The Current’s Emerging Artists Showcase brings together musicians from communities across our region to showcase and develop the next generation of songwriters and performers. The 2024 event was held Saturday, Jan. 20, at the Duluth Masonic Temple.

On the bill was singer-songwriter carisa (intentionally lowercase). Originally from New York, carisa is now based in Madison, Wis., where she is quickly becoming part of the local music scene. carisa's music is best categorized as bedroom cafe. It hints at some of her influences, primarily bossa nova, folk, and jazz. Her lyrics are often straight from the pages of her journal and are always autobiographical in some way. “If you really want to connect with people in a deeper way, there has to be something real that you're bringing to the table,” carisa told Marla Khan-Schwartz in an interview for The Current.

carisa’s first full-length album, the soul is deep water, released on Feb. 21, 2023. In her set at the Duluth Masonic Temple, carisa performed some songs from the album as well as some of her earlier compositions. Watch the complete performance above.

Video Segments

00:00:17 alone with you
00:05:38 sun and moon
00:11:02 to whom it may concern
00:15:36 saudade
00:19:53 cry
00:25:05 freshly baked bread
00:29:10 Remarks from the artist
00:29:42 repotting

Credits

Guest – carisa
Video – Josh Sauvageau
Audio – Derek Ramirez
Camera operators – Evan Clark, Josh Sauvageau
Graphics – Natalia Toledo
Digital Producer – Luke Taylor

The Current’s Emerging Artists Showcase is funded in part by the Jane S. Smith Memorial Fund of the Duluth Superior Area Community Foundation and the Minnesota Clean Water Land & Legacy Amendment.

External Link

carisa – Bandcamp