Hi, I’m Carsie. I write, perform, and record songs. My music is classic American pop, by which I mean that I aspire to contribute to the lineage that runs all the way from Louis Armstrong through Carole King and right up to Cee Lo Green.

Some people think I’m a folksinger, probably due to my “uncanny sense for lyric” (inherited from John Prine and Patty Griffin).  Others say I’m jazzy because I like 7th chords, and I sing behind the beat (due to a lifelong obsession with Billie Holiday and Nina Simone). Some say I rock, which is true (I blame The Band, Elvis Costello, and Ray Charles). The Washington Post says my work is “classic songwriting at its best”.

I believe that music is magic, and everybody needs it. That’s why I give mine away.

I live in New Orleans, I’m from Luray, Virginia, and I lived for the last six years in Philadelphia. I am on tour for about half of each year. I love love. I blog about sex. I also love tattoos, jasmine tea, Vargas pinups, good books, and Lindy Hop. I am unschooled and happy about it. Now I am putting on my bragging hat: last year I got to open for Paul Simon. My newest album, Idiot Heart, was produced by Oliver Wood, one of my musical idols and half of The Wood Brothers. I’ve toured with Shawn Colvin, Joan Osborne, The Weepies, Loudon Wainwright III and others. I’ve made two music videos, one of which went a little viral. I can ride a horse. I make a mean peach pie.

Now it’s your turn - tell me about yourself.