ALBUM LINEUP
Johnny Sangster - Guitar and bass
Mark Pickerel - Drums and percussion
Jared Clifton - Guitar
Danny Newcomb - Guitar
Steve Fisk - Piano, Mellotron, ARP 2600, Organ
Carrie has been an integral part of the Seattle music scene before ‘grunge’ was a nationwide phenomenon. Carrie created a name for herself as lead singer of underground bands Hammerbox and Goodness. Over the past three years, Carrie has released two solo albums ‘Home’ and ‘Invitation’. Always making her presence known, her massive fan base, most of whom have been with her from day one, has continued to grow.
Using her ‘thunderous, wailful vocals’ Akre has a way of pulling and attracting the listener to her. With her solo work she uses lyrics that focus on the day to day struggles with life and relationships. Akre attempts to relate to every listener with a style that is both catchy as well as all her own.
CARRIE AKRE'S TIME OFF PAYS OFF - Kitsap Sun Debroa Lascelles
November 27, 2007
What's this?Seattle singer-songwriter Carrie Akre has released an intimate, powerful album, "Last the Evening", which represents a milestone in her long, musical career.
Since the early 1990s, Akre has been an integral part of the Seattle music scene, fronting three rock bands (including Hammerbox and Goodness), running two indie record labels and releasing two previous solo albums, which inevitably led to a professional burnout.
"It'd been 15 years where I hadn't had a year where I wasn't either touring or working on a record," said Akre. "I was feeling really burned out so I just took some time off."
After a taking a few years off to reflect on herself and her music, she joined Loveless Records to release "Last the Evening." The soul-searching break seems to have paid off. According to Pete Nordstrom of Loveless Records, "Last the Evening" showcases Akre's strongest songwriting to date, infusing stirring melodies with introspective lyrics.
"A lot of the lyrics are from personal experience," Akre said. "I think music is a great tool to express yourself when you're feeling down and I really utilize that. On this record, these songs were real therapy for me."
Many of the songs on "Last the Evening" were written during the dark period of Akre's career meltdown.
"The experience of recording them was really personal," said Akre. "I think I walked into it with a lot more confidence and clarity about what I wanted to do, which usually happens after some time of reflection."
Akre spent a year working on the album with producer Steve Fisk, whose credits also include Screaming Trees, Soul Coughing and Nirvana.
"We gave ourselves room to relax and space to have conversations about what the music meant and how I was feeling about it," said Akre. "It was really helpful to me."
Akre's earlier solo albums, "Home" (2000) and "Invitation" (2002), were released on her own music label, My Way Records. After signing with Loveless Records in August, Akre was freed from having to do her own marketing, allowing her to concentrate on just the musical aspect of the album.
"The drawbacks of running your own label are that you're doing all the work," said Akre. "I have a lot of respect for people who are running indie labels and doing it themselves, but trying to be the artist and the business person at the same time can be really draining."
Her band members include bassist (and husband) Martin Lund, drummer Mark Pickerel, and guitarist Jared Clifton.
Not only is Akre currently on tour promoting her new album, but she is also preparing for a new addition to her family. Her and Lund are expecting a child in March.
"I do understand how full my plate is, but I thrive on it," said Akre. "I'm just really glad to get back to the music."
“Seattle may not be a city most think of when they think of good torch rock singers, but that's only because they have not yet heard Carrie Akre. Perhaps best known as the lead vocalist for the now-defunct bands Hammerbox and Goodness, Akre is now on her third solo studio album in eight years…”
- Anna Creech, Blogcritics
You really should know Carrie AkreÕs name by now. You should, but chances are you donÕt. The Seattle native fronted underground bands Hammerbox and Goodness in the Õ90s, and she even played in Pearl Jam guitarist Mike McCreadyÕs the Rockfords project before trying to make it on her own.And with her third effort ÒÉLast the Evening,Ó she might be on her way to clearing up that confusion over who this Akre girl is anyway. Teetering a fine line between adult alternative and adult contemporary (though not in the Celine Dion/Bette Midler ilk, thank God É think more WYEP), AkreÕs passionate, expressive voice carries the 11 songs that make up the record. ÒCourageÓ opens the album with a slight R&B tone, with Akre signing, ÒI know the difference an imagination makes when the world is falling downhill.Ó She does a fine job conveying sadness and longing on ÒHalf Shelf LifeÓ and Tori Amos-esque ÒTrafalgar Square.Ó She rocks a bit on ÒStupid Is,Ó the title track, and ÒBreathe,Ó where she lets loose and even fires off a well-placed F-bomb for good measure. Even though youÕll think ÒSecretÓ ends the record, and quite fittingly at that, stick around for the quiet hidden track thatÕs one of the sadder ÒDear JohnÓ songs youÕll hear.Ó
- The McKeesport Daily News
“Newly signed to Loveless Records, legendary Carrie Akre really needs no introduction. Possibly considered a NW icon, she’ll be gracing us with her sweet voice and wonderful songwriting abilities Saturday evening. She has just released her latest record, Last the Evening and will be playing many of the new songs on the show.”
- Audioasis, KEXP
According to The Stranger, Carrie Akre's new album "Last the Evening" is the #6 selling record in Seattle music stores!!! "Last the Evening" has been added to radio rotation nationwide, so make sure to request songs such as "Courage" or "Take My Heart" on your local radio station, including KEXP, KNDD, KPSU and KMTT in the Northwest.
Seattle's Carrie Akre may be best known for the bands she fronted in the '90s (Hammerbox and Goodness), but her third solo album hopes to establish her as an artist in her own right -- and it should. At the center of the classic rock framework is Akre's brassy (and at times jazzy) voice, manhandling lyrics that showcase her strength and emotional fortitude. One would be ill advised to mess with this woman. It's not a bunch of feminist pronouncements, but rather the poetry of a vulnerable yet stalwart and hopeful romantic.
-Shawn Telford
“Carrie and I have been trying to put together a record for years. It’s so great to finally work with such a talent. She has an amazing voice. She just delivers!”
- Steve Fisk
“A voice and lyrics so powerful that I've been reduced to tears during multiple listens. After a listen to Carrie’s new cd I felt as though I should call up all of my ex-lovers to say ‘I’m sorry, I finally get it’ Her voice and lyrics somehow have the ability to bring years of my own emotional conflict in to painful focus. One listen to ‘Courage’ might just inspire you to finally surrender to the love that you’ve been resisting!”
- Mark Pickerel
TOUR DATES
Sat, Jun 21 Seattle, WA @ The Fremont Fair - 4:15pm
Tue, Jul 8 Seattle, WA @ The Fremont Abbey - 6:00pm
Sat, Jul 13 Seattle, WA @ West Seattle Festival (North Stage) - 3:30pm
Thu, Jul 24 Seattle, WA @ Freeway Park - 12:00pm
Sun, Jul 27 Seattle, WA @ Ballard Seafood Fest - 4:00pm
Wed, Aug 6 Lake Forest Park, WA @ Lake Forest Park - Animal Acres Park - 7:30pm
Sat, Aug 9 Seattle, WA @ The Showbox - Goodness Reunion Show - 9:00pm
Sat, Aug 23 Seattle, WA @ Mural Amphitheatre - Goodness Show- Seattle Center - 7:00pm
