Karen Nunis Blackstone was born in Malaysia but these days is living in northern Japan. She sings a feisty brand of folk rock, owing more to Bob Dylan or Janis Joplin than either of her own homes of Malacca or Japan. Instead she plays a global music influenced by her surroundings and background such as the ridiculuosly catchy Namahage Blues (she lives in Akita, home to the Namahage or demon mask festival) or Nasi Campur, a homage to Malaysian food. Hers are quality, well crafted songs, often bluesy with arresting lyrics and themes that anyone, anywhere can appreciate. Acoustic guitars, bass, plus occasional Asian sounding flutes, percussion and violin, banjo, harmonica, beautifully produced, passionately played.
