georgia Straight

“…brilliant…I'm pretty sure "Istanbul" is my new favourite song.”
KEITH POWER– Composer/Producer (Iron Man 2, Heartland)

“If I told you that Lyle Lovett had just put out a record of kazoo songs that was really beautiful, deep, heartfelt, and real - you might think I was a little messed up, maybe laugh at me a bit, and just forget that I ever mentioned it. Then I'd be "no, no but really…just listen!! " This is kind of how I feel about telling you this - Andrea Koziol, who for years has been gracing stages and storming studios with beautiful, inspiring, heartfelt music that has nestled in the lovely nooks of jazz, pop, and folk - has suddenly sprung forward, wielding a damn ukulele; yes, that little stringy thing that begs to be pigeonholed under 'comedy', or at best 'novelty'. Andrea elevates this plucky little lute to a place that seems to focus her songs - to build a nimble little stairway that carries her voice forward - to allow its defined and sparse tone to make a space for her song writing to shine. This is an album of songs that is going to make you wonder why, in our culture, anyone would have decided that such a big, dull, and unwieldy beast like a piano might be suitable to sing alongside. At the very least, it's going to leave you wondering why it took a songwriter as gifted as Andrea so many years to distil her craft down to such a direct and unencumbered place, and just rock that little instrument, her incredible band, and that voice, to finally make the album she is about to lay on this world. But hey, that's just my opinion. You can go back to thinking that 'Hotel California' is a great piece of song writing, and that the uke is all about the tulips, and I'll just keep listening to this new Andrea Koziol stuff, and chuckle to myself in satisfaction...”
ANDREW GILCHRIST – Producer/Engineer (Maceo Parker / Neville Brothers / Ani DiFranco)

“I popped in this wonderful CD on a long drive from Toronto to New York City. When it ended, I played it again...and again...and then again. The lyrical intimacy and musical virtuosity had me enthralled. Andrea just keeps getting better and better with every recording.”
TONY COLEMAN – Director/Filmmaker (The Mighty Uke)

“…exquisite singing, buoyant melodies, tasty-ass playing…”
ANI DIFRANCO

“With this strong collection of songs…(she) delivers her own style of music in an organic way. The lyrics are heartfelt and smart and Andrea's voice will soothe your soul.”
MICHAEL KAESHAMMER – Pianist/Singer/Composer/2010 Juno Nominee

“To experience Andrea Koziol and her big blonde voice in person is a powerful night out. Filled with whimsy and wit, Andrea brings life and personality to her song craft, enabled by only the tastiest of musicians. Drawn from jazz and folk sources, Andrea is an original, defying any single category. Perhaps she will start a new genre, Soulfolk?”
DEREK ANDREWS – GlobalCafe

- canadian press


"AK - Various"


“…exquisite singing, buoyant melodies, tasty-ass playing…”
ANI DIFRANCO – RIGHTEOUS BABE RECORDS


“…what Aretha Franklin might sound like were she given Sarah McLachlan’s backing tracks to wail over.”
ALEXANDER VARTY - The Georgia Straight


“Andrea Koziol proves conclusively that Toronto has an abundance of outrageously talented chicks making music that springs straight from the soul.”
KIM HUGHES - NOW Magazine


“…(she) methodically entrances the listener with a gorgeous voice that comes from the theory that less is so much more.”
JASON MCNEIL – All Music Guide


“Andrea’s voice will touch you in a way that you will want to be touched again.”
DUGG SIMPSON Vancouver Folk Festival Artistic Director


“One of Canada’s most promising singer-songwriters.”
JOHN SAKAMOTO Jam Entertainment/SUN


"...in the left field tradition of Jane Siberry, Loreena McKennitt, and Sarah McLachlan"
MARK MILLER The Globe & Mail
- Canadian Press


Discography

Coming of Age - 1998 bigassrecords
Mission:Bliss - 2000 bigassrecords
Simple - 2002 bigassrecords
Songs - 2006 bigassrecords
Half Way Sweet - 2010 bigassrecords
Conversations - Coming 2011

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Bio

Andrea Koziol is a singer songwriter who found her way to her own voice, by first travelling through and performing an extended repertoire of jazz. Her songs now lie at the great intersection of folk, jazz and pop music, and are influenced by everything she has ever been musically moved by. (Joni, Guinga, Sufjan Stevens, old Russian folk songs, Bill Evans, Stevie Wonder, Imogen Heap…) At the core is her voice, one moment delicate to the point of fragility, and the next powerful enough to fill the concert hall unamplified. Her songs are intensely lyrical journeys, and like the artist, they are honest, socially conscious, and completely unique.

She is a vivid performer, supported by a nimble and improv friendly band of some of Canada’s finest musicians in a variety of combinations. Her live shows navigate between unabashedly silly and heartbreaking without missing a beat. She has the ability to make you think, laugh, and cry, and she sets it all against an eclectic palette of technology and real wooden instruments.

Andrea has generated 6 albums thus far in her career. Her newest CD Half Way Sweet is her most orchestrated and adventurous work to date. It has garnered critical acclaim, and radio airplay in both Canada and the UK. Her 7th release, a series of long distance collaborations between herself and 5 separate electronica composers/producers from all over North America, will be released online in 2011.

She has toured across North America and performed in every imaginable venue, including many of Canada's most prominent jazz and folk festivals. She has shared the stage with the Rheostatics, the Blind Boys of Alabama, the Sister's Euclid and the Toronto Tabla Ensemble to name just a few. In addition to recording and performing her own compositions, she has also co-written award winning music with Michael Kaeshammer, Tianda, Ron Lopata and Donald Quan. She has performed with symphonies throughout Canada and the USA, been recognized with a KM Hunter Award for Music, and lent her powerful voice to countless recordings.

Andrea is happiest and most fearless when there is a song rising from her throat, and she is doggedly determined to generate more joy in this world. And if that is not enough to book her, then listen to the words of Don Bird (former Summerfolk AD) who says, “the live dynamic is a must! File under: Brilliantly unique."