Genre: Alternative Rock, Indie, Singer/Songwriter
Location: Woodstock, NY
Similar Artists: U2, Nirvana, Stevie Nicks and Belly
About Kirsten DeHaan
Kirsten DeHaan is a true jack of all musical trades. Not only is she a talented singer/songwriter and guitarist, she promotes her music via her label SirLady Records, does various philanthropic work for American soldiers in the Middle East, and is a big proponent of the New York indie music scene. Her latest offering, a five song EP dubbed "Thorns On A Crown" is by far her most mature work to date and is set to hit the streets later this summer.
A native German/Indianan (her mother emigrated from Germany to Indiana), Kirsten graduated from college in Texas and moved to New York just six weeks before the 9/11 attacks. Having composed music most of her life, DeHaan says she writes based on two tenets: to deliver goose bumps and to question the status quo. Luckily for us, her music succeeds in doing both.
DeHaan stomped onto the indie music scene in 2004 when she released her first album "Conform." Reviewers compared her music to that of Nirvana, U2, and Belly. She promoted her music personally, pitching the record to MTV and over 150 radio stations all within the first few weeks of its release.
Since then, her music has been downloaded over 1 million times via various peer-to-peer sites. MTV approached Kirsten and the two struck a licensing deal to play her songs Commotion and Saved on hit reality shows Made and My Super Sweet Sixteen. "I'm a big fan of licensing," says DeHaan, "and glad to work with various companies seeking new fresh material. Today there's a different energy, reality MTV, so you have to work with what's out there." Garageband rated her #16 Best Female Vocals in Pop/Rock, all time, and FreshFarmMusic.com declared "Conform" one of the most popular records next to the Killers and Ashlee Simpson. In addition, Kirsten was one of five artists chosen for Men's Vogue/Hennessey Flaunt Your Taste Critics Choice Awards this past year.
In keeping with Kirsten's spirit of self-promotion and her indie sensibility, she partnered with Grooveshark, a startup peer-to-peer sharing network that combines the community aspects of Facebook and Myspace with music accessibility of iTunes in 2007. A strong believer in artists owning their material, DeHaan has made a conscious effort to work with those in the field who possess the same belief; delivering the best music possible while working on behalf of the fan and the artist. "I'm working very hard to put 'Thorns on a Crown' in the right hands, so that it can breathe and flourish," she comments when describing her latest album push. Further case in point, Kirsten's prior hit single, Russian Roulette was scored by Platinum Blue Inc. (now Musicxray) to have the same hit potential as that of Hey Ya by Outkast and James Blunt's Beautiful. Teaming with entities like Groovshark and Musicxray allows an artist like Kirsten to work outside the cookie-cutter setting of the traditional record contract.
DeHaan also strives to promote and foster the indie music scene in New York City. She started the New York Indie Rock Launch in early 2006 to bring the best New York artists of various rock genres together under one roof. Promoting entirely on a grass roots level (a flyer to flyer basis), the first Launch sold out quickly and found tremendous success. DeHaan continued the series in 2007 and again in July 2008 at the Galapagos Art Space in Brooklyn.
Having recently relocated from Brooklyn to Woodstock, NY, Kirsten's latest work provides an in-depth gritty look into much of today's social fabric. When Music Dish Network recently asked DeHaan about the new album she told us:
"My primary goal as a singer/songwriter and for "Thorns On A Crown" is to make my music as tight as possible. After many years of writing my own work and playing with various musicians, I'm working with my guys, which, in my view, has created the ultimate band recording with just five instruments. Paul Ambrose on drums, Jamie Sturm on guitar, Shawn Setaro on bass, and myself on guitar, vocals, and harmonica... When people ask what my music sounds like, I usually say it's a combo of Fleetwood Mac, Dave Matthews, and U2. Do I really think this, not really, but if you say this could be a new sound, you usually see question marks floating around people's heads."
Philanthropy also plays a big role in Kirsten's musical life. She's ran regular webcasts for American soldiers fighting abroad in an attempt to bring reassurance to the troops and their families. As Kirsten further notes, "Although I don't agree with wars in general, and troops being stationed overseas, it takes incredible courage to do what they do. So if I can perform for them, and it somehow makes their day a bit better, then I've done my job,"
When describing her latest offering," Thorns On A Crown" Kirsten notes, "This record, without exception, finally exemplifies who I am as an artist...Its alive, clear, and gripping. I wanted to make a very raw record, one that can't hide, I think that goal has been accomplished." She plans to embark on a full-blown press and touring circuit this year in order to promote the record.
Kirsten DeHaan contributes a tremendous amount to music. She creates new innovative songs that she successfully promotes via her own label and distributes using today's leading partners. She also strives to better the indie music in New York, a scene, she believes, to be the true historic face of music. These efforts combined with her latest offerings 'Thorns on A Crown and KD Local makes her a true pioneer of the indie music scene.
Video
Kirsten Dehann performs "Commotion" Live at the R&R Club 10/26/06
KD Local
Kirsten DeHaan artist & founder of SirLady Records, introduces her newly anticipated online publication, KD Local. KD Local focuses on 'bringing the message back to musicÕ, by providing ÔThe Covey,Õ an exclusive platform for like- minded artists and fans to discuss music in both a social and technical context. KD Local also provides monthly features via its newsletter highlighting various artists, local directories and events primarily happening in the Northeast. www.kdlocal.com
Register to KD Local and download the latest single "1984" for free!
"1984" skillfully wanders from beginning to end as DeHaan puts her knack for soothing tones to good use, singing in a soft, yet gutsy way. The guitar playing over a catchy beat gives her voice a sultry way to gracefully fuse folk and rock.
DeHaan produces a well-crafted, solid folk-rock tune with passionate delivery over a foot-tapping guitar melody with "Double Or Nothing." The sharpness of her lyrics and gritty tone allows the song to stay engaging throughout repeated plays.
"The Night Shift" delves into the very familiar territory of love as DeHaan's candor and humility together make this song relatable. With the waiting and longing in DeHaan's voice, the spaces of vulnerability between notes seem the loudest at times.
A piercing harmonica compliments the delicacy in DeHaan's fragile voice in "I'm Coming Home." The layered sound and musicality gives a classic rock feel that is emphasized by the 'call and response' between DeHaan and the harmonica.
"Ms. Daisy" builds a sweet melody around the idea of hope. At first, the song seems inconspicuous and gentle, but DeHaan's voice is so melodious and colorful it easily works its way into the listener's subconscious.
Kirsten DeHaan's voice is very inviting on her new EP, Thorns On A Crown, encompassing the sweetness of Liz Phair, a soft, airy quality like that of Sia, and the rich alto of Fiona Apple. The EP's five songs play off each other very well, maintaining a steady level of skill and musicality throughout. There is a definite similarity from one song to the next as one can usually assume of an up-and-coming artist who has not fully formed her own sound. In DeHaan's case, this is not a bad quality because all five songs remain tasteful after repeated plays.
DeHaan has a lovely vocal range layered over innovative melodies and catchy chord progressions. The songs on her five-track EP extend over a range of toe-tapping to somber. In the current music world of soulless musicians singing to beats generated by machines, it is refreshingly evident to have DeHaan whole-heartedly fulfill a responsibility of realness and truth, a responsibility that only a genuine musician could touch. She may be considered a newcomer to the music industry, but there is enough passion, talent, and promise on Thorns On A Crown to imagine what the future will bring if Kirsten DeHaan pushes forward in being the driving force behind her music.
- Jessica Wilson, MusicDish
Fundamentally, what seperates Kirsten DeHaan from similar artists is that her songs are believable. Her new EP Under The Richter Scale is a revelation, a proverbial shot in the arm for a stagnant genre. The poignancy of her lyrics, her gritty delivery, and an incredible backing band ranks Under The Richter Scale in the upper echelon of 2007 releases. DeHaan is steadfast in her belief that an artist has a responsibility when creating music and it is evident throughout her music. When other artists sing about current events they often sound contrived and uninspired. When Kirsten DeHaan does it, you believe her. - Grooveshark
DeHaan, is a nineties-style punk-pop dynamo. Her 3-song EP 'Under The Richter Scale' is drawing comparisons to Belly and U2, which is fair enough, but her live set is rawer and more punked out. This dualism may simply be in the nature of the pretty, driven, biker-haired Indianan-turned-New Yorker, or it may be smartly planned - or both. In any case, it makes her recorded music potentially radio-friendly in more than one circuit - grown up Gen-Xers, college rock, maybe even the Avril LaTween set. A combination of talent, personal intensity and looks might soon turn Kirsten DeHaan into a major indie player... - Jon Sobel, Blog Critics
Kirsten magically melds classic influences into her own unique, modern blend of pop rock. Pop might be too light of a word to describe DeHaan's music as she writes insightful, compelling songs that are executed with fervor. Kirsten has a wide, vocal range layered over imaginative rhythm and chord combinations. DeHaan has a talented band that contributes traditional rock instruments along with the clarinet, the organ, a vox and a Wurlitzer. Kirsten's ten-track debut spans a diversity of styles from danceable to reflective. The opening track, 'The Money Sinner' features three guitars flowing over a catchy beat and other hip sound effects. Kirsten richly sings about ruthlessness Ð perhaps referring to the music industry. 'The Cycle' has edgy, dueling guitars and soaring solos layered over a driving beat. DeHaan's vocals are deep and dark yet moving high in the octave range. 'Commotion' is another strong rocker utilizing the winning format presented in 'The Cycle'. Kirsten is a commanding vocalist and Conform rises above the norm! - Laura T. Lynch of Kweevak.com
With an artist like Kirsten DeHaan, it is especially unfortunate that the press needs to pigeonhole a musician's sound. Case in point: she's been billed as a "new punked-out Blondie," (?!) she's been compared the likes of U2 and Nirvana, and she's been classified as "indie." While she clearly draws on her influences, it is this reviewer's opinion that the comparisons range from misleading to downright offensive. Luckily, you can visit MySpace, sample a few songs and decide for yourself. If Kirsten DeHaan makes the kind of music you might be into... well, know that she does it really, really well. For the iPod culture: All three tracks from Under the Richter Scale are a safe bet. - Sterling Preston, Reviewer Magazine
