DARING. DELICIOUS. DASHING. DEMURE... Kathleen Blackwell is a classically trained, piano-based singer-songwriter who recently released her debut CD, “To Be Human.” "To Be Human" traverses the landscape of human emotion, featuring Kathleen Blackwell on Vox, Piano & Stomp Box (new toy) with an amazing band--Victor Bisetti (Los Lobos) on drums, Jay Terrien (All The Dolls In The Same Place) on bass, Rodrigo Dennis (Film Composition; Jazz) on guitar and Nick Lane (Chicago, Tom Petty, Rod Stewart) on "the bone," trombone, that is. "To Be Human" was PRODUCED by the fabulous Ronan Chris Murphy (King Crimson, Terry Bozzio, Steve Stevens, Tony Levin, Nels Cline, and many projects featuring members of Tool, Ministry, Weezer, Dishwalla and Yes). “I believe the power of our collective conscious resides within our own, authentic and unique voice—finding and defining what makes you—you. The journey of self-discovery leads to improved self-acceptance, which empowers you to walk in truth—your truth. When your truth shines—our world has hope. “Songwriting has carried me on a beautiful journey of combining my passion for music, my intrinsic curiosity about human nature and my desire to bridge communication gaps.” Originally from San Antonio, TX, Kathleen spent her college years in the fabulous music-town of Austin before relocating to Los Angeles to work for Sony Music Distribution. Kathleen spent a good portion of her childhood behind the piano, pursuing classical music early on—performing once a year at the National Piano Guild, for nearly ten years. Kathleen made the jump to rock-n-roll early on, too—with an insatiable love for radio and eyes glued to MTV. Kathleen was a member of her high school marching band (drum section and clarinet) and in college, while at The University of Texas at Austin, Kathleen interned for “Austin City Limits” and was a Stage Manager for one of the coolest music conferences in town—SXSW Music Festival. After earning two bachelor degrees from The University of Texas at Austin (Bachelor of Science in Radio-Television-Film with a focus in International Communications and Bachelor of Journalism in Public Relations) Kathleen made the move to Los Angeles to work for Sony Music Distribution as a Marketing and Sales Representative for Sony Classical. Kathleen later went on to work under the Sony Music umbrella in their packaging department, where Kathleen was a Packaging Manager and proofread CD packaging for such artists like Korn, Slayer and “South Park.” While with Sony Music, Kathleen also wrote and produced a local radio show, “Silver Signings,” which focused on weaving modern day musical artists through a historical perspective—tapping into the roots of each musical genre. "After many years of pushing aside my own musical background to work on other artist projects, and after much internal debate and extraordinary struggle over life-changing events, I sat down at the piano and out of a dire need to heal and be heard, I wrote my first song. I haven’t stopped since. I found a voice—my voice. While the piano was an old friend, singing and using my voice was very new—I am now making my way. Will you join me on my journey? "My debut CD, "TO BE HUMAN," contains a variety of songs (including the first song I ever wrote called “I Don’t Know”) derived from my own wildly diverse palette of emotions and observations that touch on the scope of our human condition—desire, struggle, play, joy, sorrow, love, anger…hope." Kathleen's influences range from Kate Bush to Tori Amos, U.2. to Radiohead, Lenny Kravitz to Coldplay, Duffy to Urge Overkill, Bob Mould to Sugar—from punk rock to hard rock, Beethoven to Debussy—and many others in between...and on the edge. Most recently called owned an apron design business, called Saucy-Wear, where she manufactured designer aprons for kitchen-wear and shipped to a variety of culinary-based retail stores across the U.S., such as Sur La Table and Williams-Sonoma. As well, presently in the works⎯check out COUGAR ROCK by Kat Blackwell! XOXO!