Karen Jacobsen

Bio

Singer-Songwriter-Speaker-PianoPLAYER-Festivalfounder

International Speaker, Concert Artist and Songwriter Karen Jacobsen’s speaking voice unexpectedly led to a unique pop culture status. In over a billion GPS and smartphone devices worldwide, including the original Aussie voice of ’Siri’, hers is the voice of reason, telling us where to go and what to do on a daily basis. In real life, through her timeless, cinematic songs, piano driven concert performances and empowering speaking presentations, she entertains and inspires people to recalculate their way to their dream destination in life.

Karen's creative heart led her from her hometown Mackay on Queensland, Australia's tropical coastline, to the cities of Brisbane then Sydney where she honed her craft, before taking the leap of faith of her life. Arriving in New York City with a suitcase and her dream, Karen's career as an independent singer songwriter led to touring, television appearances, recording a dozen albums on her own record label, sharing the stage with Christopher Cross, Neil Sedaka, Cyndi Lauper and Deborah Cox, her songs being licensed to US Television and wide media coverage as the voice in a billion devices.

An International Speaker, creating The GPS Girl® empowerment brand led to speaking engagements at national and international events in the USA, Mexico, Canada, New Zealand and Singapore, speaking about navigating change powerfully.

Karen's 20 years of Manhattan adventures were halted unexpectedly and abruptly in March 2020, when she, her husband and middle school son made a snap decision to travel to Australia for a few weeks while the pandemic blew over.

Recalculating and coming full circle, now based at the edge of the Great Barrier Reef in Queensland's Whitsundays region, Karen's creative output has been unleashed recording five full length albums in as many years, and she is thrilled to contribute to elevating the arts and culture conversation in the region. She is co-founder of the annual Whitsundays Songwriter Festival, was honored to perform in concert as the finale to the 2021 Whitsundays Arts Festival, and performed the Australian Independent Record (AIR) Award nominated Misogyny Opus pop orchestral work premiere at the Mackay Entertainment and Convention Centre (MECC) and at Woodford Folk Festival in 2023.

Karen Jacobsen Sizzle Reel

New Album Release: The Slipstream - June 14th, 2024

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

IT’S A FACT. AUSTRALIAN SIRI HAS A BEAUTIFUL SINGING VOICE.

AUSTRALIAN SIRI SINGS CREATING THE MUSICAL HUG THE WORLD NEEDS RIGHT NOW

Recommended if you like Sara Bareilles, Olivia Newton-John, Wilson Phillips, The Corrs

(Airlie Beach, Whitsundays, QLD AUSTRALIA – May 20, 2024) After unexpectedly returning to her native Australia, formerly New York based international voice-over artist, singer-songwriter and motivational speaker, AIR Award nominee Karen Jacobsen celebrates the release of new album THE SLIPSTREAM and the MUSIC VIDEO of the single Solace Calling June 14th, 2024.

Cinematic, piano-driven songs with powerful female vocals and inspiring messages; Karen Jacobsen’s new album THE SLIPSTREAM is the musical hug the world needs right now.

The Album The Slipstream comprises 10 original songs by Karen Jacobsen, ranging in theme from humankind’s quest for meaning to songs of comfort and healing. Couldn’t we all use a little of that right now? With cinematic and piano driven performances by Karen, the melodies are timeless and layered female vocals add a transcendent quality to the recordings.

The Producer Produced by Matt Anthony (Darius Rucker, Shinedown, Pat Monahan of Train) at Engine Sound in New York City, recording began remotely in late 2021, immediately after the release of Karen’s 10th studio album READY FOR WHAT I CAME HERE FOR. With an abundance of material, and a creative focus enabled by the pandemic, the songs were recorded across time zones and distance between Karen's new location half a world away near Australia's Great Barrier Reef, and Matt's studio in the North-East of the United States (9560 miles away).

The Message When asked about the message behind her music, Jacobsen said “for many of us, these times have been a jolt, followed by an opportunity to take a stark look at our lives and what we want to experience. I personally know many friends who have made big decisions about their futures; from where they live to what they spend their time doing. It’s been an era of getting clear about what is truly important, while managing the devastating global news cycle.”

M O R E A B O U T K A R E N J A C O B S E N

Karen moved from Mackay, North Queensland to New York City with one suitcase becoming an award-winning Singer and Songwriter. Musical career highlights include: releasing a dozen+ albums, including the AIR Awards 2024 nominated Misogyny Opus, sharing the stage with Norah Jones, Neil Sedaka, Jon English, Cyndi Lauper and Christopher Cross, national anthem performances at major sporting events - Madison Square Garden, Fenway Park, Dodger Stadium, for 80 000 at Giants Stadium for a New York Jets game, Queensland's Suncorp Stadium for an Australia vs South Africa TriNations International Rugby Game for 52 000 - and licensing her songs to US network television.

Enjoying wide international media coverage, Karen was told she had made it when named as a clue in The New York Times crossword puzzle. Harry Connick Jr called her “hypnotic” on his national US talk show and media highlights include: NBC Today Show, ABC World News Tonight, CBS Early Show, Sunrise, NY Daily News, The Guardian, Glamour magazine, Great Big Story and being named one of People Magazine's Most Intriguing People. In March 2020, Karen unexpectedly returned to Australia, settling in the Whitsundays region where she is co-founder of the Whitsundays Songwriter Festival.

RECORDING CREDITS

Karen Jacobsen

The Slipstream

Music & Lyrics: Karen Jacobsen (APRA)

Piano & Vocals: Karen Jacobsen

Guitar, Bass & Tracks: Matt Anthony

Producer: Matt Anthony

Recorded, Mixed & Mastered: Matt Anthony at Engine Sound, New York City

©Kurly Queen Records

For More Information:

Spotify / Website / Facebook / Twitter / Instagram

Media Inquiries: press@thegpsgirl.com

Karen in the Whitsundays, QLD, Australia on Whitehaven Beach

Photo: L.Muller

As Destination Ambassador of The Whitsundays, Karen has filmed a series of music videos featuring the beauty of the area.

Take Me To The New Record Now

Single Release: Ready For What I Came Here For - May 21st, 2021

(Airlie Beach, Whitsundays, QLD AUSTRALIA – April 2, 2021) After an unexpected year in her native Australia, usually New York based international voice-over artist, singer-songwriter and motivational speaker, Karen Jacobsen celebrates the release of the first single of her new album READY FOR WHAT I CAME HERE FOR on May 21st, 2021.

She was inspired to write the song after the tragic death of her husband’s close friend, and Karen’s song is an expression of her quest to make a difference and find deeper purpose in life. “READY FOR WHAT I CAME HERE FOR'' is the first track from Karen Jacobsen’s 10th studio album, produced by Matt Anthony (Darius Rucker, Shinedown, Pat Monahan of Train) at Engine Sound in New York City.

Jacobsen’s speaking voice reached pop culture status when she became the voice of the GPS and the original Australian voice of ‘Siri.’ This led to the creation of the empowerment brand The GPS Girl® and speaking engagements about “Recalculating" life. With the single launch and free course, she integrates ‘Music and Message.’ Her family Recalculated personally in 2020 heading to Australia for what they thought would be several weeks while the pandemic blew over. Now based at the edge of the Great Barrier Reef and the 74 tropical islands of the Whitsundays in North Queensland,

Karen is the official Whitsundays Destination Ambassador and the voice of a wildly successful campaign to entice visitors to the region. The tourism sector has been deeply affected by COVID-19, and the Wonders of the Whitsundays campaign has garnered over AUD $11 million in bookings to date. Despite the unexpected turmoil of moving countries, Karen says, “being in the most pristine nature and looking out at the Coral Sea has been a miracle for our family, not to mention endlessly inspirational. The beauty of nature is healing and we feel very fortunate to have been able to choose this option at a time that has been devastating for many.”

While recording began pre-pandemic, the cinematic piano-driven song takes on new meaning in this time in the world and in the context of her personal relocation to Australia. When asked about the message of the song, Jacobsen said “for many of us, 2020 has been a jolt, and yet an opportunity to take a stark look at our lives and what we want to experience. I personally know dozens of people who have made big decisions about their futures; from where they will live to what they spend their time doing. It’s been an era of getting clear about what is truly important.”

To celebrate the release, Jacobsen is launching a free 14 day personal development course called - you guessed it - READY FOR WHAT I CAME HERE FOR. The course shares tips, tools and daily actions to move closer to uncovering how to make real, meaningful life changes. Dealing with the big question “why am I here?”, the course serves as inspiration to cut through the confusion of how to live with purpose. One of Karen’s favorite topics is, appropriately, direction in life.

“Ready For What I Came Here For is a triumphant celebration and reawakening of purpose. Highly emotive yet softly versed, this track calls for meaningful introspection that left me feeling empowered.” — Ellie D, Radio Boss @ OzNow Radio.

Single

READY FOR WHAT I CAME HERE FOR release date May 21st, 2021, the first single from Karen Jacobsen's new record.

For a private link listening preview, message press@thegpsgirl.com

Ready For What I Came Here For is a triumphant celebration and reawakening of purpose. Highly emotive yet softly versed, this track calls for meaningful introspection that left me feeling empowered. Ellie D, Radio Boss @ OzNow Radio.

Press / Reviews

"Ready For What I Came Here For is a triumphant celebration and reawakening of purpose. Highly emotive yet softly versed, this track calls for meaningful introspection that left me feeling empowered."

- Ellie D, Radio Boss @ OzNow Radio, Australia.

“A super musical performance: Karen Jacobsen, in a spectacular gown, is a beautiful, funny, a lovely light- fingered pianist and a terrific singer with a fine clear voice who writes melodically original personal songs giving glimpses of her life and relationships. She totally engages her audience with her charm, her voice and her wit and she can hold a note like Jerry Colonna, It’s a treat to be entertained by this talented, lovely woman. Catch her if you can. It’s one of the best performances of the decade.”

- Richmond Shepard

"Karen Jacobsen has starlight lit up in optimism all around her."

- Buzz Magazine USA.

"(Her music) shines with an honesty that is reflected in Karen Jacobsen's pure, simple voice and piano playing. Australian-born Karen writes and sings purely from the heart. Karen's signature piece "Don't Miss You" has the line "I can't pretend something that's not real" and even though the song is about the end of a relationship, it's easy to feel it captures the virtue of Karen Jacobsen."

- Performing Songwriter USA.

Photos for Media

Official Music Video - Ready For What I Came Here For

More About Karen Jacobsen

Bio Continuo

MORE ABOUT KAREN JACOBSEN

International Speaker, Concert Artist and Songwriter Karen Jacobsen’s speaking voice unexpectedly led to a unique pop culture status. In over a billion GPS and smartphone devices worldwide, including the original Aussie voice of ’Siri’, hers is the voice of reason, telling us where to go and what to do on a daily basis. In real life, through her songs, concert performances and speaking presentations, she entertains and inspires people to recalculate their way to their dream destination in life.

In a late 1970’s living room in Mackay, Australia, seven year old Karen Jacobsen saw Olivia Newton-John on television and knew what she was meant to do with her life; to become a professional singer and move to America.

Driven to follow her dream and born to light up the stage, Karen moved to New York City with one suitcase becoming an award-winning Singer and Songwriter. Musical career highlights include: sharing the stage with Norah Jones, Neil Sedaka, Jon English and Christopher Cross, national anthem performances at major sporting events - Madison Square Garden, Fenway Park, Dodger Stadium, for 80 000 at Giants Stadium for a New York Jets game, Queensland's Suncorp Stadium for an Australia vs South Africa TriNations International Rugby Game for 52 000 - and licensing her songs to US network television.

In her first years in New York City, Karen auditioned to record a text to speech voice system, having no idea it would take her voice to every corner of the globe. From that one voice-over booking she created her empowerment brand The GPS Girl®, giving directions for life and business and showing how to navigate change powerfully with the 5 Directions for Recalculating process.

An International Speaker and Concert Performer, both live and virtually, she has taken her universal message to national and international events across multiple industries including finance, health, education, travel, real estate, as a TEDx Speaker and Global Artist in Residence at High Point University. Karen has also enjoyed wide international media coverage, and was told she had made it when named as a clue in The New York Times crossword puzzle. She particularly enjoyed Harry Connick Jr calling her “hypnotic” on his national US talk show and media highlights include: NBC Today Show, ABC World News Tonight, CBS Early Show, Sunrise, NY Daily News, The Guardian, Glamour magazine and being named one of People Magazine's Most Intriguing People.

“Recalculate Your Life” events and retreats are powerful transformational experiences Karen delivers in person and virtually. She is an in demand Voice-Over artist recording customized voice systems and advertising campaigns, and a prolific songwriter and Recording Artist, currently working on her 10th studio album. She is the Composer for musical theatre productions “Perfectly Imperfect”, “Before Time”, and her one woman musical memoir “Mackay to Manhattan,” which premiered at the Mackay Entertainment and Convention Centre in Australia in September, 2020.

“Mackay to Manhattan” - A Musical Memoir is a part concert, part motivational journey that leaves Karen’s audiences elevated with powerful insights about their own lives. Her timeless melodic songs, powerful vocals and message “It Is Never Too Late To Recalculate” leave everyone energized and engaged with their potential.

An Author, Karen has written two journal style books; The GPS Girl's Road Map for Your Future, and Recalculate - Directions for Driving Performance Success.

Karen, her husband and growing son thought they were visiting Australia from their New York City home of 20 years for a few weeks to visit family at the beginning of the pandemic. Recalculating everything and coming full circle, they find themselves as locals in the glorious Whitsunday region, and count their lucky stars every day to be there.

“I was brought to tears when I heard this song live. It resonated with me so much I felt almost like the song was written for me.” Ellie D, Radio Boss @ OzNow Radio.

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