KRISTI JO IS ON YOUTUBE!!
--------------------------------
It is impossible to passively sit through a performance by Kristi Jo. You will either
find yourself leaning towards her, drawn in by her stage presence, or leaning back in your chair, overwhelmed by her craft. Born and raised in Orange County, CA, Kristi Jo, 26, has pooled her musical inspirations from the likes of Joni Mitchell and the Beatles, two forces that have shaped her ambitions into budding success. " I’m trying to bring back the tradition of singer/songwriter music from an older generation and then give it a new sound. I'd love to be one who brings back a focus on the song rather than the look" Kristi Jo says. Her newest release, “Dwell” captures a pure and fresh sound. Recorded in Los Angeles and Long Beach with producers Rob Giles (from the LA band The Rescues), Rich Jacques and Drew Allsbrook, she put together a stellar combination of ten catchy and thoughtful songs. Kristi Jo on her newest release: “It was a brand new experience for me, a very challenging one in the best way possible. I started out not knowing what I was doing or what direction I was headed in and ended up with an album that I’m extremely proud of”.
A USC graduate from the Thornton School of Music, Kristi Jo's power as an artist stems from her degree in Music Industry and studies of jazz performance. While she cites influence from some of the greats, Kristi Jo has fashioned a sound of her own. Her smoky vocals, together with intricate guitar playing, create a sound that is uniquely hers. Her lyrics are personal and intimate; she speaks honestly of shared experience. Kristi Jo on her songwriting process: "I don’t really have a formula for writing my music. It seems that every song gets pieced together in a different way. I don’t believe that there is one way to write a song". Her versatility is beyond measure and her ability to draw in her audience is masterful. She’s been compared to contemporary artists such as John Mayor and Sheryl Crow but her sound is her own. Focusing her energies in Los Angeles, Kristi Jo has performed at popular venues such as House of Blues, Hotel Cafe, The Roxy, The Viper Room, The Knitting Factory, The Derby, The Key Club and Molly Malones. She has collaborated with several notable producers, namely Val Garay (Rickie Lee Jones, James Taylor, Bonnie Raitt) Eric Rose (Tori Amos, Sara Bareilles) and David Malloy (Tim McGraw, Reba McEntire). In 2002, Orange Coast Magazine featured Kristi Jo as an up and coming artist to watch. In a musical culture where image seems to outweigh musicianship, Kristi Jo is a breath of fresh air. This young, talented singer-songwriter is sure to become one of the strongest voices of her time.
