Bari Koral:
A refreshing antidote to Top 40 music
Kelly Junker
Contributing Writer
Billboard magazine describes Bari Koral's latest album, Joy,
as a "well-crafted blend of radio-ready hooks, clever lyrics
and crisp pop/rock instrumentation." The Music Exchange proclaims,
"Bari's got the best voice in New York City."
Based in New York City, Koral's style encompasses pop, folk and
blues. She is on an extensive acoustic tour that will introduce
her to cities in the heart of America and the Upper Midwest, including
a performance at SU at 7:30 p.m. next Thursday in the Alumni Lounge.
Admission is free.
The thought of singing lyrics and playing the guitar didn't cross
Koral's mind until three weeks before receiving her degree in
film, television and fine art at Syracuse University. With the
encouragement of a friend, Koral dusted off a guitar that she
kept underneath her bed. Koral quickly learned chords, composing
a whole song in only five days. Within three months, she played
her first gig.
"The music thing really took over my life," said Koral.
She was unfamiliar with many aspects of guitar playing, but quickly
learned how to create melodies. "Songwriting came really
naturally because I didn't complicate it."
In 1995, Koral released her first recording, a self-titled extended
play record, because she felt that it was important to have a
product to showcase her work at performances. The slow manufacturing
process of the release gave her time to write more songs. When
she finally received her copies of the EP, Koral had grown as
a singer and musician. "By the time it came back, I was past
it. I had moved on to new projects," she said. Like many
musicians, Koral was very critical of her first effort. "It
was really hard to listen to the EP. I was excited about it, but
I knew it could have been better."
Koral continued to use the musical influence of such artists as
The Beatles, Ani DiFranco, Van Morrison, Suzanne Vega, Fiona Apple
and Jewel to produce Joy on her own label, Loopytunes Records.
She describes the album as "sexy, playful, soulful, and sympathetic."
Koral believes that her drive for knowledge and understanding
is also evident in the music. "I'm always chasing down the
truth about who we are, and I feel that Joy reflects that.
The driving force of music is attitude."
While Koral's music is often related to that of other artists,
there are elements of her work that are completely original. "I
think what's cool is that I'm becoming more incomparable. When
songs don't sound like someone else, it's great. There are a few
things about Top 40 music that relate to me, but for the most
part it's discouraging."
She is also disheartened by the bottom line approach taken by
radio and record labels. "Music is art, and art shouldn't
be bottom line. I'm a major label artist on an independent label
because of that." Koral feels that there should be more artist
development before they receive a record deal and that the trend
of signing artists at a young age can be damaging to the industry.
Koral is very driven by music and is often critical of her success.
"I approach each release with the mentality that this may
be my peak, but maybe I can do better," she said. Nonetheless,
she has received praise and adoration from sources such as the
New York Post. "I was able to sell 4000 units of my EP in
Japan because I received great reviews there. In America, just
because you get great reviews doesn't mean you'll sell records."
She is counting on a successful spring tour to market her CD.
"To be on the road and play for a lot of people makes you
feel very strong and artistic. I feel very grateful to be doing
what I'm doing." On the rare occasion that Koral is able
to separate herself from her music, she enjoys dining out, writing
music, and viewing art exhibits.
Koral is excited about her Fargo performance and hopes people
appreciate her music. "I would like them to know that I've
come along way," she said.
Sidebar
Who: Bari Koral
When: 7:30 p.m. Thursday
Where: Alumni Lounge
Admission: Free
Sponsored by Campus Attractions
