Karen Jonas - EPK
Americana/Alt-Country songwriter Karen Jonas knows how to tell a story. Her new album The Restless is “a stunning collection of dreamy and dark alt-country confessionals; a deep exploration of love and vulnerability from one of Americana’s most hopeless romantics” (Holler.Country). With “vocals that twist and snap with tension and emotional depth” and a dynamic band, it’s no wonder Karen is turning heads all around the world (Country Music People, U.K.). Flanked by her longtime guitarist the inimitable Tim Bray, bassist Seth Morrissey and Seth Brown on drums, she dazzles with energy that showcases their ten-year touring chemistry and the true joy of their art. Karen has released six full-length records and is a three-time Wammie (Washington Area Music) Award winner for Best Country and Americana Artist, Mid Atlantic Song Contest winner, Ameripolitan Award nominee, and official SXSW and UK Americanafest Showcasing Artist. As Parklife Mag DC put it, “the voice of country music in the DMV is a big, bright voice that belongs to Virginia native Karen Jonas.”
Booking: Tim Bray, kjmusicbooking@gmail.com
UK: Jeremy Verrall, At The Helm PR, jeremy@atthehelmpr.com
UK Booking: Bob Paterson, BPA Live, bp@bpa-live.com
Venues Played: The Birchmere Alexandria VA, The Atkinson Southport UK, Maverick Festival Suffolk UK, Pearl Street Warehouse DC, Rockwood Music Hall NYC, The Royal American SC, Willie’s Locally Known Lexington KY, Purple Fiddle Thomas WV, The Saxon Pub Austin TX, Jammin Java Vienna VA, Tin Pan RVA
The Restless (2023)
Cinematic, lush, and deeply personal.
“a bit wicked, a bit dangerous” (4 stars, Rolling Stone Germany)
“a stunning collection of dreamy and dark alt-country confessionals; a deep exploration of love and vulnerability from one of Americana’s most hopeless romantics” (Holler.Country).
“There's no limit to Karen Jonas' music it seems.” Wono Magazine
the whole record feels like a very visceral encounter” Maverick Country, UK
It's a gothic swirl of liberation and possible menace” - The Boot
“Karen Jonas has been a consistently excellent (and underrated) presence in country music over the past decade, and when she leans into southern-Gothic territory, she’s damn-near unstoppable." Country Universe
Summer Songs EP/Gumballs (2021)
Showcasing her consistently fearless artistry, Karen releases a 4-song EP, Summer Songs, with three originals and a cover of Don Henley’s Boys of Summer, alongside a dark, witty, deeply personal book of poems called Gumballs.
“Your new summer go-to song” - Glide Magazine
“It’s at once heartbreaking and uplifting, which is quite a feat.” - AmericanaUK
“a moody dreamy retro piece” - Three Chords and the Truth
Any listener of Karen Jonas’ music will recognize the trademarks of her fearless talent in this beautiful, gutting collection of poetry. Karen Jonas is already acknowledged as a master songwriter and storyteller, but in these unflinching, often wryly funny poems, the narratives of love, heartbreak, and the daily grind of being alive are unmisted by noise, audience, and stage. -Erika Carter, author of Lucky You, an NPR Best Book of 2017 and official Book of the Month Club selection
"This is what you get when a kickass woman writes poetry--you get dirty, wet, delicious, dark, relatable worlds full of wonder, light, rage, and revelation." -Susie Moloney, author of A Dry Spell
“Gumballs is … simply wonderful and an indication of a fearless and reborn artist with so much to offer and lots to say.” -Lonesome Highway
The Southwest Sky and Other Dreams (2020)
A flashback-fueled fever dream of Americana songcraft and storytelling. Taking the vast desert expanses of the American Southwest as her backdrop, Jonas embroiders small-town snapshots into vivid explorations of our inner struggles.
“warmly nostalgic and old-fashioned” - American Songwriter
“Astonishingly articulate and atmospheric”Guitar Girl Magazine
“The songcraft she brings to The Southwest Sky and Other Dreams is what you’re left most spellbound by.” - Saving Country Music
“… lively throwback, country swing influenced number” - Mother Church Pew
“This trucker’s tale reminiscent of Commander Cody’s version of “Hot Rod Lincoln” with it’s descending guitar line played perfectly by Karen’s right hand man Tim Bray really gets you excited …” - Saving Country Music
A riveting anthology of tunes and tales” - Rocking Magpie, UK
Jonas has given us an album that reminds that while dreams may so often be shattered, it’s still better to look for glimpses of light than resign ourselves to darkness”
The versatility of Karen Jonas fascinates and makes you enjoy … successful!” - Real Roots Cafe, Netherlands
Lucky, Revisited (2019)
A tour of Karen’s finest songwriting, Lucky, Revisited showcases the growth of her killer band and recording prowess. Fresh recordings of 8 songs, plus a cover of the country classic “Lovesick Blues” and Dylan’s “It Takes a Lot to Laugh, It Takes a Train to Cry” make for her most cohesive record yet.
“An action packed overview of Jonas’ finest songwriting” Glide Magazine
“Texas-bar-ready program” -Americana Highways
“Vocals that twist and snap with tension and emotional depth” Country Music People, U.K.
“Vibrant and dynamic” Planet Country, Italy
“Totally fun” Calvin Powers, Americana Music Show
“Collaborative chemistry, laser-sharp dynamics and intricate arrangements” Folk and Tumble, Ireland
“With lyrics that range from acerbic to vulnerable to comic to tragic; and a voice that brings those lyrics to life with sensuous flair, Karen Jonas’ Lucky, Revisited is worth visiting again and again." Turnstyled, Junkpiled
“The sparse production gives her even freer rein with her powerful voice to create an even purer country sound.” Your Life In A Song, UK
"Karen Jonas' best album so far“ - De Krenten Uit de Pop, Netherlands
Butter (2018)
Bring on the horns - Butter is a bold, witty, smoldering Americana review, from its smoky title track to the dreamy conclusion. Full of unexpected twists, this circus-like record is irony in form, mirroring the hectic lifestyle of an unstoppable performing songwriter and mother of four.
Country songs (2016)
Recorded live-in-the-studio, Country Songs is an album full of heartbreak and personal growth, with the added bonus of a joke about Dwight Yoakum's pants. With songs written at home and recorded across the street at Wally Cleaver's Recording Studio with a cast of local Fredericksburg heroes, Country Songs showcases a uniquely local sound.
Oklahoma lottery (2014)
Our big debut, recorded for our friends and fans here in Fredericksburg and eventually heard around the world. A quick-and-dirty live-in-the-studio job, Oklahoma Lottery is full of gritty stories about gamblers, Dust Bowlers, Bonnie and Clyde, and the like.
