Carolyn Currie

Originally from New England, Carolyn has been playing and writing music her entire life. “Although I’d been dabbling in performance forever, I never really took it seriously or considered it my career. I used to play for the Cambridge May Balls and other events when I lived in Cambridge, England and always felt invigorated by the shows. It was frustrating not to have CDs or tapes when audience members asked to purchase my material.” In 1992 Carolyn and her Scottish husband, Doug, left England for Seattle, WA. "I began a Ph.D. at the University of Washington but it felt like graduate school was more like a default path than a passion. It was exciting to finally focus solely on music and try this new thing that I had been doing forever.” Giving herself permission to throw herself into music, Carolyn began writing her own style of poetic, haunting music and trying her work out at open mics. The response was overwhelming. With the help, encouragement and financial backing of her Seattle friend, Karen Lebens, Carolyn began her first CD, No Heroes, which was released in1995. Early in the project, Carolyn stumbled across David Lange’s studio where she recorded the bulk of the CD. Her work with David marked the beginning of a strong collaborative music relationship. Entering songs from No Heroes, Carolyn was chosen as a finalist and won awards at a number of prestigious national songwriting competitions such as the TellurideBluegrass Festival, Rocky Mountain Folks Festival, Napa Valley Folk Festival and the BMI songwriter’s showcase. These songwriting awards led to other honors such as sharing the stage with greats like Cheryl Wheeler, Tom Rush, Ellis Paul, Celeste Krenz and Dan Bern. Carolyn's second CD, Standing Stones, released at the very end of 1998 is a strong testament to the songwriter's creative impulse and songwriting skills. Gleaning still more awards, Standing Stones won its way into the hearts of fans. Some songs exhibit a Celtic flavor, while others underscore Carolyn's heritage and experiences. "I spent my junior year of college studying at the University of St. Andrews in Scotland where I met my husband. Scotland, her traditions, heritage and one of her sons have become a large part of my life. On the strength of her third release, Kiss of Ghosts (2004), Carolyn was chosen to perform as a finalist in the Kerrville Folk Festival Newfolk Competition, returned to compete in the Telluride Bluegrass Festival Troubadour Contest (where she was awarded a new Martin guitar), and played in the Falcon Ridge Folk Festival Songwriting Showcase. Moving from Seattle to Maine just prior to the release, Carolyn began to introduce New England to her unique voice and style. Kiss of Ghost garnered praise among critics, was chosen as one of the top 2005 independent releases by Performing Songwriter Magazine and won the 2005 People's Choice Award at INATs East. Despite the commute from Maine to Seattle, Carolyn returned once more to record with her producer and friend, David Lange as well as her stunning crew of musicians including Hanz Araki, Roberta Downey, Mark Ivster, Dan Mohler, Paul Elliott and John Morton. Released by Nashville's High Horse Records, Waves of Silence climbed to #14 on the Cashbox Magazine/Roots Music Report's Top 50, proving itself to be another wonderful compilation of songs by Currie, ranging from heartwarming and joyful, to haunting and contemplative. Roberta Schwartz from Folk & Acoustic Music Exchange wrote of the project, "Carolyn Currie is a revelation. She sings as if she is the lead vocalist of a heavenly choir -- soft and sweet, yet haunting and magical. Her finger-picking on six and twelve-string guitar frames the music and elevates it far beyond the ordinary singer/songwriter fare. Hers is music that not only soothes the senses, but is not afraid to move you and make you think. Carolyn Currie has arrived." Carolyn's most recent CD, Echolocation, is the first to be recorded in Nashville and produced by singer-songwriter Celeste Krenz. Maintaining much of the haunting and soothing qualities of Carolyn's previous recordings, Echolocation brims with a new energy. Rising to #2 in the Alternative Folk Music charts, Echolocation has received critical acclaim. Winning the 2014 Wildflower Music Festival Songwriting Contest and taking 2nd place at the Rocky Mountain Folks Festival Songwriting Contest with songs from the recent release, Carolyn offers an array of beautiful music that once again explores the joy and pain of life's small moments.