Kesang
Marstrand's latest release, Karmapa Khyeno is her first recording in
Tibetan. It was made with the simple intention of creating songs
which allow one to linger in a quiet, open space, somewhere where
the contemplation of matters of heart is encouraged.
Marstrand,
a native of Woodstock, New York, got her start performing her songs in
pubs and cafs in Greenwhich Village. The Tibetan-Danish singer,
inspired by songwriters such as Leonard Cohen, Joni Mitchell, and
Elliott Smith, honed her songwriting skills throughout her early
twenties and recorded her debut album, Bodega Rose in the fall of
2008. That same year the singer released a single, entitled, "Tibet Will
Be Free."
AllMusic calls Marstrand an, "unusually gifted singer and composer" and describes her songs as, "eloquent emotional sketches.
Marstrand recently moved back to New York City after spending four
years in Tunisia. While in Tunisia, the cradle of Arab Spring, she
became known for her acoustic interpretation of Tunisia's national
anthem and for being present during the uprising. The interpretation was
described by many as the revolutions theme song.
Hello
Night, the singer's second album, comprised twelve original lullabies,
and was described by Warren Truitt as "touching and playful, mysterious
and warm, and is certainly one of the most beautiful lullaby albums
you'll ever hear. It was selected by About.com for their top ten list
of best kids' music of 2009.
In 2011, Marstrand released her
third album, Our Myth. Produced by renowned jazz musician and composer
Karl Berger, the album was acclaimed by European audiences during
Marstrand's tour in 2012.