Music
The best kept secret in music
Press
"[Ca!tlin Meissner is] Melodic words of wisdom... streetjazzoetry."
-- Cee-Knowledge aka Doodlebug of Digable Planets
"[Ca!tlin Meissner is] a poised vipress pausing to sharpen her words before latching onto her prey!"
-- Jessica Elizabeth of the LouderArts Collective
“I have to tell you that Caitlin Meissner is stunning. Her words (poetry and otherwise) speak to something central in my sensory memory. I feel everything in every inch. I know exactly what she means and wish I said it like that too. It's so clear and so clean and so crisp and so amazingly magnificent.”
– Bassey Ikpi, 5 time HBO Def Poet
“Letter to Lehna actually was the only way I was ever able to talk to my mother.”
–Ashely Rose, 19 year old fan
"Amazing chapbook... I loved it."
-- Erik, co-host of Culture Shock NYC open mic series
"Unreal... anyone who doesnt yet own "BRICK/by/BRICK is doing themselves a poetic disservice! Cop that ish people!"
-- Verbal Sideshow, hip hop group
"Thank you so much for rockin' at my show. The crowd loved you and we'd love to have you back again.
Girl, you killed it yesterday. People are still talkin' about you!"
-- Shawn Randall, host of Symphonics Live showcase at the Bowery Poetry Club
"You have a real talent for upping the ante line to line in your poems. Reading your book, 'Lasso' starts with a great line... then you kick it up so hard with "if you didn't already own the nighttime." Sick!"
-- My Friend Other, singer-songwriter duo
"Caitlin Meissner, silky and slick in her rhythm, and can put into words emotions that most of us find so difficult explaining. I can't tell you how many times peeps just stare and nod... stare and nod..."
--John "Survivor" Blake, performance poet
"I think I am falling in love with your art. Thanks for sharing this talent with the world."
-- Mosaicthump.com
"A fabulous female poet we would love to hear on the mic more..."
-- The Piper Jane Project of the NYC LouderArts Collective
"Thanks for providing me with one of those moments where you remember that there is another source of energy in the universe: the source of creative thought and living. It amazes me how often I forget that my 3rd eye exists. Every once in a while I need a reminder. Thank you sister."
-- Victorio of Broadcast Live, hip hop/spoken word band
- Out of random mouths...
Discography
Self-Published:
"BRICK/by/BRICK" Chapbook
Published:
The forth-coming "His Rib: Stories, poems, essays and prose by women
(edited by Mahogany Browne & Bassey Ikpi)
The forth-coming "Gotpoetry.com" Anthology
CD:
Poem on the forthcoming album by Honey Larochelle
Poem on the forthcoming album by MC Bisc1
Selfmathmatiks Clothing Promotional Mixtape
Currently working on a full-length album that blends poetry and song.
Photos
Feeling a bit camera shy
Bio
LONG BIO:
"[Caitlin Meissner is] Melodic words of wisdom... streetjazzoetry." -- Cee-Knowledge aka Doodlebug of Digable Planets
When words weren't enough, New York City found a way to make sense of it all. Welcome, Brooklyn's newest discovery, Caitlin Meissner.
Never one to fit neatly into labels, Albany-raised Caitlin is a poet, graphic designer, activist and educator with a BFA in Graphic Design from Pratt Institute and a steady gig working with the grassroots community organization, The Lower Eastside Girls Club. Somewhere in the process of transitioning from hungry student to professional artist/activist, she discovered that monster of an art form called performance poetry.
Caitlin's passion for writing began with a small book of Xeroxed Christmas poems at the mere age of nine. Years later, in 2006, Caitlin first introduced herself to the stages of New York City via the world-renowned Nuyorican Poets Café and fell in love with the fusion of written word and performance. Since then she has featured for the progressive literary collective Louderarts; collaborated with Ngoma of the legendary No Strings Band; shared the stage with musicians such as Maya Azucena, Immortal Technique, Boot Camp Clik, One Self, and many others; curates successful performance series for La MaMa Theatre Company and The Lower Eastside Girls Club; mentors young people through various sources, and has performed on countless stages at benefits, hip hop showcases, Universities and poetry spots.
With a combination of words, heart-Braille and painful life lessons, Caitlin has utilized her activist background in anti-racism work, disability advocacy and women’s and youth empowerment as a platform on the human experience. Described as both “brutally honest, gritty and real”, and “eloquent,” Caitlin pulls on classic writers and hip hop culture equally to create a unique balance that is praised for “being musical and soulful in its delivery… but not just imitating Def Poetry Jam!” From street corners to Columbia University, The Nuyorican Poets Café to Rikers Island, Caitlin's universal stories of simple heartbreak, social justice and truth have touched the lives of audiences everywhere.
Caitlin continues to perform throughout the Tri-State area, and is currently at work on her yet-to-be-titled album. This offering of sounds, song and words is her first foray into music and is slated for release in Spring 2008. Her chapbook, BRICK/by/BRICK (a collection of 16 poems and some line drawings), is currently available for purchase on www.poetcd.com.
As for the future? Caitlin is currently planning collaborations with fellow musicians, MC’s & poets, tours, innovative activism, tours, more experimental poetry, pushed boundaries and other wonderful surprises yet to come. One thing is for certain: she promises to continue staining the fabric of those things that taunt the simple beauty of woman… beginning with the intricate structure of a syllable.
For bookings or other information, Caitlin Meissner can be reached at caitlin.meissner@gmail.com
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SHORT BIO:
With a combination of words, heart-Braille and painful life lessons, performance poet Caitlin Meissner uses her activist background in anti-racism work, disability advocacy and youth empowerment as a platform on the human experience. Never one to fit neatly into labels, Albany-raised, Brooklyn-based Caitlin is a trained poet, graphic designer, activist and educator. She has featured for the progressive literary collective louderArts; collaborated with Ngoma of the legendary No Strings Band; shared the stage with musicians such as Immortal Technique, Maya Azucena, Boot Camp Clik, One Self, Queen GodIs and many others; curates performance series for La MaMa Experimental Theatre Company and The Lower Eastside Girls Club; mentors young people through various sources, and has performed on countless stages at benefits, hip hop showcases, colleges and poetry spots. From street corners to Columbia University, The Nuyorican Poets Café to Rikers Island, Caitlin's stories of simple heartbreak, social justice and truth have touched the lives of audiences everywhere. Caitlin's self-published chapbook, BRICK/by/BRICK, can be found on poetcd.com
Links
