Karolina (singer)
Encyclopedia
Keren Karolina Avratz, professionally known as Karolina is an award-winning singer/songwriter from Eilat, Israel
. Aside from being a singer, she is also a composer, writer, producer, and dj. Not to mention she is a leader in the recently born groove scene in Israel, which she has influenced through many musical projects. She is also known for her work in Habanot Nechama
.
where she encountered musicians that transformed her musical interests. Karolina's versatility and diversity with music can largely be accredited to her upbringing in a diverse and musically driven household. Listening to music with Greek, Arabic, Turkish, and various other styles, her family's home was a cacophony of sound on a daily basis. Her brother, Joseph Avratz, introduced Karolina to soul, jazz and new wave music. Shlomi Avratz, other sibling, invited her to record on his project Madbooja, Karolina absorbed the musical experience and began discovering her own style.
At age fifteen, Karolina began learning to play the classical guitar. Attending a few lessons she decided to quit after one month and base her musical education on her own intuition.
In 2000, Karolina founded Funset with some of the most talented and promising musicians in Tel Aviv
(bass: Uri Kleinman, keyboards: Shaul Eshet, drums: Atraf Moshe Assraf, dj: Yoav Rattner, sound: Guy Margalit, guitar: Shai Pertz), and started her foray into the club and lounge scene of the city where she met with underground success.
During 2004, Karolina was invited by Israeli producers crew "Soulico" to record "Lo Tzipity" - an Israeli version of a track called "It's a Pity" originally released by Tanya Stephens
and Seeed
. Intending for the track to just be for fun, it eventually became a huge hit on Israeli radio stations, becoming a top 5 hit on the airwaves even though it was never officially released. That same year Karolina met with two other Israeli singers, Yael Deckelbaum and Dana Adini and formed Habanot Nechama
, one of the most successful folk groups of Israel.
In 2005, Funset released their first album, a unique combination of Reggae, Nu Soul, and live Trip-hop that enchanted crowds all over the country. The album, called Ragga Pumpkin received critical acclaim, including an ACUM (Israeli ASCAP) award for composition.
Karolina continued to be featured on compilations and tracks, including the hit song, Music is Ruling My World with Kutiman
. In 2007, Habanot Nechama
released their debut album, which went platinum in Israel and the track So Far, written and composed by Karolina, won her second ACUM award for "Best New Song of 2007".
Karolina's solo album “What Shall I Do Now?” (December 2009) which won an ACUM for its producing by Sabbo and Kutiman
, blends together the genres of rock, groove, funk, and soul to achieve a distinct 70's feel. The first three singles released from this album, including “Happiness” and “Nobody is Coming for Me,” have been Top 3 radio hits on Israeli airwaves and the album has been a number one seller in Israel since its release.
Karolina has recently embarked on an international career. Her tracks have been featured on compilations worldwide and on Kutiman
’s recent album. Fader Magazine’s music editors called Karolina’s music “perfect for summer jamming purposes.”
and DJ Sabbo in Israel. In 2007, Karolina opened for The Black Eyed Peas
as a solo acoustic set & for Lauryn Hill
that same year. In 2008 Karolina joined with bass player Yossi Fine, Sabbo and Kutiman
to open for Erykah Badu
. In 2010 Karolina and Kutiman
created a music video for her single "Smile 2 Me" that has been placed on display at Hammer Museum
in Los Angeles for the Flux Screening Series. Karolina also performed with Ziggy Marley
in Israel on his tour in 2011
Aside from her vast music collaborations, Karolina is also collaborating with artists of different trades. Notably, designer Victor Bellaish who dresses everything from Karolina to stage design to her tambourine.
Israel
The State of Israel is a parliamentary republic located in the Middle East, along the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea...
. Aside from being a singer, she is also a composer, writer, producer, and dj. Not to mention she is a leader in the recently born groove scene in Israel, which she has influenced through many musical projects. She is also known for her work in Habanot Nechama
Habanot Nechama
Habanot Nechama is an Israeli folk band. The group is composed of three female vocalists: Karolina, Dana Adini, and Yael Deckelbaum.They are best known for their self-titled, debut album which went platinum in Israel, and their hit song So Far.-History:Habanot Nechama was formed in 2004 in Tel...
.
The early years
Born in Yafo (Jaffa), her family moved to Eilat where she was raised. Given the nickname "Karolina" by her Grandmother, Karolina's musical influences came primarily from within her household, as well as from attending the Red Sea Jazz FestivalRed Sea Jazz Festival
The Red Sea Jazz Festival is a jazz festival held annually in Eilat, Israel.The Red Sea Jazz Festival was first held in 1987. It is a four-day long event featuring 9-10 concerts per evening, 6 workshops with guest artists and nightly jam sessions. All performances are held outdoors at the Eilat port...
where she encountered musicians that transformed her musical interests. Karolina's versatility and diversity with music can largely be accredited to her upbringing in a diverse and musically driven household. Listening to music with Greek, Arabic, Turkish, and various other styles, her family's home was a cacophony of sound on a daily basis. Her brother, Joseph Avratz, introduced Karolina to soul, jazz and new wave music. Shlomi Avratz, other sibling, invited her to record on his project Madbooja, Karolina absorbed the musical experience and began discovering her own style.
At age fifteen, Karolina began learning to play the classical guitar. Attending a few lessons she decided to quit after one month and base her musical education on her own intuition.
Music career
At the beginning of her recording career, in 1999 Karolina recorded a track with Spoiled and Zigo titled "More and More" under her given name "Keren." Later creating "MC Karolina" a concept project that initially focused on a solo sound system shows for the club scene. This project led to multiple recordings with various artists.In 2000, Karolina founded Funset with some of the most talented and promising musicians in Tel Aviv
Tel Aviv
Tel Aviv , officially Tel Aviv-Yafo , is the second most populous city in Israel, with a population of 404,400 on a land area of . The city is located on the Israeli Mediterranean coastline in west-central Israel. It is the largest and most populous city in the metropolitan area of Gush Dan, with...
(bass: Uri Kleinman, keyboards: Shaul Eshet, drums: Atraf Moshe Assraf, dj: Yoav Rattner, sound: Guy Margalit, guitar: Shai Pertz), and started her foray into the club and lounge scene of the city where she met with underground success.
During 2004, Karolina was invited by Israeli producers crew "Soulico" to record "Lo Tzipity" - an Israeli version of a track called "It's a Pity" originally released by Tanya Stephens
Tanya Stephens
Vivienne Tanya Stephens, better known by her stage name Tanya Stephens is an influential reggae artist who emerged in the late 1990s...
and Seeed
Seeed
Seeed is a German reggae/dancehall band from Berlin. Founded in 1998, they have become notable in Germany and its neighboring countries. Seeed and Cologne's singjay Gentleman are among Germany's most popular reggae musicians....
. Intending for the track to just be for fun, it eventually became a huge hit on Israeli radio stations, becoming a top 5 hit on the airwaves even though it was never officially released. That same year Karolina met with two other Israeli singers, Yael Deckelbaum and Dana Adini and formed Habanot Nechama
Habanot Nechama
Habanot Nechama is an Israeli folk band. The group is composed of three female vocalists: Karolina, Dana Adini, and Yael Deckelbaum.They are best known for their self-titled, debut album which went platinum in Israel, and their hit song So Far.-History:Habanot Nechama was formed in 2004 in Tel...
, one of the most successful folk groups of Israel.
In 2005, Funset released their first album, a unique combination of Reggae, Nu Soul, and live Trip-hop that enchanted crowds all over the country. The album, called Ragga Pumpkin received critical acclaim, including an ACUM (Israeli ASCAP) award for composition.
Karolina continued to be featured on compilations and tracks, including the hit song, Music is Ruling My World with Kutiman
Kutiman
Ophir Kutiel , professionally known as Kutiman, is a musician, composer, producer and animator from Israel. He is best known for creating the online music video project ThruYOU, as well as his self-titled album and collaboration with many artists including Maroon 5.-Background:Ophir Kutiel was...
. In 2007, Habanot Nechama
Habanot Nechama
Habanot Nechama is an Israeli folk band. The group is composed of three female vocalists: Karolina, Dana Adini, and Yael Deckelbaum.They are best known for their self-titled, debut album which went platinum in Israel, and their hit song So Far.-History:Habanot Nechama was formed in 2004 in Tel...
released their debut album, which went platinum in Israel and the track So Far, written and composed by Karolina, won her second ACUM award for "Best New Song of 2007".
Karolina's solo album “What Shall I Do Now?” (December 2009) which won an ACUM for its producing by Sabbo and Kutiman
Kutiman
Ophir Kutiel , professionally known as Kutiman, is a musician, composer, producer and animator from Israel. He is best known for creating the online music video project ThruYOU, as well as his self-titled album and collaboration with many artists including Maroon 5.-Background:Ophir Kutiel was...
, blends together the genres of rock, groove, funk, and soul to achieve a distinct 70's feel. The first three singles released from this album, including “Happiness” and “Nobody is Coming for Me,” have been Top 3 radio hits on Israeli airwaves and the album has been a number one seller in Israel since its release.
Karolina has recently embarked on an international career. Her tracks have been featured on compilations worldwide and on Kutiman
Kutiman
Ophir Kutiel , professionally known as Kutiman, is a musician, composer, producer and animator from Israel. He is best known for creating the online music video project ThruYOU, as well as his self-titled album and collaboration with many artists including Maroon 5.-Background:Ophir Kutiel was...
’s recent album. Fader Magazine’s music editors called Karolina’s music “perfect for summer jamming purposes.”
Collaboration with Artists
Along with performing with Funset and Habanot Nechama, Karolina has worked with other musicians, both Israeli and international. She has collaborated with Soulico, KutimanKutiman
Ophir Kutiel , professionally known as Kutiman, is a musician, composer, producer and animator from Israel. He is best known for creating the online music video project ThruYOU, as well as his self-titled album and collaboration with many artists including Maroon 5.-Background:Ophir Kutiel was...
and DJ Sabbo in Israel. In 2007, Karolina opened for The Black Eyed Peas
The Black Eyed Peas
The Black Eyed Peas are an American pop group , formed in Los Angeles, California, in 1995. The group includes rappers will.i.am, apl.de.ap, and Taboo, and singer Fergie. Since the release of their third album Elephunk in 2003, the group has sold an estimated 56 million records worldwide...
as a solo acoustic set & for Lauryn Hill
Lauryn Hill
Lauryn Noelle Hill is an American singer-songwriter, record producer, and actress.Early in her career, she established her reputation as a member of the Fugees. In 1998, she launched her solo career with the release of the commercially successful and critically acclaimed album, The Miseducation of...
that same year. In 2008 Karolina joined with bass player Yossi Fine, Sabbo and Kutiman
Kutiman
Ophir Kutiel , professionally known as Kutiman, is a musician, composer, producer and animator from Israel. He is best known for creating the online music video project ThruYOU, as well as his self-titled album and collaboration with many artists including Maroon 5.-Background:Ophir Kutiel was...
to open for Erykah Badu
Erykah Badu
Erica Abi Wright , better known by her stage name Erykah Badu , is an American singer-songwriter, record producer, and actress. Her work includes elements from R&B, hip hop and jazz. She is best known for her role in the rise of the neo soul sub-genre, and for her eccentric, cerebral musical...
. In 2010 Karolina and Kutiman
Kutiman
Ophir Kutiel , professionally known as Kutiman, is a musician, composer, producer and animator from Israel. He is best known for creating the online music video project ThruYOU, as well as his self-titled album and collaboration with many artists including Maroon 5.-Background:Ophir Kutiel was...
created a music video for her single "Smile 2 Me" that has been placed on display at Hammer Museum
Hammer Museum
The Armand Hammer Museum of Art and Culture Center, or the Hammer Museum as it is more commonly known, is an art museum in the Westwood district of Los Angeles, California...
in Los Angeles for the Flux Screening Series. Karolina also performed with Ziggy Marley
Ziggy Marley
David "Ziggy" Marley is a Jamaican musician and leader of the band Ziggy Marley and the Melody Makers. He is the oldest son of famed reggae musician Bob Marley...
in Israel on his tour in 2011
Aside from her vast music collaborations, Karolina is also collaborating with artists of different trades. Notably, designer Victor Bellaish who dresses everything from Karolina to stage design to her tambourine.
Discography
- Funset - Ragga Pumpkin, CD, 2005 (Nana Music, IL)
- LO TZIPITI, Single, 2005
- Polar Pair featuring Karolina – Over My Head. 12”, 2005 (Tru Thoughts, UK)
- Kutiman featuring Karolina – Music is Ruling My World. 12”, 2007 (Melting Pot Music, Germany)
- Habanot Nechama – Self Titled. CD, 2007 (Labeleh, IL)
- Funset – No Blame (from Best Seven Selections 2). CD, 2007 (Sonar Kollektiv, Germany)
- Yaya featuring Karolina – Soon. Single, 2007 (Hed Arzi, IL)
- Funset – Bring It Out (from cooking music). Mix CD, 2007 (Honey Apple, IL)
- Kutiman featuring Karolina – Losing It; Trumpet Woman; Music is Ruling My World (From Kutiman, self titled). CD & LP, 2007 (Melting Pot Music, Germany)
- Karolina – Yom Bo Yakum (from Avoda Ivrit) 2008 (Avoda Ivrit, IL)
- Karolina - "What Will I Do Now?" CD, 2009 (B.M.usic, Israel)