the kristoffer carter show
Akron, Ohio, United States | INDIE
Music
Press
Meet Kristoffer Carter, a bassist from Akron, Ohio who regularly headlines solo bass looping shows around Ohio and Chicago. Kristoffer is our bassist in the spotlight for August 23, 2011. - NoTreble.com The Site for Bassists
“Carter’s music is a supple blend of world beat, electric sounds, and power-pop prowess. His down home, emotional songs like “Homesick” and his new single “All Grown Up” epitomize this rocking father of two.“ - Buzz News Magazine
kron-based singer and guitarist Kristoffer Carter (who used to play bass for ska band the Twist-Offs) tries on some indie pop for this 11-song solo album, exhibiting sharp pop sensibilities and a keen lyrical wit. The title track features a snide, Elvis Costello-like vibe; so does the snappy and self-deprecating love song "Favorite Idiot." Meanwhile, "Hey Renee" pokes fun at Los Angeles' self-absorption. - Jeff Niesel, Scene Magazine
"Carter is a straight-ahead pop-rocker with a way with melody and serious songwriting chops. He’s also a pretty funny dude." - Malcolm X Abram, The Akron Beacon Journal December 10th, 2010 - The Akron Beacon Journal
Kristoffer Carter's new album is just a great package. The song Hey Renee is my current favorite. Season II sounds and looks unbelievable." - Jim Chenot, 91.3 FM The Summit (Ohio)
"Kristoffer Carter's songs and persona were much larger than one man, one guitar, and a handful of looping pedals." - Cleveland Plain Dealer
"Homesick is probably the most perfectly written and arranged pop song I've heard in years." - YourBandCoach.com / John Weakland (Former A&R Director, Columbia Records).
"The Kristoffer Carter Show is compelling electric/acoustic energy that echoes classic Elvis Costello" - Music Connection Magazine
Discography
"Season II" (Upcoming - 2011) Local Road Records (Chicago, IL)
"The Salvation EP (2003) Self Released (Los Angeles, CA kcshow.com)
Photos
Bio
It was the turn of the century in Los Angeles. Alienated first by a lame rock scene, then by an equally pretentious songwriter scene, Kristoffer Carter packed up his arsenal of instruments and influences (Ani Difranco, Hamell On Trial, Neil Diamond & Elvis Costello) and took aim at his Ohio suburban childhood. Carter came up through the Cleveland music scene as the touring bassist for ska rockers The Twistoffs, then reinvented himself as a laser-focused acoustic pop songwriter.
The result was the power-pop persona he called "The Kristoffer Carter Show", a well-oiled mash-up of his singer/songwriter and world beat roots. Music Connection Magazine called his debut release (The Salvation EP) "compelling electric-acoustic energy that echoes classic Elvis Costello." Steady packed shows at Hollywood's The Hotel Cafe followed, with KC sharing the stage with songwriters Gary Jules, Cary Brothers, and Garrison Starr.
After hundreds of shows in L.A., Chicago, and his hometown of Akron Ohio alongside acts like The Black Keys, Hamell On Trial, and That One Guy, The Kristoffer Carter Show expanded beyond the one-man rock show. Chicago producer Kevin Robbins signed The KC Show as the flagship act on his Local Road Records start-up in 2007. After hiring local session drumming legend Larry Beers (Nic Tremulis Orchestra, Dick Prall, Mucca Pazza) Robbins and Carter took 3 years to meticulously craft the long-awaited follow-up LP "SEASON II". Carter performed every instrument with the help of just a couple friends. The resulting production has been compared to everything from Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers to Brian Wilson's "Smile."
"I spent a few years writing the songs I felt could outshine some of the covers I was into playing at the time, and similar themes started to emerge. There's a lot of growing-up happening on the album in terms of the art/life and work/family balance. I was figuring out how to be a husband and a father, but Kevin was also pushing me hard to explore the sonic capabilities of the production. After we tracked Larry and Mike's drum tracks I didn't have the budget to hire guitarists, singers, or a cellist. So, I had to clock in and play all of it myself. It was madness." "SEASON II" is set for release in early 2011, and features arrangements that match Carter's ambitions as a songwriter and performer.
The Kristoffer Carter Show "SEASON II" is already receiving airplay on 91.3 The Summit in Akron OH, which helped launch local heroes The Black Keys. Select shows and continual touring will follow, with Carter recreating the album live with just a drummer and a couple loop pedals.
Carter joined forces with Hamell On Trial (Righteous Babe Records), contributing multiple instruments, backing vocals, and production to Hamell's 2011 studio release.
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For more information, please visit: http://www.kcshow.com
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