Karen Clarke Blues Woman

Taranaki artist Karen Clarke has been lurking backstage in the provincial acoustic scene refining her feels for the last 25 years.   With an active live performance schedule, two albums under her belt, several recent releases  and another due next month collaborating with Wellington-based producer and kiwi blues legend Daren Watson she's well and truly earned her piece of the heartland acoustic music stage.Starting out in folk and country Karen finds herself now firmly rooted  in R’nB collide - you'll detect a dalliance with jazz too.   She has an eclectic repertoire of self-penned material skirting a range of blues styles with a rootsy, contemporary edge dealing with themes of belonging, love lost and trying to figure out life’s riddles.   Occasionally she composes in Te Reo Māori.

On stage Karen’s power-packed performance is strong. Grounded. Built. Warm. Emotionally direct with interpretations and song feels that move your waters.  Her strong sometimes silky sometimes sultry smoky vocal over driving rhythm guitar work commands regard.  Fans sometimes reference the mahogany tones of Tracey Chapman, Nina Simone,  Billie Halliday and Whirimako Black.Karen is currently based in Taranaki where she runs an occasional acoustic venue called The Sound Shed with husband Mike Self and is the chair of  the Taranaki Singer Songwriter Development Trust.   Karen still holds strong connection back to her former home base on the Kapiti Coast where she convened the Kapiti Live Music club for a while and played in Kapiti groups GingerJam and Mynimo; and Hard Candy.