Elevator Pitch
Armed with a voice and an entourage of instruments, Farnham set out with one vision: To inspire through the power of musical storytelling. Drawing from a classical and theatrical background, she presents a hallmark reinvention of the folk tradition, drawing audiences into imaginative vantagescapes of the familiar world.
150 word Bio
Armed with a voice and an entourage of instruments, songstress Kala Farnham set out into the world with one vision: To inspire through the transformative power of musical storytelling. Farnham has garnered numerous awards and recognition, including serving as the current Connecticut State Troubadour, 2024 Great American Song Contest Finalist, 2020 Falcon Ridge Festival Emerging Artist, , and 2019 Rose Garden Performing Songwriter Contest winner. Farnham's 2020 album, "Your Spirit Is a Work of Art", is composed of thirteen musical vignettes exploring the imperfect beauty of the human condition; it has been described by Nick Noble of The Folk Revival as “a work of poetic insight… worth listening to again and again." Drawing from a classical education and professional career in musical theater, Kala presents a hallmark reinvention of the folk tradition: her passion for fairytales, historical fiction, and narrative medicine draws listeners into imaginative portraits of the familiar world.
Song Samples
Press Photos
*Click for Hi-Res download
Photo by Sara McIngvale
Photo by Sara Mcingvale
Photo by Sara McIngvale
Photo by Dennis M. Scanlon Photography
Photo by Tim Martin
Photo by Frank Anastasio
Photo by Denise Maccaferri
Photo by Jeff MacRae Photography
Press Releases
Interview on NPR’s “Where We Live” (2023)
The Story Behind Her Success w/ Candy O’Terry (2022)
On the Tiny Stage @ 95.9 WATD (2022)
Interview with Sandro, George, + The OG (2022)
CT’s New State Troubadour Kala Farnham Bridges Mental Health, Music - CT Post (2022)
“Your Spirit Is A Work of Art” Exemplifies Its Name - Review by Nick Noble of The Folk Revival (2020)
Kala Farnham - “Your Spirit Is a Work of Art” - Review by Ben Zacarelli (2020)
Kala Farnham Empowers Women With “Beautiful Heart (Shine On)” (2019)
Kala Farnham To Be Featured On BWH Music Group’s “On Peace Street, Vol. One” (2019)
Connecticut Songwriter Wins Rose Garden Contest in Mansfield (2019)
Kala Farnham - ‘Happy for You’ (2018)
Kala Farnham: Lyrical Letters (2017)
Kala Farnham offers beauteous sophomore album Samadhi: Home Is Where You Are (2016)
Kala Farnham, Anahata: Wake Up Your Heart (2014)
Roots Report: Don't Let These Shows Pass You By (2014)
Kala Farnham Off to Promising Start with Debut CD Anahata: Wake Up Your Heart (2014)
Three for 2010 - Chieftains, Farnham & Beck (2010)
Farnham's Take on Solo Artistry (2009)
Accolades
2024 Great American Song Contest Finalist (Folk / Americana category) - “Nunnuhsae (Singing River)”
Connecticut State Troubadour (2022-2025)
2021 New England Music Awards - “Female Performer of the Year” and “Best in CT” nominee
2020 Falcon Ridge Grassy Hill Emerging Artist Finalist
2020 Great American Song Contest Finalist (Singer-Songwriter Category) - “Firefly”
2020 Mid-Atlantic Song Contest Honorable Mention (Adult Contemporary category) - "Elijah”
2020 Limelight Music Awards - “Female Vocalist of the Year” nominee
2020 Limelight Music Awards - “Video of the Year (Solo Artist)” nominee
2019 NERFA Semi-Formal Showcase Artist - Folk Alliance International
2019 Winner of the Rose Garden Performing Songwriter Contest
2019 Honorable Mention - Rocky Mountain Folks Festival Songwriter Showcase
2019 New England Music Awards - “Best In State - CT” nominee
2017 Winner of the RISA Performing Songwriting Competition
2017 Johnny Mercers Songwriters Project alumni
2017 Motif Music Awards Finalist "Best Americana Album"
2015 SERFA Official Showcase Artist - Folk Alliance International
2015 Motif Music Awards Finalist -"Best Americana Vocalist (Female)" and "Best Americana Album"
2014 Motif Music Awards Finalist -"Best Americana Vocalist (Female)"
* Has shared the stage with: Mary Fahl of the October Project, Don McLean, Tower of Power, John Gorka, David Wilcox, Vance Gilbert, Billy McLaughlin, Lari White, Christine Ohlman (Saturday Night Live), Steve Katz of Blood Sweat and Tears, Ari Hest (Judy Collins “Silver Skies Blue”)
* Has been featured at: Infinity Hall (Hartford & Norfolk CT), The Garde Arts Center (New London CT), The Spire Center (Plymouth MA), Ethel M. Barber Theater (Evanston, IL) - click here for full list
Performance Videos
Testimonial
"There are some people who are great writers. There are some people who are great singers and there are some people who are great instrumentalists. And there are some people who are also beautiful. Kala Farnham is all of those.”
- Steve Katz of Blood, Sweat, and Tears
“Kala Farnham’s second album Samadhi: Home Is Where You Are offers bold musical accomplishments and one of New England’s best voices in one of this year’s best written and best recorded works."
- Bill Copeland Music News (read the whole review here)
“A very special artist.”
- Lari White, Billboard Top 10 Singer-Songwriter
"Kala is a performer not to be missed. The delicate beauty of her vocals and piano playing will leave a lasting impression."
- Theresa MacNaughton, Hartford Stage
"Kala Farnham shows that she is an ever-growing, ever-engaging, and ever-imaginative artist who continuously stretches the boundaries of genre with honesty, musical grace, and superb song-writing skills. By doing so, she gives us songs that start as a change inside of her, but change us too - And this is what great music is all about."
- Bryon Harris, Indie Spoonful
“Effortless vocals.”
- Andy Walter, Abbey Road Studios
“Playing a brand of folk music that mixes in elements of pop, indie pop, and even neo-classical and Celtic influences, Kala Farnham is not your average folkie.”
- Chip McCabe, Hartford Courant
"Your CD was the highlight of my [post-conference] listening experience. I love your composition and melodic sense and your voice is exquisite."
- Jim, Billboard Top 10 songwriter
"This is what happens when a truly gifted musician invests a lifetime perfecting her skills but somehow maintains the spontaneity of a young and curious poet. It is rare to find both paths intertwining so comfortably together..."
- Don Tassone, The Mediator Stage, Providence RI
"Kala Farnham's show at our coffeehouse tonight blew everyone away. That young woman has so much talent it's shocking. The beautiful melodies, complex arrangements with classical and Broadway chops mixed every now and then with Billy Joel, the complete confidence and utter humility..."
- Stephen Holloway, Harbor Church Common Ground Coffeehouse, Block Island
"Just a note to thank you for the beautiful music and superb audience engagement last Friday for the "67 Park Place" Performance Series. Your melodies, lyrics, poetic references, and voice set in the gallery made for a truly unforgettable and artful evening. Your performance provided the best possible example of how work scaled for chamber presentation can have powerful impact..lovely!"
- Mary, Samaritans of RI
Contact & Booking
Kala Farnham
kala@kalafarnham.com
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