Káren Hunter first appeared with her blues-infused blend of acoustic funk in the early 90’s when she returned from her eight year O.E. Her time in New York inspired the infamous ‘Raw Fish Salad’ women’s performance night down in the belly of Auckland’s Java Jive and her debut album ‘Private Life of Clowns’ in 1997 received widespread critical acclaim.
During the late nineties Káren opened for internationally acclaimed artists Ani Difranco, Suzanne Vega and Toni Childs and toured NZ extensively as both a solo act and also with several band line-ups. Káren’s second album “Inside/Outside” (Jayrem/Rawfishsalad 2001 - double-live) was recorded live and showcased this hard-edged rocky period of her songwriting.
2006 saw Káren studying the craft of songwriting at Honours Level at Auckland University during which time she started working on her new album Rubble. Making Rubble has been a very different approach to recording for Káren and many musicians have contributed to the work which features a dirty jazz/blues rhythm section and a barrage of horns and ‘found’ percussion to embellish the songs.
Karen Hunter - Perfect Jump
Perfect Jump is the first single and music video to be released from Káren Hunter’s stunning new album ‘Rubble’.
A perfect summery song, the video features an office-bound worker who flees his humdrum existence to make the Perfect Jump into a nearby swimming pool while Káren and band are playing poolside. This video is sure to strike a note in every 9-5er prone to gazing wistfully out at blue sunny skies while chained to their desk in front of a computer.
Perfect Jump can also be seen as a metaphor for making
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Rubble is a class act of an album – do your best to check it out. It will surprise those that are both longtime fans of Karen Hunter and impress those that had never heard of her.
**** (4 stars)
Simon Sweetman, Dominion Post
May 2007
‘Rubble’ is a stunning and varied set that grows with each listening. Helped by some fine guest players (including the rhythm section of Aaron Coddel and Ron Samsom). Káren has created an intense listening experience. Some of the reed voicings (such as on Authority) sound like US sax master David Sanborn, and her voice is often reminiscent of
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Singer/songwriter Káren Hunter (Kaaren) mined the musical debris and lyrical sediment of the likes of Tom Waits and Rickie Lee Jones collecting inspirations to smash and smooth together while assembling her fourth solo album ‘Rubble’. The 12 rootsy tunes on Rubble reflect Káren’s healthy sense of humour and keen eye for the ironic side of New Zealand life.
2006 saw Káren studying the craft of songwriting at Honours Level at Auckland University during which time she started working on her new album Rubble. Making Rubble has been a very different approach to recording for Káren and
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