Karmen
“I grew up in a family for whom music was always THE event. it was the occasion, shared language and ultimate reason to come together. It remains today the single most important way we're connected and thing we share. I vividly recall being not much more than 4 or 5 years-old, standing beside my grandfather's upright piano listening to my Aka (beloved aunt Karen) sing, begging her to “play the sad songs". I was obsessed with the sad songs…
In my dad’s family every gathering revolved around the family band. My uncles, my aunt, sometimes their friends, with instruments (guitars mostly), and always at the center, my dad, unassumingly directing the music. That is his natural superpower. Without really meaning to, my dad set the tone, the pace, the mood, and the music always followed. "Martha My Dear", "Classical Gas", "Blackbird", "Norwegian Wood" and "Judy Blue Eyes are the soundtrack- played by him- of my childhood. Throw in the sounds of The Grateful Dead, Neil Young, Frank Zappa, The Beatles, Talking Heads, and Bessie Smith and Albert King and you’d get the idea.
I found my spark when I was 13 and decided I wanted to play guitar. I remember my finger tips screaming, permanently colored green from the copper strings. but mostly I remember the thrill of a chord progression. That when it changed, your heart changed with it. that each step moved emotion and desire and could make you feel like the world was magical, and that you knew it's secret. I played for hours, one or two or three chords over and over again, envisioning myself on a stage sharing my new- found secret with others.
Years ago during a run I told a friend that my secret- if I were to be really honest- was that music was the only thing I could actually imagine doing. That it was the only part of my life that was actually true. I was too young then to employ the kind of action that committing oneself to one's art requires. I've spent years dabbling. Starting then stopping. Trying, then losing my steam in self-doubt. And in all of that time I've learned that the secret of truly being an artist has to do with understanding and appreciating the opportunity itself. That creating, writing, singing, whatever, is only as good as it is generous and genuine. Once I got that, the music has never stopped coming.”
Karmen -
On Tour
News & Updates
Find Karmen featured in the December issue of Curve Magazine's TOP 9 musicians of 2015! The line-up includes Melissa Ferrick and Michelle Chamuel.
Listen to Karmen's September interview with The Girl Crowd in episode 2!
LISTEN to Karmen's live interview with the OutSpoken boys from KYRS!
Photos
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RT @tonyposnanski: It’s fascinating that people on Twitter don’t realize that a “Gender Neutral Bathroom” is like the fucking bathroom in your house.
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RT @MrFilmkritik: Thinking about Mike Pence having to swear in two new Democratic Senators, a bisexual and a Jew, both of whom are women. Bless.
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RT @tedlieu: Dear @realDonaldTrump: You didn't serve. For those of us who did, we didn't give a sh*t which politicians our comma… https://t.co/SCuVdS1mOH
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RT @goldengateblond: Jane Curtin is all of us. https://t.co/zmS8dk3jI0
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RT @billmaher: Why can’t Democrats learn to do what Republicans do and just repeat 1 point that seals your case, as: “You said Mex… https://t.co/rO0Kkaee2H
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RT @MrFilmkritik: Hey media: Trump did NOT "incorrectly" tell troops about pay raise. He LIED. He doesn't mis-state facts. He LIES.
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RT @mariahlian: Here’s your casual Sunday reminder that seeking asylum is completely legal🤷🏻♀️
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RT @Ocasio2018: And just like that, GOP discovers $5.7 billion for a wall. $5.7 billion What if we instead added $5.7B in teacher… https://t.co/iuAquWqhkY
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RT @EdKrassen: BOOM! They are dropping like flies. These companies have pulled their advertising from Tucker Carlson's Show! Bow… https://t.co/bDYlasMUVN
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RT @krassenstein: BREAKING: Roger Stone has just settled a $100M defamation suit in which he admits to spreading lies on Alex Jones'… https://t.co/yICnm7lbjG
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RT @Acosta: Sanders said today the WH is not looking for the taxpayers to pay for the wall while at the same time said the WH i… https://t.co/zZgDyQajEe
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what a pile of poop. https://t.co/njQtv65cmj
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RT @neal_katyal: THREAD RE INDICTING PRESIDENT. Trump’s defenses to campaign finance vio crumbling rapidly, partic after AMI admissi… https://t.co/bfa9kQbVVn
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RT @KaraRBrown: Please remember me for being Rihanna https://t.co/1wIIcyQMcO
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RT @According2Luke: Must watch. Journalist drops hammer on Breitbart editor. Dr. Sarah Kendzior with 60 seconds that needed to be said.… https://t.co/oQzl4ElIp2
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RT @LindseyGrahamSC: If we nominate Trump, we will get destroyed.......and we will deserve it.
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RT @davidhogg111: Who is going to be the one to tell Marco Rubio that Bible verses don’t stop kids from getting shot?
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RT @Alyssa_Milano: SHAME ON YOU, @GOP. You’ve chosen Trump over truth and liberty. You’ve chosen Trump over decency and honor. You’… https://t.co/RqyFPAIX6O
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RT @ProudResister: If Hillary Clinton stole the election from Donald Trump by conspiring with Russia, Republicans would be outside of… https://t.co/TLVqNiZjUI
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RT @emilybest: Like, how has no one ever done this before? Just totally peeled back the curtain and let us in to see how the busin… https://t.co/1LQoGNmzVt
discography
Daze of Love (Full-length Album)
13 Songs
$9.99
Winter (Single Edition) 2014
3 Songs (Album Version, Demo, Remix)
$2.99
The 10,000 Oceans EP
5 Songs
$2.99
Good Alien (Full-length album)
11 Songs
$9.99
Press
December
Karmen named 1 of the top 9 musicians of 2015 in Curve!
Get a print copy at your local Barnes and Noble or here->
August 13, 2015
Karmen Buttler premieres new single "All These Lights"
"Coming off of the release of her full-length, Buttler has a new single titled “All These Lights”, which is a near-enlightenment type of song, featuring 6 minutes of blissful and building instrumentation, an elegant vocal accompaniment and an overall charming feel. The lyrics are romantic, Buttler’s voice is soothing and the song forms into a story-like tale that unfolds throughout the track in a surreal manner."
Victor Valle in The Bay Bridged
June 2, 2015
"Karmen is one of those artists that connects with her listeners on a very genuine and emotional level"
Loud and Proud Volume 2
Feb 5, 2015
loud & proud featured interview
“ 'Do you as much as you can,' advises singer/songwriter Karmen Buttler. That’s what she’s been doing, which makes it practically impossible to put this queer artist in a specific musical category. You just need to listen to it yourself and decide..."
Oct 20, 2014
"This album was a breath of fresh air and it's uniqueness left me wanting more."
Its difficult to compare the feel and sound of Daze of Love to anything else I've heard...
Loud and Proud, Out and Proud Magazine
Sept 16, 2014
Karmen +
Spirit Music Group
NY-based music rep inks deal with singer/songwriter Karmen Buttler
Read More ->
Aug 28, 2014
"Get this event on your radar"
The Northern California Women’s Music Festival. This year’s festival includes a concert featuring women performers from Northern California...
Curve Magazine
Read More ->
Dec 17, 2014
KARMEN NOMINATED FOR 2 OMAs
Check out the 9th annual Out Music Awards!
May 22, 2014
"Tracks that propel you into an instant state of bliss"
At times reminiscent of artists like Sarah McLachlan and Suzanne Vega...
Curve Magazine
Read More ->
May 5, 2014
"Beyond great, healing, magical"
It's an intimate experience, listening to Karmen. She is patient, nurturing, insightful, and most of all, compassionate...
Icon's Unite
Read More ->
July 22, 2014
"Shines above the masses of singer-songwriters"
It’s difficult to find an artist who truly masters the modest nature of having a guitar, a mic, and their voice. However, Buttler navigates the crux perfectly...
The Bay Bridged
Read More ->