Hip Kitty
Gallatin, Tennessee, United States
Music
The best kept secret in music
Press
Justice and the music business are two things that don't often go together. sometimes, the cream doesn't always find its' way to the top of the coffee cup. However, call me a dreamer....but sometimes I think talent is just a little too obvious to be ignored. Sometimes, you hear something for the first time, and you know that you have got the ingredients for a remarkable career. Call it a gut feeling, but I think that Hip Kitty qualifies as such a circumstance. Based in the Nashville area, this group lends credence to the fact that Music City is more than just country music. Jen Halverson, Mike Goncalves, Mark Chrisawn and Rich Schiavo are a Rock band - with a capital R. They are a pretty remarkable one, at that. The musicianship on each track is first-rate. The guitar screams, the bass booms, and the drums provide the beat...to the ninth degree!
Then you have Halverson, who screams the word "star". She strikes a vulnerable tone, but at the same time oozes a sexuality that is very similar to that of Stevie Nicks or Janis Joplin. Make no mistake about it, Halverson in going to be a star. Her vocals are so confident and self-assured, particularly on tracks like "Sweat", "Other Personality" and "Alive" where she really hits her stride. She can handle a slower performance as well. On cuts like "Lead On" and "A Same New Day" she shows that the talent is real....and not just hidden behind a loud guitar.
Simply put, I think it's safe to head to Vegas and make a bet on this group. Sometimes, one has to refine their talent a little and tweak this or that...
Hip Kitty needs none of that. All that needs to be done to / for this record is to be bought...and turned up...LOUD!
Sign me up for the bandwagon...now! - Chuck Dauphin
I came across a rock band on Myspace that I really like called Hip Kitty. After getting their CD I have to say I'm impressed. They are reminiscent of the singer songwriter error of rock with thoughtful words and powerful melodies mixed with a really good dose of rough edged playing, a singer that kicks, and production quality that is top notch. They know how to write, they've mastered their instruments and I'm betting we'll be seeing more of them on the music scene.
If Hip Kitty doesn't make it big,
I'LL EAT A ROLL OF TOILET PAPER! - Joe Goyette / Songwriter
Wicked lyrics, supreme insturmental skills, personal touches, the Art of War is the manifestation of the mastermind that is Hip Kitty. The special thing about The Art of War is not only that it has personal appeal and quality that has been lost in many of the mainstream styles, but it manages to be funny, sad and profound at the same time, littered with bursts of energy and happiness - kind of like life, wouldn't you agree? - Danielle Shaw
"It's impossible not to have a blast anytime Hip Kitty is on the stage, and their CD "The Art of War" is one of those rare albums that you can listen to beginning to end and enjoy every song you hear." Jerrdog, 98.9 fm The Bear - Ft. Wayne, IN - 98.9 The Bear- Ft. Wayne, IN, radio DJ Jerrdog
"Hip Kitty is a very hard working and extremely professional band to work with. We are thrilled to have them on our roster as they are one of our most requested acts."
Joe Guida/Agent More Music Group, Virginia Beach, VA
- Joe Guida/Agent More Music Group, Virginia Beach, VA
"Hip Kitty is sure that their audience has as much fun listening or singing along with them as they do on stage during any performance. I count them in my top level of touring acts."
Jane McKee/Agent, Owner, Jane's World Entertainment, Tampa, FL - Jane McKee/Agent,Owner Jane's World Entertainment, Tampa, FL
"When you go to a Hip Kitty show you're guaranteed to have a good time. The energy that the band generates and the genuinely KICK-ASS rockin' atmosphere they produce on stage is something that harkens back to a day when rock and roll was what it should be.....FUN! Check them out and you won't be disappointed."
Chris Macmillan/Engineer-Producer Disneyworld, Pleasure Island, Kissimmee, FL - Chris MacMillan/Engineer-Producer Disneyworld, Pleasure Island, Kissimmee, FL
"Hip Kitty is one of the hottest new acts that I have worked with in quite some time. They have their own unique inventive sound. It's like a mix between "Old school rock" with killer female lead vocals, huge guitar and bass sounds with solid drums. I think we are going to see great things happening with Hip Kitty. Be sure to check 'em out!"
Shawn Conley/Owner-Producer Red Alert Studios, Gallatin, TN - Shawn Conley/Owner-Producer Red Alert Studios, Gallatin, TN
" Hip Kitty is a band for the massses. You can bring these cats anywhere. They know how to rock all walks of life and most importantly are good to the rest of us out there doing the same thing. That speaks volumes about them as musicians and people."
Goldy/lead vocalist
Goldylocks, Nashville, TN - Goldylocks/ lead vocalist Goldy, Nashville, TN
"It's a pleasure to have Hip Kitty performing for Disney Entertainment. They're a heavy-hitting, hard rock band with a stage presence and personality that makes them a favorite among our concert goers."
Dave Westerskov, Talent buyer, Disney Entertainment - Dave Westerskov, Talent Buyer Disney Entertainment - Kissimmee, FL
Discography
"Hip Kitty Live" 2006
"The Art Of War" 2008
"Agony & Ecstasy"
"Better Aim To Kill Me"
Photos
Bio
Hip Kitty
Biography
Just who is Hip Kitty anyway? They are an explosive, four-piece rock band with a five-foot-eleven-inch blonde bombshell whose vocals are as commanding as her sexy looks. Combine her with the bands tight rhythm and harmoniesand incredible songsand you have an electrifying combination that excites and mesmerizes audiences everywhere. Who is Hip Kitty? They are all-American, sexy-ass rock!
Hip Kitty was founded in 2002 and since then has made a name for themselves across the globe. Each member of Hip Kitty demonstrates a unique talent, look, and energy, and their chemistry as a band is undeniable. Joining the sultry, powerhouse vocals and in-your-face stage presence of front person Jen Halverson is her right-hand man, guitar player Mike Goncalves. Mike is the life of the party and has a true love for the crowd. Whether live or recorded, there is no denying Mikes obvious talent in creating memorable rock riffs. Serious and aggressive, bass player Rich Schiavo is the perfect counterpart to Mikes driving guitar licks and powerful presence. Rich brings the rumble and fist-pumping rawness to the Hip Kitty extravaganza. He's also the voice that adds seamless harmonies to Jen's lead vocals. Rich adds a curve to our sound and I couldnt be happier, said Jen. We write with dominant harmonies in mind. You know how people who are related can create awesome harmony? Rich is like my brother from another mother. Locked in and focused, drummer Mark Chrisawn is the calm that erupts into the storm. He is the solid ground on which their high-energy show is built.
Hip Kitty's passion for entertaining can be seen and heard during each performance, but the magic starts with creating and making music, which is the foundation of what Hip Kitty does. The bands 2008 release, The Art of War, is a diverse compilation of lyrics, melodies and musical arrangements written by Hip Kitty. Engineered by George Tutko (whose credits include John Mellencamp, Deborah Harry and Rod Stewart) and produced by Hip Kitty, Shawn Conley and Mark Slaughter, it opens with the motivating instrumental The March of the Tzu, which showcases the bands brawny musicianship. Jens dazzling vocals on Flash, and the haunting melodic lines and pouring vocals of Alive, follow. Song-by-song, note-by-note, the members of Hip Kitty establish themselves as a musical force to be reckoned with. Angst for lost dreams is the subject of Cry Myself to Sleep and is followed by a breathy story of ending love in After Forever. Memories and regrets are palpable in I Wish You Enough and the band gets listeners on their feet with the beat of Sweat. Other standout tracks include the creative production of Other Personality, the tongue-in-cheek lyrics of My Forgiveness, and the powerful disc ending A Same New Day. Throughout, Hip Kitty brings edgy music, dynamic lyrics, and solid, creative musicianship to listeners.
The fact that we love musiceverything from Iron Maiden, Nickelback, and The Beatles, to Papa Roachgives us a wealth of ideas to draw on, said Mike. The rest of the band agrees and it is easy to see why their music works so well both in the studio and in front of live audiences.
Another thing Hip Kitty agrees on is that it is good to give back. They support several charities, including Hattie Larlham, a family of nonprofit organizations dedicated to providing services to children and adults with developmental disabilities.
While they love U.S. audiences, Hip Kitty also goes to special lengths to entertain fans overseas. The band has built a loyal fan base entertaining fans with their high-octane performances from Key West to Africa to the Middle East. Hip Kitty enthusiastically supports our troops by touring military bases, whose locations include: Curacao, Puerto Rico, Honduras, Bahrain and Kuwait. Hip Kitty puts on an incredible live show that never fails to connect with their audience, said U.S. Air Force Captain Jamie Fleischhacker, Western Hemisphere Circuit Manager for Armed Forces Entertainment. Their innovative sound and high-energy stage presence turn every performance into one big party.
Hip Kittys approachability sets them apart from other rock bands, even with Jen's "Jagger-ish" on-stage presence. She is simultaneously sexy and vulnerable, girl-next-door and wildcat. The band feeds off her energy and so do their audiences. Hip Kitty makes sure that their audience has as much fun listening or singing along with them as they do onstage during any performance, Jane McKee, owner of Janes World Entertainment said. It's all about the fans for us, said Rich. We love them and will stay until every autograph is signed.
Hip Kitty rocks the globe, dominates their fans visually and musically, gives back to others, and each counts the other band members as a best friend. While they currently are on the road up to 250 dates a year, they are also writing for their next albu
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