Following her heart has worked out pretty well for Carsie, earning her widespread critical acclaim and a coast-to-coast fan following for her clever wordplay and indelible melodies. The remarkable new Idiot Heart represents the Philadelphia-based singer/songwriter's finest work thus far, a panoramic collection of exuberant, expansive folk-pop, crafted with uncommon spirit and ingenuity.
Further inspiration came from such contemporary artists as Patty Griffin, Ani DiFranco, and Joan Osborne, as well as a burgeoning interest in jazz. She began with iconic singers like Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald, and Nina Simone but soon went down "the rabbit hole," delving into the dazzling sounds of New Orleans via such masters as Louis Armstrong and Sidney Bechet. In 2005, Carsie recorded and self-released her first CD, Ain't So Green, simply to share her music at shows and open mic nights. She relocated to Philadelphia the following year and was soon drawn into the City of Brotherly Love's thriving café community.
Carsie began gigging frequently, acquiring a manager and more importantly, a fervent fanbase. She recorded and self-released a second album, 2009's Buoy, this time mixing classic soul and R&B into her own idiosyncratic sound. She also started opening for other like-minded artists, including The Wood Brothers, with whom she formed somewhat of a mutual admiration society. In May 2011, Carsie reached out to the band's Oliver Wood to see if he'd be interested in producing her new record. He agreed and the two began doing pre-production via e-mail, exchanging songs and ideas through the spring. In July, they spent four days at a studio in Wood's native Atlanta, with Wood serving as both producer and guitarist, accompanied by Carsie's longtime bassist Joe Plowman, drummers Jano Rix (The Wood Brothers, Marc Broussard, Damien Marley) and Tyler Greenwell (Susan Tedeschi, Col. Bruce Hampton & The Codetalkers). Additional instrumentation and backing vocals were added in August, including contributions from banjo player Joe McGuinness.
Carsie has mastered her craft the old-fashioned way, by playing over a hundred shows a year both as headliner and as support to such artists as Joan Osborne, John Oates, David Wilcox, Jimmy Webb, and Loudon Wainwright III. In addition, she's toured Europe, performed on NPR's famed Mountain Stage, and taken part in stage productions of Anaïs Mitchell's acclaimed Hadestown: A Folk Opera. Blessed with a distinctive voice - both as performer and songwriter - and an unfettered passion for making music, Carsie Blanton is truly something special, a marvelously original artist who is as forthright as she is ambitious.
http://www.carsieblanton.com/
The driving delivery and infectious down-home style of Seth Walker's voice and songs resonate with Blues and Roots music. Although he is heavily influenced by guitar players--B.B. King, T-Bone Walker and Snooks Eaglin to name just a few, Seth also has a great gift for songwriting in the blues idiom. "These songs sound like classics-- matter of fact, they are!" says Chris Tomlin, Gold Record recording artist. Growing up in rural North Carolina surrounded by a musical, artistic family has lent itself to Seth's natural ability to entertain audiences with his music and the ease with which he performs. W.C. Clark, considered The Godfather of Austin's blues scene, is featured on Seth's second album Meet Me in the Middle and believes the music is in his blood. "Seth is from a long line of great players and singers. He's rich with soul, a tasteful player and a warrior in the field."
Seth has honed his skills for the last ten years in Austin, TX, playing among the best blues musicians in the world. Having shared the stage with icons such as Ray Charles, B.B. King and Jimmie Vaughan, Walker has established himself in the music world as a unique and compelling performer. His eclectic blend of outstanding guitar talent and rootsy, soul filled vocals will thrill any music fan.Seth impressed Taj Mahal when he opened up for the blues legend in 2005. "He's playing some hip music, with changes and soul," he commented. "A little, white Ray Charles!"
http://sethwalker.com/3.0/
BUY TICKETS $12 adv / $15 day of
Advance tickets are also available via phone at 703.255.1566
