Kristen Ward

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"At the quarter-century mark, Kristen Ward (6PM) represents the next in line of the Northwest’s country noir talent. On her latest, 2008s Drive Away, Ward laments as or more convincing than the genre’s elders, complete with brilliant pedal steel from Kevin Suggs and even some guest guitar work from Pearl Jam’s Mike McCready Recorded by Brad Zeffren at Seattle’s Chroma Sound Studio, Drive Away is a must listen."
-90.3 KEXP

Her big-voiced, husky laments make Seattle songwriter Kristen Ward sound much older than her 25 years. She may be next in the line of successful local alt-country chanteuses, following Neko Case and Jesse Sykes. Her latest album, Drive Away, features Mike McCready of Pearl Jam on one track, and slick production by Brad Zeffren on the rest.
-Julia Mullen Gordon, The Stranger

The album’s production allows the listener to focus on Ward’s lyricism and – in the tradition of Johnny Cash – she is strongest when she takes on dark subjects. During a verse of “Faith,” Ward tells a child to “draw a sunny picture ... because the way you think can make me smile,” before moaning the chorus: “Faith comes easily / Faith dies quickly.” ... Her alto vocals are smooth enough to soothe a bourbon hangover, and her vocal hiccups, runs and other inflections keep the listener’s attention without distracting from her emotions ... Ward is an exceptional songwriter and singer who takes traditional elements and presents them in ways that convince of their authenticity.
-Ryan Faughnder, Performer Magazine

"...in the performance of songs like "Shoot Me Down" and "Drive Away" (also the title of her latest album) there's a strange feeling that she and her band -- featuring pedal steel expert and studio sound master Kevin Suggs, and the classy vintage guitar showmanship of Gary Westlake, also doing backing vocals -- could soon be headlining at the Paramount. Ward has two albums out already, but her performance today shows she's ready for the next level. If I were to describe her sound, I'd point first to how people enthusiastically describe Transmissionary Six. But TM6 are more tied to experimental styles and noir chanteuse seduction, whereas Ward's work is more mainstream, polished and less subversive. The third song in the set was a shimmering hymn of transcendence and three songs later she and her band were rocking out almost ska-billy on an anthem, showing an encouraging diversity to her sound."
-Chris Estey, Three Imaginary Girls

"Kristen Ward. Her deep, sultry voice made me think she was a Southern girl, but she actually hails from Seattle. Pearl Jam's Mike McCready plays on her new record, Drive Away. You'll hear my favorite song from it that showcases her impressive vocal range"
-Whitney Matheson, USA Today (Pop Candy)

"...sometimes reminding you of the dark, noir-ish country of Neko Case whilst the predominantly minor key melodies are plucked out by a guitar whose twang on songs such as 'Loneliness' and 'With You Again' is washed in atmospherics, recalling Angelo Badalementi's soundtrack to that paragon of north-western weirdness, 'Twin Peaks.' Crowning these brooding grooves is the voice of Kristen Ward, deep and mossy, without a hint of the over-sweetness suggested by the album cover, abetted by a unique phrasing which further distinguishes her distinctive song-writing style."
-Kai Roberts, Americana UK
"Kristen Ward covers familiar alt-country territory in Drive Away: the loss of love and faith, running from the law and nostalgia for the past. But what makes this album different is Ward's visual approach to her subject material. Rather than singing about broad themes, Ward focuses her lyrics on small objects and scenes that connote her meaning: the result is visceral rather than conceptual. Her warm voice is low but not gravelly and the well produced and feels very clean with its strong percussion-guitar base, along with well-placed harmonica and pedal-steel accents from the inimitable Kevin Suggs. But overall, the strength of this album lies in Ward's haunting ability to show and not tell."
-Rachel Dovey, SOUND Magazine

"...Ward’s voice has the deep, warm wistfulness of Caitlin Cary, dashed with Kathleen Edwards’s water-tumbling-over-rocks vocal grit. And while her songs don’t diverge from familiar country tales of loneliness and drunkenness, struggles with faith and with men, and finding oneself on the wrong side of the law, the buoyant guitar hooks that Ward and her backing band wrap around these stories, alongside Ward’s forthright delivery, make Drive Away a deeply satisfying listen."
-Maura Walz, Pop Matters

"Drive Away" may put Kristen Ward on road to stardom.
In the past few years, Seattle has launched several extraordinary female voices, including the old-school country wail of Neko Case, the powerhouse pop of Brandi Carlile and the slithering noir-country of Jesse Sykes. All have earned exceptional respect on the national level, and seem poised to have long, thrilling careers. Is Kristen Ward the next in line? This raw, fresh talent is showing signs that she just might be ready to make a huge steps forward.
-Tom Scanlon, Seattle Times

"Ward's new album "Drive Away," has a lonesome, romantic, folk-rock sound. The CD- which follows her 2006 debut album "Roll Me On"- was an all star recording project combining the talents of her regular band with those of Mike McCready of Pearl Jam ... in a novel twist, Ward raised the money to make the CD by soliciting fans online."
-Gene Stout, Seattle Post Intelligencer

A few years ago, Neko Case quipped that there needed to be more female singers with full-bodied voices willing to belt it out. Well, Case would certainly be pleased with Washington state native Kristen Ward. Hers is a very rare voice, one that No Depression contributor Kurt B. Reighley aptly compared to Christine McVie's and Linda Ronstadt's. One might also be inclined to toss Carly Simon into that mix. In short, Ward sounds like the rootsier female singers often heard pumping out of stereo speakers in the 1970s. But for all the '70s aesthetic, Ward's band strikes a balance between the '80s roots pop of Lone Justice and the soggy Northwest twang of Jesse Sykes & the Sweet Hereafter. These are songs about love, loss, small towns, and poor decisions.
-BRIAN J. BARR, Seattle Weekly

"One listen to KRISTEN WARD's first album, 2006's ROLL ME ON, and you might think that the smoky voice and those anguished lyrics come from a woman whose spent years in the games of music and love. But Ward is only 23 years old......
-SOUND Magazine, April 07

"It's not easy, in this city filled with exceptional singer-songwriters (Damien Jurado, Laura Veirs, Rosie Thomas, etc.), but Kristen Ward is just starting to make her voice heard. It's a strong, clear, clean voice, singing Ward's own carefully etched lyrics. With pedal steel guitar accents, the music and the voice and the words are more than a little bit country."
-Tom Scanlon, Seattle Times

"One of the most distinctive elements of Ward's debut album, Roll Me On, released on the Chroma imprint earlier this year, is her earthy, full-bodied vocal timbre; think Christine McVie with more oomph, Linda Ronstadt at her rawest."
-Kurt B Reighley, The Stranger

"Of all the albums I had the privilege of listening to this year, Seattle-based Kristen Ward's very fine debut probably was the one that took me the most by surprise. I haven't really thought of Seattle as a city from which roots music/folk rock usually comes - let alone something of the caliber of 'Roll Me On'. Kristen has done it though. This one is like a sudden cool wind on a desert highway. Somehow, this 23 year old singer-songwriter is channeling something. The set of songs here are centered on Kristen's life journey thus far. While that may not be surprising, what is impressive is that they get down to business and are economically and creatively arranged ... the mix is very spacious. 'Roll Me On' is a really great sounding album for a new local artist that the northwest will, ideally, fully support."
-Steve Andrews, Silver Platters

Seattle-based pop vocalist and singer/songwriter Kristen Ward composes approving pop music with talented chops around every corner. Her rootsy approach is surprising and refreshing. You could imagine some of these folk tunes being played around an open campfire or in a crowded coffeehouse. Regardless of the setting, one thing is true....Roll Me On.. is amazingly addictive. - J-Sin, Smother Magazine

***Newcomer to watch: Kristen Ward, who recently released a beautiful debut, "Roll Me On." The music is very gentle, with lap-steel country corners, a strong platform for Ward's dazzling voice. If you like Neko Case, check out Ward.
-Seattle Times

With the pipes of Carly Simon, the resignation of Lucinda Williams, and the sound of new Americana, Kristen Ward belts out tales of being done wrong, being lonesome, and being done wrong again. This album winds through the dusty roads of Lowdownville, dripping weariness and sorrow as it follows the man who don't love her, the man she lost, the man she might just take out with her little gun.
-75 or Less

Think of Ali McGraw playing a put upon waitress at a truckstop outside Spokane who occasionally gets up on stage and belts out a few numbers - that’s the image I have .... The songs have a fair amount of twang, kind of like Jesse Sykes, the same kind of darkness hanging around, shown to good effect on ‘1974’. The home-town feel continues throughout, her mother providing backing vocals and ‘Cheatin’ Mind’ is the perfect soundtrack to a girl’s night out - when they get home, alone, play ‘Night after Night’. Just the thing to chase down the last glass of wine, turn out the light and curl up with the sultry tender ‘Lovin’ You’ - it’s not been such a bad night after all.
-Americana UK

KRISTEN WARD is a Seattle based singer/songwriter, and with her 1968 Gibson guitar under arm, this 23 year old Washington state native delivers honest rootsy rock and roll with a lonely western twist.
With a Country and Western recording artist for a mother, Kristen was brought up to the sounds of Merle Haggard, Emmylou Harris, and Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, and with influences like Lucinda Williams and Neil Young, Kristen..s songs overflow with gutsy lyrics and memorable hooks.
Kristen spent the better part of 2005 recording her debut album ..Roll Me On... Produced by Brad Zeffren at Seattle..s Chroma Sound, the record was completed with the help of musician friends Mike Stone, Jeff Fielder, Dan Tyak, Jeremy Lightfoot, Jason Staczek, and Darren Loucas. Backing vocalists include Mark Colety and Kristen..s Mother, Julie Neuffer. With lonesome wailing guitars, lush musical arrangements, and laid back sultry grooves, ..Roll Me On.. is an album of love, spiritual journey, and heartbroken resignation.
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