Incredibly inspired by the passionate songwriters of her mother's generation like the Beatles and Billy Joel, Caressa stared playing the guitar at the age of 10 - which is also the same year she visited Alaska for the first time (she fell madly in love with both). By 15, she was a regular on the open mic circuit of LA. There was even the makings of a unique guitar style - percussive and powerful - very much inspired by Ani Difranco and later Kaki King. She credits Bob Dylan and Joni Mitchell as significantly influential as well.
An adventurer at heart, she moved to Alaska when she was 17 to live closer to the earth and study anthropology, continuing to play music on the weekends and in the summers.
Eventually, she took to the sea in Alaska and abroad to work, explore and travel. Ocean themes, elements and metaphors swim through the body of her work.
It's no wonder she calls Homer, one of Alaska's artsiest seaside enclaves, home.
Shortly after moving to Homer, AK in 2007, she began the Wanderlust Lounge, an experimental weekly musical residency enjoyed for nearly a year.
In 2008 she revisited her roots and delivered a stellar sold-out show at the Hollywood House of Blues.
Though a solo artist, Caressa is avidly involved in the vibrant musical community. The fruits of these collaborations can be heard on various albums including Willis Fireball's "Secret Grey City" and Caressa's debut album "Wanderlust". Resonating with the soulful vibrations of a coming of age, it was recorded “out East” in Homer, AK in a small cabin. These 8 songs are potent distillations of the artists raw experience.
In 2010 she contributed to the Alaska Women Singer/ Songwriters for Peace Project, an album benefiting a local Womens center.
Her recent Individual Artist Project Award from the Rasmuson Foundation has allowed her to dive into music recording and production and she is currently working on her second album, in her own studio in Homer. The record dubbed "Starshine Tonight!" is due out in May 2012 and is being funded in part by a recently successful Kickstarter campaign! Stay tuned!
Discography:
2006 "Naked Miles" and "The Wheel" on Secret Grey City by Willis Fireball
2007 Stranger than the City Compilation. TACS music
2008 Live at the House of Blues. Self Released Live Bootleg
2009 AK Women for Peace Compilation. LoveLifeMusic Productions
2010 Wanderlust Self Produced & Released by Alaska Independent Music
2012 Starshine Tonight! - In progress - Scheduled to be released Early May 2012
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contact: booking@caressastarshine.com for inquiries. thanks!