Kristina Olsen (Venice, California, USA & Vancouver, BC, Canada) is one of the most entertaining and compelling performers on the international acoustic circuit. A superb multi-instrumentalist (acoustic guitar, steel-body slide guitar, saxophone, concertina, banjo, mandolin and piano) as well as an award-winning songwriter with a big bluesy voice, Kristina has audiences around the world coming back for more. Her mix of powerful songs ranging from sassy bottleneck blues to lilting ballads to swing jazz to raunch and roll (as well as her hilarious storytelling) makes for a diverse and satisfying musical experience, on stage, on disc and in book.
Prior to her first coming to Humph Hall way back in 2010 my experiences of her had been as part of incredibly enthusiastic capacity crowds at The National Folk Festival in Canberra. It was predictably fabulous experiencing an entire concert with her in the intimate atmosphere of Humph Hall.
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“A joy to watch and hear” – Maddy Prior
“A magnificent singer who talks about rude things!!” – Les Barker
“Olsen, an itinerant troubadour who regularly graces Australian folk festivals, was at her most engaging. Such was the candour of her songs and chatty tales that it would impossible for anyone with blood in their veins not to empathise with her. Her full-throated voice and crisp guitar served up such diverse subject matter as crop-dusting and prostitution, while a revealing yarn about life-drawing classes introduced The Truth of a Woman. From her new CD came In Your Darkened Room, the title track to an album containing some of her finest work, a black frost edging her usual warmth and humour.” – John Shand, Sydney Morning Herald
“Kristina once seen and heard is not easily forgotten. Her skills in writing and performance along with the charm of her musical personality have always ensured this – miss them and miss out” – Simon Nicol, Fairport Convention
“It is indeed a rare occurrence to be so completely captivated for an entire concert by one person and a guitar, but American singer/songwriter Kristina Olsen certainly managed this and more, delivering a highly entertaining show to a capacity audience for over two hours. From her opening songs I felt that this was a person I had known for much longer, the supreme accolade any storyteller can wish for. The audience of predominantly fortysongethings loved it, demanding that Olsen return to the stage for three encores. Olsen’s singing is as powerful as it is delicate, forceful as it is tender, and she asks a lot of herself, instrumentally, voically and emotionally.” – Patrick Shepherd. Christchurch Press, NZ
“To begin with the songs, they are those wonderful gems of song writing which don’t rely on any particular genre for their beginnings. Olsen builds melodies, not styles. She can wind them into unpredictable combinations which then become lovely melodies or she can deliver them in straight lines which become jazz- or blues-oriented pieces. Her guitar stylings are wide, ranging from delicate, complicated runs to aggressive direct blues runs. She’s a sharp guitarist, able to provide herself with both the rhythm and lead pieces she needs to give her songs solid solo support. As a storyteller, Olsen is similarly wonderful, mixing earthy observations about herself and those around with the occasional comment about society’s various shortcomings. Most of all, though, Olsen is funny, noting those things which innocently point out where she and all of us provide material for comic relief. She’s talented, funny, and observant, and consequently she becomes the witty friend who shares her life with you, not preaching to you or insisting on our praise to maintain the friendship.” – Roots & Reel
“Olsen is an eclectic artist worthy of much more acclaim.” – Los Angeles Times
“Strong songs and guitar playing, great singing and intimate stories…after hearing it I’m in love with the lady.” – Acoustic Musician
“This is Olsen playing solo to the world, and the results are stunning…playing slide guitar with a fury, finely crafted songs, personal and delivered with fire…” – Folk Almanac
“…wicked blues slide guitar…soon her storytelling becomes so wonderful, and her music so expressive, one realized that the untamed Olsen is more valuable than any slicker version could be.” – Boston Herald
“Kristina changed my life” – Jackie Hanham, workshop participant
“Kristina Olsen not only reduces grown men to quivering wrecks with her songs, she also knits socks between sets… That’s talent for you” – Caz Graham
“Kristina Olsen – The Creme de la creme. Kristina is the business, if you don’t know her work or haven’t seen her shows, we strongly suggest you make it your mission this year to seek her out. Say hello, you won’t regret it.” – Chris While and Julie Matthews’ Recommendations and don’t miss ’em list
“…and then there was the life force that is Olsen. The American opened the show with a solo set of wit, wisdom and stinging slide guitar. A raconteur who could still any bar or charm crowned heads, she set the tone for sad or saucy songs about love from a woman’s perspective. Accompanying Coughlan she added deft flecks of guitar, growling alto saxophone, accordion, voice or just sat out as the song required. Again, no pretence.” – Mary Coughlan/Kristina Olsen Concert Review Sydney Morning Herald, Arts & Entertainment, Feb 2009
“This is no kind of formula entertainment. After hearing it I’m in love with the lady” – Acoustic Musician Magazine
“She always signs her letters, “Love, Kristina” Maybe because she can’t spell “Sincerely Yours” She likes four letter words. They get the point across. They hardly ever have double letters. Kristina Olsen’s record “Love, Kristina” is one of my favorites. She has the above-referenced acapella half-apology for her spelling, as well as a song for battered women called “Keeping This Life Of Mine” and a lighthearted ditty called “Little Brother Sure Can Dance”. And many more delightful songs, all wrapped up in her strong, slightly jazzy voice. Moreover, when I emailed her a couple of years ago, she actually emailed me back! So she’s nice, to boot!” – Andrea Crain
“Kristina Olsen is the very picture of the modern folksinger: She’s a hard-touring, nonstop songwriter who doesn’t seem to care about – or even think of – mainstream success. She’s also full of thoughtful, thought-provoking songs, which she skillfully plays on guitar, saxophone, concertina and piano. Olsen’s latest album is ‘All Over Down Under’.” – The Onion April 10-16, 2003
