"COGNIZANCE" PRESS
Naked Angels TUESDAYS@9 - Review by Derrick Keith Rollins - December 2023
"Tonight's musical guests has it all: the voice, the looks, the magnetic personality. Brenda Carsey is a musician, songwriter, promoter, philanthropist, and most likely an international spy. She's a bit of a musical chameleon as she is too big for ant one genre to contain the entirety of her sentiment. To experience the full intensity of her star she must be seen live, in concert."
VOICES FROM A BOOM TOWN - Interview - November 2023
"I call Brenda "The Queen of the Scene!" I met her while she was hosting an open mic in Highland Park. She's one of the hardest working musicians I know. We talk about growing up in a non-art house and her awakening into becoming an artist."
CANVAS REBEL - Interview - July 2023
RIVAL MAGAZINE - Music Video and Song Review - March 2023
"The song is a pop anthem accompanied by an emotive piano, haunting echoes, deep drums and bass, an explosion of glam rock guitar, and a full choir of women singing about how challenging it is to be born under the mark of Venus. Brenda’s voice stands out and serves as a guide that sets the tone and cadence of the entire melody...The video is just exquisite. A mixture of nostalgia, art, simplicity, introspection, and movement that goes hand in hand with the captivating sounds. An explosion of lines, colors, forms, and fractals that serve to merge your consciousness with the universe of the music video. Frame by frame, the video was hand drawn by Sharon Like, who managed to capture the complex and profound feeling found at the heart of the lyrics and the dynamics of the instrumentation."
TOO MUCH LOVE MAGAZINE - Music Video and Song Review - March 2023
"Brenda’s Bond-esque vocal signature really sets everything apart sound-wise. She’s simply a superb interpreter who puts emotion and theatrics first and foremost..Brenda knows how to tell a story and her voice is the perfect vehicle...Created by Sharon Like, the visuals for ‘Unfortunate Men’ reflect a bit of a stream-of-consciousness that somewhat follows and mimics the lyrics, if not literally then at least by feeling alone. The beautifully hand-animated music video was drawn frame by frame to create something that looks sufficiently abstract and sufficiently organic so as to stimulate the viewer’s imagination and enhance the valuable insight that Carsey and her piano are imparting to us."
METAL MAGAZINE - Music Video and Album Spotlight - March 2023
"...allows us to learn a little more about her creative vision through her song and music video Unfortunate Men, an anthemic chamber pop song with a progressive and alternative edge led by emotional piano."
MUNDANE MAGAZINE - Album Review - February 2023
"Brenda Carsey’s ‘Cognizance’ is probably the best independent release this past January...Carsey works from the cornerstone of her amazing songwriting abilities and explodes into a very rich palette of sounds ranging from R&B, Soul, some jazz, and even unexpected hues of progressive rock, which makes her album one of the most well-stocked and delightful listening experiences you can hope for this 2023...a fantastic, warm production so full of traditional instrumental arrangements and virtuosic musicianship."
THE MIC - Interview - February 2023
"We've been obsessed with Carsey since we did our song review and the acoustic performance she did for our On The MIC YouTube Series. We were so excited about this record release, and it's finally here!...This very cohesive body of work has been a joy to listen to."
WE WRITE ABOUT MUSIC - Album Review and Interview - February 2023
"Brenda has crafted an immaculate and truly cohesive album that takes the listener on an emotional yet thoughtful experience through vivid lyricism, a beautiful display of instrumentation, and of course her dynamic vocals that consistently set the tone...Not only does she constantly hook you in with exotic melodies and endless catchy riffs, but the lyricism and storytelling is the definition of a masterclass."
WONDERLAND MAGAZINE - Album Premiere and Review - January 2023
"Carsey has unleashed her hotly-anticipated new album, Cognizance, and it’s a searing triumph...Thematic layers of growth, mental health, love, and isolation unfurl over the album’s focused, soulful instrumentals. Wielding a stellar lineup of musical contributors...what results is a joining of forces, who crafted up an unparalleled piece of work."
RIVAL MAGAZINE - Album Review - January 2023
"'Cognizance' is a love letter to many genres, but more importantly to the collaborative effort of orchestral production...the biggest selling point of Brenda Carsey's new album: It's filled with excellent musicianship through and through...Brenda is a fantastic and evocative songwriter...realize just how richer her lyricism is when compared to many of her more terse and repetitive contemporaries."
KALTBLUT MAGAZINE - Album Track by Track Review - January 2023
"This brilliant new album comprises a Tour de Force by Carsey in which she absolutely dominates a full spectrum of genres, ranging from Jazz, Soul and classic R&B, while also dipping her toes a bit into Americana and even glimpses of Progressive Rock...we get a taste of what Carsey is really capable of vocally, it really blew me away..."
GROUND CONTROL MAGAZINE - Album Review and Interview - January 2023
"I have followed Brenda Carsey over the past ten years...I have consistently been impressed by both her talent and her dedication. She keeps pushing the boundaries of her music, but always has fun doing it. Her music is hard to pin down; bringing together soul, pop, folk, jazz, and much more, blending them into her unique voice...Cognizance is a powerful and varied album...Throughout her voice is powerful and emotive, giving full expression to the range of feelings in the songs...Cognizance crowns a discography of adventurous self-recorded/produced releases..."
"MAN OF MINE" PRESS
MELODY MAKER MAGAZINE - Interview - December 2022
BIG CELEBRITY BUZZ - Interview - December 2022
V13 MAGAZINE - Single Review - November 2022
"Shaded by luscious, soulful savours tinted with sweet, syrupy aromas, “Man of Mine” articulates the devotion of true love...A graceful piano provides the intro, flowing into a scrummy rhythm topped by Carsey’s posh, sensuous voice as soft, blushing harmonies bathe the lyrics in buttery, passionate tones."
HOLLYWOOD DIGEST - Single Review - November 2022
"There’s a sense of earthy soul emanating from both the arrangement and, especially, Carsey’s vocal...It’s a perfectly shaped work of musical art...Her ability to inhabit each line with grace and sophisticated sensuality recalls singers from an older generation. The recall doesn’t smack of imitation but, instead, of a singer who has picked up the baton from her predecessor and now advances the art for a new generation...When people claim the album forum is passe, it’s good to remember that their rhetoric reflects commercial relevance, not artistic. Brenda Carsey’s work thus far has illustrated the form’s continued relevancy and there’s every indication, based on songs such as “Man of Mine”, that her latest effort Cognizance will be her best yet."
POP ICON MAGAZINE - Single Review - November 2022
"This is a songwriting voice cut from its own distinctive cloth....Her production shows a keen understanding of how to best present her voice and the mix maintains an effective balance between her vocal prowess and the instrumentation...She has a natural aptitude for the jazz/soulful style she’s pursuing with “Man of Mine”...She has a confident curiosity that takes her wherever she likes while still retaining the core values that make her songwriting and performances stand out from the pack."
WE FOUND NEW MUSIC - Single Review - October 2022
"“Man of Mine” is a prime rib piano ballad nestled comfortably in the jazzy vicinity of alternative Neo-Soul, what does that mean? You’ll know when you hear it...The plasticity of Brenda’s style is something legit, earned, and borne from solid experience...Her gorgeous vocals show off a cool and deliberate emotional prosody that you won’t likely find in many places, while the bountiful and elegant orchestral accompaniment brings a greater sense of solemn timelessness to it all, an enjoyable respite from the Ableton beats that saturate the contemporary scene."
KALTBLUT MAGAZINE - Single Review and Interview - October 2022
"Wrapping herself head to toe in the fine, colourful silks of Neo-Soul and Jazz, Brenda’s classic sound transcends the term “revival” and steps into a dimension of contemporary continuation of venerable musical traditions steeped in the zeitgeist of the current generation."
"I'M SORRY" PRESS
VENTS MAGAZINE - Music Video + Single Review - October 2022
"A Singer/Songwriter of particular distinction, Brenda Carsey leaves an honest impression with her single and accompanying music video...Be sure to check this out as it’s difficult to describe just how arresting it is, through words alone...“I’m Sorry” is both simplistic and profound...Brenda Carsey stands apart as a true artist, in the vein of a modern day Joni Mitchell."
POP ICON MAGAZINE - Music Video + Single Review - October 2022
"'I’m Sorry' is quite simply an artist at the top of their game...Carsey is talented enough to bypass any and all cliches as she spins an idiosyncratic web of sounds and emotions on her latest single...The music video for “I’m Sorry” is what is most likely to get people talking...you have to see it to believe it...she gives us something we won’t soon forget in this video."
EARMILK - Single Review - September 2022
"Effortlessly blends folk, pop, Americana and soul for a genre defying unique sound that is enchanting as it is stirring."
BUZZBANDS.LA - Single Review - September 2022
"She lends her soulful voice to hymns of self-reflection."
METAL MAGAZINE - Single Review - September 2022
"The multifaceted artist tells a story of self-reflection on some of life's most important issues."
HOLLYWOOD DIGEST - Single Review - September 2022
"“I’m Sorry” is a plaintive near march powered by little more than an acoustic guitar and Carsey’s voice. It’s enough. The stark development of the cut embodies the regret hanging off every second of the performance without ever dragging listeners into the same mire...Brenda Carsey’s new single is a powerful reminder of her gifts and you certainly won’t be sorry for hearing it."
INDIE PULSE MUSIC - Single Review - September 2022
"She wraps the song’s sentiments in a velvet glove as her voice is a marvel to hear, its beauty exerting an almost hypnotic effect on listeners from the start...Carsey and her collaborators opted to leave her voice and the accompanying music as unadorned as possible and it’s another smart move...her talents leap out at you with each new performance. “I’m Sorry” joins those ranks without retracing an inch of ground and repeating herself."
MOBANGELES - Single Review - September 2022
"She has the five-star instincts of a world-class performer. You hear it in her phrasing – how she accentuates certain syllables and passages for effect rather than plowing through the song’s lyrics with unimaginative one-note idiocy...I am taken with the production job she does as well. It is clean, unfettered, and captures the song’s progression with a surprising amount of gravitas...a well-deserved triumph for the Los Angeles based singer/songwriter."
BUZZ SLAYERS - Single Review - September 2022
"A powerful and embracing sound with passionate vocals and a slightly 90's rock undertone lurking just beneath the surface of an acoustic based southern souled soundscape...the song's ether creating a vivid and lush atmosphere you just want to stay in forever."
THE MIC Song Spotlight - Single Review - September 2022
"Her vocals have a unique tonality with a virtuosic range that goes from higher, almost operatic pitches to a lower range with darker body..passionate vocals and minimal instrumentation make you feel like you're not just listening to the story, but you're feeling it, too."
TURBULENT RECORDS - Single Review - September 2022
"A beautiful journey...It’s spacious atmosphere and comforting soulful background vocals blanket a strong folk-rock melody...A peaceful refreshing sound as we near a turn of seasons."
"PARTY'S OVER" PRESS
LADYGUNN - Single Review - August 2022
"Something truly beautiful that most modern records don’t really seem to touch upon anymore...Brenda’s vocals of course deserve huge praise as well. She sings some of the most Elegant Soul that you’re going to hear any time soon...amazing lyrics...mixing elements of tenderness and heartbreak alike into something that truly invites you to sing along for the whole duration."
TOO MUCH LOVE MAGAZINE - Single Review - August 2022
"Sensual and playful bass lines, and graceful piano accompaniment intermingled with the joyful howling of the trumpet like an emphatic proclamation. The whole song feels like a love letter to an era before drum machines and DAWs became the foremost instrument...how highly I’ve come to esteem Brenda Carsey’s sound."
NOTION - Single Premiere - July 2022
"'Party’s Over' blends jazz, soul and pop into a larger-than-life piano-led ballad that is made for the stage."
INDIE PULSE MUSIC - Single Review - July 2022
"Every new release from her continues to feel like a breath of fresh air as a result. Her latest, “Party’s Over,” blends piano ballads with jazzy pop and enough theatricality to make Freddie Mercury proud; from eclectic time signature changes and jaunty choruses, there’s nothing quite like the music Carsey is helming...Talk about a hook you won’t be able to get out of your head and one with a great core message at that!"
POP ICON MAGAZINE - Single Review - July 2022
"Brenda Carsey is a brilliant voice in the modern pop scene that feels as necessary now as she has across her years of releases. The fact that she has been studying music since the age of five is evident, and her hard work shows up in the track’s production with its meticulous hyper-theatricality. The melodic instrumentation and time signature variations give “Party’s Over” a brilliant leg to stand on...the single meshes together into one brilliant symphonic pop extravaganza you just don’t get these days."
CELEBRITY ZONES - Single Review - July 2022
"'Party’s Over' is unlike anything else you’ve heard on the airwaves these days, and Carsey is more ambitious than most artists you’ll hear releasing music this year as she tackles everything from the entirety of the song’s writing and composition to the production. It’s such a sharp production, job, too, and that’s how you know Carsey is a pro...Don’t sleep on this breath of fresh air."
"JUST TRYING TO DO MY THING" PRESS
ROADIE MUSIC - Single Review - November 2022
"The song...brings a quiet music capable of calming any heart...with piano elements, a very smooth guitar and an enveloping beat, it is the perfect bed to perform her vocals in a wonderful way...it really is a beautiful song."
GRIMY GOODS - Single Premiere - June 2022
"A timeless self-affirming anthem.... caresses you from beginning to end... lyrics open up and give comfort to anyone struggling to be themselves."
RIVAL MAGAZINE - Single Review - June 2022
"...it is obviously a very personal song for Brenda Carsey yet it translates perfectly to your own life, not through banal truisms, but as a manifestation of something deeper, something shared with so many others and that I think it's almost impossible not to relate on some level at least. Brenda wants to do her thing and do it her way, she doesn't want to compromise her artistic vision and her morals along the way and that's, if nothing else, a beautiful sentiment worthy of contemplation and celebration."
"...it is just genuine and pure in its intent and identity, which makes it uniquely powerful because there's a timelessness to it that you can't simply achieve by making a trope-filled throwback song or a stylistic approximation...we're all best served by throwing away hyper specificity of subgenres and just looking at merits of the song and the artist."
"...it is just genuine and pure in its intent and identity, which makes it uniquely powerful because there's a timelessness to it that you can't simply achieve by making a trope-filled throwback song or a stylistic approximation...we're all best served by throwing away hyper specificity of subgenres and just looking at merits of the song and the artist."
CELEBMIX - Music Video and Single Review - June 2022
"With soul-drenched vocals that impress and enthrall, “Just Trying To Do My Thing” truly highlights this talented singer’s vocal chops. The song further impresses with soaring soundscapes full of emotive piano chords and driving basslines. The accompanying visuals a perfect accompaniment to the song’s positive message."
VENTS MAGAZINE - Single Review - June 2022
"An artist without reservation...a singer/songwriter who makes pop compositions worthy of the label art...The arrangement is vibrant and brimming with life...It’s full of emotion, intelligence, and intimacy without ever lapsing into cookie cutter predictability...She has a legitimate claim on being one of the most thoughtful and adult lyricists working in the indie music world today and reaches that high bar with seemingly little effort."
KALTBLUT MAGAZINE - Music Video and Artist Feature - June 2022
"Let's start the day with some smooth Neo-Soul by Los Angeles-based vocalist, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and producer Brenda Carsey."
HOLLYWOOD DIGEST - Single Review - June 2022
"'Just Trying to Do My Thing' is one of 2022’s best singles...the single spotlights Carsey’s singing. She makes the vocal melody come across as effortless, dovetailing naturally into the song, and playing an integral role in the song’s success....Carsey states herself with the wisdom of lessons learned and every line rings out with audible conviction."
"It’s that period in an artist’s journey when seemingly everything they touch turns to gold...Carsey works with the sort of energy that suggests she’s far from finished. Each new project is looking towards a new dawn with a sense of possibilities that not all artists share."
"It’s that period in an artist’s journey when seemingly everything they touch turns to gold...Carsey works with the sort of energy that suggests she’s far from finished. Each new project is looking towards a new dawn with a sense of possibilities that not all artists share."
MOBANGELES - Single Review - June 2022
"...timeless lyrical and musical qualities will satisfy a wide audience...she never performs or writes in a showy “look at me” way, and as a result, her conviction is unimpeachable, and the passion is convincing...Carsey’s ability to maintain a high creative standard despite the frequency of her releases is a rare thing. Even the most talented artists will, invariably, be forced to reckon with a drop-off in quality at some point, but that moment hasn’t arrived for Carsey yet. Newcomers to her songwriting skill will likely be instant adherents and follow her from this point forward while longtime admirers will find this an exciting addition to her catalog and hear it as reaffirming her stature."
ARTIST PRESS
SHE WILL ROCK YOU - Podcast Interview - June 2022
"...taking things to a whole new level with her creativity, drive and refusal to stick to one genre."
SURREAL LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE - Artist Feature, Interview, and Magazine Cover Model - June 2022
LO'AMMI MAGAZINE - Single and Artist Feature - June 2022
LIVE AND AMPLIFIED - Podcast Interview - June 2022
THE HAPPY HEALTHY ARTIST - Podcast Interview - May 2022
"Brenda Carsey is art personified."
"Brenda Carsey shares her love of all things music community and limitless inspiration! Learn more about this LA hitmaker and her latest release on the way!"
"Brenda Carsey shares her love of all things music community and limitless inspiration! Learn more about this LA hitmaker and her latest release on the way!"
LA MUSIC ROOM - Live Show Review - May 2022
"Soul Music Sensation Brenda Carsey is coming to the awesome Moroccan Lounge for the biggest live concert in Los Angeles...You have a rare opportunity to see the entertainer who has delighted fans from all across the country and has earned new fans at every appearance...when Brenda Carsey hits the stage, magic is what you can expect."
"STAND UP" PRESS
WE WRITE ABOUT MUSIC - Single Review - March 2022
"Meaningful, focused, and full of heart....has proved once again that she can do it all...Brenda so effortlessly produces a vocal performance that lures the listener into every line."
VISION QUEST SOUND - Single Review - March 2022
"Raw, honest and truly uplifting!"
LAURA MEETS MUSICIANS - In Depth Interview - August 2021
"I suddenly got captured by her beautiful voice and sound and I'm sure you will appreciate her music as much as I do!"
Brenda Carsey has released a diverse and expansive set of albums over the past few years. I'm so glad to give her this space to fully express what she has to say about how every project was born and which emotions and thoughts has inspired her!
Brenda Carsey has released a diverse and expansive set of albums over the past few years. I'm so glad to give her this space to fully express what she has to say about how every project was born and which emotions and thoughts has inspired her!
ROCK NYC - Live Performance Review + Song Write Up - November 2020
"With her affable personality, she was shining like the accomplished songstress she is, despite the absence of her usual 4-to-9-piece band, blending a classic pop sound with an alt-soul sound embodied by her great pipes, going from sweet heights to beautiful darkness with an effortless virtuosity..her too-short set was filled with such dynamism, liveliness, and passion that it made me impatient to see her on a larger stage… after the pandemic."
LA WEEKLY - Music Video Review - July 2020
"Blending alternative hip-hop with progressive pop and a healthy dollop of nu-soul, Brenda Carsey is nothing if not a genre-bender. New single “Scroll Click” is a perfect example of this...she raps, parodying the modern social media age. It’s the sort of commentary we need, a reminder that life doesn’t take place on our phones."
WE WRITE ABOUT MUSIC - Single Review - July 2020
"...the lyrics are really what hits home the most. With this song hitting the right person’s ears and getting shared, I can definitely see this one coming up on the radio. On its surface it feels like a fun track...but when you dig into the lyrics and themes, it becomes so much more...we really enjoyed the track and it immediately went onto all of our summer playlists."
CULTURE COLLIDE - Album Review - April 2020
"Brenda Carsey delivers beautiful vocal performance on her new album, Sirens... behind the hustle, bustle, and hard work is a talented and soulful artist that puts her heart into not only every event she produces, but her music. Above it all, she is an artist... Carsey ends her album on a high note..."
VISIONQUEST SOUND - Single Review - April 2020
"“Sirens” is a true sonic journey to a sphere of mist and echoes."
EVEN THE STARS - Song of the Day - October 2019
“A beautifully reflective track that looks into the confusing world of human relationships and interactions."
INTERLOCUTOR - Interview - July 2019
“I have always been fascinated with humans and the mind, community and groups, the ability to change and improve, the concept of awareness and consciousness, and the concept of challenge. So naturally these topics find their way into my art, whether through my music or my events.”
BUZZ MUSIC - Album Review - June 2019
"Brenda Carsey exudes confident vulnerability with “Stuck On You” , an emotionally convicted delivery and inspiring performance."
TASCAM - Interview and Artist Feature - February 2019
"Singer-songwriter Brenda Carsey‘s musical and life partner Will Munroe had been experiencing a recurring dream of playing piano outdoors to honor nature’s most beautiful spaces. In October 2018, the pair turned that dream into reality, transporting an acoustic baby grand to Arizona’s Moran Point, which offers a stunning vista of the Grand Canyon."
VOYAGE LA - Interview - September 2018
"...focus on inclusion, community, self-expression, and a deep passion for music and multi-media art forms."
HIGH VOLTAGE - Music Video Premier - May 2018
"Raw. No blemish covered, no wrinkle pressed out, no hair combed, no post color tricks, no shadows hidden. Just raw…a song from her 2017 release Solitary Refinement and not one without greater than average significance…It’s an intensely sharp narrative and the truth isn’t always pretty but sometimes you just have to say 'no more.'"
BUZZBANDS LA - Music Video Premier - November 2017
"Brenda Carsey is an L.A.-based singer-songwriter whose soulful pop is often as startlingly forthright as it is effortlessly melodious...The new video for the haunting, string-drenched ballad... [is] a potent reminder that communication — the honest kind — is often the light."
BUZZBANDS LA - Echo Park Rising Festival - August 2017
"There was another nightcap set to be found next door, where singer-keyboardist Brenda Carsey raised her clarion voice."
IMPOSE MAGAZINE - Music Video Premier - June 2017
"It’s a song about freedom, breaking away from expending energy where we need not. The video reflects that ideal, outstanding in its ability to really address the subject manner in a stunning and simple way."
ATWOOD MAGAZINE - Single Premier - May 2017
"...vibrant lyricism and graceful piano melodies, introducing herself with a sound that may well lend her the title of “the female Billy Joel”...a middle finger to the facelessness of our capitalist society. Carsey breaks from the herd, addressing the decline in virtue, morality and human decency that leads corporations to treat humans like sheep, rather than people...She has found her voice and her place, and now there’s nothing stopping her from following her dreams. She may not have intended it, but Brenda Carsey is an inspiration."