Kristy Kruger Steals the Show @ Independent Music Awards Event

One of my favorite  things about working for The Independent Music Awards is that I get exposed to top-notch indie talent.  Over the years, I’ve added a bunch of Independent Music Award Winners, Finalists & even entrants to my radar (Animate Objects, Girl in a Coma,  Jamie Lidell, A Kid Hereafter) alongside those IMA-recognized acts that were already on constant rotation on my playlist (Val Emmich, Sugarcult, the Matches, Lacuna Coil, Scott & Aimee).

Earlier this month, The Independent Music Awards launched its “The Independent Music Awards Presents…” series of showcases at the legendary Symphony Space in New York City.  The theme of the evening was Story Songs and IMA Winners Richard Julian, Amy Speace and Kristy Kruger took the spotlight in our songwriters-in- the-round type show. Anthony DeCurtis from Rolling Stone magazine hosted.  As a journalist, I was super excited to watch such an accomplished writer as DeCurtis interact with the musicians on stage as he led the storytelling.  It was really cool to have him actually dive into the action and not just introduce them and walk off stage.

As someone who primarly listens to loud rock music, I’m super picky about to which singer-songwriters I give my attention.  Most of them bore me.  But when detailed, emotion-filled  lyrics collide with a powerful voice, I’m hooked.  I must say,  after the last song, I walked up the aisles of Symphony Space a fan of each of these artists.

Kristy Kruger’ s dog, Mojo.

The one standout for me was Kristy Kruger–and not just because we bonded backstage earlier in the day, discussing our love of vintage clothing and dogs (her Cocker Spaniel rescue, Mojo, was hanging out in the dressing room). Her music channels the 20s and 30s  and  is often compared to Tom Waits.   Perhaps this is because she was a music business major (as she revealed that night)– but Kruger knows how to sell and package her music & self.  She’s touring the USA playing memorial shows  in honor of her brother, who was killed in Iraq.  You can literally feel her pain when she speaks about it on stage and that’s what going to see live music is all about, isnt’ it?

*By Joelle, who drinks her water with limes.

For more: www.myspace.com/kristykruger

www.independentmusicawards.com

Similar Posts:

• Butch Walker, Daryl Palumbo, Jennifer Arroyo & Billy Graziadei to Judge the Independent Music Awards
• Val Emmich Wins Independent Music Award
• Calling All Photographers
• Independent Music Awards SUBMISSION Spotlight
• Independent Music Awards Finalists Announced!