“While you were away I put our friendship in a box / and I called up the Salvation Army”.
- Salvation, The Kristoffer Carter Show
It was the turn of the century in Los Angeles. Alienated first by a lame rock scene, then by an equally pretentious songwriter scene, Kristoffer Carter packed up his arsenal of instruments and influences (Ani Difranco, Hamell On Trial, Neil Diamond & Elvis Costello) and took aim at his Ohio suburban childhood. Carter came up through the Cleveland music scene as the touring bassist for ska rockers The Twistoffs, then reinvented himself as a laser-focused acoustic pop songwriter.
The result was the power-pop persona he called “The Kristoffer Carter Show”, a well-oiled mash-up of his singer/songwriter and world beat roots. Music Connection Magazine called his debut release (The Salvation EP) “compelling electric-acoustic energy that echoes classic Elvis Costello.” Steady packed shows at Hollywood’s The Hotel Cafe followed, with KC sharing the stage with songwriters Gary Jules, Cary Brothers, and Garrison Starr.
After hundreds of shows in L.A., Chicago, and his hometown of Akron Ohio alongside acts like The Black Keys, Hamell On Trial, and That 1 Guy, The Kristoffer Carter Show expanded beyond the one-man rock show. Chicago producer Kevin Robbins signed The KC Show as the flagship act on his Local Road Records start-up in 2007. After hiring local session drumming legend Larry Beers (Nic Tremulis Orchestra, Dick Prall, Mucca Pazza) Robbins and Carter took 3 years to meticulously craft the long-awaited follow-up LP “SEASON II”. Carter performed every instrument with the help of just a couple friends. The resulting production has been compared to everything from Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers to Brian Wilson’s “Smile.”
“I spent a few years writing songs I felt could outshine some of the covers I was into at the time, and similar themes started to emerge. There’s a lot of growing-up happening on the album in terms of the art/life and work/family balance. I was figuring out how to be a husband and a father, but Kevin was also pushing me hard to explore the sonic capabilities of the production. After we tracked Larry and Mike’s drum tracks I didn’t have the budget to hire guitarists, singers, or a cellist. So, I had to clock in and play all of it myself. It was madness.” “SEASON II” is set for release in early 2011, and features arrangements that match Carter’s ambitions as a songwriter and performer.
The Kristoffer Carter Show “SEASON II” is already receiving airplay on 91.3 The Summit in Akron OH, which helped launch local heroes The Black Keys. Select shows and continual touring will follow, with Carter recreating the album live with just a drummer and a couple loop pedals.
Carter has currently joined forces with Hamell On Trial (Righteous Babe Records), contributing multiple instruments, backing vocals, and production to Hamell’s 2011 studio release.
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For more information, please visit: http://www.kcshow.com
Instrumentation
Kristoffer Carter – Vocals, guitars, Cello, basses
Larry Beers – Percussion, Drums
Aaron Bakker – Electric Guitars and Backing Vocals
Discography:
“Season II” (Upcoming – 2011) Local Road Records (Chicago, IL)
“The Salvation EP (2003) Self Released (Los Angeles, CA kcshow.com)
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