Karyn Ellis

Toronto indie-folk songstress Karyn Ellis has long received kudos from peers and critics while flying somewhat under the radar. That deserves to change with this seriously accomplished crowd-funded fourth album, More Than A Hero. She has a dynamic voice, equally capable of tenderness and toughness, and is an evocative lyricist. One song here, “Pretty Little Soldier”, came out of her participation in the Vancouver International Writer’s Festival. A key album collaborator is producer/mixer Don Kerr (Rheostatics, Ron Sexsmith), while such elite players as James Robertson, Brian Kobayakawa and Gary Craig make potent contributions. Ellis recently toured Japan and is now touring Ontario, with a CD release show at Toronto’s Monarch Tavern included (Oct. 24). 2014 Euro dates will follow. ~ Kerry Doole - New Canadian Music, Oct 22 2013

Already Home, from Hearts Fall, was the featured song on Mark Collin's Heard Deeply segment of CBC Radio's ONTARIO MORNING SHOW on March 22, 2006.

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Inside the Chart - www.earshot-online.com
Bryndis Ogmundson
!Earshot Charts Editor
February 2006

It's February, the month of love. Right? Right? Am I wrong? Come on, don't glare at me. It is the month of love. And I'll prove it by telling you all about the great romantic music on the chart this month....

...then you find someone like sexy acoustic goddess Karyn Ellis, and you think, "of course I want to love again!" And some have fallen in love with her latest, Hearts Fall. To be in love, and even better, to have an album at number fourty-nine.

Karyn Ellis, helping us learn to love again.

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Amanda Putz (Bandwidth - CBC Radio) comments on HEARTS FALL
November, 2005

Karyn Ellis' "voice is lovely, the arrangements are simple & clever, and there's an almost rustic quality to the record-likely from being recorded live off the floor-that makes it extra sweet."

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REVIEWS OF BIRD

Review in Scene Magazine
by Dave Clarke
(London Ontario)
Oct 28th, 2004

Some CDs are more personal than others. And judging from the hand-assembled and decorated packaging (the coffee filter CD holder would make McGuyver proud) and the willingness to share these works in progress, Toronto singer-songwriter Karyn Ellis' six-song CD is one of them. Ellis' voice ranges from sultry sexy on Summer Heatwave to downright quirky on Bird, which reminded me a bit of The McGarrigles. there is some fine tuning to be done, but remembering that these are demos put together as a memento for her live performances, it was nice to get a personal peek into Ellis's creative process.

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Review on RisMixLive.com
By Shael Risman
(online radio station)
July 16th, 2004

A beautifully organic piece of work from this Kingston, Ontario native delivers dig-your-heels-in rootsy pop peppered with delightfully quirky lyrics. Ellis's flexible vocal style runs the gamut on this 6-song EP, fluttering playfully on the countrified BIRD, then simmering so seductively on SUMMER HEATWAVE that your brow sweats and your toes curl. Truth be told, the minute she yelps "Coffee is love!" she had me sold.


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Review on Indie-Music.com
By Jennifer Layton
(online magazine)
May 2nd, 2004

The limited-run packaging of this CD is not only a triumph of indie artist creativity but also a perfect illustration of what's inside. The jewel case is actually cut from corrugated cardboard with a simple, hand-painted image of a coffee cup on the cover. On the back, a paintbrush-swirled condensation ring from the bottom of the cup. The sleeve that holds the CD is a coffee filter.

The only missing touch is the autograph I hope to get when I finally see Karyn Ellis perform live someday.

Like the packaging, the music is beautiful in what sounds like such simple arrangements, but when you take a closer look, there's magic in all the intricate details. Even on acoustic guitar and vocal tracks, careful attention is paid to the production, making the vibe so intimate that I can hear every breath, every touch of tongue on teeth. The exaggerated drawl of Ellis' words adds to the rustic, playful feel - in the title track, "birdie" becomes "bird-aye," and it's perched up in a "birch traye."

In fact, I've never heard someone sound so childlike and so sensual at the same time. Ellis purrs in the opening track, "Summer Heatwave," adding rising steam to the languid, laid-back tempo:

All I'm wearing is my tank top
and my underwear
I'm stewing in summer juices
I'm basking in my spicy summer smell
It's a hot one ...

The music itself stretches out on a lawn chair, barely dressed. My computer screen almost fogged up.

The songwriting carries through to a strong finish. No throwaways, no fillers, no sign of running on creative empty. "Cool Wooden Floor" is one of the best songs about a hangover I've heard in a while. (Unable to stand, she writes an almost passionate love song to the supportive wooden panels.) "Autumn" and "Kariana" are sweetly sad, with one comparing losing a love to the falling of leaves, and the other trying to let go of a soul that has already moved on. Ellis can envelop you in the warmth of that voice and break your heart at the same time.

Even though Ellis has probably run out of the limited-edition pressing, I still strongly recommend checking it out. She could seal the disc in Saran Wrap and still make something magical out of it. - various

Friday, November 6, 2009

Brilliant. Karyn Ellis’s Even Though the Sky Was Falling grabbed my heartstrings immediately and hasn’t let go. I listened to it for the first time in the morning, as I was getting ready for my day and it put me in the most amazing mood. Karyn’s lyrics can really hit home at times. We’ve all been there before, at some point in our lives and Karyn brings us back to remembering those moments. This CD has something for everyone. Great production work. You can hear Don Kerr’s influence and the cast of other fine musicians who created their magic here. It’s playful and refreshing, offering something new in each song. The string arrangements in, “I’m Not Looking For Love” are fantastic, the kids in “Beauty” keep me smiling and I love the adult choir in “Little Grey Sparrow”, a song that gets me pumped each and every time I listen to it. And this album has lots of groove, thanks to some very fine percussionists, Don Kerr and Gary Craig adding their magic. You’ll have your foot tapping and you’ll be replaying your favourite songs. I highly recommend that everyone check out this unique and truly gifted Toronto songwriter and take a listen to this beautifully crafted album.

Karyn’s CD Release Party in Toronto is tonight at The Tranzac’s Main Hall. Attending this show is a must!

NxEW.ca / by Rozalind MacPhail (Mystery Flute Girl)
http://www.nxew.ca/2009/11/cd-review-karyn-ellis.html - Rozalind MacPhail

Review of HEARTS FALL on Rootstime.be
by Frank Celis
January 2006
(Belgium)
4/*****

In the increasing stream of new music releases, it gets harder and harder for a debut album to make an impression on me. You can call it the “inflation” of music. But once in awhile, you bump into an album that keeps you in its grips for months. An album where you would be willing to give up part of your impressive record collection because living without this album would be unbearable.

The 2003 EP, “Bird”, was only just a beginning for young Canadian singer-songwriter, Karyn Ellis. Now two years later, she moves forward with her CD “Hearts Fall”, which is similar in style to its predecessor. Karyn takes inspiration from acoustic folk pop ballads mixed with country and jazz influences.

The production deserves notice. Karyn’s voice is front and centre, supported by subtle playing on acoustic and electric guitar. How well chosen the songs and how tasteful the arrangements, and it is Karyn’s voice that carries the music to singular heights. Under the surface of her folky vocals, there hides a youthful playfulness and sensuality. It is this contrast that makes her music so pleasing. And how beautiful the phrasing! Karyn sings neither sentences nor words, but syllables. She carefully weighs and reweighs each one on her tongue, only then hesitantly lets them out: in this you see the true folk singer.

Have a listen to the two opening songs, the title track and Four A.M. Love Song Ode to a Wooden Floor, along with the beautiful piano playing of Tom Howell you will lose your heart to Karyn. Off the top of my head I think of a mix of Tori Amos and Madeleine Peyroux. She is also strongly influenced by Nanci Griffith, Kate and Anna McGarrigle and Jane Siberry. You can also hear Beth Orton and Kate Bush throughout the album.

Every song is enhanced by splendid musicians, like previously mentioned Tom Howell (Justin Rutledge, Kate Rogers Band) on piano and violin, James Thomson (Hogtown Syncopators, Corin Raymond) on double bass and Gary Craig (Blackie and the Rodeo King, Bruce Cockburn) on drums and percussion. The accompaniment is straight-forward, occasionally surprising you with unusual musical flourishes.

“Hearts Fall” is a first class album that grows more beautiful with every listen; it hasn’t stopped growing on me yet. A CD to cherish. An enormous must-have, and without a doubt one of the best CDs in this genre. 4 out of 5

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ORIGINAL DUTCH ARTICLE:

In de nog immer gestaag toenemende stroom aan nieuwe uitgaven vermag een debuutplaat steeds minder indruk te maken. Je zou het de inflatie van de muziek kunnen noemen. Maar eens in de zoveel tijd stuit je - vaak bij toeval - op een plaat die je maandenlang in een wurgende greep houdt. Zo'n plaat waaraan je desnoods een flink deel van je imposante platencollectie zou willen opofferen omdat een leven zonder deze plaat je ondraaglijk voorkomt. De voorloper, het EPje "Bird", waarmee de jonge Canadese singer/songwriter Karyn Ellis in 2003 debuteerde was nog maar het begin. Nu, twee jaar later, dient zich de opvolger aan. "Hearts Fall" volgt het recept van zijn voorganger. Karyn grijpt hier wederom terug naar eigen songs, akoestische folk-pop ballades die ze mengt met country en jazzy invloeden. Ook de productie roept herkenning op. De stem van Karyn treedt voortdurend op de voorgrond en gaat vergezeld van haar onnadrukkelijk, subtiel spel op akoestische en elektrische gitaar. Hoe welgekozen de songs ook zijn, en hoe smaakvol de arrangementen wederom, het is de stem van Karyn die haar muziek op eenzame hoogte tilt. Klinken haar vocalen aan de oppervlakte folky, daarachter gaan de vrolijkheid en ondeugd die de jeugd aankleven schuil. Het is dit contrast dat haar muziek zo bekoorlijk maakt. En hoe mooi is haar frasering! Karyn zingt zinnen noch woorden, het zijn vooral lettergrepen waar Karyn zich over ontfermt. Ze wikt en weegt elk lettergreep op haar tong alvorens deze met enige aarzeling prijs te geven: hierin verraadt zich de ware folkzangeres. Luister maar even naar de twee openers: de titeltrack en "Four am Love Song, Ode To A Wooden Floor", met het mooie pianospel van Tom Howell en je zult je hart verliezen aan Karyn. Qua timbre denk ik aan een mix van Tori Amos en Madeleine Peyroux. Feit is dat zij zich stevig heeft laten beïnvloeden door o.a. Nanci Griffith, Kate & Anna McGarrigle en Jane Siberry, maar ook de invloeden van Beth Orton en Kate Bush klinken op dit album door. En ieder nummer is voorzien van prachtige muzikanten, zoals de reeds vernoemde Tom Howell (Justin Rutledge, Kate Rogers Band) op piano en viool, James Thomson (The Hogtown Syncopators, Corin Raymond) op double bass en Gary Craig (Blackie & the Rodeo Kings, Bruce Cockburn) op drums & percussie. Deze muzikale begeleiding is, zoals het hoort bij dit soort muziek, uiterst sober, maar weet toch ook te verrassen met net wat uitbundigere uitstapjes. "Hearts - Various

Greyowl Point
Review- “Even Though the Sky Was Falling”- Karyn Ellis
May 15, 2010 by glasspaperweight

To put it plain and simple, Karyn Ellis is a pop singer-songwriter that others should aspire to be like. Not one note or lyric is wasted on her third recording, Even Though the Sky Was Falling.

Whether it is by the simple melodies, catchy hooks or Ellis’ breathtakingly angelic voice, you will definitely be charmed by this ten-song collection.

It doesn’t matter what kind of tune she sings; whether it is slow and melodic like the album opener “Be My Girl” or the album’s title track, or playful and upbeat like “Bitter Grasses” or “Little Grey Sparrow” she succeeds. “Be My Girl” starts out slow and is only backed by a piano, and then you are swiftly introduced to Ellis’ voice, a voice that sets her apart from other female singers. The song sounds so natural that she is even able to bring in a gospel choir without it seeming like something is off.

Or take “Not Looking for Love”- again, the melody is rather simple but also introduces a sweeping strings section, making the song infinitely enjoyable. In most cases, I would scoff at the lyrics “I’m not looking for love/This foolish thing that’s left behind” but coming from Ellis, they seem completely honest and unabashed.

When it moves onto “Bitter Grasses” Ellis proves that she can just as easily do an upbeat, borderline-country song and not lose her touch. The tone of this song is almost accusatory, especially with the repeated hook of “You don’t hear a word I said.”

Speaking of hooks, that’s what makes the next song, “Low” such a great one. Most of the song is repetition of a few phrases accompanied by finger snaps ending with “Why am I so low?” The song’s simplicity makes it one of the best on the album.

Melodies and vocals aside, Karyn Ellis is also great with her lyrics as well. “Beauty” begins with a string of similes, such as “Like a churchyard fills a bell/Like a desert fills the sand.” Her lyrics also serve as great storytelling, namely in the album closer “Motorcycle Ride” which tells the story about a fond memory with a past lover.

If I haven’t made it clear by now, this is a fantastic record from a local Torontonian artist and is really setting the bar for female pop singer-songwriters.

Top Tracks: “Low”; “Motorcycle Ride”
Rating: Proud Hoot (Really Good) +*swoop*

http://glasspaperweight.wordpress.com/2010/05/15/review-even-though-the-sky-was-falling-karyn-ellis/

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!earshot Magazine
EVEN THOUGH THE SKY WAS FALLING - CD REVIEW by Allison Brown
January 12, 2010

Lightning might strike only once in the same place, but on Karyn Ellis’ new release “Even Though The Sky Was Falling”, sparks fly on all ten songs. Melodically unconventional, Karyn leaves no note unturned as she plunges and weaves through the full spectrum of each song, bringing the ear to unanticipated, yet infectiously tuneful terrain. Karyn’s rich cinnamon vocals sail comfortably atop a frothy instrumentation highlighted by horns artfully arranged by Brian Kobayakawa supported by Don Kerr’s intricate production architecture. Dangerously dancing with twinkly elements like plucked cello, toy piano, banjo, children’s choir and glockenspiel, Kerr and Ellis bravely avoid oversweetening the record by creating a balanced orchestra that does not overshadow the melody or content. Karyn draws the listener close with deeply personal and illustrative expressions of joy, fear, loneliness, beauty and nostalgia that translate her sincere feeling in each song. Lyrically creative, “Beauty” is made up entirely of simile - some which makes you think - “Like A Shoelace Fills A Shoe”, “Like The Finder Fills The View” – the song’s entrance note begins with almost audible pulses that explode into a flurry of horns, stopping abruptly as Karyn takes to the sonic stage to present the song’s playful bliss. With a hint of heaviness, Karyn borrows Joni Mitchell’s map of Canada, -missing the drawn faces-, as she sighs through “Not Looking For Love”. The sky might be falling, but Karyn’s ten celestial tunes on “Even Though The Sky Was Falling”, her second full-length release, are sure to send this songstress’s star on a rapid rise.

http://www.earshot-online.com/reviews/DisplayReview.cfm?DiscID=91405

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NxEW.ca
EVEN THOUGH THE SKY WAS FALLING - CD REVIEW by Rozalind MacPhail
Friday, November 6, 2009

Brilliant. Karyn Ellis’s Even Though the Sky Was Falling grabbed my heartstrings immediately and hasn’t let go. I listened to it for the first time in the morning, as I was getting ready for my day and it put me in the most amazing mood. Karyn’s lyrics can really hit home at times. We’ve all been there before, at some point in our lives and Karyn brings us back to remembering those moments. This CD has something for everyone. Great production work. You can hear Don Kerr’s influence and the cast of other fine musicians who created their ma - Various

PENGUIN MAGAZINE
(Canada's Folk, Roots and World Music Magazine)
by Chris Martin

Spring 2006 issue, No. 29

A turn of phrase here, an obscure notion there, instrumentation of subtlety and emotion and melodies you will be whistling before the disc is through its first spin, these are the hallmarks of a very nice CD. Nothing is ever cliché. No song is over-played or over-produced. One gets the feeling that this is a labour of love for the Toronto songwriter and performer.

Karyn Ellis is a classically trained vocalist but don't set in your head visions of operatic cleanliness and deep diaphragmed posturing. Her voice dances along the line between cool and quirky without falling onto the wrong side. She comes across rather like Victoria Williams but clearly with her own sensitivity and sensuality. Standout songs like Movie, Four AM Love Song and Sugar Beet define her diversity. This is the sort of disc you are likely to buy several of to spread among friends.

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SCENE MAGAZINE
(Entertainment weekly, London Ontario)
by Rod Nicholson

February 16th, 2006

On this, her first full-length release, Toronto’s Karyn Ellis surprises and delights. A unique combination of rustic musical textures (stand-up bass, honky-tonk piano stylings, etc.) and a dead-on modern lyrical approach, Hearts Fall hits all the marks beautifully. Her sweet voice is presented wonderfully by the airy/clean off-the-floor production that allows the listener to hear this CD as if Ms. Ellis and her bandmates were playing a few feet away. A nice balance of slowly thoughtful tunes and lively upbeat numbers ensures that boredom is kept at bay throughout. Fine musical interplay by all concerned does this one proud and left me certain that repeat listens will only yield further rewards. Modestly wonderful amongst the prevailing climate of music-biz mediocrity. “A”

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Profile/CD review in UPFRONT MAGAZINE by Dan MacDonald

Windsor, Ontario
May 2006 (Issue #93)

Karyn Ellis' latest release Hearts Fall is best appreciated out doors, during spring in a backyard on a warm night, drunk on wine.

The songs creep up on you quietly, disguised as lullabies - then flirt with blue grass, walk the indie-folk line with tight rope precision before they softly explode into rich and emotional songs that are nothing short of enchanting.

Her tunes are unbelievably charming because they are organic and simple - but layered with elements of the sweetest pop conventions ever - conjuring up immediate reminders of what we love about musicians like Tanya Donelly, Hope Sandoval, CocoRosie and Martha Wainwright.

Except Karyn Ellis does it her own, clever, beautiful, introspective and quirky way. The songs are both hilarious and lonely. Carefree and nostalgic.

Themes span through everything from contemplating stars burned out a million years ago - to reflecting back on relationships which seem just as far away.

Her vocal delivery sounds as effortless as it is unique and her songs transform and evolve into flirtatious pieces of pop perfection when performed live.

With background training in opera and guitar - and experience busking on the streets of Europe for train fare and hostel fees, Karyn Ellis' songs have a depth to them that holds up to the best the masters of this genre offer.

Her first EP - the critically acclaimed bird was released in 2003 - and it's jewel case is literally a handmade work of perfection - fashioned out of a piece of cardboard, some green paint and a coffee filter.

Just looking at the cover-art alone - is a testament to what a sweet and enjoyable artist Karyn Ellis is.

Remember the cool chick in high school, who sat alone in the halls at lunch, strumming her guitar? Everyone had a crush on her because she was intriguing as hell, but had a way of keeping everyone at arm's length, straining to get closer? Then she'd smile and your heart would melt.

That's what watching Karyn Ellis perform on stage feels like.

From the first notes - you'll be head over heels in love.

The same way you were with Belly.

The same way you were with Juliana Hatfield.

The same way you were with Kristin Hersh.

The songs sound like sexy, foot-stompin' rustic pieces of sing-along folk-rock glory gift wrapped in finger-picking bliss!

Karyn Ellis puts on a show not worth missing.

Trust me, you'll be kicking yourself.

She performs this month Phog on Wednesday May 17 th .

For more information on Karyn Ellis and how to get your hands on her incredible releases - visit www.karynellis.com

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Indie-Music.com
(Online Magazine, US)
by Jennifer Layton

April 8th, 2006

Karyn Ellis is twangy and cool and unpredictable, delivering a CD that is difficult to classify and impossible to resist. I started with bluesy, front-porch country, then expanded the definition to yee-haw-inspiring bluegrass, and stretched the description a bit more to in - various

Americana-uk.com (Great Britain)
CD REVIEW
Maurice Hope
Sunday, June 06, 2010

Canadian singer-songwriter Karyn Ellis is an innovative and eclectic talent, stretching across a broad spectrum of the Americana genre, plus with lots of quirky tunes you may soon become addicted to her efforts

On combining folk and pop Ellis brings together the genres in an entertaining left field fashion. In some ways she reminds me of Rosie Thomas; as on the tune ‘Low’. An understated affair it embraces both life and the heart of the listener instantly. Ellis has the uncanny ability of hitting the jackpot quite regularly with her songs, although some cuts are forgettable.

When Ellis is in form as is the case with ‘Grey Sparrow’ and on containing a wondrous under-current and music akin to Erin McKeown, ‘Bitter Grasses’ that contains some of the coolest lyrics and groove imaginable, her rating leaps skyway. What I would give for an album of material of this ilk and quality! The lead guitar playing along is alone is worth of the admission fee, hence it remains a mystery why she allows herself to be making music lacking in star quality. When she is hot her work is of another level. As is the case with ‘Shooting Star’ and ‘Motorcycle Ride’ that sees her close the album. While the former possesses a lilting rhythm and matching harmony vocals ‘Motorcycle Ride’ contains lyrics that speak of a former relationship and some of the best vocals from Ellis, as in the keeping of her own guiding star, co-producer and multi-instrumentalist Don Kerr she delivers a timeless love ode.

Kerr isn't the only ace in the pack either, since Ellis herself (acoustic, electric guitar, percussion, trumpet etc) alongside horns, double bass and banjo also figure.

7 out of 10


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AltCountryForum.nl (Netherlands)
CD REVIEW
By Martin Overheul
January 27, 2010

(Translated from the original)

What strikes you first about the voice of Canadian singer-songwriter Karyn Ellis is her appealing mixture of youthful innocence and feminine sensuality. Ellis’ timbre is both clear and raspy, a combination that always works for me. Thus is the case on ‘Even Though The Sky Was Falling’, the third album of a singer who has proven herself in her own country but who still urgently needs to be embraced in Europe.

Strange that it took almost five years for a follow up to appear after her outstanding album ‘Hearts Fall’, a disk which gave her some positive attention on a national and international level. Not hip enough for the music scene of recent years? Not glossy enough for easy consumption? Too hard to get a handle on? Who knows what is going on in the minds of record executives. Not much, I think.

‘Even Though The Sky Was Falling’ has been on my iPod for a while now and the album was more than worth waiting for. Here we find another impressive dimension to Karyn Ellis’ talent: the originality and ingenuity of her folk-pop sound (that name comes from her, not me). Not surprisingly, her music shares similarities with equally independent, creative spirits like Dory Previn, Ricky Lee Jones, Devon Sproule and Feist.

Ellis opens with the captivating ‘Be My Girl’, a song so meaty that it sets the bar high for the rest of the album. It is followed by the elegant ballad ‘Not Looking For Love’, which it turns out is equally strong - if not more so - characterized by Ellis’ writing and singing abilities. Beautiful instrumentation, ingenious melody and gorgeous lyrics.

And so it goes on, as if writing a brilliant song were child’s play, with the title track ‘Even Though The Sky Was Falling’, ‘Ten Stories’ and ‘Motorcycle Ride’ as undisputed highlights. But it is challenging to identify a single standout on an album that is so remarkably clear and consistent.

Karyn Ellis is a singer we simply must embrace in Europe.


****************

(ORIGINAL ARTICLE in DUTCH)

Karyn Ellis – Even Though The Sky Was Falling

Het eerste dat opvalt aan de stem van de Canadese singer-songwriter Karyn Ellis is de aantrekkelijke mix van jeugdige onschuld en vrouwelijke sensualiteit. Ellis’ timbre is tegelijk helder en hees, een combinatie die bij mij altijd werkt. Dus ook in het geval van ‘Even Though The Sky Was Falling’, het derde album van een in eigen land alom gewaardeerde zangeres die in Europa maar eens dringend aan de borst gedrukt moet worden.

Merkwaardig dat het bijna vijf jaar heeft geduurd voordat er een opvolger verschijnt van Ellis’ uitstekende vorige album ‘Hearts Fall’, een plaat waarmee ze zowel nationaal als internationaal toch enige aandacht kreeg. Niet hip genoeg in de muziekscene van de voorbije jaren? Te weinig hapklare brokken? Te eigenzinnig? Wie weet wat er zoal rondgaat in de hoofden van platenbazen. Niet veel, denk ik soms.

karyn ellis_pMaar goed, ‘Even Though The Sky Was Falling’ staat al een tijdje op mijn iPod en het album maakt het lange wachten meer dan waard. Waarmee we bij een volgende markante dimens - Various

Americana-uk.com (Great Britain)
CD REVIEW
Maurice Hope
Sunday, June 06, 2010

Canadian singer-songwriter Karyn Ellis is an innovative and eclectic talent, stretching across a broad spectrum of the Americana genre, plus with lots of quirky tunes you may soon become addicted to her efforts

On combining folk and pop Ellis brings together the genres in an entertaining left field fashion. In some ways she reminds me of Rosie Thomas; as on the tune ‘Low’. An understated affair it embraces both life and the heart of the listener instantly. Ellis has the uncanny ability of hitting the jackpot quite regularly with her songs, although some cuts are forgettable.

When Ellis is in form as is the case with ‘Grey Sparrow’ and on containing a wondrous under-current and music akin to Erin McKeown, ‘Bitter Grasses’ that contains some of the coolest lyrics and groove imaginable, her rating leaps skyway. What I would give for an album of material of this ilk and quality! The lead guitar playing along is alone is worth of the admission fee, hence it remains a mystery why she allows herself to be making music lacking in star quality. When she is hot her work is of another level. As is the case with ‘Shooting Star’ and ‘Motorcycle Ride’ that sees her close the album. While the former possesses a lilting rhythm and matching harmony vocals ‘Motorcycle Ride’ contains lyrics that speak of a former relationship and some of the best vocals from Ellis, as in the keeping of her own guiding star, co-producer and multi-instrumentalist Don Kerr she delivers a timeless love ode.

Kerr isn't the only ace in the pack either, since Ellis herself (acoustic, electric guitar, percussion, trumpet etc) alongside horns, double bass and banjo also figure.

7 out of 10


****************

AltCountryForum.nl (Netherlands)
CD REVIEW
By Martin Overheul
January 27, 2010

(Translated from the original)

What strikes you first about the voice of Canadian singer-songwriter Karyn Ellis is her appealing mixture of youthful innocence and feminine sensuality. Ellis’ timbre is both clear and raspy, a combination that always works for me. Thus is the case on ‘Even Though The Sky Was Falling’, the third album of a singer who has proven herself in her own country but who still urgently needs to be embraced in Europe.

Strange that it took almost five years for a follow up to appear after her outstanding album ‘Hearts Fall’, a disk which gave her some positive attention on a national and international level. Not hip enough for the music scene of recent years? Not glossy enough for easy consumption? Too hard to get a handle on? Who knows what is going on in the minds of record executives. Not much, I think.

‘Even Though The Sky Was Falling’ has been on my iPod for a while now and the album was more than worth waiting for. Here we find another impressive dimension to Karyn Ellis’ talent: the originality and ingenuity of her folk-pop sound (that name comes from her, not me). Not surprisingly, her music shares similarities with equally independent, creative spirits like Dory Previn, Ricky Lee Jones, Devon Sproule and Feist.

Ellis opens with the captivating ‘Be My Girl’, a song so meaty that it sets the bar high for the rest of the album. It is followed by the elegant ballad ‘Not Looking For Love’, which it turns out is equally strong - if not more so - characterized by Ellis’ writing and singing abilities. Beautiful instrumentation, ingenious melody and gorgeous lyrics.

And so it goes on, as if writing a brilliant song were child’s play, with the title track ‘Even Though The Sky Was Falling’, ‘Ten Stories’ and ‘Motorcycle Ride’ as undisputed highlights. But it is challenging to identify a single standout on an album that is so remarkably clear and consistent.

Karyn Ellis is a singer we simply must embrace in Europe.


****************

(ORIGINAL ARTICLE in DUTCH)

Karyn Ellis – Even Though The Sky Was Falling

Het eerste dat opvalt aan de stem van de Canadese singer-songwriter Karyn Ellis is de aantrekkelijke mix van jeugdige onschuld en vrouwelijke sensualiteit. Ellis’ timbre is tegelijk helder en hees, een combinatie die bij mij altijd werkt. Dus ook in het geval van ‘Even Though The Sky Was Falling’, het derde album van een in eigen land alom gewaardeerde zangeres die in Europa maar eens dringend aan de borst gedrukt moet worden.

Merkwaardig dat het bijna vijf jaar heeft geduurd voordat er een opvolger verschijnt van Ellis’ uitstekende vorige album ‘Hearts Fall’, een plaat waarmee ze zowel nationaal als internationaal toch enige aandacht kreeg. Niet hip genoeg in de muziekscene van de voorbije jaren? Te weinig hapklare brokken? Te eigenzinnig? Wie weet wat er zoal rondgaat in de hoofden van platenbazen. Niet veel, denk ik soms.

karyn ellis_pMaar goed, ‘Even Though The Sky Was Falling’ staat al een tijdje op mijn iPod en het album maakt het lange wachten meer dan waard. Waarmee we bij een volgende markante dimens - Various

Greyowl Point
One-on-One with Karyn Ellis by glasspaperweight
June 15, 2010

If there’s one thing I’ve learned from Karyn Ellis, it is that she really wants to play as many music festivals as she possibly can. So listen up, Canadian music festivals- she wants to play.

We spoke at the Rustic Cosmo- a small café near Dufferin and Queen St.

Before officially calling herself a musician, Ellis worked a slew of odd jobs, including a particularly memorable job running a singing telegram service.

“I had a golden Celica… which I used to stuff with balloons, and me, dressed like a clown, riding all over town going to people’s houses. Parking illegally everywhere… it was a great terror time,” Ellis said.

After realizing the 9-5 grind wasn’t exactly in her taste, she went to a music management school and had to manage an artist as a class project. When the artist chosen (a jazz singer) fell through, Ellis decided she would be the artist her group would manage.

After seeing the gradual change from managing music to making music, Ellis decided to record her first album, Bird. She called the album “a haphazard process” in that it was made up of a lot of different recordings rather that one coherent processes. Her second album was also easy to record, mainly done in the “live-off-the-floor” style. Even Though The Sky Was Falling was Ellis’ first record in which she worked in a studio and with a producer.

When asked about who influenced her choice of music she found it difficult to name any one artist. It is really Canada’s independent scene- the community of musicians and media such as Radio 3- that are her biggest interview.

“That whole scene is kind of exciting,” she said. She can name a few “key albums” that inspired her, those being Hawksley Workman’s (Last Night We Were) The Delicious Wolves and Treeful of Starling. She feels as though Canadian musicians sing in a way that is very vulnerable.

On her website, Ellis mentions that she gets support from her musician friends in Toronto, although Toronto is a trying place for anyone.

“I’m in this interesting place right now, where I’m trying to figure out Toronto… Part of me loves living here, part of me hates living here, part of me always wants to leave, but the part that [keeps me staying] is my musician friends. There’s a strong Toronto musician’s community,” she said.

That being said, the musician community can only help one so far. Ellis believes that Toronto’s music community is really great for musicians supporting other musicians, but it is definitely more difficult to gather an audience and the press.

“Toronto is a portal city,” said Ellis. In other words, while there is a community of people in Toronto, it is also a city that attracts international artists whenever they make tour stops in Canada. This can make it a little harder for local artists.

Even Though the Sky Was Falling is definitely an album that can get Ellis noticed, though. I loved it on my first few listens and so have numerous other media outlets. Naturally, I had to ask her about certain songs on the album, such as “Bitter Grasses.”

The song in question was “loosely inspired by a relationship” but was actually written during a weekend Ellis spent at home when she had tickets to a festival. It was a great way to vent her frustrations, seeing as one of her dreams is to play the Canada’s music festival circuit.

“You could really say it’s a cry to the artistic directors of Canada to say ‘Hire me! Hire me!’” Ellis said.

I was really taken aback by her story of the song “Beauty.” The song was inspired by a friend of hers who was actually dying. Her friend was an activist and very outspoken person, and it made Ellis want to write a song that gets bigger and bigger, with more instruments and vocals coming in. Indeed, by the end of “Beauty” there is a whole flurry of voices, including a three-year-old (now four-year-old) named Oscar, who Ellis said is a very artsy kid. Look out Canada, when Oscar grows up he’ll be unstoppable.

“Low” was an experiment in the “call-and-response” form which involves a lot of repetition.

One of Ellis’ favourite shows was playing the 2009 Christmas show at the Rivoli, in which many artists sing one song. She got to share the stage with well-known artists like Hawksley Workman and Luke Doucet.

She also loved playing the Kaffé 1870 in Wakefield, Que. Part of its charm was how shiny it was, and Ellis loves shiny things.

“If I’m ever rich, or have a mansion, or even if I have a spare room, I want a room filled with disco balls, hanging from the ceiling. Nothing else, just disco balls,” she said with a laugh.

Later this summer Ellis plans to make music videos for “Bitter Grasses” and “Little Grey Sparrow.” She hopes to be able to play Massey Hall in the future, and, of course, make more music.

She will also be playing two shows at NXNE in Toronto this week. The first on Thursday, June 17th at the Cameron House and t - Greypoint Owl, Ottawa Sun, The Beacon Herald, The Windstor Star

By Brad Wheeler

Be My Girl by Karyn Ellis
from Even Though the Sky Was Falling (independent); streaming at myspace.com/karynellis

"A breathy piano ballad about escape and desire builds to a joyous gospel chorale, proving that the Toronto singer-songwriter has a magical way with song and that Leonard Cohen has no copyright on the word hallelujah."

Original article: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/arts/music/essential-tracks/article1563718/ - The Globe and Mail, Tuesday May 11, 2010

Bernard Perusse, Thursday May 6, 2010

MONTREAL - Singer-songwriter Karyn Ellis finds inspiration in some bizarre spots - creepy CSI episodes, for example. But that doesn't make the inventively arranged songs on her latest album, Even Though the Sky Was Falling, any less charming. The disc, which Ellis produced with sometime Ron Sexsmith collaborator and bandmate Don Kerr, will be the focus of the Toronto performer's concert here next week. Here are her iPod faves.

1. New Goodbye, Hey Rosetta!

2. All Night, Sam Phillips

3. Swimming Song, Kate and Anna McGarrigle

4. Ambergris, Snowblink

5. You Are Too Beautiful, Hawksley Workman

6. Tumble Down, Janine Stoll

7. Save Me, Aimee Mann

8. Drive Thru America, Evalyn Parry

9. Faith, Ronley Teper

10. Boats and Water, Jack Breakfast

Karyn Ellis performs May 14 at Centre St. Ambroise, 5080A St. Ambroise St. Voluntary donations - $10 is suggested - can be given at the door.

- - -

montrealgazette.com/music is where you can find this week's iPod
feature and more Gazette music coverage.

© Copyright (c) The Montreal Gazette

http://www.montrealgazette.com/technology/What+your+ipod/2991710/story.html - The Montreal Gazette

Karyn Ellis has porcelain-like quality

May 18, 2010 by Robert Reid, Record staff, Printed in the Guelph Mercury

CD REVIEW - Even Though The Sky Was Falling

Toronto singer/songwriter Karyn Ellis was a revelation when she debuted in early 2009 at the Registry Theatre with Eve Goldberg and Evalyn Parry.

Four years in the making, Even Though the Sky Was Falling sounds like an album of nursery rhymes.

And Toronto singer/songwriter Karyn Ellis has a soft, fragile voice reminiscent of a Victorian childhood.

But Ellis’s latest offering is for adults who are struggling to find their way through the chaos and mania that obscure the journey of life. Beauty, dedicated to the memory of a friend who succumbed to cancer, is a highlight.

Co-produced by Ellis and Don Kerr, best known for his work with Ron Sexsmith, Even Though the Sky Was Falling is more joyous and upbeat than her previous albums of heartbreak and loss. But Ellis retains a porcelain-like quality that remains poignant for its delicacy. Guest musicians include Evalyn Parry, John Millard and Brian Kobayakawa of the Creaking Tree Quartet.

http://news.guelphmercury.com/arts/NightLife/article/634057

************

Even Though the Sky Was Falling
Karyn Ellis
(Mathilde Home Productions)
Cote de Voir: 3,5 étoiles

CRITIQUE DE VOIR
ARTICLE - 13 mai 2010
Marie Hélène Poitras

Comme Regina Spektor et Eleni Mandell, Karyn Ellis puise dans un
registre qui devient vite gnangnan quand l'interprète manque de
personnalité - ce n'est pas le cas ici. À partir d'une base folk-pop
très joliment orchestrée, la Torontoise largue des chansons plus
douces qu'amères avec une belle présence vocale et un grain de voix
intéressant. Son agilité, sa façon de ne pas en faire trop et des
textes nuancés témoignent de l'expérience acquise dans les réseaux
indés. Petit tour de force: les arrangements - cosignés par Don Kerr -
varient d'une piste à l'autre (chorale gospel, touches de country et
de bluegrass, cordes, cuivres, piano), sans que l'unité de l'album en
souffre.

http://www.voir.ca/infocenter/disc.aspx?zone=1&section=6&disc=10737

*****************

Alain Brunet
La Presse
08 mai 2010

Karyn Ellis: apparente ténuité... ***1/2

On ne s'étonnera pas que Don Kerr, ex-Rheostatics et proche
collaborateur de Ron Sexmith, ait réalisé et arrangé ce troisième
album de Karyn Ellis.

De toute évidence, cette Torontoise a gradué à l'école de la chanson
americana il y a un bon moment. Non seulement en maîtrise-t-elle les
références (folk, country, bluegrass, rock), mais elle réussit à
imposer sa patte (choeurs singuliers, ornements calypso jazzy, etc.).
Le raffinement de cette réalisation et de ces arrangements (quelque
part entre fanfare et orchestre de chambre) y est pour beaucoup dans
l'étoffe de ces chansons d'une qualité indiscutable. D'ailleurs, il ne
faut pas trop se fier aux allures naïves de Karyn Ellis. Derrière
cette voix de jeune fille, se trouve une artiste beaucoup plus solide
et perspicace qu'on ne peut l'imaginer de prime abord.

Qui sait causer de la chose amoureuse, mais aussi de moult épisodes de
l'existence qui prêtent flanc à la réflexion, l'attendrissement, la
moquerie ou l'autodérision. Qui n'a rien de naïf, tout compte fait. Et
qui sera de passage à Montréal le 14 mai, au Centre St-Ambroise.

Extrait: Even Though The Sky Was Falling

http://www.cyberpresse.ca/arts/musique/critiques-cd/201005/07/01-4278281-karyn-ellis-apparente-tenuite-12.php

*******************

KARYN ELLIS: Even Though the Sky Was Falling (Mathilde's Home Productions) A singer-songwriter with Karyn Ellis's life experience should have stories to tell. A classically trained musician who set out to sing opera, this bright Ontario girl got sidetracked into pop music and weird day jobs, including singing telegrams for a living. Even Though the Sky Was Falling, her sophomore CD, proves this is a woman with stories. Opening track Be My Girl begins with the lyric, "My hands are tied behind my back. To the chair. To the wood. To the side of me that is afraid," and then Ellis turns this S&M image (Ellis was inspired by CSI episodes) into a statement about women breaking free of bondage in whatever form. Two songs later, Ellis performs an up-tempo stomper with a low, rumbling electric guitar; Duane Eddy lives! Often her songs tug, musically and lyrically, with contrasting emotions. Low has a bouncing rhythm, even though Ellis sings plaintively, "Why am I so sad?" The title track, written for a friend who died, has an uplifting quality. Musically, the disc has genre-defying arrangements, the studio calling on adults and children to sing, and musicians to play toy piano, glockenspiel, french horn and trombone. Rating 4 out of 5 -- Marke Andrews, Vancouver Sun, May 8, 2010

http://www.windsorstar.com/entertainment/movie-guide/Pornographers+offer+intelligent+hook+filled/3002011/story.html - Vancouver Sun/Windsor Star/Guelph Mercury/Le Voir/La Presse

Bernard Perusse, Thursday May 6, 2010

MONTREAL - Singer-songwriter Karyn Ellis finds inspiration in some bizarre spots - creepy CSI episodes, for example. But that doesn't make the inventively arranged songs on her latest album, Even Though the Sky Was Falling, any less charming. The disc, which Ellis produced with sometime Ron Sexsmith collaborator and bandmate Don Kerr, will be the focus of the Toronto performer's concert here next week. Here are her iPod faves.

1. New Goodbye, Hey Rosetta!

2. All Night, Sam Phillips

3. Swimming Song, Kate and Anna McGarrigle

4. Ambergris, Snowblink

5. You Are Too Beautiful, Hawksley Workman

6. Tumble Down, Janine Stoll

7. Save Me, Aimee Mann

8. Drive Thru America, Evalyn Parry

9. Faith, Ronley Teper

10. Boats and Water, Jack Breakfast

Karyn Ellis performs May 14 at Centre St. Ambroise, 5080A St. Ambroise St. Voluntary donations - $10 is suggested - can be given at the door.

- - -

montrealgazette.com/music is where you can find this week's iPod
feature and more Gazette music coverage.

© Copyright (c) The Montreal Gazette

http://www.montrealgazette.com/technology/What+your+ipod/2991710/story.html - The Montreal Gazette

By Brad Wheeler

Karyn Ellis
Very simply, this delicate, sweetly-melodic Toronto songstress needs to be heard. She’s beguiles twice, at the Cameron (Thursday, 1 a.m., 408 Queen St. W.) and the Garrison (Sunday, 10 p.m., 1197 Dundas St. W.).

Also on the list: Zola Jesus, Fanshaw, Maylee Todd, Hannah Georges



Original article: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/arts/music/five-must-see-songstresses/article1606709/ - The Globe and Mail, Wednesday June 16, 2010

By Brad Wheeler

Karyn Ellis
Very simply, this delicate, sweetly-melodic Toronto songstress needs to be heard. She’s beguiles twice, at the Cameron (Thursday, 1 a.m., 408 Queen St. W.) and the Garrison (Sunday, 10 p.m., 1197 Dundas St. W.).

Also on the list: Zola Jesus, Fanshaw, Maylee Todd, Hannah Georges



Original article: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/arts/music/five-must-see-songstresses/article1606709/ - The Globe and Mail, Wednesday June 16, 2010