Kama Linden Returns And Gets Countrified

Do you remember MySpace? It used to be “the” social media outlet several years ago and then Facebook moved into the forefront. I discovered quite a few very talented and interesting artists thanks to that site. Kama Linden was one of those artists that I ran across; a beautiful woman with a powerful, yet angelic voice and an infectious personality and attitude. The more I looked into the artist, the more intrigued I became with her. Her 2008 album Better Late Than Never helped to prove that she was no one trick pony; she is an artist of many layers.

Well, Kama is back and is solidifying her versatility in the world of music by going country on her new release Southern Comfort. Now, before you scratch your head and start to wonder why on the world did she go that route, step back for a moment and think about her previous releases. There were country and folky elements apparent throughout Better Late Than never as well as her 2006 album Uninhibited, so is this really that big of a stretch?

Southern Comfort combines all the elements that make Kama great at what she does: catchy songs and infectious melodies, plus her sassy attitude is all over the album. It’s not what one would consider old school country, but more modern country that has that pop feel to it. I think the opening track “Make Room For Mama” sets the tone for what can be expected on the album. This one is a toe tapper and it is sassy and I love that Kama’s personality seems to shine on this one. For the most part, the album is very upbeat and so infectious that you can’t help but to tap your toes.

There are several standout tracks on here including the title track, which may be somewhat autobiographical with lyrics such as “trade in my Yankee cap for a cowboy hat” and “I want to get back to my music roots”. The track “Jersey Girl” is another track that may be somewhat autobiographical in its content as well. Kama wrote all of the songs on the album, so that fact wouldn’t surprise me at all. Her vocal delivery on these songs, as well as the entire album, is sweet to the ear and so comforting. It’s hard not to fall in love with a voice like that.

Now, I do have to admit that I really like when Kama applies the brakes and slows the tempo down to do a slower, mellow type of song. She definitely delivers this time around with “That Way” as well as “Do What You Gotta Do”. I love the up tempo toe tappers, but there is just something really special about her songs when she changes up like that; her voice is smooth like butter.

Overall, I think this is probably the most solid album that she has delivered to date. Kama seems focused and determined this time around more than ever. She assembled a top notch group of musicians to help record this album and the deliver in a major way. It does have that country twang to it and the fiddle and steel guitar are great instruments to help provide such a flavor. The album definitely packs more substance to it than a good part of what’s on Top 40 radio right now. Do yourself a favor, you need to give this Kama Linden a listen and Southern Comfort would be a great introduction to the world of this super talented artist.

http://soundcloud.com/kama-linden

https://itunes.apple.com/au/album/southern-comfort/id600141227

http://www.kamalindenmusic.com/

Crazy About Christen Sawyer

Christen Sawyer is not your typical college student. Well, when you look at her, she may blend in with the average college classroom. Blond, very attractive with an innocent smile, but she leads a double life. No, she's not a secret agent and even if she was, I couldn't tell you that. She is a very talented country singer/songwriter from Sugarland, Texas.

Christen attends Texas A&M where she is double majoring with her major in Economics and her minor in Business Administration. If that wasn't impressive enough, her single "Crazy" is currently in the Top 20 on the Texas Music Charts. Oh yeah, she's also a self-professed dork. More about that later!

I spoke with Christen recently about her budding career. "So far, it's been amazing. I actually may take a semester off from school because of how 'Crazy' has taken off at country radio, plus my classes are getting harder too. I feel really lucky for the response to the single, even though I was really embarrassed the first time I heard myself on the radio. I just couldn't believe it, I'm such a dork," said Christen.

I asked if she ever considered trying out for American Idol because she really seems to fit the format of what they are looking for. "I have had so many people tell me on my YouTube account that I need to audition for Idol and that I would be great on there. Actually, I thought about it but I was in school every time the auditions were near here. I believe that everything happens for a reason. Oh, I'm also terrified of Simon!"

Christen has a 3 song demo out that really showcases this young woman's vocals and songwriting talents. One listen to "Crazy" and you can imagine Sara Evans doing her own version of this great song. "Better Off Broken" sounds like something right up Martina McBride's alley. "I'm Already Gone" is also a great example of her storytelling ability. Her vocals have alot of emotion behind them and she knows how to convey an image to the listener of what she is saying.

"I have been singing forever. When I was little, I did ballet and gymnastics and it lasted about a month. Then, I started singing and it stuck. It just didn't feel like work to me. The more I sang, the more I began to believe in myself and now, here I am. I have met so many great artists along this journey. I went to a music seminar and met Jack Ingram, which was amazing," said Christen.

Our talk concluded with asking her what cd she would want to be trapped on a desert island with? "Wow! That's a really tough question. I have never been asked that one before. I guess I would have to say my Benji Davis Project CD. They have so many different styles on it and I don't think I would grow bored of it."

Christen is writing material for her full length CD which she hopes to have out by the end of the year. She is busy traveling all over Texas doing radio shows and performing acoustically on the air live. Fans of Miranda Lambert, Martina McBride and Carrie Underwood should check her out at www.myspace.com/christensawyer or at www.christensawyer.com. This young lady has her plate full with all of her endeavors, but I don't see her that plate becoming too clean anytime soon.