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“American Idol” runners-up piss me off. They are so pompous and self-absorbed. I can’t stand the fact that the majority of them haven’t paid any dues and suddenly they are stars. However, if I had to pick the next “American Idol” it would probably be Lakewood’s own Kari Ehli. The 24-year-old vocalist was somewhat of a child protégé and began recording early on. On her MySpace page, she has three tracks available, two of which were recorded when she was just 14. While she lists her influences as rockers Heart and Pat Benatar, her sound is closer to Shania Twain or LeAnn Rimes. With shades of rock, blues and country, Ehli reflects the new face of Nashville with the face of an angel. She uses her powerful pipes to belt out self-penned originals with a sincerity that is genuine. The Kari Ehli Band is as polished as their Tony Lamas as they bring the songstress’s lyrics to full fruition. They are currently putting the finishing touches on a yet-to-be-titled disc for Mydnyte Records. From what I’ve heard, producer David Jaedyn Conley has done a splendid job in re-creating her live sound in the studio. — Tony Engelhart
[Oh! Gallagher’s Sports Bar, 8:30 p.m., 7304 Lakewood Dr. W., Lakewood, 253.476.8787]
- The Weekly Volcano
My tea leaves say that the sultry, Janis Joplin-reminiscent newcomer Voxxy Vallejo will release a full-length in April or May. After more than two years of anticipation, The Painkillers release Every Rainy Day. Tacoma’s beloved Girl Trouble will release an album that they struggle to name. Possibly naming it after something close to their hearts. The tiny vocal powerhouse Kari Ehli will give us What Love Is, a country/rock album before summer. Ghosts and Liars will release new music — even if only online — and its individual members will tackle solo projects before year’s end. I predict new releases from Jet Black Stare and Atomic Outlaws, too.
- The Weekly Volcano
Discography
Singles: What Love Is, Don't Mess With My Heart, I Won't
CD Release Date: Summer of 2008
Photos
Bio
Kari Ehli is a child of the new country music revolution- riding the edge of blues, country and rock, blending them nicely to form an analogous whole that is distinctive yet reminiscent of titans in music history.
25 year-old Kari Ehli delivers soulful and heartfelt performances of her own eclectic blend of music, resulting in the perfect trifecta of Blues, Rock, and Country music influence. With a distinctive sound and edge, her band supports one of the sweetest sounding- yet powerful voices you will ever hear!
Born and raised in Lacey Washington, Kari was poised to take in a variety of musical influences which helped her to arrive at her own style. Taking in the best of Rock, Country and Blues, she would go on to create an amalgam of these styles reflective of her upbringing. Moving to Montana during her teens and then to Puyallup Washington later, Kari found herself performing to disparate audiences of music enthusiasts, bring a little of each to the other, and eventually blending these styles for a distinctive, yet organic sound.
Kari began her recording career at age 14, and is no stranger to the recording studio. Currently recording an album, Kari is signed to Mydnyte Records, and is planning a winter release of an album of new material that will be distributed nation wide.
The Kari Ehli Band is currently performing in many nightclubs, casinos, and on concert stages throughout the Pacific Northwest and beyond.
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