Jason Karaban
Encyclopedia
Jason Karaban is an American
singer-songwriter
and musician living in Los Angeles
, California
. Karaban first began his career fronting the Philadelphia based indie rock
band Dragstrip Courage in 1997, and Grand in 2000. He emerged as a solo artist with the release of Doomed to Make Choices, in 2006, co-produced with Mike Napolitano (Joseph Arthur
, The Twilight Singers
). Along with vocals, Karaban plays acoustic guitar, 12-string and electric guitar, bass guitar, keyboards, piano and drums. He is also known for his acoustic work, and has been compared stylistically to fellow Singer-songwriter Rufus Wainwright
. Karaban has released four critically acclaimed albums, and has had a number of songs featured in film and television shows Over the course of his career, Karaban has collaborated with notable musicians including Ivan Neville
(Neville Brothers and The Rolling Stones
), Ani DiFranco
, David Immergluck
(Counting Crows
and Cracker
), Pete Thomas
(The Attractions
) and Glen Phillips
(Toad the Wet Sprocket
).
the thriller Lure
, and used in television shows from FX Networks
, the Oxygen Channel, VH-1, MTV
, NBC
and ABC
. His album's have also received regular airplay from WXPN
in Philadelphia, WFMU
in Jersey City and KCRW
in Los Angeles.
Karaban’s Mayfly album was named as one of alt-country magazine No Depression’s
“Top 10 Albums of 2009”. The album employs images of fallen soldiers in civil war battles to invoke subtle political messages relevant to current events.
Glide Magazine lists Karaban’s recent single, Succeed 101, in its Stranger’s Almanac: Best of 2009.
AOL's "Spinner" featured Jason Karaban's song "Succeed 101" as their MP3 Download of the Day.
Karaban was featured as The Deli Magazine
's Los Angeles
Artist Of The Month (Published on Thu, 2 Apr 2009).
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
singer-songwriter
Singer-songwriter
Singer-songwriters are musicians who write, compose and sing their own musical material including lyrics and melodies. As opposed to contemporary popular music singers who write their own songs, the term singer-songwriter describes a distinct form of artistry, closely associated with the...
and musician living in Los Angeles
Los Angeles, California
Los Angeles , with a population at the 2010 United States Census of 3,792,621, is the most populous city in California, USA and the second most populous in the United States, after New York City. It has an area of , and is located in Southern California...
, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
. Karaban first began his career fronting the Philadelphia based indie rock
Indie rock
Indie rock is a genre of alternative rock that originated in the United Kingdom and the United States in the 1980s. Indie rock is extremely diverse, with sub-genres that include lo-fi, post-rock, math rock, indie pop, dream pop, noise rock, space rock, sadcore, riot grrrl and emo, among others...
band Dragstrip Courage in 1997, and Grand in 2000. He emerged as a solo artist with the release of Doomed to Make Choices, in 2006, co-produced with Mike Napolitano (Joseph Arthur
Joseph Arthur
Joseph Arthur is an American singer-songwriter and artist from Akron, Ohio. Combining poetic lyrics with a layered sonic palette, Arthur has built his reputation over the years through critically acclaimed releases and constant touring; his unique solo live performances incorporate the use of a...
, The Twilight Singers
The Twilight Singers
The Twilight Singers is an American indie rock band. The group was initially formed as a side project of The Afghan Whigs leader Greg Dulli in 1997...
). Along with vocals, Karaban plays acoustic guitar, 12-string and electric guitar, bass guitar, keyboards, piano and drums. He is also known for his acoustic work, and has been compared stylistically to fellow Singer-songwriter Rufus Wainwright
Rufus Wainwright
Rufus McGarrigle Wainwright is an American-Canadian singer-songwriter. He has recorded six albums of original music, EPs, and tracks on compilations and film soundtracks.-Early years:...
. Karaban has released four critically acclaimed albums, and has had a number of songs featured in film and television shows Over the course of his career, Karaban has collaborated with notable musicians including Ivan Neville
Ivan Neville
Ivan Neville is a multi-instrumentalist musician, singer, and songwriter. He is the son of Aaron Neville and nephew to members of The Neville Brothers....
(Neville Brothers and The Rolling Stones
The Rolling Stones
The Rolling Stones are an English rock band, formed in London in April 1962 by Brian Jones , Ian Stewart , Mick Jagger , and Keith Richards . Bassist Bill Wyman and drummer Charlie Watts completed the early line-up...
), Ani DiFranco
Ani DiFranco
Ani DiFranco is an American Grammy Award-winning singer, guitarist, poet, and songwriter. She has released more than 20 albums, and is widely considered a feminist icon.-Biography:...
, David Immergluck
David Immerglück
David Immerglück is an American multi-instrumentalist who is best known as a guitarist in the alternative rock bands Counting Crows, Camper Van Beethoven and the Monks of Doom...
(Counting Crows
Counting Crows
Counting Crows is an American rock band originating from Berkeley, California. Formed in 1991, the group gained popularity following the release of its debut album in 1993, August and Everything After, which featured the hit single "Mr. Jones"...
and Cracker
Cracker (band)
Cracker is an American alternative rock band featuring founders/songwriters singer David Lowery and guitarist Johnny Hickman. They are best known for their platinum-selling 1993 album, Kerosene Hat, featuring the hit songs "Low", "Euro-Trash Girl", and "Get Off This".Founders Lowery and Hickman...
), Pete Thomas
Pete Thomas
Pete Thomas is best known as the longtime drummer for Elvis Costello. Tom Waits has referred to him as "one of the best rock drummers alive".-Career:...
(The Attractions
The Attractions
The Attractions were best known as the backing band for Elvis Costello between 1978 and 1986, and again from 1994 through 1996. They also released one album as an independent entity in 1980.-History:...
) and Glen Phillips
Glen Phillips
Glen Phillips is a songwriter, lyricist, singer and guitarist. He is best known as the singer and songwriter of 1990s alternative rock group Toad the Wet Sprocket.-Personal life:...
(Toad the Wet Sprocket
Toad the Wet Sprocket
Toad the Wet Sprocket is an American alternative rock band formed in 1986. The band consists of singer/guitarist Glen Phillips, guitarist Todd Nichols, bassist Dean Dinning, and drummer Randy Guss. The band enjoyed chart success in the 1990s with the singles "Walk on the Ocean," "All I Want,"...
).
Critical response
Tracks from the 2006 album Doomed to Make Choices were licensed extensively by film and television, including placement in the romantic comedy Novel RomanceNovel Romance
Novel Romance is an art-house romantic comedy 2006 film directed by Emily Skopov in her feature film directorial debut. It stars Traci Lords, Paul Johansson and Sherilyn Fenn...
the thriller Lure
Lure
Lure can refer to:* Lure * Lure coursing, a sport for dogs that involves chasing a mechanically operated lure* Fishing lure* Lur, an instrument found in northern Europe* Lure, Haute-Saône, a commune of the Haute-Saône département, in France...
, and used in television shows from FX Networks
FX Networks
FX is the name of a number of related pay television channels owned by News Corporation's Fox Entertainment Group...
, the Oxygen Channel, VH-1, MTV
MTV
MTV, formerly an initialism of Music Television, is an American network based in New York City that launched on August 1, 1981. The original purpose of the channel was to play music videos guided by on-air hosts known as VJs....
, NBC
NBC
The National Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network and former radio network headquartered in the GE Building in New York City's Rockefeller Center with additional major offices near Los Angeles and in Chicago...
and ABC
American Broadcasting Company
The American Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network. Created in 1943 from the former NBC Blue radio network, ABC is owned by The Walt Disney Company and is part of Disney-ABC Television Group. Its first broadcast on television was in 1948...
. His album's have also received regular airplay from WXPN
WXPN
WXPN is a non-commercial, public radio station operated by the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia that broadcasts a music radio format called adult album alternative , along with many other format shows supported all with an indie slant...
in Philadelphia, WFMU
WFMU
WFMU is a listener-supported, independent community radio station headquartered in Jersey City, New Jersey, United States, broadcasting at 91.1 MHz FM, presenting a freeform radio format...
in Jersey City and KCRW
KCRW
KCRW is a public radio station broadcasting from the campus of Santa Monica College in Santa Monica, California, carrying a mix of National Public Radio news, talk radio and freeform music format. The general manager of KCRW is Jennifer Ferro...
in Los Angeles.
Karaban’s Mayfly album was named as one of alt-country magazine No Depression’s
No Depression
No Depression may refer to:* No Depression , a bi-monthly roots and Americana music magazine and now a music website.* "No Depression in Heaven", a 1936 song popularized by the Carter Family...
“Top 10 Albums of 2009”. The album employs images of fallen soldiers in civil war battles to invoke subtle political messages relevant to current events.
Glide Magazine lists Karaban’s recent single, Succeed 101, in its Stranger’s Almanac: Best of 2009.
AOL's "Spinner" featured Jason Karaban's song "Succeed 101" as their MP3 Download of the Day.
Karaban was featured as The Deli Magazine
The Deli Magazine
The Deli is an independently owned music magazine and online website/blog started by Paolo De Gregorio. The project is based out of Brooklyn, New York and currently covers multiples cities and multiples musical genres.- History and Function :...
's Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
Artist Of The Month (Published on Thu, 2 Apr 2009).
Discography
Albums
- Doomed to Make Choices – released July 7, 2006 (Ascend Records). Includes: Crying Spell, Perfect Falling Out, Great Unknown, Cracked, Unsolved, Look What You’ve Done, Cicada, Time is Now, For Nothing, Gone, Don’t You Love When That Happens, Play Dumb, and Ambulance. Artists Ani DiFrancoAni DiFrancoAni DiFranco is an American Grammy Award-winning singer, guitarist, poet, and songwriter. She has released more than 20 albums, and is widely considered a feminist icon.-Biography:...
, Dave PirnerDave PirnerDavid Anthony "Dave" Pirner is an American songwriter, singer, and producer best known for being the lead vocalist and frontman for the alternative rock/grunge band, Soul Asylum.-Biography:...
(Soul AsylumSoul AsylumSoul Asylum is an American alternative rock band that formed in Minneapolis, Minnesota in 1983.The band originally formed in 1981 under the name Loud Fast Rules, with the original line-up consisting of Dan Murphy, Dave Pirner, Karl Mueller and Pat Morley. The latter was replaced by Grant Young in...
), C.C. Adcock, Jeff KleinJeff KleinJeffrey Lawrence "Jeff" Klein is an American singer/songwriter from Newburgh, New York, who plays keyboards and guitar. He has released three critically acclaimed albums.-Biography:...
, Ivan NevilleIvan NevilleIvan Neville is a multi-instrumentalist musician, singer, and songwriter. He is the son of Aaron Neville and nephew to members of The Neville Brothers....
(Keith RichardsKeith RichardsKeith Richards is an English musician, songwriter, and founding member of the Rolling Stones. Rolling Stone magazine said Richards had created "rock's greatest single body of riffs", and placed him as the "10th greatest guitarist of all time." Fourteen songs written by Richards and songwriting...
, Neville Brothers) David ImmerglückDavid ImmerglückDavid Immerglück is an American multi-instrumentalist who is best known as a guitarist in the alternative rock bands Counting Crows, Camper Van Beethoven and the Monks of Doom...
(Counting CrowsCounting CrowsCounting Crows is an American rock band originating from Berkeley, California. Formed in 1991, the group gained popularity following the release of its debut album in 1993, August and Everything After, which featured the hit single "Mr. Jones"...
) and Pete ThomasPete ThomasPete Thomas is best known as the longtime drummer for Elvis Costello. Tom Waits has referred to him as "one of the best rock drummers alive".-Career:...
(Elvis CostelloElvis CostelloElvis Costello , born Declan Patrick MacManus, is an English singer-songwriter. He came to prominence as an early participant in London's pub rock scene in the mid-1970s and later became associated with the punk/New Wave genre. Steeped in word play, the vocabulary of Costello's lyrics is broader...
) and Greg LeiszGreg LeiszGreg Leisz is an American multi-instrumentalist, playing lap and pedal steel guitars, guitar, mandolin, and bass.- Biography :Leisz was influenced early on by the Byrds and Flying Burrito Brothers, especially pedal steel player "Sneaky" Pete Kleinow...
(Ray LaMontagneRay LaMontagneRaymond "Ray" Charles Jack LaMontagne is a Grammy-award winning American singer-songwriter. LaMontagne has released four studio albums, Trouble, Till the Sun Turns Black, Gossip in the Grain and God Willin' & the Creek Don't Rise. He was born in New Hampshire and was inspired to create music after...
) all made contributions to the album. - Leftovers – released August 15, 2006 (Ascend Records). Includes: Oughta Know, Maybe You’re Right, Eating My Heart Out, Thread, Harm’s Reaches, First Love Song, Again, Drag the Night, Into, Backslide, Beat ‘til Now, Scattered, Fall Down, and Sleep. "Fall Down", "Harms Reaches" and "Scattered" were co - written and produced by Philadelphia based Songwriter and multi - instrumentalist Gerry McWilliams. McWilliams played guitar, mandolin, banjo and keyboards on the tracks. Artists Ivan NevilleIvan NevilleIvan Neville is a multi-instrumentalist musician, singer, and songwriter. He is the son of Aaron Neville and nephew to members of The Neville Brothers....
and Priscilla AhnPriscilla AhnPriscilla Ahn is an American singer-songwriter.-Early life and education:Ahn was born Priscilla Natalie Hartranft in Fort Stewart, Georgia to Kay and Harry Hartranft and spent her childhood living in the USA and South Korea. She lived in Berks County, Pennsylvania for several years and attended...
also made contributions to the album. - Sobriety Kills – released January 6, 2009 (Ascend Records). Sobriety Kills includes contributions from David ImmerglückDavid ImmerglückDavid Immerglück is an American multi-instrumentalist who is best known as a guitarist in the alternative rock bands Counting Crows, Camper Van Beethoven and the Monks of Doom...
of the Counting CrowsCounting CrowsCounting Crows is an American rock band originating from Berkeley, California. Formed in 1991, the group gained popularity following the release of its debut album in 1993, August and Everything After, which featured the hit single "Mr. Jones"...
, Toad the Wet Sprocket'sToad the Wet SprocketToad the Wet Sprocket is an American alternative rock band formed in 1986. The band consists of singer/guitarist Glen Phillips, guitarist Todd Nichols, bassist Dean Dinning, and drummer Randy Guss. The band enjoyed chart success in the 1990s with the singles "Walk on the Ocean," "All I Want,"...
Glen PhillipsGlen PhillipsGlen Phillips is a songwriter, lyricist, singer and guitarist. He is best known as the singer and songwriter of 1990s alternative rock group Toad the Wet Sprocket.-Personal life:...
, Ani DiFrancoAni DiFrancoAni DiFranco is an American Grammy Award-winning singer, guitarist, poet, and songwriter. She has released more than 20 albums, and is widely considered a feminist icon.-Biography:...
, and Pete ThomasPete ThomasPete Thomas is best known as the longtime drummer for Elvis Costello. Tom Waits has referred to him as "one of the best rock drummers alive".-Career:...
from Elvis Costello'sElvis CostelloElvis Costello , born Declan Patrick MacManus, is an English singer-songwriter. He came to prominence as an early participant in London's pub rock scene in the mid-1970s and later became associated with the punk/New Wave genre. Steeped in word play, the vocabulary of Costello's lyrics is broader...
band The AttractionsThe AttractionsThe Attractions were best known as the backing band for Elvis Costello between 1978 and 1986, and again from 1994 through 1996. They also released one album as an independent entity in 1980.-History:...
The album includes: Sobriety Kills, Middle of the Storm, Don’t Start Without Me, Because I Love You, Oughta Know, Perfect Falling Out, Thread, Old As You Are Young, Not Afraid to Die, Make It Over, All in a Day’s Dream, Tried Untrue, and Hurry Up.
EPs
- Mayfly – EPExtended playAn EP is a musical recording which contains more music than a single, but is too short to qualify as a full album or LP. The term EP originally referred only to specific types of vinyl records other than 78 rpm standard play records and LP records, but it is now applied to mid-length Compact...
released April 7, 2009 (Ascend Records). EP includes: Sullivan Ballou, No Casualties, A Far Better Place. Mayfly is a Civil warCivil warA civil war is a war between organized groups within the same nation state or republic, or, less commonly, between two countries created from a formerly-united nation state....
concept album and includes contributions from Neil Larsen (Leonard CohenLeonard CohenLeonard Norman Cohen, is a Canadian singer-songwriter, musician, poet and novelist. Cohen published his first book of poetry in Montreal in 1956 and his first novel in 1963. His work often explores religion, isolation, sexuality and interpersonal relationships...
) and Lucy SchwartzLucy SchwartzLucy Schwartz is an American singer and songwriter from Los Angeles, California. She received attention for a song she wrote and sang with Landon Pigg for the motion picture, Shrek Forever After, titled "Darling I Do".-Career:...
.
Singles
- Succeed 101 – released November 17, 2009 (New Model Music). Succeed 101 is a preview of Karaban’s EPExtended playAn EP is a musical recording which contains more music than a single, but is too short to qualify as a full album or LP. The term EP originally referred only to specific types of vinyl records other than 78 rpm standard play records and LP records, but it is now applied to mid-length Compact...
Just Enough, Just in Case, and includes contributions from Lucy SchwartzLucy SchwartzLucy Schwartz is an American singer and songwriter from Los Angeles, California. She received attention for a song she wrote and sang with Landon Pigg for the motion picture, Shrek Forever After, titled "Darling I Do".-Career:...
and Pete ThomasPete ThomasPete Thomas is best known as the longtime drummer for Elvis Costello. Tom Waits has referred to him as "one of the best rock drummers alive".-Career:...
(Elvis CostelloElvis CostelloElvis Costello , born Declan Patrick MacManus, is an English singer-songwriter. He came to prominence as an early participant in London's pub rock scene in the mid-1970s and later became associated with the punk/New Wave genre. Steeped in word play, the vocabulary of Costello's lyrics is broader...
).
Appears On
- Undiscovered – Various artists, released August 19, 2008 (Media Creature Music/12X12).
- "Nevermind My Blues" - Ben Arnold, released 2007 (Rope-a-Dope Records).
- Landmark TheatresLandmark TheatresLandmark Theatres is the largest art house movie theater chain in the United States. It is owned by Mark Cuban and Todd Wagner through their 2929 Entertainment. The chain shows mostly first run independent, foreign film, and restored classics though some Landmark theaters also show more mainstream...
and Filter Magazine's "Winter 2010 Sampler" - Artists on sampler - Jason Karaban, Tom WaitsTom WaitsThomas Alan "Tom" Waits is an American singer-songwriter, composer, and actor. Waits has a distinctive voice, described by critic Daniel Durchholz as sounding "like it was soaked in a vat of bourbon, left hanging in the smokehouse for a few months, and then taken outside and run over with a car."...
, Air, Florence and the MachineFlorence and the MachineFlorence and the Machine is the recording name of English musician Florence Welch and a collaboration of other artists who provide music for her voice. Florence and the Machine's sound has been described as a combination of various genres, including rock and soul...
, AMAMAm or am may refer to:* Americium, a chemical element with symbol Am* Attometre , a unit of length * A minor , a minor chord in music* am, a form of the verb to be used as a Copula...
, The SubmarinesThe Submarines-Band history:Working as solo artists in Boston, the two members of the band, John Dragonetti and Blake Hazard, were introduced through a mutual friend, Joe Klompus. Dragonetti and Hazard became partners and soon toured Europe together as members of the band. The relationship lasted for four...
, Noah And The WhaleNoah and the WhaleNoah and the Whale are an English indie folk band from Twickenham, London, England formed in 2006. The band consists of Charlie Fink , Tom Hobden , Matt "Urby Whale" Owens , Fred Abbott , and Michael Petulla .-Early years and Peaceful, the World Lays Me Down...
, The Elves Of Heaven (featuring Martin ClancyMartin ClancyMartin Clancy is a musician and songwriter behind several bands including The Witness Protection Programme.In the early 1980s Clancy formed Irish band In Tua Nua alongside Leslie Dowdall, Jack Dublin, Vinny Kilduff, Ivan O'Shea, Paul Byrne and Steve Wickham...
) and Active ChildActive ChildActive Child the name of electronic music artist Pat Grossi. His first album is You Are All I See. This album was released in 2011 and garnered decent reviews from media outlets like Pitchfork media. and Drowned In Sound. As of November, 2011 he is currently on tour, opening for French band M83....
.
See also
- WBCN Rock & Roll RumbleWBCN Rock & Roll RumbleThe WBCN Rock 'n' Roll Rumble, begun in 1979, is a Greater Boston "battle of the bands" competition co-sponsored by WBCN-FM and its local music show Boston Emissions....
(for early appearance of Karaban's Philadelphia band Dragstrip Courage in the 2000 Rumble)
External links
- Jason Karaban on All Music
- Jason Karaban on Myspace
- Jason Karaban on Facebook
- Jason Karaban on IMDB
- Jason Karaban on iTunes
- Music video for Sullivan Ballou on Youtube