Kristen Cothron & The Darkside

"Like a William Faulkner novel, Cothron is worth the effort. She’s no no-thought mainstream pop star in search of the spotlight. She’s a livewire that electrifies with below the surface songs. Cothron sounds as if she stepped out of Tennessee Williams’ "A Streetcar Named Desire." She seethes. Sweat drips from her new single "Dangerous" like droplets from the skin that slowly meander upon their way. She sounds bound and prepared to unwind, as with "The Darkside." Yet all the while, she maintains a calm visage that waxes terminally cool..."

- The Bristol Herald

"Like a William Faulkner novel, Cothron is worth the effort. She’s no no-thought mainstream pop star in search of the spotlight. She’s a livewire that electrifies with below the surface songs. Cothron sounds as if she stepped out of Tennessee Williams’ "A Streetcar Named Desire." She seethes. Sweat drips from her new single "Dangerous" like droplets from the skin that slowly meander upon their way. She sounds bound and prepared to unwind, as with "The Darkside." Yet all the while, she maintains a calm visage that waxes terminally cool..."

- The Bristol Herald

"The entrancing music of Kristen Cothron is unlike any sound that we’ve heard. Her latest album contains beautiful melodies accompanied by her amplified and distorted voice. Deep and smooth, the cool jazz sound of “Maybe You” differs widely from “Edge,” an edgy, warped-yet-foot-tapping tune." - Nashville Lifestyles Magazine

"The entrancing music of Kristen Cothron is unlike any sound that we’ve heard. Her latest album contains beautiful melodies accompanied by her amplified and distorted voice. Deep and smooth, the cool jazz sound of “Maybe You” differs widely from “Edge,” an edgy, warped-yet-foot-tapping tune." - Nashville Lifestyles Magazine

"The album is an experience; Cothron has the ability to make you feel like you are right there with her, as she takes you through her songs and experiences. Dynamic, intriguing, mesmerizing; Show Me Where The Edge Is has a little taste of everything. Effortlessly mixing genres in such a masterful and subtle way is just one of the many reasons Kristen Cothron is a true talent in a sea of artists striving to be heard. Overlooking this album would be a crime, so do yourself a favor and give it a listen today." - Indie Music Reviewer

"The album is an experience; Cothron has the ability to make you feel like you are right there with her, as she takes you through her songs and experiences. Dynamic, intriguing, mesmerizing; Show Me Where The Edge Is has a little taste of everything. Effortlessly mixing genres in such a masterful and subtle way is just one of the many reasons Kristen Cothron is a true talent in a sea of artists striving to be heard. Overlooking this album would be a crime, so do yourself a favor and give it a listen today." - Indie Music Reviewer

"If there were ever a time and place for a revised, jazzier, The Jody Grind, Fiona Apple and Elvis Costello all wrapped into one album, it’s bound to be on the newest Kristen Cothron release, Show Me Where the Edge is…" - The Boro Pulse

"If there were ever a time and place for a revised, jazzier, The Jody Grind, Fiona Apple and Elvis Costello all wrapped into one album, it’s bound to be on the newest Kristen Cothron release, Show Me Where the Edge is…" - The Boro Pulse

Kristen Cothron is leaving a mark on Nashville for two reasons, the first being songwriting capabilities bearing the cleverness and skill of an older and more experienced artist, and the second being a lush, sultry voice built for old world jazz. Last month marked the release of a little vinyl number, covered with a black-and-white photo of a cigarette-smoking Cothron, dressed old-fashioned dominatrix style. The self-titled 7” offers up three songs; one side is loaded with a jaded lyrical bite and the other contrasts with soft speculations of love.

Opener “Anthem” lives up to its name, decked out in horns and Cothron’s full-bodied alto which is sometimes a little Amy Winehouse, other times a bit Chrissie Hynde. “There are things you can do to come out ahead/people can be moved/they’re so easily led” she sings on “Dark Side.” “Attention, I know how to get you/affection, I only forget you.” Cothron plays the role of the steely and unattainable temptress, and artfully so with a seductive-almost-racy style that maintains an air of class and sophistication—an ideal soundtrack for Bettie Page to pose or for Cruella de Vil to lounge about smoking.

A friend who also gave this recording a spin expressed the need to use a cigarette clip after listening, which sums up the smoky cabaret, boa-wearing style Cothron works. Subtle instrumentation, particularly some understated electric guitar unwinding in the background grounds a very much reincarnated sound. Cothron isn’t the first contemporary to take on jazz pop, but hers in genuine, not meant to be kitschy and probably the most authentic of its kind I’ve heard in Nashville.

- The Murfreesboro Pulse

Nashville-born Kristen Cothron is sweet.She speaks with a delicate tone and is polite and gracious. In fact, she might even be a little on the shy side. But there’s another woman just behind the curtain waiting to step into the spotlight. When this other woman takes the stage, all of her “sins and secrets come out to play.” Kristen performs with a primal come-hither force, raw and sensual, confident and edgy, she can let loose while remaining in absolute control.Cothron’s latest release is a drop-to-your-knees sultry, soul-stealing 3-song self-titled vinyl EP [digital download available with purchase]. You can enshroud yourself in the thick, soft fur of her sound and relish the dark comfort it offers.Kristen started this project several months ago and the three songs are a purposefully limited release meant to whet your appetite for the LP coming out later this year. The concept and design of the physical packaging are absolutely stunning. Cothron went above and beyond to immerse your senses fully in her enticing world. - Songwriter's Monthly

"Amazing, amazing sound. It’s a sound that’s almost better than sex." - Nashville Hype

A Little Night Music
KRISTEN COTHRON: With an amber, sultry tone and an expanded vocal range that she uses with dynamic subtlety, Cothron applies late-night jazz chops to contemporary adult pop. She's the rare young talent who cares more about expressing a mood and a story than simply showing off her voice. While her relaxed, come-hither purr pulls listeners in, it's the depth of the songs and how well she puts them across that brings people back time and again. She's been touring wider since the release of her fine independent album, Love Letters From a Fool, and she recently completed a stylish video for the song "Dangerous," turning in a modern Southern gothic clip that seems inspired by Craig Brewer's films. In a rare hometown treat, she brings together her full band for a special gig. 7:30 p.m. at 3rd & Lindsley —MICHAEL McCALL, THE NASHVILLE SCENE
- Michael McCall, The Nashville Scene

Kristen Cothron grew up playing in the Tennessee Youth Jazz Orchestra and currently calls Nashville home, none of which suggests the rich, dark sound evident on her recently released debut CD Love Letter from a Fool. Tougher than Fiona Apple, edgier than Norah Jones, Cothron combines cabaret and indie rock as well as anyone since Elvis Costello. - The Commercial Appeal- The Memphis Playbook Best Bets

Her voice smooth and soulful (like a mix between Billie Holliday and Judy Garland), this Nashville-based ingénue is bound to win some fans (and break some hearts) with her simple, sweet, catchy pop. - Free Times- Columbia, SC

Her voice smooth and soulful (like a mix between Billie Holliday and Judy Garland), this Nashville-based ingénue is bound to win some fans (and break some hearts) with her simple, sweet, catchy pop. - Free Times- Columbia, SC

Cothron has a way with words that puts fellow sirens Fiona Apple and Norah Jones to shame. "You're not that good lookin', but I like the way you smoke your cigarette..." from the song "Last Chance Girl," has got to be one of the best lines of 2006. These songs are blessed with being both soulful and innovative. The combination of loops and bluesy swagger in songs such as "Love Is A Gamble" is like walking out onto the beach for the first time. The track "Whenever You Come Around" proves Cothron to be the female equivalent of Harry Connick, Jr., although much prettier and without the cell phone commercial.

It is difficult to pick standout tracks from such a stellar album, but tracks such as "Dangerous," "Last Chance Girl," and "Love Is A Gamble" (featuring Georgia Satellite Dan Baird on guitar) will make you call up your local radio station, ask them to burn all of their Shakira albums, and get Kristen Cothron in heavy rotation. An artist of her ability deserves as much support as possible. - South Eastern Performer Magazine

“Rest in peace is for tombstones, desire is for the living,” Kristen Cothron sings in her opening track “Dangerous,” inspiring listeners to seize the day. The Nashville-based artist infuses her smoky, Fiona Apple–style vocals with an added cleverness and lyrical twists like her punchline on “High on the Blues,” “The only way I can be true to myself is to lie to you.”
Love Letters From a Fool proffers a full, bluesy sound complete with bass, drums and multiple electric guitars. Hammond organ can often be heard wailing in the background. Cothran displays a maturity and confidence that belies the fact that this is her first full-length album. Highlights include “Last Chance Girl” (“You’re not that good-looking, but I like the way you smoke your cigarette”) and the Western-noir of the title track. Have you been searching for music’s next bold bad girl? Cothron is the buried treasure you’re seeking. - Performing Songwriter Magazine

Kristen Cothron presents Love Letters From a Fool, a tasty combination of twisting pop and lovelorn rock. Expression is the main ingredient on Love Letters and Cothron does it well. Genre mixing with a hint of southern mysticism throughout, Cothron does a good strong woman as well as she does a sensitive woman. Sonically there is one thing that stands out in the mix. Cothron’s vocal is high in the mix and for good reason, she sings great. She moves her voice with incredible confidence and assurance. Phonetics and lyrics support each other well and make for great frames for jazzed up backgrounds. Instrumentation is what I consider pro sessions work, almost too accurate-therein losing the earthy connection Cothron holds dear. Kristen Cothron’s ability to make introspective and prospective music is her strongest trait and is just as important as her voice. Changing dynamic is what holds albums together. And Letters if anything is a collection of clever dynamics. No one takes the easy way out. Song arrangements lean on the eloquent side but manage to maintain a sense of experimentalism. A few interesting moods occur inside the album, a bit of classical mixed with electronica and some beefy rock n’ roll ala The Pretenders and some crazy chic stuff ala Fiona Apple. - Enigma

Singer-songwriter Cothron enlisted an A-List of hired hands to perform on her CD—Pat Buchanan and Dan Baird on electric guitars, Alison Prestwood on bass, Greg Morrow and Vince Santoro pounding the skins, you get the idea. The big, plumby sound of this title tune is the result. Her minor-key, almost-jazzy vocals and the unrelentingly catchy songwriting are perfectly framed. Count me in.
- Music Row Magazine

Kristen Cothron presents Love Letters From a Fool, a tasty combination of twisting pop and lovelorn rock. Expression is the main ingredient on Love Letters and Cothron does it well. Genre mixing with a hint of southern mysticism throughout, Cothron does a good strong woman as well as she does a sensitive woman. Sonically there is one thing that stands out in the mix. Cothron’s vocal is high in the mix and for good reason, she sings great. She moves her voice with incredible confidence and assurance. Phonetics and lyrics support each other well and make for great frames for jazzed up backgrounds. Instrumentation is what I consider pro sessions work, almost too accurate-therein losing the earthy connection Cothron holds dear. Kristen Cothron’s ability to make introspective and prospective music is her strongest trait and is just as important as her voice. Changing dynamic is what holds albums together. And Letters if anything is a collection of clever dynamics. No one takes the easy way out. Song arrangements lean on the eloquent side but manage to maintain a sense of experimentalism. A few interesting moods occur inside the album, a bit of classical mixed with electronica and some beefy rock n’ roll ala The Pretenders and some crazy chic stuff ala Fiona Apple. - Enigma