Kristina Olsen
Encyclopedia
Kristina Olsen is a American
contemporary folk
singer-songwriter
and multi-instrumentalist
known for her sometimes humorous, heartfelt and sometimes ribald songs. Many of her recordings appear on Rounder Records
. On her recent albums, she collaborates with the Australian cellist Peter Grayling and mandolinist Alan Hughes.
Born in San Francisco and raised in Haight-Asbury during the 1960's, Kristina's approach to music and life was formed by that environment of vital cultural expression, social activism and diverse musical influences.
In 1985 Olsen won the New Folk songwriting contest at the prestigious Kerrville (Texas) Folk Festival
with her song for battered women, 'I'm Keeping This Life of Mine'
Many acclaimed artists as Eric Bibb
, Fairport Convention
, Maddy Prior
, Mary Coughlan
and Mollie O’Brien have covered and recorded songs by Olsen.
Olsen has also worked as a session musician on numerous artist’s albums including playing the hammered dulcimer on Michelle Shocked
’s album 'Short Sharp Shocked
' and touring as Mary Coughlan’s guitarist in 2005.
Olsen has performed as a multi-instrumentalist in plays for the Mark Taper Forum
in Los Angeles’ Music Center.
Olsen is a frequent contributor to Acoustic Guitar magazine, writing articles on guitar and performance technique.
Kristina has been part of a songwriters' group for over two decades and has taught songwriting, slide guitar and dance for musicians at adult music camps from Alaska to NYC to the UK to Australia for over a dozen years.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
contemporary folk
Folk music
Folk music is an English term encompassing both traditional folk music and contemporary folk music. The term originated in the 19th century. Traditional folk music has been defined in several ways: as music transmitted by mouth, as music of the lower classes, and as music with unknown composers....
singer-songwriter
Singer-songwriter
Singer-songwriters are musicians who write, compose and sing their own musical material including lyrics and melodies. As opposed to contemporary popular music singers who write their own songs, the term singer-songwriter describes a distinct form of artistry, closely associated with the...
and multi-instrumentalist
Multi-instrumentalist
A multi-instrumentalist is a musician who plays a number of different instruments.The Bachelor of Music degree usually requires a second instrument to be learned , but people who double on another instrument are not usually seen as multi-instrumentalists.-Classical music:Music written for Symphony...
known for her sometimes humorous, heartfelt and sometimes ribald songs. Many of her recordings appear on Rounder Records
Rounder Records
Rounder Records, originally of Cambridge, Massachusetts, but now based in Burlington, Massachusetts, is a record label founded in 1970 by Ken Irwin, Bill Nowlin and Marian Leighton-Levy, while all three were still university students...
. On her recent albums, she collaborates with the Australian cellist Peter Grayling and mandolinist Alan Hughes.
Born in San Francisco and raised in Haight-Asbury during the 1960's, Kristina's approach to music and life was formed by that environment of vital cultural expression, social activism and diverse musical influences.
In 1985 Olsen won the New Folk songwriting contest at the prestigious Kerrville (Texas) Folk Festival
Kerrville Folk Festival
The Kerrville Folk Festival is a music festival held for 18 consecutive days in the late spring/early summer at Quiet Valley Ranch near Kerrville, Texas. The event has run on a yearly basis since 1972. In November 2008, the Kerrville Folk Festival and Kerrville Wine & Music Festival were acquired...
with her song for battered women, 'I'm Keeping This Life of Mine'
Many acclaimed artists as Eric Bibb
Eric Bibb
Eric Bibb is an American acoustic blues singer-songwriter. He is based in London and launched his career in Europe. Today he lives in Finland.-Biography:...
, Fairport Convention
Fairport Convention
Fairport Convention are an English folk rock and later electric folk band, formed in 1967 who are still recording and touring today. They are widely regarded as the most important single group in the English folk rock movement...
, Maddy Prior
Maddy Prior
Maddy Prior is an English folk singer, best known as the lead vocalist of Steeleye Span.-Early life:...
, Mary Coughlan
Mary Coughlan (singer)
Mary Coughlan is an Irish jazz and folk singer and actress. She has received great acclamation in her native country, for her emotional and heartfelt jazzy musical renditions.-Background:...
and Mollie O’Brien have covered and recorded songs by Olsen.
Olsen has also worked as a session musician on numerous artist’s albums including playing the hammered dulcimer on Michelle Shocked
Michelle Shocked
Michelle Shocked is the stage name of Michelle Karen Johnston, an American singer-songwriter.-History:Shocked received her first international exposure in Europe, particularly Britain, with her debut album The Texas Campfire Tapes .Her first U.S...
’s album 'Short Sharp Shocked
Short Sharp Shocked
Short Sharp Shocked is an album by Michelle Shocked. It is her second album, released in 1988 . It was remastered and reissued in 2003 as a two-CD set by Shocked's own label, Mighty Sound...
' and touring as Mary Coughlan’s guitarist in 2005.
Olsen has performed as a multi-instrumentalist in plays for the Mark Taper Forum
Mark Taper Forum
The Mark Taper Forum is a 739 seat thrust stage at the Los Angeles Music Center built by Welton Becket and Associates on the Bunker Hill section of downtown Los Angeles...
in Los Angeles’ Music Center.
Olsen is a frequent contributor to Acoustic Guitar magazine, writing articles on guitar and performance technique.
Kristina has been part of a songwriters' group for over two decades and has taught songwriting, slide guitar and dance for musicians at adult music camps from Alaska to NYC to the UK to Australia for over a dozen years.
Discography
- Kristina Olsen (1992)
- Love, Kristina (1993)
- Hurry On Home (1995)
- Live From Around the World (1997)
- Duet (1998)
- Truth of a Woman (1999)
- All Over Down Under (2002)
- In Your Darkened Room (2004)
- Kristina Olsen & Peter Grayling Live DVD (2004)
- Quiet Blue (2008)