Natalie Kirk & Co
Hattiesburg, Mississippi, United States
Music
Press
HATTIESBURG AMERICAN
www.hattiesburgamerican.com
November 12, 2009
Natalie Kirk to hold release party for new album
Singer/songwriter Natalie Kirk will be releasing her debut album “Self Medication” this week, and will be hosting an album release party at 9 tonight at The Bottling Company.
The album release party will feature Kirk and her band performing tracks from the album, new originals, and some new covers.
“When you come to a live show, you’re in for an emotion-driven show,” Natalie Kirk said.
The 10-track album includes 45 minutes of folk-rock tunes, and will be released through Hattiesburg record label South City Records.
“The album has a great variety of sound.” said Kirk of Self Medication. “It’s definitely lyrically based and a great insight into who I am. I feel like I explain myself a little bit better on this album.”
The title “Self Medication” seems fitting, Natalie explained.
“I’ve heard that people have been using it for tough times. I think it’s been a long time coming.”
One of the songs on the album, “My Fallin’ Star,” is the first song she ever wrote. “It’s about my first sweet little crush in high school,” she said. Gabby Gara, booking agent and Kirk’s friend commented on Kirk’s “original voice.”
“There’s nobody else that really sounds like her,” said Gara. “The songs are really addictive. You can find something different in every song each time you listen to it. It’s fun and easy to listen to.”
“Self Medication” will receive rotation on 88.5 WUSM’s American Roots radio show, and will be available for purchase at T-Bones Records, Amazon, iTunes and CD-Baby, and will also be available at the Bottling Company tonight.
Music begins at 9 p.m. with opening band The Boom Chicka Booms
- Hattiesburg American
Discography
Debut Album "Self Medication" was released October 23, 2009. 4 tracks receive airplay on WUSM 88.5. Phobia, The Break Up, It's Not So Bad, and Back Home. It's available for purchase through Itunes, Amazon, emusic, cdbaby, and at live shows.
"NK & Co. Live @ Tipitina's-Uptown" recorded October 16, 2009.
Photos
Bio
Born and raised in Brandon, Mississippi, Natalie has received formal instruction in piano and guitar throughout her high school years. As music became her true passion, she began composing, and very early on strived to find her own unique sound and voice. Natalie pursued her passion for music by continuing her education at the University of Southern Mississippi’s Entertainment Industry Program, graduating in May, 2008. While at USM, she continued to actively compose, perform and record, collaborating with a number of local artists and producers, further developing and shaping her own musical character – a mix of soulful blues, rock and roll, and a bit of folk. As a musical ambassador of the USM’s Entertainment Industry Program she performed not only locally but traveled internationally, as well, performing in Paris, France and London, England as the Program’s featured artist. Steadily increasing her musical prowess, repertoire and her fan base, Natalie’s artistic efforts and creativity were rewarded by a recording contract with South City Records, in the spring of 2008. She calls Hattiesburg, Mississippi her home, and performs regularly throughout the region. Natalie Kirk & Co. will be performing in the 10th Annual Rhythm & Roots Reunion Music Festival in Bristol, TN on September 17th, 2010.
“Honest, heartfelt lyrics that usually come from a more aged soul. There is wisdom in Natalie's music that belies her youth and leaves you questioning if she's been down a longer road than her years alone might explain. She speaks of the human condition in relatable terms and is a believable storyteller whose musical integrity is self-evident.”
-Jeff Rassier, Owner, Sound Reasons Recordings; General Manager WUSM-FM 88.5
“Natalie Kirk & Co. reminds us about everything we like about the South. Natalie's lyrics are deliberate and honest, and together with her band, she delivers them with a fire we haven't heard since Janis Joplin.” -Blake Mogabgab, Singer/Songwriter, RiverLeft
“Natalie Kirk & Co. have one of the most pure sounds that you’ll find out in today’s music world.” -Stephen St. James, Operations Manager/Program Director, Rock104 FM
"Folk singing and songwriting at its best ... Makes me wanna take off my shoes and sit on the front porch for a while."-Don King, Program Director: WNSL, Middays on WUSW/Afternoons on WNSL, SL 100/ 103.7 FOX
“She has a really nice sound”-Danny Weissfeld, Musician/Songwriter, toured with Kelly Clarkson as a lead guitarist.
Natalie Kirk & Co. bring one of the most unique performances to the local scene we have seen yet. Natalie sings effortlessly with her heart and soul bringing the audience inside of her world with every lyric."
Nikki Criddle, South City Records representative.
"Imagine if Bob Dylan, Amos Lee, Sheryl Crow, Janis Joplin, Norah Jones, Crosby, Stills & Nash, and Bonnie Raitt were all thrown into someone's head for inspiration.... the music of Natalie Kirk would be the final product."
Q & A W/Natalie Kirk
Q. Talk about your music..Who do you sound like, and who does your music remind people of?
Music is Everything. My music is the only way I can really express my true self and the way I feel about things. People tell me I sound like Janis Joplin, Bonnie Raitt, Norah Jones...I think my music reminds people of Carole King a little bit as well.
Q. Talk about what you're good at.. What makes Natalie Kirk & Co. special and different from others?
I believe God gave me a gift and originality is a major part of that gift. I think I'm good at taking a song and making it my own...Natalie Kirk & Co. is special and different because we play songs that no one really plays anymore, so when people come to see us, it's not just the same old covers we've all heard before the same exact way. We bring a special energy to our show that I love. I put everything into my singing and playing while I'm on stage, and I think our fans really connect with the emotion. Also, we mix our covers with my originals, so yea.
Q. Who inspires you? be specific (musicians and/or people you know)
My mentor/ex-professor, Darko Velichkovski, is a huge inspiration for me. He went through so many hardships growing up and ended up leading this amazing life. When he speaks, I listen.
Also, my drummer, Jon Barr, is an inspiration because he is so dedicated to his music and technique. I have never seen someone work at perfecting his/her skill like Jon. He makes me want to play more and work harder at what I do because at the end of the day, music is our lives.
Many other people inspire me from my parents to other friends of mine.
Q. When did you realize you wanted to do music?
My mother said it was when i was 4, but I think it was around the year 2000, after I had been writing songs for a year or so. I think I've always kind of known that God made me for a special reason, like He makes everyone, and that reason was music. Also I
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