Definitely a Kiwi Sound

Raumati South based singer/songwriter Karen Clarke is coming our way. 

“The roots of my music are in our family life” Karen says.  “I’ve been writing and performing my own brand of original music for the last seven years since coming back to home base.  The creative energy of the Kapiti Coast and the rich musical community here is pretty inspiring. The music arising in me is a natural consequence I think. Indigenous to this time and place really.”  Karen’s original music fuses her love of rhythm, smoky vocal delivery and a sensitive eye on life.   Themes of love, optimism, sexuality with a dose of social commentary are  the territory Karen explores in song. The influence of both her Ngati Kahungunu and Celt lines are heard in the mix of contemporary folky, bluesy and femme styles.

Acoustic Routes is celebrating 40 years of official being, i.e. when its first constitution was formed (as a folk club we are really 44 years young but we decided to branch out and celebrate OUR 40th because 4 years ago the festival, which was one and the same thing as the Wellington Folk Club many moons ago,  celebrated its 40 years). confused yet? Yeah, its complicated… maybe just enjoy the party!!

It was SO difficult choosing people. We considered lots and lots of past, present and future members, but decided to use the following guidelines: club members who weren’t featured in the Festival’s 40th four years ago; are current or active members who are still singing and developing and contributing to the music of the club; members who do not get heaps of exposure particularly at festivals, and of course they needed to be super talented to be a good ad for the music that is happening in the club these days.