Doe Paoro

Doe Paoro
Paoro performing in 2018
Paoro performing in 2018
Background information
Birth nameSonia Jill Kreitzer[1]
Born (1984-09-19) September 19, 1984 (age 40)
Syracuse, New York, United States
GenresIndie pop, alternative dance, alternative R&B, soul
Years active2011–present
LabelsWhite Iris
ANTI-
Websitedoepaoro.com

Sonia Jill Kreitzer (born September 19, 1984), known by her stage name Doe Paoro, is an American singer-songwriter based in Los Angeles, California, United States, whose ethereal sound blends elements of pop, dubstep, soul, and R&B and bears strong influence of Lhamo, a vocally acrobatic, centuries-old Tibetan folk opera tradition.[2] Her debut album, Slow to Love, which Paoro composed while isolated in a cabin near her hometown of Syracuse, New York, was released on February 14, 2012.[3][4] She was named an artist to watch by Stereogum shortly thereafter.[5]

Her second album, After, was released through ANTI- on September 25, 2015, to critical acclaim.[6]

Career

A self-taught pianist and vocalist,[7] Paoro trained in Lhamo while traveling alone through the Himalayas. During this period, she also spent several weeks practicing silent meditation, which allowed her to reflect on the "space between silence and sound."[8] Her cover of Baltimore synthpop band Future Islands' "Little Dreamer" was released in December 2011;[9] original singles "Can't Leave You" and "Born Whole" followed in January 2012.[5] In 2013, Paoro released two songs on a 7" through White Iris Records.[10]

Paoro has performed at Bonnaroo, SXSW, Osheaga, and CMJ, as well as numerous venues throughout the U.S.,[11][12][13][14][15] She often opens her live performances with an a cappella Tibetan prayer,[16] and credits Vipassanā meditation with having a strong influence over the themes explored in her work, which include attachment, detachment, compassion, and disconnection from the human experience.[2][17]

"Hypotheticals", Paoro's first track released through ANTI-, was featured on Season 4 of Girls.[18] NPR's All Songs Considered listed Paoro on their Six Musical Discoveries You Can't Miss list.[19]

She has been compared to Fiona Apple, James Blake, Adele, and Lykke Li, among others.[2][3]

2018–present: Soft Power

On 19 October 2018, Paoro released her third studio album, Soft Power.[20] The album was crafted in London with producer Jimmy Hogarth[21] and features Leo Abrahams on guitar.[22] The record was recorded live to tape and is an exploration of power dynamics.[23]

Voice

Paoro possesses the vocal range of a contralto.[24]

References

  1. ^ "ANGELAY". ASCAP. American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers. Retrieved November 10, 2023.
  2. ^ a b c Weingarten, Christopher "Download: Doe Paoro's Untethered, Spectral Born Whole", The Village Voice, 2012-03-13. Retrieved 2012-11-04.
  3. ^ a b Bradford, Mark, "Doe Paoro" Archived April 20, 2013, at the Wayback Machine, The Recommender, 2012-02-11. Retrieved 2012-11-04.
  4. ^ Pappo, Jon "UNCHARTED: Doe Paoro"[usurped], CHARTattack, 2012–03-07. Retrieved 2012-11-04.
  5. ^ a b Singh, Amrit "Band to Watch: Doe Paoro", Stereogum, 2012-02-15. Retrieved 2012-11-04.
  6. ^ "Doe Paoro: After Album Review - Pitchfork". Pitchfork.com. Retrieved 19 October 2018.
  7. ^ Bialczak, Mark "Doe Paoro was inspired by Tibetan opera, trip to India", The Post Standard, 2011-12-08. Retrieved 2012-11-04.
  8. ^ "Doe Paoro (for fans of Imgogen Heap, Lykke Li, James Blake)". Aaamusic.co.uk. 23 April 2012. Retrieved 19 October 2018.
  9. ^ Brooklyn Vegan "Future Islands, Ed Schrader's Music Beat & Zomes @ Bowery Ballroom (pics)", Brooklyn Vegan, 2011-12-05. Retrieved 2012-11-04.
  10. ^ "Listen to Doe Paoro's haunting and soulful song "New Lows" - Consequence of Sound". Consequence of Sound. 15 May 2013. Retrieved 2 October 2015.
  11. ^ "Doe Paoro". SXSW Schedule 2012. Retrieved 2 October 2015.
  12. ^ [1] Archived October 23, 2012, at the Wayback Machine
  13. ^ "» Of Monsters and Men – Tickets – State Theatre – Portland, ME – July 30th, 2012". State Theatre Portland. Retrieved 2 October 2015.
  14. ^ "CMJ Music Marathon 2015". Retrieved 2 October 2015.
  15. ^ "Doe Paoro at Bonnaroo (Interview)". 10 June 2016.
  16. ^ Knapp, Kelly "Soft but Strong, Doe Paoro Can Really Hold a Room", Best New Bands, 2012-08-09. Retrieved 2012-11-04.
  17. ^ Ueda, Sam "osheaga preview Q&A: Sonia Kreitzer of Brooklyn R&B project Doe Paoro" Archived March 17, 2013, at the Wayback Machine, The Phoenix, 2012-07-31. Retrieved 2012-11-04.
  18. ^ "Episode 39 Music - Girls - HBO". HBO. Retrieved 2 October 2015.
  19. ^ "New Mix: Six Musical Discoveries You Can't Miss". NPR.org. 27 May 2015. Retrieved 2 October 2015.
  20. ^ Polo, Maxamillion (August 28, 2018). "Doe Paoro on 5 Legendary Artists That Inspired Her Forthcoming Album 'Soft Power'". Ones to Watch. Archived from the original on 2018-09-01. Retrieved May 24, 2020.
  21. ^ "Doe Paoro's New Album 'Soft Power' Out Now on Anti- Records".
  22. ^ "Doe Paoro shares the Origins of her new single, "Second Door": Stream". 31 October 2017.
  23. ^ "Doe Paoro On World Cafe". npr.org. NPR. December 6, 2018.
  24. ^ "Weekend: A Charge of 'Soft Power'". The Courier.