Music
Press
"A mix of Joni mitchell, Alanis Morrissette and something soulful all her own"-- Shawna Kenney, Star News
"Enchanting vocalist and unique songwriting-- Kate has a marvelous sense of humour...and brain"—Dan Herman, Radio Crystal Blue
"What would happen if Joni Mitchell and Patti Smith were battling for the same soul"-- Lou Carlozo, The Chicago Tribune
"Kate's voice is like a jazz instrument, and I am in awe of her songwriting. In concert Kate's music embraces her audience as if she's giving them a hug."-- Carlie Barbour
"CAN YOU PIN IT DOWN? is for people who are looking for something that is pure and unspoiled by this filthy world"-- Victor Campanile, Arista Records
"This is thoughtful and emotional music executed with confidence" - John Ennis
"CAN YOU PIN IT DOWN? deftly blends stories and emotions with a political consciousness. It's a sweet album that demands and rewards a patient and focused listen"- Joe Cytrynbaum
"Kate Newcomer enchanted all who attended her alluring performance of original compositions and delightful interpretations of favorite old tunes. Kate’s beauty and graciousness were an added gift to her lovely voice and smooth musicianship on the guitar. Her performance was a treat for all the senses. Along with John Fonvielle on bass and Carlie Barbour on guitar, Kate inspired the audience"
-June Cummings
- and Testimonials
Discography
ep: maybe it's time, 2001
lp: can you pin it down, 2004
lp: a theatre near you, 2006
heavy rotation on whqr, and the penguin (AAA)covering southeastern north carolina and into south carolina. weekly rotation on chicago's uncommonground.com as well as radio crystal blue (nyc based stream)
Photos
Feeling a bit camera shy
Bio
According to THE STAR NEWS, Newcomer is a sultry singer-songwriter [who is] a mix of Joni Mitchell, Alanis Morrissette, and something soulful all her own. THE CHICAGO TRIBUNEs Lou Carlozo described Newcomer as what would happen if Joni Mitchell and Patti Smith were battling for the same soul. Others have compared her sound to acts as far-ranging as Nick Drake, Leni Stern, Sinead O'Connor, and PJ Harvey, leading Newcomer to ask her listeners CAN YOU PIN IT DOWN?the title of her first LP, produced by John Abbey (bassist for Daniel Lanois, Ray Davies, David Poe, others)
Newcomers background may or may not explain her range in sound: she earned a bachelor's in music theory and English, busked the streets of Galway, Ireland; toured and recorded with an all-female a cappella group based in New York City; and fronted a blues band, which led her to writing her own material. Kate is now a performing member of Indiegrrl, an international organization of independent female musicians. Since her first show of original music in 2000, she has played shows across the east coast and the Midwest, especially Chicago, IL, where she has been a frequent performer at songwriter haven Uncommon Ground.
Due to her long love of the area as well as the community she enjoys there, Newcomer chose coastal North Carolina as her home base in 2005. In 2006 she home-engineered and co-produced her third release of original songs, A THEATRE NEAR YOU. Co-producer John Fonvielle also contributes his upright bass and harmonica playing to the album, and 60s guitar phenom Carlie Barbour and percussionist Loren Gulak play on several tracks as well.
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