New album just about done....

I've been in the studio, with the California sunshine on the other side of the window, recording my new album. I'm thrilled with it and it's just about done. Look for it's release this fall!

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2nd Annual Michele Kurn Memorial Concert- Santa Rosa, CA

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"Things Change" Sing Out! Review

Although currently residing in Alaska, Emily Kurn remains in the loop of contemporary singer-songwriters. Kurn co-produced with Mark Thayer this 12-song CD, of which 11 of the songs are original. It's solidly pop with a consistent drumbeat on most of the tracks. Her edgy voice trembles with an unusual vibrato. However, don't let that dissuade you. Kurn knows how to get the most from her voice, and is an original, engaging writer. You can easily hear her lyrics above the band. The CD is something of a journey of maturing and finding oneself as implied by the title. "Angeline" is a gentle, slightly mystical song about a woman maturing and marriage. "If I'm An American" is a unique, passionate protest song with some interesting twists. She targets festering issues from a refreshing perspective. "We Build A Mountain" is a moving ecological protest song, again from a somewhat different perspective. "The Schmuck" is a novel song about renting an apartment with one of Kurn's trademark twists. "Mississippi Moon" might find a place on a Diana Jones album. Although Kurn is a very good writer, the most powerful song on the CD is "You Were Drunk" by Rose Polenzani. It's sends shivers down my spine every time l hear it. In just three minutes it wrings all the sorrow, wrongs, missing self-esteem, loneliness and lies of a one-night stand. It's the mirror image of Harry Chapin's "They Call Her Easy." In clever sequencing, the next song, "Wait For the Roses," starts with the line "Where do you go to fill up your cup?" It proceeds to tell of filling of the void so painfully laid open in the previous song. "Things Change," the title song, appropriately concludes the CD, contemplating the progression of life going from being the young daughter and ending with "My mom's in my face and she's living again." With this recording, Kurn establishes her place among contemporary singer-songwriters.--RWarr

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International Songwriting Contest Finalist

"Mississippi Moon" was chosen as a finalist in the International Songwriting Contest. In addition to the Grand Prize, they also have a "People's Voice" Award where you can vote for your favorite song at: http://www.songwritingcompetition.com/PVWelcome2007.htm

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2007 Top Artist on Folk-DJ
Category: Music

"Things Change," has charted 6 consecutive months on the Folk-DJ since it's release in July 2007.

July 2007- "Things Change" charted at 6.

December 2007- "Light the Lamp" charted at 2. From the Hudson Harding Holiday Sampler

December 2007- The Hudson Harding Holiday Sampler charted at 1.

For the entire year 2007, I charted as one of the top artists.

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Catch Emily Kurn in concert on Whole Wheat Radio!

Who: Emily Kurn

Date: Saturday, December 15th, 2007(05 Days, 02 Hours, 31 Minutes, 44 Seconds)

Time: doors open 6PM - music starts at 7PM - entire concert is webcast live

LINK TO LISTEN LIVE: http://64.62.252.134:2680/listen.pls

Suggested donation: $10 honor system (pay what you can honestly afford, either more or less than the suggested donation) - 100% of all proceeds generated go directly to the performer.Where: The Whole Wheat Radio Palace in Talkeetna, Alaska. Click here for driving directions to Whole Wheat Radio in Talkeetna

Food: Munchies and candy are provided but if you'd like to bring desserts or other food either for yourself or to share, feel free.

Drink: Coffee, tea, non-alcoholic drinks provided. Otherwise, bring your own beer or wine. Although we definitely do not encourage over-indulging, the Talkeetna Sober Rides program is available to give free rides home after the concert for anyone who shouldn't be driving.

Kids: Kids who are quiet during the show and don't intrude on other audience members' acoustic reverie are welcome. Emily casts a magical quiet spell which can be completely ruined for other audience members if a kid starts making noise. If your child gets restless, please take them downstairs immediately to the play area. Our environment is very relaxed so artists often open up and discuss mature topics or use conversational profanity. We leave it up to parents to determine beforehand (by visiting an artist's site) if a show is appropriate for their family.

Contact: Jim Kloss at 733-2452

More Info: More general information about our house concerts can be found by clicking on this link If you cannot attend, remember that all of our house concerts are webcast live. Just click on the Listen (low-speed) or Listen (high-speed) links on the left-hand menu at http://wholewheatradio.org/wiki/index.php/Emily_Kurn_House_Concert

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Hudson Harding Holiday Sampler CD

Erik Balkey at Hudson Harding has put together a great collection of holiday-themed songs. My song, "Light the Lamp," is track 5- check out the CD at www.myspace.com/hudsonhardingmusic. The CD also features talented artists Christopher Smith, Carey Cooper, Steve Chizmadia, Chuck E. Costa, Bonnie Lee Panda, etc. etc. To request a CD from Erik, write him at hudsonhardingmusic@yahoo.com

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November is my 5th Month on the FOLK-DJ Chart

In July, "Things Change" was 6 on the Folk-DJ Chart- a spot usually reserved for artists on major record labels. Go independent music! And it still is hanging on, charting again in November 2007. Thank you Erik at Hudson Harding Music who does an incredible job supporting independent musicians like myself and who is a killer singer/songwriter in his own right.

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Woody Guthrie Songwriting Contest- Mississippi Moon

My song "Mississippi Moon" has won 2nd place in the Woody Guthrie Songwriting Contest! I'll be performing the song in Okema, OK on Friday July 13th as part of the Festival.

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"If I Am American" Placed in Ben Meade's Music Documentary
Category: Music

The song "If I Am American" from my new album will be heard on Ben Meade's new documentary "American Music:Off the Record" featuring, among others, Noam Chomsky, Iris DeMent and Jackson Browne. More info on the film can be found at http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0887710/combined.

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