KRISTA DETOR
KRISTA DETOR
plus guests
^ Upstairs ^
Barely, the new album by Krista Detor A collection of songs that are spare, pared-down; the new album utilizes only one or two instruments to give ground to the work. The title reflects the content: close to the bone, no ornamentation, bare. Produced by Krista’s partner, David Weber, at Airtime Studios in Bloomington, Indiana, the album itself speaks to the Indiana countryside, and embodies a strong Americana and roots bent. Guest vocal artists include a handful of the most talented women in music: Moira Smiley of Solas, the brilliant Amanda Biggs, and Northern Ireland’s stunning Mary Dillon with whom Detor has collaborated on a duet about the human cost of war entitled, ‘The Coming Winter’. The songs are at times vulnerable, at times mournful, yet always hopeful – in Krista’s inimitable style. With the help of a few of her friends, the vocals are gorgeous. David Weber brings a variety of backing guitar & vocal lines to the pieces, as does Krista’s long-time cellist, Anne Hurley. — — — — — “She is not just a songwriter, nor accomplished musician, nor poignant entertainer – I have been awed by the soul-punching talent of Krista Detor..” – WNC Magazine (Feb. 2015) MusicDish magazine calls her work: “..like Richard Wright’s ‘Manchild in the Promised Land’ or the musical equivalent of Akira Kurosawa’s ‘Dreams’;” The Allmusic Guide calls her “An artist of rare ability with a deep poetic gift,” and Rolling Stone, “A small miracle.” — — — — — Krista Detor’s solo albums have reached national and international prominence, including #1 on the Euro-Americana Chart, and placement within the top 10 of the U.S. Folk and Independent Music charts, but she is no ordinary songwriter: Detor has been involved in several award-winning collaborations, including the highly-acclaimed ‘Wilderness Plots,’ (PBS national), for which she and fellow writers, including American College of Arts & Letters inductee author Scott Russell Sanders, were recognized by the Indiana Legislature for contributions to the arts (2010), and which resulted in (2) Emmy nominations and a Golden Eagle award. She was the only American woman invited to The BBC’s Darwin Songhouse Project, Shrewsbury England (2009); Says Neil Pearson, Producer of the project: “Krista is one of the very finest modern songwriters at writing within character; and her ability to convey the emotions of the people that inhabit her songs is utterly convincing and believable.. The compelling way the narratives are delivered make one of the most flexible and empathetic writers. Her understanding of the human condition and her ability to express the motivation for her characters give her songs real impact and resonance with the listener.” See YouTube Clock Of The World filmed at Shrewsbury. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y1gUcd9Eg2E She has been commissioned to write musical theatre for The U.S. Dept. of State in New Delhi, India (2012); For the Indiana Arts Commission (‘The Breeze Bends the Grass,’ Musical Theatre collaborative project, 2013); and has written commissioned choral pieces for several national and int’l choirs. In addition, she’s been a returning presenter at Stanford University, wherein, her album, ‘Chocolate Paper Suites’ was a multi-year ‘required reading’ assignment for the literature course, “The ‘isms of Modernism,” in which students sought to explore modernism’s impact on, and negotiation with, contemporary culture and art. Says Dr. Rod Taylor of the album, “This album provides an excellent example of how the most salient elements of modernist art and philosophy persist in postmodern culture. Its poetic and intertextual lyrics, captivating melodies, meaningful organization, and complex narrative thread will undoubtedly lead to rich discussions among my students.” She has conducted songwriting seminars, performances and presentations at universities and arts centres throughout the world, including Ireland’s prestigious IMRO performing rights organization. Most recently (Feb. 2015), she was Artist-in-Residence at the prestigious Hedgebrook foundation. Krista will tour Europe and the UK with her new album, ‘Barely,’ beginning Sept. 30th, 2015, and continues to tour the U.S. all the while. She’s shared stages with Victor Wooten, Chuck Rainey, Loudon Wainwright, The Neville Bros. and Suzanne Vega, among many others. Krista lives in Bloomington, Indiana.