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Carolyn Wonderland

Rank #6 Austin, TX Blues / Roots Rock / Americana

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About

Members: Carolyn Wonderland, Cole El-Saleh, Rob Hooper

Sounds Like: Janis Joplin, Bonnie Raitt, Stevie Ray Vaughan, *Susan Tedeschi*, Levon Helm

Label: Bismeaux Records

Manager: Bismeaux Productions: Peter Schwarz (512) 444-9885 (ext.22) email: Bismeaux@austin.rr.com PO Box 463 Austin, TX 78767, Nancy Fly Agency

Bio: The multi-award winning, genre-bending
[blues, rock, Americana, roots, country, jazz],
hard-touring, triple-threat musician
[guitarist / singer / songwriter] from Texas!
// Carolyn Wonderland - vocals, guitar, lap steel, trumpet, mandolin
// Cole El Saleh - keyboards, key-bass // Rob Hooper ... See Full Bio

More Info

Status

On tour. Now and forever.

Press

“With the greatest Southern blues voice of all time, part whiskey, part wolf-mother in heat, she wasted no time laying waste to the crowd with some of the stinging-est nastiest guitar of the weekend.”

— William Michael Smith, Houston Press

“Wonderland’s chops are strongly melodic, and she doesn’t get bogged down in riff-based noodling; it’s some of the most musical playing I’ve heard in a long time, and some of the hottest, too.”

— Gayla Drake Paul, Premier Guitar

“There’s one word for Carolyn Wonderland’s show last night at Joe’s Pub: Tasty. When a guitarist truly lives and loves what they do, it shows, and it was shining like a beacon during Wonderland’s performance. To say that her live show is better than the record is no exaggeration. And her tone … hell yeah! With minimal accompaniment from Rob Hooper on drums and Cole El-Saleh on keys/bass keys, Wonderland showed her prowess on guitar, lap steel and (surprise!) trumpet. From down-and-dirty blues to a New Orleans romp to a slow and easy guitar wail-fest, Wonderland just slayed. Her vocal chops were right on as well -- a growl, a sweet little twitter or, a heartfelt wail slid like butter from her lips. ”

— Laura B. Whitmore, Guitar World

“It establishes her as an artist to be reckoned with, one who should be scoring slots at major blues festivals and clubs. ”

— Ken Bays, About.com

“Wonderland’s guitar work is incendiary and belly level satisfying, but it’s her stunning vocals that are the star here – a thrilling real woman’s voice filled with a lot of living and the acute knowledge that one needs to sin to get saved. It’s the kinda voice that could whisper things to a man that would make him do just about anything to fulfill her wishes.”

— Dennis, Dirty Impound

“Wonderland can perform enough vocal gymnastics to scare an American Idol contestant and play enough hot licks to make guitar freaks weep with joy. But everything she and her band do serves the songs. That makes for a full-meal deal.”

— Jim Beal Jr., San Antonio Express-News

“Carolyn Wonderland has an undeniable charisma, and her guitar playing in simply extraordinary, which begs for these songs to be experienced live. Vocally, she has a sweet holler that imbibes everything here with feeling, warmth and energy.”

— Ian Rildes, Americana UK

“Texas' blues machine churns out a keeper.”

— Jerry Shriver, USA Today

"... Do not miss the amazing Carolyn Wonderland ... If she's not the best guitarist in Texas, I'm not sure who is ..."

— Dale Martin, [New Braunfels, TX] Herald-Zeitung

“Carolyn Wonderland is easily among the finest barroom brawlers in the Midwest floorboard pounding business. Her newest album, ‘Miss Understood’ is the kind of album that any roots and blues music fan will fully enjoy and derive hours of listening enjoyment from for years to come.”

— Rick Galusha, KIWR Blues

“The blues journeywoman sounds every bit the real deal on the record, like a cross between early Lucinda Williams, Sharon Jones and yes, Janis Joplin.”

— Andy Langer, News 8 Austin

“Like with other guitarists in the elite division, you feel that the guitar is almost an integrated part of her body.”

— Ole Jacob Hoel, Adressa.no

“One of the most impressively powerful voices recently heard anywhere, regardless of sex. Able to boon, cajole, promise and growl with equal power, she plays guitar with much the same forcefulness!”

— Matt Weitz, Dallas Observer

“Ms. Wonderland is special. She has a voice that can do most anything in the Blues or rock canon and she plays guitar with delicacy and almost illegal raunchiness as well as writing songs and interpreting some classics.”

— Andy Snipper, Music-News.com

“Throaty Texan Carolyn Wonderland knows her way around six strings, but it’s her soulful, near-contralto voice that clinches the deal. Miss Understood, is a solid example of down-home soul played by a woman who’s got it in spades.”

— Sara Brickner, Eugene Weekly

“You can practically see the flames rushing from her teeth and fingers, such is the gale force of talent she lets loose.”

— Wednesday Journal Online

“The biggest revelation at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Tribute to Janis Joplin was singer-guitarist Carolyn Wonderland, an up-and-comer who nailed the Joplin-popularized oldie ‘Down on Me.’”

— Jon Soeder, The Plain Dealer

“Wonderland is a seething-hot Texas singer-guitarist. And she can write, too... 'Miss Understood' focuses on tough yet vulnerable blues, but also captures the melodic soul of classic American song... No wonder Dylan is an avowed fan!”

— Daniel Gewertz, Boston Herald

"The first performer to really shake things up [at AMM's Janis tribute]... singer/songwriter/electric guitarist Carolyn Wonderland who shook her magenta hair while belting out 'Down on Me'!"

— Anastasia Pantsios, Cleveland Scene's C-Notes

“...The real deal. She is an amazing guitar player. She whistled a solo. She even played the trumpet! And damn, can she sing... If Jack White is looking to partner up with another veteran female singer he should beeline it to Austin and team up with Carolyn Wonderland.”

— Tony Pierce, L.A. Times blog

All Press

Songs

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Play "Victory of Flying"

Victory of Flying

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Play "Usurper"

Usurper

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Play "No Exception"

No Exception

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Play "Only God Knows When"

Only God Knows When

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Play "St. Marks"

St. Marks

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All Songs

Videos

Carolyn Wonderland - "What Good Can Drinkin' Do"

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Shows

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Sat
May 25

Aptos Village Park
Aptos, CA, US | 10:00am
Aptos Village Park
Aptos, CA, US
Sat May 25 10:00am
- Show Details
- Tickets
Details

Santa Cruz Blues Festival in Aptos Village Park
Sun
May 26

Avila Beach Resort
San Luis Obispo, CA, US | 12:00pm
Avila Beach Resort
San Luis Obispo, CA, US
Sun May 26 12:00pm
- Show Details
- Tickets
Details

20th Annual Avila Beach Blues Festival. Opening for Elvin Bishop and Steve Miller Band!
Sat
Jun 8

Greeley Blues Jam
Greeley, CO, US | 10:30am
Greeley Blues Jam
Greeley, CO, US
Sat Jun 08 10:30am
- Show Details
- Tickets
Details

Address: 501 N. 14th Ave, Greeley, CO 80631, Showtime: Approx. 4:00 PM
Sat
Jun 15

Pier 21
Galveston, TX, US | 6:00pm
Pier 21
Galveston, TX, US
Sat Jun 15 6:00pm
- Show Details
- Tickets
Details

Showtime: 7:00pm
Sun
Jun 16

R.A. Apfell East Beach …
Galveston, TX, US | 12:00pm
R.A. Apfell East Beach Park
Galveston, TX, US
Sun Jun 16 12:00pm
- Show Details
- Tickets
Details

Showtime: 2:00 PM

All Shows

Comments

Add Comment

GuNDiRoCk
Respect & LoVe to you !!
CWC.
The real thing,cheers from Scotland.CWC.
Sonny Boy Baker
This band has it together. Love you'r music.
Dry Martinez
Every now and then I run across the real McCoy...You my dear, are the real deal! LOVE them blues!!!
Jody Scott
Jammin from begining to end!
BUGZ
Gotta love an artist who goes on IMUS. You Rok!