Get To Know Ethereal Renaissance Pop Songwriter, Kristin Hoffmann

Renaissance pop artist, Kristin Hoffmann had a prolific career from the very beginning. Getting her feet wet in the music world at the age four, Hoffmann’s outstanding resume includes: various stints on record labels as well as song placement appearances on iconic TV shows like Dawson’s Creek and The Young And The Restless, all while sharing the stage with groups like The Wallflowers, Feist and Brandi Carilie.

Hoffmann’s ethereal pop delivery has been highly recognized by critics as heartfully contagious, yet lucid and classically infused. Her innovative sound is widely reflected through her recent studio efforts, The Human Compass and Unfolding Secrets: A Symphony of the Heart.

Recently, I had the chance to sit down and get to know Hoffmann a little bit. In this exclusive interview Hoffmann shared with us her early musical origins, her favorite venues to play, her influences as well opening up about her excitement to play in Japan for the firs time.

Americana Lady: How would you describe your music?

Kristin Hoffman: My music is soulful and ethereal, laced with haunting melodies that invoke feelings of the human journey through shadows and light.  I combine elements of classical music with electronic beats and folk hues.  The result is a collage of whatever feels right for the time and space. 

What inspires you to perform?

Sharing with others on higher levels is what inspires me to perform.  There is nothing like getting a group of people in a room or space and using music as a vehicle to raise the vibration and tune into authentic, deep presence.  It’s really not about me “performing”…It’s about everyone tuning in with intention and allowing the magic to come through! 

What can we expect from you next? Your last album “The Human Compass” debuted in 2012 have you been working on new music?

I have just released a new soundtrack album for the cosmically meditative film “Amazing Space.”  It has a neo-classical/world fusion style and I created each track to align with a different chakra (body energy center), moving from root chakra up through the body, helping to re-align, destress and re-tune listeners/viewers.  You can watch or download “Amazing Space” at amazingspacemovie.com or download the soundtrack at your favorite digital store. 

I will be starting a new record this summer which I am very excited about!  It will be out next Spring! 

What inspires your altruistic side? How difficult is it to incorporate that into your music? It seems like many different causes are important to you can you talk about them?

I feel it is natural to incorporate the causes closest to my heart into my music.  I am most passionate about raising consciousness, healing, love, health and the environment.  These themes often intertwine…and growth in one area automatically feeds the growth in all areas.  Through my music, I have the opportunity to bring heightened awareness in myself and others to these subjects…and with awareness comes healing and positive shift. 

Can you tell us a little about your background musically/personally-where did you grow up? Favorite artists?

I grew up in Stamford, CT.  I started playing a little violin when I was 3.  When I was 4, I asked my parents to switch to piano.  I spent my first years playing solely classical piano, which I excelled at quickly, but never felt that passionate about.  Around the age of 13 I began taking voice lessons, which I loved!  I also started to experiment with improvisation and songwriting and found myself spending days at the piano in creative mode.  I was very inspired by George Winston, Enya, Joni Mitchell, Enigma, Dead Can Dance, Crosby Stills Nash and Young and Tori Amos and Faure as a kid. 

I went to Juilliard Pre-College for opera and classical composition and simultaneously learned guitar and began playing shows out with my band and made my first “singer-songwriter” CD at 17.  Making my first record was truly eye-opening and at this point I realized that writing, composing and playing were going to be the main focuses of my life path. 

In my 20’s I got completely and totally immersed into Radiohead, Sigur Ros, The Cocteau Twins and Massive Attack.  During those same years, in a nutshell, I learned to engineer/produce music, went through two major label record deals and released a few more records, a couple that I put out myself and a couple that are lost in the defunct music industry machine.

I also studied sound healing for a couple of years with the Tama-Do Academy of Sound, Color and Movement.

You are performing in Japan later this month! That must be really exciting? Is it your first time? What are you expecting?

I’m here in Tokyo now and will be playing at a big show on Mt. Fuji later in the week. This is actually my second time playing in Japan…and it looks like I will be coming back again for another show this summer! 

I do my best not to expect anything in particular from shows.  Usually I enjoy myself most when I can just go with the flow as best as possible and be present to each new experience.  Especially when playing in other cultures where things are often done differently, I find it is helpful to keep an open mind and leave my expectations behind!  Everything always works out and I am consistently surprised by the new twists, turns and gifts life has to offer.

Do you have a favorite venue?

The venue closest to my heart is Caffe Vivaldi in the west village, NYC.  I have played there over 400 times through the years, so it is my musical home.  However, I have played some incredible spots in various place that I have truly loved and will always remember…to name a few:  The Mountain Winery in CA, Winspear Opera House in Dallas, Schubas in Chicago and Mocha Maya’s in Shelburne Falls Mass are among my favs. 

I love the title/genre Renaissance Pop Songstress-what does that mean to you?

To me this means a fusion of new classical and pop song structure.  I got tired of hearing the term “singer-songwriter” and feel it is quite a vague/broad category…I decided to create a description that resonated more specifically with my style. 

Is songwriting and writing a blog similar–why did you decide to add a blog to your website–does it help connect more to your audience?

I’ve always loved writing in all of its forms.  It feels great to me to write articles about life, music and growth.  I think for some people the blog helps to deepen the experience of the music.  But most of all, I just hope that my words will resonate and trigger an “ah ha” moment for someone who is in search.  I know there have been countless writers who have given me that gift of “expanding my view.” 

Music in shows/soundtracks must be so thrilling-how did your music become involve in this aspect of show business?

I’ve always felt that music on its own is super powerful, but music combined with other images, film, dance, color etc takes one that much farther.  I love the multi-sensory approach and look to get involved with film and dance whenever possible.  I’m so grateful for all of my collaborative experiences and see this aspect of my vision growing even more in the future. 

Most proud professionally?

Hmmmm…Probably most proud of “The Human Compass.”  I had always wanted to make a record where I wrote, played, engineered and mixed everything myself and finally I reached that point a few years back.  It felt like a real accomplishment and the most authentic capturing of my own creative energy. 

Could you possibly choose a favorite tour or band/tour-mate that you went on the road with?

I think I have the most fun touring with Bella Gaia.  We are truly like a family and have shared so many deep experiences together over the past years!  The group always gets along and there are virtually no dramas, which is a beautiful thing!

I also love touring with multi-instrumentalist Premik Russell Tubbs!  We have had some awesome times on the road…he’s my musical soul brother!

kristinhoffmann.com.