KarismaKatz-DJ Gosper and Christo Carlsen

KarismaKatz are DJ Gosper (vocals, blues-harps) and Christo Carlsen (acoustic guitar and vocals).
This Canberra-based duo have been touring the countryside, playing a satisfying mix of jazz, blues and roots-inspired music, and receiving enthusiastic accolades along the way! Their superb synchronicity, fine musicianship and crowd-pleasing commitment to their songs is winning audiences over everywhere they play.
DJ is a recent breast cancer survivor and Christo, a former alcoholic and drug user. Depressing? Far from it! Their original songs and earthy banter give a strong message of getting on with life through adversity.
KarismaKatz original songs are interspersed with jazz, blues and roots covers.
DJ fell hopelessly in love with the harmonica 15 years ago and has been performing since then. She is developing a reputation as Australia’s tastiest blues-harp player.
In 2007, DJ scooped the Canberra Blues Society Music Awards, winning 3 of the 6 categories - Best Vocalist, Best Instrumentalist and Best Song (Burn Baby Burn co-written with Christo).
Since her return to the stage following surgery and heavy-duty treatment for breast cancer, DJ is "performing with a passion that knows no tomorrow."
Christo, having spent many years busking and with his wide experience in the folk, blues, rock and trad jazz idioms, provides a stylish and often surprising acoustic guitar accompaniment to DJ's evocative vocal performance.
DJ and Christo are engaging performers with an unpretentious audience rapport. Their performances are often intense, moving and thoroughly entertaining. See why they have been described as: “refreshingly original”, “spellbinding” and “world class”.
DJ GOSPER (lead vocal, blues harp, occasional acoustic guitar)
From 2001 to 2005 DJ played and toured with original roots-inspired group the Van Veen Band.
As member of renowned vocal trio The Blues Cowgirls from 2002 – 2005, DJ has played at various Australian blues and folk festivals. The independent release of ‘Ask Any Woman’ was awarded "Best CD of the Year" by Canberra Roots Music.
In 2004, she was awarded “Best Instrumentalist of the Year” by Canberra Roots Music.
In November 2007 DJ scooped the Canberra Blues Society Awards winning three of the six music categories:
"Best Vocalist", "Best Instrumentalist" and "Best Song" (Burn Baby Burn, co-written with ‘Katz guitarist, Christo Carlsen).
DJ has shared the stage with some of Australia’s great blues performers including Kate Meehan, Phil Manning, Fiona Boyes, Dutch Tilders, Jan Preston, Ross Ward and the USA’s Eugene Hideaway-Bridges.
CHRISTO CARLSEN (vocal, acoustic guitars)
A veteran of the Canberra music scene, Christo played his first gig in the legendary summer of '69 at the St Phillip's Church Hall in O'Connor, ACT. Influenced early on by the '60s guitar heroes, as well as by the more dulcet sounds of latin, jazz, country and folk, he believes the essence of good style lies in the ability to project emotion through the music - to make the instrument 'talk'.
Christo provides innovative accompaniment to DJ's emotive vocals. His often percussive instrumentation—developed through years of busking—and his lilting, left-field licks often leave entranced audiences in awe!
The duo regularly play festivals, cafés, wineries and other fine establishments in the ACT, NSW South Coast and Victoria’s high country.
“Since her return to the stage, breast cancer survivor, DJ Gosper, performs with a passion that knows no tomorrow”
Bill Arnett, The Folkus Room 2008
"DJ Gosper showed us that as well as being a great blues singer, she is one of the hottest harp players around…"
Dom Melano, Canberra Blues Society 2007
"DJ is one of Australia's best harmonica players and she has the voice of a blues diva."
Guy Gibson, The Merry Muse 2007
“DJ's harp playing is a monument to style, tone and good taste.”
Ernie Van Veen 2006
“I really enjoyed making music with you girl - You've got a great style.”
Fiona Boyes 2005
“...very solid harp playing”
Damian Coen 2004
“Girl, you play a mean harp!”
Eugene Hideaway Bridges 2005
“Your harp playing is not flashy but it's impressive!” “Australia has produced some outstanding harp players over the years, many of them synonomous with the Blues, Alt. Country and Roots music genre's. It might also be fair to say that a group of excellent female players have also made a mark on the instrument, ....Canberra's DJ Gosper can rightfully take her place amongst this group.... a fine singer and multi-instrumentalist into the bargain...''
Ross Ward “2005
“DJ is not only one of the best female harmonica players around, she is one of the best harmonica players around. DJ, god bless 'er, has great timing and technique, and she plays according to the mood of the song. Years ago, Van Dyke Parks cautioned that it's not so much the notes but the space between the notes that matters. He was speaking of and to blues guitarists but the same applies to harmonica players. You realise how true that is when you compare DJ's playing with that of most other harp players nowadays who try to fill up every space with as many notes as they can. A musician can be full to overflowing with technique but if you aint got the feeling and soul it don't amount to a hill of beans!”
Mary Martin (The Merry Muse) 2004