Karen Hammarstrand

About

About 15 years ago, Karen “spontaneously” discovered her ability, and soon passion, for song writing.  Her formal training  had been in science and research, although she always loved music and played by ear. But…she literally woke up one day with a fully formed song in her head, wrote it down, and consequently journeyed through the learning curve of song writing, playing an instrument and performing. Her first album (Late Blooming, 2015), a multi-genre smorgasbord, was very well received and her stepping-off point into recording.  In the years since, Karen has continued writing (hearting her favourites) mostly folk, jazz, and blues-derived songs, and continued playing to Winnipeg audiences as part of a duo, trio, or backed by a full band.  
 
Fast forward to 2022 finds her cherry-picking songs from these favourites for her sophomore album, Still Life. In this newest CD, Karen gathers, contemplates and ties the earthly (in songs of love lost and found, of devastation, elation, the natural continuance and passing of life, and the beauty inherent in our planet), to the spiritual (in songs examining the need in each of us for stillness and also the importance of attending to and loving what is).  Still Life is an album apropos of the times.  It is varied and organic as well as hopeful, with a timeless quality that is needed in our often overwhelming and unpredictable world.
 
Karen’s song writing and performing have received much praise over the years. Written from deeply personal as well as universal perspectives, her signature emerges in pared-down lyrics combined with clean, often subtly complex progressions delivered in a warm, smoky voice. Writing in an always focused and spare style, each word is important and needs to be heard.  She hopes her music brings some needed light (and humour) into the world.  From shows and cafes to festivals and fundraisers, many of her songs strike strong emotional chords with audiences, which she says is the highest possible praise and the most rewarding part of the process. She says that, "music ties my heart to the past, present and future, as well as  to others.  It is the timeless and universal language."