Artist description Lots of lyrics, lots of guitars, and lots of stars, cars and hotel bars

Music Style alternative acoustic

Musical Influences aimee mann, liz phair, elliot smith, cat stevens, kiss

Similar Artists aimee mann, tanya donelly, liz phair, elliot smith

Artist History With a dreamy melodic sensibility and meticulously crafted lyrics, Karen Ires is a singer-songwriter who's garnered numerous credits since the debut of her self-titled CD. A finalist in the John Lennon Songwriting Contest, she has contributed music to the films, Dog's Life and Anarchy TV, MTV's Undressed, and Boston's prestigious Nemo Compilation CD. In addition, Karen nabbed 2nd place in the ISC and Just Plain Folks Songwriting Contest, honorable mention in Billboard's Contest, and has sung on several TV commercials, including one for Moët Champagne. She is regularly featured on such internet sites as The Women of MP3.com and radiofreevirgin.com, as well as numerous FM stations. Supporting her CD, Karen's brand new video for the song, "Hotel Room," will be coming to a music channel near you in Spring 2003. Directed by F. Scott Schafer, this video features Karen and child actress, Lucy Walsh, and was shot in Manhattan's quirky Carlton Arms Hotel, with portions filmed at Rockaway Beach. Whether solo or with band mates Francis Tabone and Jon Sharkey, Karen regularly performs in her hometown of New York City. Recent shows include the Just Plain Folks Road Trip, the CMJ Music Marathon, the Boston Nemo Festival and a benefit where she opened for Lloyd Cole. She continues to contribute music and voice-overs to commercials and film.

Group Members Karen Ires, Francis Tabone, Jon Sharkey, Rafa MaciejakË›

Instruments standard 4 piece thing

Albums Karen Ires

Press Reviews “Her sense of character and bizarre narrative could make her a great short-story writer….she takes a half-heard scrap of conversation and fills in all the blanks, thus, creating these intimate, arresting songs.” - MusicDish review by Mark Kirby (full review at http://www.musicdish.com/mag/index.php3?id=3699) "Most popular artists are performers, not necessarily singers. They emote, cringe, strangle the microphone, do handstands, and pump their fists in the air, but it's all so much acting. Then there are those few people who simply open their mouths and the song pours out, almost effortlessly. Karen Ires has a quiet, expressive voice that is complimented by an unmistakable desire to rock out. She's been compared to Aimee Mann and Liz Phair, but her vocals are cloaked in a kind of velvet atmosphere that puts her in a category all her own." Reviewer: Lockergnome.com "Karen Ires could convince anyone to try to love again, or else quit their day jobs and live the rest of their lives out on the trees. Backed by slow song compositions, Karen sings with that aching pop goddess indifference that has qualified artists as different as Nico and Fiona Apple. Like the description says, this is best heard in the bathtub or on the bed." Reviewer: Tropia.com "As a singer-songwriter, Karen Ires has a certain feel for delicious atmospheres and love-lyrics. Beauty and an almost sacred conviction... this album could be seen as an artistic entirety, almost a suite with eleven well-integrated parts in it." Reviewer: Gert-Ove Fridlund, Hallandsposten Paper, Sweden “This debut is a luscious contribution to the sonic landscape. A rich, lyrical collection of songs that set a dulcet but assertive tone. It's like an acoustic roadtrip down a path strewn with lousy boyfriends in wait of their comeuppance. Highly recommended.” Reviewer: Herbert Louis, Icon Magazine Great mood, great songs, great talent!!! One song after another fills my ears with stuff that I want to hear. The whole album fits me nicely and fits together nicely. I hope she keeps feeling, writing, singing and recording. A brilliant album!!!” Reviewer: River East Newsletter "F--king hell, she's great." – AMC, Limerick, Ireland

Additional Info karen says get off your computer and go outside!

Location New York, NY - USA

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