Is it possible to deeply heal, after you have been deeply wronged? Possible to erase the scars that line our darkest memories? "Heal Me Hold Me" takes us where so few have been allowed to enter and brings light where so few have dared sing. “Johnstad, who has something of a female Leonard Cohen song writing sensibility.... is truly hard to categorize.” Paul Wolfle, "Suite 101" Hold Me Heal Me is the fifth single in singer-songwriter Kara Johnstad’s NAKED THOUGHTS ALBUM series - the newest series of songs and poems by Kara Johnstad created to celebrate the year of the Chinese Dragon. She is releasing in 2012 one song every month. The Extended version of this song included the spoken word intro, "Where The Diamond Sang Her Song." My audience believes in the transformational power behind a good story and the healing impact a song can have on our lives. We are not afraid of stripping it down and enjoying simplicity and beauty. We enjoy reading Rumi on a Sunday morning and walking over to the market to buy some fresh organic veggies for lunch. Some of us are lucky and have a garden behind our homes. We are thrilled when we see the first robin in spring and we love watching seagulls swoop and fly. Even when shopping malls seem to be popping out of the landscape like mushrooms, we are stilled thrilled when we find a second hand bookshop. We are the ones who consciously support the slow food movement. We are bothered by the amount of pain and suffering in this world. We believe in solutions, not problems. We are the "crazy" ones. The ones who believe that world peace is possible. We cherish our friendships and believe in kindness. We shy away from loud discos and crowded spaces and instead find ourselves exploring our inner landscapes and enjoying the wealth of knowledge found in meeting kindred souls. Once we have found those kindred souls we feel like we have found diamonds.Golden nuggets of wisdom and truth. We are inspired and excited to create the lives that we have been given. Music becomes a place for communion. For reconnecting. For coming home. I welcome you to my Naked Thoughts concert series. Kara Johnstad - singer / songwriter PRESS: “The voice of Kara Johnstad is truly outstanding. Whether soaring and exploring beyond the imagination or whispering gently as an angel, her lifelong training and love for her art are obvious”. Jazzdimensions “Johnstad, who has something of a female Leonard Cohen song writing sensibility with a bit of Renee Fleming mixed in, is a veteran jazz musician who is truly hard to categorize”. Paul Wolfle, Suite101 “Explosive! What a voice! Kara Johnstad is brilliant… a total range of feelings!” BILD, Germany’s largest and most read newspaper “Kara Johnstad easily transcends the gap between pop and jazz, fusing her own gentle compositions with music styles from the many corners of the world resulting in songs with a personal flair – entertaining but not pretentious, inviting but not simple.” Tagesspiegel, Berlin “It isn't merely Johnstad's outstanding voice that helps sell the songs that might crumble in the hands of a lesser artist, but her ability for phrasing that is at times other-worldly in its brilliance, as well as unquestionably perfect pitch and definitive command of the stage. This humble writer couldn't possibly express more strongly the importance of seeing Kara Johnstad when next she graces New York with an on-stage appearance. In point of fact, and for lack of a better expression, she will simply blow your mind. Yes, ladies and gentlemen, she is THAT good." Andrew Martin, NYC journalist, Nightlife "Kara Johnstad has left the stylistic boundaries behind her in every genre, and instead carried through what suits her the best: Her ideas!" "zitty" one of Berlin's largest city magazins "Once again, your performance was breathtaking. I closed my eyes and soared with your voice. you reach beyond thoughts, beyond words, to a basictruth and wonder…" Jennifer Toth, Author of “The Mole People” “I simply LOVE your music.” Doug Newsom President of BBS Radio "The New Yorker Kara shines with a clear, expressive voice…” AUDIO - Record of the Month "Kara Johnstad places each tone with such feeling... Blue Note at its best!" Stern, Hamburg "Kara Johnstad is THE VOICE full of warmth and intensity." www.magicmusic.de