Some exciting news! You can now download my new Perfect World EP for free! That’s right — Free! Please share it with your friends for free on Facebook and Twitter, too!  Why? Because I am really proud of the work our team did and I want as many people as possible to hear it. I wrote “Perfect World” thinking about a relationship I just can’t fix. I am wondering how would you finish the sentence, “In a perfect world . . . “ Email me at karen@karenchisholm.com, leave a comment on my brand new website or facebook fan page!

Check out this great article / interview by Roberto Carlos Alvarez-Galloso from the Florida Keys

He asks some great questions!

http://alvarezgalloso.wordpress.com/2012/03/24/karen-chisholm-an-evening-with-a-troubador-of-the-21st-century/

Okay, so one of the best parties I went to during SXSW 2012 was the Launch of the Billy F. Gibbons Brand of Sauces. My company, Pixie Grit Studios, had a hand in designing the sauce labels. It was a thrill to be a part of the branding of such a cool product. The party was held at Lambert’s BBQ. Jimmy Vaughan was playing and Billy Gibbons drove up in a beautiful vintage pick-up truck restored by the Austin Speed Shop.

I am so grateful to Jordan Johnson, Gretchen Barber, Billy Gibbons and the rest of the team for allowing me to be a part of such a cool design, cool product and a fun party. The sauce is AMAZING! We were drinking Billy Mary’s seasoned with the BFG Brand Sauce Piquant and chowing on some pork tenderloin with the BBQ sauce. It’s sooooo good! Yummy! Go get some here:

[Show as slideshow]

Photo by Chris M Junior

One of the highlights of my week at SXSW 2012 included attending the panel featuring Ann & Nancy Wilson of Heart. Interviewed by Ann Powers of NPR, the Wilson sisters shared stories from the early days on the road. They shared memories of the dangers of electric guitar cables in the mud and steering through crowds of “slimy, sleazy guys”.

“It was very Wild West,” said singer Ann Wilson, who recalled being approached in Montana by a few unsavory men. Ann expressed gratitude for her bandmates who would often step in to offer protection.

Many in the audience were allowed to ask questions of the sisters. Most took the opportunity at the microphone to express loving adoration.
One male fan asked, “Who has Heart opened for that it was obvious that you out performed?” Nancy quickly replied “Def Leppard”, to which many in the audience seem to agree.

Another fan asked, “Which venue is the best to really experience Heart?”, to which Ann replied, “The House of Blues”.

To me, the most memorable question was asked by a young woman just starting out in music. She asked the Wilson sisters for any advice. Guitarist, Nancy Wilson dryly replied, “Run away”. After a pause, she inserted “Unless it’s really deep in you and it’s something your MUST do. I would walk away.”
Ann added, “Plus you have to be really, really good. If you aren’t really, really good, don’t even try.”

That resonated in my ears and heart for days. I’ve already experienced many hard situations and have cried buckets of tears of frustration and discouragement. I work all day and all night. I work with a life coach to help me keep my eye on the goal of writing the songs that only I can write. Writing the kind of songs that win Grammy’s. After working all day, I struggle sometimes to find the energy to perform, and do the work of a record label all by myself.

Yet, there is something deep in me that compels me to keep on writing, recording and performing, even though it’s harder than I ever imagined.
I also strive to get better everyday and learn from my mistakes and successes along the way.

I couldn’t do it without you. Thank you my friends and fans for “stepping in” when I feel the pressure to give up. I appreciate you so much.

Check out this review of the interview by Chris M. Junior.

Can’t wait to play this show at Happy Spa & Salon, 1605 West 6th Street, Austin, TX 78703. Honoring mom’s who Rock !

For Immediate Release
Austin, Texas March 14, 2012

Karen Chisholm, Austin musician, to be presented with an original sculture by California artist Deborah Burge on St. Patrick’s Day

Austin, Texas – Saturday, March 17, 2012  Popular Austin-based performing musician Karen Chisholm will be presented with an original wall sculture created by Deborah Burge, California sculture artist who has many well known collectors such as Ellen Degeneres.

Burge who works in primarily recycled/reused materials combined with fine art materials was inspired by Chisholm’s music video “Garage Sale Queen”. The 3 foot tall wall portrait titled “Mona K” is made entirely out of recycle materials and was fashioned after a photograph of Chisholm taken by Valerie Fremin.

“The sculpture is stunning. As a songwriter I find inspiration in the people and events in my life, so now I am humbled to know that my art has inspired more art. I am so honored that Deborah is coming all the way from California to give me this generous gift of appreciation. I admire her work ethic, creativity and generosity,” said Chisholm.

Chisholm will receive the art at 4:55 pm and then perform her original songs until 5:25 pm. The exchange will happen as part of an all day musical event held by Killer Artists Agency & KC Turner Presents at Austin Java, 1608 Barton Springs Road, Austin, Texas. The event includes 36 bands on two stages and runs from noon until 2 a.m.  Some of the other artists performing are The Hobart Brothers and Lil’ Sis, Jon Dee Graham, Shelley King, Jess Klein, Matt The Electrician, Elizabeth Wills, Susan Gibson, John Fullbright, Rebecca Loebe, Mike June and many more.

About Karen Chisholm: Austin-based songwriter likes to describe her music as friendly with pop sensibilities. But her genre-blurring tunes range from addicit pop to dark, sensual blues, rhythmic rock, soaring ballads and even a sweet little ditty here and there. In 2011 alone, she has written for several films, released an animated film short called “Rhapsody”, garnered two placements in an iPhone app, and released her humorous video “Garage Sale Queen”. She is releasing several singles in the next few months and an album at the beginning of next year.

To read more about Deborah Burge visit: http://www.deborahburgeart.com
To read more about Killer Artists Agency visit:  http://www.killerartistsagency.com
To read more about KC Turner Presents visit: http://www.kcturnerpresents.com

36 Bands. 2 Stages. Noon to 2 am. https://www.facebook.com/events/341126539252665/

Karen Chisholm is quickly rising above Austin’s sea of singer-songwriting talent with songs that range from addictive pop to dark, sensual blues to in-your-face rhythmic rock. Dane Anderson, Westlake Picayune

“Karen Chisholm has a sound that’s part roots rock, part triple A. Think a little Sheryl Crow, a little Dido. A confident singer able to convey emotion and keep up with her spirited band, the Austin-based artist has a way with lyrics and hooks . . . mixing grit with sugar.” Deborah Crooks for Rockin’ Moms

“Karen Chisholm’s ‘Random Year’ CD stirs the soul with her lyrics and voice . . . I Like You takes me back to my first awkward crush . . . Chisholm will have you yearning, chilling, burning, loving and longing for childhood charms and long lost loves…or, relief from deep rooted pain.” Jack Dennis, San Antonio Headlines Examiner

“Great album . . . well worth picking up.”
Pete Harris, Indie Sounds from NY and Austin – Harris Radio

“Her songs have melodies and pop sensibilities that stick around in my head,” Barber said. “People mostly have to like you first and then your music. Karen was different. She has true star quality. People are drawn to her right away.”
Gretchen Barber, 30 Year Music Industry Veteran

“It’s honest songwriting,” McKinsey said. “She writes into the pain, honors the pain. You can hear her processing through situations, and the hook lines seem to come to her. She has met the enemy, and she won.”
Dillion McKensy, KOOP 91.7 FM Radio

“Karen stood out . . . her songs, yes, but more than the songs – it is her passion that turned me into one of her biggest fans. She is an artist, not a hobbyist, a woman whose songs lilt across the stage into the crowd and find resonance in the hearts of her listeners. It is the radiance in her face, which reflects the love in her heart [because] she is making contact, that makes her one of the town’s most beautiful people on stage.”
Duggan Flanakin, Austin Music Journalist

“Karen, thank you for your time and voice singing the National Anthem this weekend. Would you be interested in trying the same thing again in the future? Your rendition of the anthem was the best I’ve heard – again, Thanks!”
- Mike Beaudette, Texas Alumni Football