CARRIE NEWCOMER

Carrie Newcomer is a rare breed of singer/songwriter: the kind who illuminates life with startling depth, humor and clarity. Her ability for sharp observation of the world lead the Dallas Morning News to rave, "She's the kind of artist whose music makes you stop, think and then say, 'that is so true'." She has been described as "a soaring songstress" by Billboard, a "prairie mystic" by the Boston Globe, and Rolling Stone has said that she "asks all the right questions." Carrie is one of the definitive voices of the Heartland and progressive spirituality. In the fall of 2011 Carrie released her fifteenth album, Everything is Everywhere, as a special benefit project for the Interfaith Hunger Initiative on Available Light Records. In August 2011, The Times Music Company released Everything is Everywhere in India. Newcomer is an acclaimed musician who continues to create music from her uniquely spiritual and poignant take on the world. Everything is Everywhere is no exception, beautifully creating a fusion "of east and west. Everything is Everywhere highlights Newcomer's ability to blend her rich alto with a poetic lyricism, seamlessly integrating western song form, American roots influences with the haunting sounds of the Indian classical sarod. In Newcomer's words, "The songs on Everything is Everywhere were written to address what is unique and fascinating about our cultural differences, and yet reach into the common human thread that pulls between us." The profits of Everything is Everywhere will go to the Interfaith Hunger Initiative. An organization including faith leaders and laity Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Buddhist and Sikh congregations, dedicated to the common cause of providing for those most vulnerable in our communities. "In a time when we are encouraged to fear difference or diversity, Everything is Everywhere was created as an alternative to fear and an affirmation of creative and compassionate engagement. I am one of a growing number of people who are choosing to not put the Sacred in such a small container," says Newcomer. On Everything is Everywhere the listener experiences a deep connection through Newcomer's lyrics, which explore life with a progressive spiritual sensibility. A love for haunting melody lines, an attraction to compelling rhythms and a sense of deep spiritual grounding are the connecting threads in this new collaborative project between folk singer- songwriter Carrie Newcomer and the famous Indian family of sarod players, Amjad Ali Khan, Amaan Ali Khan and Ayaan Ali Khan. The Minneapolis City Pages wrote, "Newcomer's musing is deeply introspective, but she offers it with a poet's sense of nuance and a folkie's common touch, turning philosophical theory into the stuff of people's daily lives." On the captivating title track Newcomer describes images from India and Indiana, ("There's rhythm to the rains they come and go, I heard Bollywood and Dylan on the radio, the driver's quoting Sufi poetry, there's ribbons tied around the trees"). In the powerful rhythms of "Breathe In Breathe Out," and "Shine" the masterful melodies of Amjad Ali Khan are featured. In "We Were Sleeping," the haunting vocals of Amaan and Ayaan Ali Kahn expand the heart. In the song "Air and Smoke" she tenderly explores the insistence of hope, ("May we live to say that we saw the day, but for now we'll live on hope"). From the cinematic lushness of "Dreaming" to the elegant string and sarod and accompaniments, to the spiritual, simple and poignant "I Believe," Everything is Everywhere is both timeless and contemporary. In 2009, Carrie released her twelfth album on Rounder Records, Before and After (featuring Mary Chapin Carpenter on the title track) with prior albums including the critically acclaimed The Geography of Light, Regulars & Refugees, The Age of Possibility, The Gathering of Spirits and The Betty's Diner collection. She has toured throughout Europe and the U.S., and she has toured with Alison Krauss. Nickel Creek recorded Newcomer's song "I Should've Known Better," on their Grammy-winning album This Side. She was listed as one of "the 50 most influential folk musicians of the past 50 years" by Chicago's WFMT. In 2010, Carrie Newcomer was honored by the Indiana State Senate and House for special achievement in the arts through her part in the cast of Wilderness Plots. Recorded and produced by Newcomer and David Weber at Airtime Studios, Everything is Everywhere is a joyous celebration of east meets west and unique new collaboration with world masters of the Indian classical sarod Amjad Ali Khan, Amaan and Ayaan Ali Khan. Everything is Everywhere also includes a core of exceptional musicians, including Gary Walters on piano, Chris Wagoner on violin, Mary Gaines on cello, Steve Mascari on upright acoustic bass, Jim Brock on percussion, with special appearances by Malcolm Dalglish and Krista Detor. At the center is Newcomer's adept guitar work and resonant voice, which the Austin Statesman has described as being "as rich as Godiva chocolate." The album's artwork features the work of Hugh Syme, whose sense of magical realism captures Newcomer's joyous idea about finding miracles in common places. In the fall of 2009, Newcomer was a cultural ambassador to India invited by the American Embassy of India to tour the country performing for Indian audiences and visiting community services organizations. She taught workshops on songwriting, community service, and met and performed with contemporary, traditional and classical Indian musicians. She also visited slum programs for women and children at risk throughout the country of India. She was invited back to Indian (this time with Gary Walters and James Brock) in September 2011 as a visiting artist at the Delhi, Mumbai and Chennai International Schools, and again performed for Indian audiences through the American Embassy of India. Carrie internationally facilitates workshops and presents keynotes on the topics of songwriting, spirituality and vocation at colleges, universities, and spiritual communities, retreat centers. Newcomer, a Quaker, cuts across secular and spiritual boundaries. In recent years, she has emerged as a respected and recognized artistic voice for the progressive spiritual community. In 2011 and 2012, Carrie will be joining Parker J. Palmer in events based on his book Healing the Heart of Democracy. She's also worked and created presentations with beloved authors, scientists and progressive theologians, Barbara Kingsolver, Jill Bolte Taylor, Phillip Gulley, Marcus Borg, Jim Wallis, Brian McLaren and Scott Russell Sanders.