Karen Jacobsen

Blog

Misogyny Opus Single & Music Video Release of Better Standard Than This

In August of 2021 I was watching a series hosted by Annabel Crabb on the ABC called Ms. Represented. The program traced the history of women in Australian politics, and when Annabel started to interview former Prime Minister Julia Gillard about her iconic misogyny speech, it was like a bolt from the blue. I ran to my computer and searched up a transcript of the speech. I took the transcript and ran to my piano and started to set the speech, word for word, to music. As I put my hands on the piano keys, the music was all there, as if waiting for me to capture it. That first day I wrote for four hours before realizing - oh my goodness these aren't my words, I need to ask for permission. I wrote to Julia Gillard directly through the contact page on her website and was overjoyed when I received word from her.

On October 1st, 2022 the first part of the "Misogyny Opus" was released, and in the first 8 days we had had over 20 000 views of the music video on YouTube. Response has been incredibly heartening. The message of equality is urgently needed. In fact we are in an emergency worldwide.

Commemorating the 10th anniversary of the speech, this first song Better Standard Than This will be followed by the remainder of the full 50+ minute pop orchestral work, setting the entire speech to music. The music video includes 70 equality advocates from around the world, each lip syncing a section of the piece. My performance was filmed on stage of the Auditorium at the MECC (Mackay Entertainment and Convention Centre) in my hometown of Mackay by Tanya D'Herville, and the video was edited by 3 x Emmy Award winning Editor Chris Orwat of Pure Cinematography.

I'm preparing the work for its live premiere on April 29th, 2023, and the release of the accompanying album. The album is available for PURCHASE HERE

Thank you Julia Gillard for your courage and impact. As someone who has experienced misogyny and sexism throughout my career and life, I indeed believe all of us deserve a Better Standard Than This. May the message of this creative advocacy project move us toward equality.

Whitsundays Songwriter Festival Inaugural Year 2022

Our first year presenting the Whitsundays Songwriter Festival comprised a professional songwriter residency at Yangaro, with Graeme Connors, Tia Gostelow, Francesca de Valence, Karen Jacobsen, Bryce Sainty and Leanne Tennant. The Emerging Songwriter workshop was delivered by I Heart Songwriting Club, and we presented new songs written in the residency at our Concert and Conversation Dinner at The Belvedere at Toscana. We look forward to announcing @whitsongfest 2023.

The Slipstream Single and Music Video Release

The Musical Hug the World Needs Right Now

AN ANNOUNCEMENT xoxo

DEAR ONES: I have an exciting announcement. The title track for the new album THE SLIPSTREAM will arrive with a new MUSIC VIDEO on June 4th, 2022 - (June 3rd USA time) - just 7 days away.

Recording began for this album immediately after wrapping Ready For What I Came Here For last year. There are 10 brand new cinematic, melodic, piano-driven songs reflecting the human experience and the times we are going through. Many of these songs were written after meditation or deep spiritual healing work. These songs are the musical hug the world needs right now.

The filming of THE SLIPSTREAM music video took place in the beautiful Whitsundays and Mackay region of Queensland, Australia - in the rural town of Proserpine, and at Cape Hillsborough where we rose at dawn to film with kangaroos on the beach. The footage is as dreamy as it sounds!!

I will soon be sharing a link for the YOUTUBE PREMIERE of the music video for next Saturday June 4th at 10AM AEST which is Friday June 3rd 8PM EST/5PM PST.

If you are in Sydney a concert at Claire's Kitchen is on June 8th.
If you are in New York i'll be in concert at The Triad on June 28th

There are a lot of mixed feelings about our upcoming travels. Excitement to see our loved ones, anticipation of performing and sharing the magical space with a live audience again - and wondering how it is all going to be when we get there.

I will be sharing a lot more about the incredible cover art for the record Jason Chetcuti styled, designed and photographed this wowza image.

Sending you lots of love.

Karen xoxo

Tickets for Claire's Kitchen Sydney Show

Whitsundays Songwriter Festival

The inaugural Whitsundays Songwriter Festival and Residency will take place from 22 September to 26 September, 2022 at Topaz House at Yangaro Resort in Funnel Bay as part of the Whitsundays Arts Festival.

The Songwriter Festival was co-founded by The GPS Girl and Voice of Siri, North Queensland performer Karen Jacobsen, and award-winning songwriter, educator, and founder of the I Heart Songwriting Club, Francesca de Valence.

The Festival and Residency is comprised of a professional Songwriter Residency 22-26 September; a one-day workshop event for emerging songwriters, 24 September; and a performance open to the public at The Belvedere at Toscana, 25 September, an evening of fine dining, conversation, and live music.

Six professional songwriters of diverse music genres, with a proven track record of released recordings and performances nationally and internationally, have been invited to attend the inaugural Whitsundays Songwriters Festival and Residency. They are Graeme Connors, Aria award winning country music legend and the most successful songwriter to hail from the region with twenty albums and 14 Golden Guitar awards, and certified Platinum artist Tia Gostelow, a Queensland Music Award winner. Other outstanding artists include Francesca de Valence, Karen Jacobsen, Bryce Sainty, and LT (Leanne Tennant). @whitsongfest

Music with a Message

Your Theme Song

Do you have one? A song you come back to in those moments you need a boost.

Perhaps you have several that are on high rotation in your life.

I'm deep into the recording of a new record, and just finished creating a song which has a powerful affirmation message.

Current events drag me down. The big questions of existence can perplex. But music is my solace. I'm driven to create and share new music with you, and to express something beautiful in the world.

Wherever you are and whatever you are dealing with, sending you love xoxo

The Healing Power of Music

Have you ever heard a song that stopped you in your tracks? Maybe you were driving along, watching a tv show or at a live concert. Something about the moment captured you. You can remember where you were and how that song made you feel.

The energy transmitted through music is powerful. It's a universal language. Music can be incredibly healing.

I've written songs since I was so young I wasn't sure how to write them down. I thought it was strange to be hearing melodies and words pop into my head. But I knew they were important and I had to figure out how to remember them. I've now come to understand that music is an access to the divine.

As a songwriter, I translate emotion into songs. After long periods of self doubt, and wondering 'what's the point?' I believe that if these melodies and words are coming through me, they are supposed to be heard.

Perhaps the messages in this music are for you.

In our modern lives, music may be everywhere, but how often do you stop the action to be fully present with music? To sit quietly and let a song wash over you; to allow yourself to be immersed in the magic of the music and the message.

I invite you to give yourself the gift of listening to these songs by experiencing them fully.

Headphones on.

Eyes closed.

Time out just for you.

Love, Karen xo

VISIT the music page here

https://karenjacobsen.bandzoogle.com/music

or

VISIT the video page here

https://karenjacobsen.bandzoogle.com/video

“I invite you to give yourself the gift of listening to these songs by experiencing them fully. Headphones on. Eyes closed. Time out just for you. ”

The Slipstream - New Single & Music Video

Music for Healing and Comfort

AN ANNOUNCEMENT xoxo

DEAR ONES: I have an exciting announcement. The title track for the new album THE SLIPSTREAM will arrive with a new MUSIC VIDEO on June 4th, 2022 - (June 3rd USA time) - just 7 days away.

Recording began for this album immediately after wrapping Ready For What I Came Here For, with Matt Anthony again as Producer at Engine Sound. There are 10 brand new cinematic, melodic, piano-driven songs reflecting the human experience and the times we are going through. Many of these songs were written after meditation or deep spiritual healing work. These songs just might be the musical hug the world needs right now.

The filming of THE SLIPSTREAM music video took place in the beautiful Whitsundays and Mackay region of Queensland, Australia - in the rural town of Proserpine, and at Cape Hillsborough where we rose at dawn to film with kangaroos on the beach. The footage is as dreamy as it sounds!!

I will soon be sharing a link for the YOUTUBE PREMIERE of the music video for next Saturday June 4th at 10AM AEST which is Friday June 3rd 8PM EST/5PM PST.

If you are in Sydney a concert at Claire's Kitchen is on June 8th, 2022.
If you are in New York i'll be in concert at The Triad on June 28th, 2022.

There are a lot of mixed feelings about our upcoming travels. Excitement to see our loved ones, anticipation of performing and sharing the magical space with a live audience again - and wondering how it is all going to be when we get there.

I will be sharing a lot more about the incredible cover art for the record Jason Chetcuti styled, designed and photographed this wowza image.

Sending you lots of love,

Karen xoxo

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