After spending her career supporting all-star artists like Earth, Wind & Fire and Alicia Keys as a back-up singer and hustling as a jingle performer and one-off gig act, Karen Carr has stepped into the spotlight to release her debut self-titled album. She wrote the album – which dropped earlier this month – from the heart to tell a musical story that is completely her own.
We had the chance to ask Carr about writing and recording her debut as well as her excitement to share it with the world.
Eponymous Review: Congratulations on your self-titled debut album! What made 2021 the perfect time to release it?
Karen Carr: Well, of course, we didn’t know this would be the case, but coming out of a year of isolation due to Covid made my personal story of coming out of the musical shadows even more timely. Of course, my story pales in importance, but let’s hope Covid eventually fades 100% from our lives. I feel there’s optimism in the air now, and it was the right time.
ER: You are a veteran of the music business and I love that you kicked off the new album with “Long Time Coming.” What does that song mean to you?
KC: It’s quite literal. I’ve wanted to do a project that is my concept and my story for a long time. When you read the album titles and consider the lyrics in order, you’ll see that they map out a personal journey out of a spiritual loss and self-doubt and into a spiritual awakening and self-empowerment.
ER: I love “Pour a Little More,” which features some instrumental and lyrical nods to Def Leppard’s “Pour Some Sugar on Me.” Do you view the two tunes as spiritual siblings of a sort?
KC: Yes, absolutely, although they are different in message and different musically. I always loved those simple, powerful, aggressive Def Leppard/Mutt Lange drums and that “wall of sound.” I felt they’d add the intensity and the fire to the poignant and strong message of this song while tipping my hat to my love of classic Pop/Rock.
ER: Tell me a bit about working with your co-writer and producer Dan Serafini?
KC: Dan and I met years ago, and we’ve worked together on many musical projects. The one thing I knew was how much I love working with him and how genius he is on so many levels. So when the idea came to me to write and do an album, I knew Dan was the one I wanted as my writing partner and producer to make this journey with me. When we first started writing these songs, we didn’t want to place ourselves in a box. We weren’t concerned with what age group would like this music, and we weren’t concerned with defining styles. We wrote from the heart. We felt no matter what walk of life you come from; our hearts are all the same. We have similar wants and fears that get shaped and made unique within ourselves. It sounds so heavy, but it’s true. We are all very much the same deep inside. Dan particularly loves when a song’s story comes from the artist’s own real-life and perspective. Then he loves to help finish and hone their story. Part of a good producer’s job is to tell other people’s stories, not their own.
ER: You have shared the stage and/or collaborated with Earth, Wind & Fire, Alicia Keys, Lionel Ritchie and more incredible artists. How did those experiences help to prepare you for stepping into the spotlight and releasing your debut solo album?
KC: It’s a funny thing: when you idolize other artists, at some point, while never feeling they are any less great, you come to that pivotal moment in your life, when you say “Why not me?”
ER: Do you have plans to tour in support of the release? Where can people see you live?
KC: Yes! We’re in the early stages, but I will certainly keep you posted on when and where. Stay up to date at Karencarrmusic.com.
ER: Is there anything else you would like to share with Eponymous Review readers?
KC: I’d like to say, thank you for listening to my story about coming into my own light. Upcoming albums will explore other themes, of course, but even if a few folks can feel less alone, and find inspiration hearing these songs, or just loving the songs, then that would be a huge joy for me.
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Click here to listen to “Long Time Coming” and be sure to follow Karen Carr on Instagram. More information can be found at Karencarrmusic.com.