Carolyn Ota

Feeling My Way Thru Shadows With A Beautiful Light

Today, native Hawaiian Carolyn Ota lives in New York City. Unconcerned with convention, she follows her inner muse to find meaning and revelation in poetry of song. The ultimate moment for her is when songs come to her and when she gets to perform them live. Here are four of her finest.

Profile

Visit Carolyn on MySpace

Who:      Carolyn Ota

What:     Singer/Songwriter

Where:    New York City, Baby!

SAYS CAROLYN OTA: "Coming from a large extended family with deep roots in Hawai'i, I was surrounded by lu'au music, kachi-kachi dancing, Japanese bon dances, handsome local guys singing and playing their guitars and my aunties strumming their ukes and singing old songs. I reveled in walking alone in Nature or playing piano and singing in empty, stain-glassed churches -- just wailing in the dark, coloured light! "

Influences:

Life, those beautiful souls who have walked with & before us, the animals, the songs that come to us, chants & prayers, the dance of every moment, the living movies we make, the words we write, all of Nature.

It takes a gentle soul to create music this beautiful.  Listen deeply.

A Mini-Interview With Carolyn

So what's up with you?

Well, Steve, last year was an incredible time of singing my songs around NYC and meeting new people - so much change. I'd been quiet and underground for so long, that it was almost unreal to finally be ready to speak. It really does take strength to sing these songs. I'm currently singing these originals around NYC and creating handmade album art and videos. I've written a new song (Mandala) which is quite massive for me and am looking forward to my upcoming summer gigs.

Any new music/CDs on the way?

Yes! I have been selling my TEA EP which has "Common Tool", "Let It Go" and "Tea" on it with lyrics included, pics and my ink drawing of tea bowls from Hawai'i on the cover. I love that format! I want to create more EP's just like that with more bundles of 3 songs each. Love It! But I must tell you that I want to go further eventually and make the songs into a multi-media statement.

What else is on the horizon?

Oh, I have my visions. I am aiming for a museum-like, multi-media experience using film, drawings, photos, lyrics and my voice! I’m currently keeping my eyes open for musicians to do this with.

What is the most important thing you've learned this year?

THE MOST IMPORTANT THING? Perhaps one of the big things I’ve come to really know better, is that “it’s” not "out there" - it’s right here. You can read or speak of a truth a million times but to live it, even for just a bit - that’s something, isn’t it?

Any special announcements or messages to your fanbase?

I wish you much happiness and enjoyment on your journey.

Closing thoughts? Fortune cookie wisdom?

“You are a Wise Man. Thank you for coming up with ATO!”

P.S .--

Any silly/funny things happen lately?

You know I love to laugh. Lets see... this happened today: My dear friend just happened to ask me if I had heard that 2 men recently got into an argument at a drive-thru and one of them bit off the other’s nose. I grimaced and responded, “Ooooooh! What’s he d-o-i-n-g?! Don’t bite off someone’s NOSE!  People NEED their noses ........ for BREATHING! ....... for SMELLING!!! ................. for looking NORMAL!!!!!”