More About Karen
And How Fallen Angel Came To Be

In August, singer-songwriter Karen McDine, a Maine native now living in Virginia, released her first CD -- Fallen Angel. She wrote the music and the lyrics for all the songs except "Beaten Broken Heart," which she collaborated on with Sam Wood.

Her three favorites ... "My Mistake," the disc's first single, is a dark secret which is told to a lover, who is sleeping. She says, "The idea for this song was given to me by a friend in conversation...I think lots of people will relate to this one!"

"Fallen Angel," the title track, is a story about a man whom she meets while bartending. "One of those strangers who comes into your life when things aren't going so well...a person who shares some words with you, which really opens your eyes. It's a strange feeling which comes over you, I can't really explain it. You just know this person came for a reason, then suddenly they are gone."

"Beaten Broken Heart," is the song with the darkest edge. The music really sets a mood and takes you somewhere.

Her sultry voice has been described as "honey over vinegar." Her style, though, is her own, influenced perhaps by two of her favorite artists -- Bob Dylan and Lucinda Williams.

"The lyrics, to me, are the most important part of my songwriting," she says. "I have trouble leaving them alone. I'm constantly changing them."

Karen has been playing guitar and singing in clubs and restaurants in the Virginia Beach area for six years. She classifies herself as a folk/rock singer-songwriter. At her performances, she does a mix of originals and covers. See her song list here. In 2001, she opened twice for area rock band The States at The Norva, a major concert venue in downtown Norfolk, Virginia. She also opened in August for The States at Goodfellas in Hampton, Virginia.

She grew up in Brunswick, Maine, graduating from Brunswick High School in 1990. Music has always been a part of her life. She began playing organ at age 4 and studied piano in elementary school and junior high. She played saxophone in the junior high band, and sang in several school choruses. During high school, she put aside her music to concentrate on art, especially drawing and sculpture.

From 1993-96, she studied graphic design and photography at Maine College of Art in Portland, Maine. It was there that she rediscovered her love of music -- and began teaching herself to play the guitar.

In late 1996 Karen moved to Virginia Beach, where she began writing songs and playing out with local and jazz/rock guitarist, Vasilis Simmons. During 2001, she performed solo Thursday nights at The Plume Street Grill in Norfolk and on Monday nights she played with David Waltrip at 5150, a Virginia Beach club.

Karen says that when it came time to design her CD cover she called on her graphic design experience at Maine College of Art. Virginia Beach artist Charles Harmon worked with her on the design. Members of The States played on the CD, and also helped produce and direct the production.

Karen's CD can be found locally at Birdland music, at her performances, here on her site, and at Zia Marie. It's also available at Plan 9 in Richmond and Charlottesville, Virginia. A small theatre in Norfolk, Virginia called The Naro, played Fallen Angel at the showings of Jennifer Aniston's film The Good Girl.

Karen is currently writing songs for a second CD and doing solo performances.

She says her dream is to travel the world singing her songs. She hopes to make a difference somehow. "If I can connect with just one person through my music...that's what it's all about."

TimeLine

• 1996 - Solo at Tom's Coffee House on Great Neck Road, Virginia Beach.
• 1997- Performed with several local musicians, Thursday nights at Tautogs, 25th St. in Virginia Beach.
• 1998-2002 - Performed with David Waltrip at H20 and Monday nights at 5150, Shore Drive, Virginia Beach, Virginia.
• Thursday nights at The Plume Street Grille, Norfolk, Virginia.
• The Half Shell, Shore Drive, Virginia Beach, Virginia.
• Performed for a benefit at Crocs, 19th St., Virginia Beach, Virginia.
• Sunday's at Alexander's On the Bay with Michael Coghill, Lookout Road, Chicks Beach, Virginia.
• Opening Act for The States, Goodfella's, Hampton, Virginia.
• Opening Act for The States, twice at The Norva, Norfolk, Virginia.
• The Deck, with Michael Coghill, Portsmouth, Virginia.
• The Aroma Cafè, with Michael Coghill, Norfolk, Virginia.
• As of July 2003, Karen is doing solo performances

Contact Karen