Kate Mesmer
Westfield, Massachusetts, United States
Music
Press
Lifeline...sets off the singer-songwriter's smoky, Joni Mitchell-ish voice with expert backing by most of Nanci Griffith's Blue Moon Orchestra
--Jim Ridley, Nashville Scene, Our Critics' Picks
- The Nashville Scene
"...take note of the purity and resonance of [Mesmer's] voice...Her brand of 'folk' shares kinship with Nanci Griffith and Joni Mitchell, but is distinguished by its near-classical formalism and its homage to Irish folk music."
-- Christopher Boucher, Daily Hampshire Gazette
- Daily Hampshire Gazette
"Mesmer sings in a rich, husky alto that sometimes recalls Christine McVie in her quieter moments. Her voice floats effortlessly...and [she is] at her best on the slow, meditative ballads."
-- William Loeffler III, Pittsburgh City Paper
- Pittsburgh City Paper
Discography
Step Right Back
Lifeline
"In the Eyes of a Child"
Photos
Bio
Kate Mesmer is a pianist and guitar player; it is, however, her gorgeous alto voice that first captures listeners. An award-winning songwriter and Kerrville New Folk finalist, Kate's songs have also been used in numerous video presentations.
Kate completed the recording of her first CD, Lifeline, in Nashville, Tennessee. The recording was produced by bass/cello player Ron de la Vega. It features percussionist Pat McInerney and pianist James Hooker. Pat and James are members of Nanci Griffith's Blue Moon Orchestra. Other musicians featured include guitar player Steven Sheehan, Irish pipes wizard and guitarist John Mock. Additional vocals were provided by Nashville songwriters Billy Montana and Tom Kimmel.
The basic tracks of Lifeline were recorded "live to tape" with minimal overdubs to preserve the spontaneous sound and feel of a live acoustic performance. Lifeline includes nine original songs, and Kate's beautiful cover of the traditional folk song, "The Water is Wide."
Kate has performed at clubs, festivals, and colleges throughout the United States and Europe. Selected performances include appearances at venues including The Bluebird Cafe in Nashville, Eddie's Attic in Atlanta, Caffe Lena in Saratoga Springs, Rosebud in Pittsburgh, Club Passim in Cambridge, Princeton University, University of Massachusetts at Amherst, Syracuse University, Duquesne University, Oxford University, Trinity College (Dublin), The Kerrville Folk Festival in Texas, and The Three Rivers Arts Festival in Pittsburgh.
Links
