SOLD OUT
You could talk about Carsie Blanton’s place in a tradition of folkie protest singers that extends from Woody Guthrie and Pete Seeger through Nina Simone and Joan Baez and on to Billy Bragg. And you’d be on solid ground.
You could group Blanton with anti-folk artists from Michelle Shocked to Regina Spektor. You’d be good there, too. Or, hell, you could reference Poly Styrene, Kathleen Hanna, or Caroline Rose. And you’d be spot on once again. Or you could talk about Blanton as … well, Carsie Blanton. Outspoken. Honest. Not inclined to take herself too seriously.
Blanton writes great songs that defy genre pigeonholing, songs imbued with humor and insight, songs that embrace the complexities of being human.
NPR’s Fresh Air says, “Protest music tends to be strident or self-righteous or just bluntly angry. But Blanton, a folk singer with a rock attitude, knows how to construct songs with real melodies and storylines that don’t obscure her messages.” Blanton herself says, “It is possible to face the world as it is — rapidly heating, ruled by grifters, ravaged by profitable wars — and still have hope. Not the narrow, grasping hope you might hang on an election or a billionaire, but a patient, zoomed-out hope.” You may say a lot of things. But one of them will be, “I’m so glad I got out and caught this show.”
Patrons are advised that this event will follow club performance convention. The venue will be configured for a standing audience. Some seats may be available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Carsie Blanton is part of the Fine Arts Center's Codemakers series.