Karmic Tattoo: Rockin’ in the Female Free World

Jun 4th, 2009 | By Thomas Garcia | Category: Artist Profiles

Karmic Tattoo… Rockin’ in the Female Free World

By Robin Tracy

So much has already been written about this all-female band. After winning the Battle of the Bands at Sawmill Campground in Dade City, FL, Karmic Tattoo continues to gain momentum at each and every show. They’re tight, professional, and fun. First of all, Lisa Noe has a world class voice. It’s that simple. Back that up with the intricate harmonies provided by Pam Green and Amy Black (and ,occasionally, Stephanie Callahan of Halcyon) and you’ve got John, Paul and George and Ringo of that little known ‘60’s band the Beatles!

The combined members of Karmic Tattoo have been rocking the Bay Area for many years. Following its inception over five years ago when Texan Green, Kentucky girl Noe and native Floridian Black combined their separate talents into what is now known as Karmic Tattoo. When performing live, they do a spectacular version of Stephen Stills’s “Love the One You’re With”. I was very impressed with their vocals on this one. A fun moment came when Lisa came out into the vast crowd to pull off a wonderful rendition of Janis Joplin’s “Mercedes Benz”… everybody helped sing along! Then Stephanie Callahan helped out when the band performed Tracy Chapman’s “Fast Car”. She fit right in and you’d never know she wasn’t a full-time member of KT.

Lead singer, Rhythm guitarist and songwriter Lisa Noe’s songwriting has been highlighted on NPR (National Public Radio) HOMEFRONT as well as Jewel’s Soul City Cafe’ web site. Self taught on guitar since age 4, her professional career began at age 13 on local radio shows. Noe’s writing style focuses on the emotional aspect of life with occasional world events thrown in. She has performed with many different musical styles, past and present, bluegrass, rock, country, folk and classical. Born and raised in Louisville KY at a very early age (a little humor!), Lisa started playing piano and guitar at age 4. Her first guitar was Silvertone Sears and Roebuk special 12-string, and she started singing and playing guitar professionally at 13 although her Mom will tell you about stories of her singing with hairbrush in hand at age 3! “I love all music. I think this world would be a sad place without it. My studies in music include but not limited to; opera, classical guitar, piano and theater. A “near” graduate of University of Kentucky, and participating graduate of the University of Life”.

Her major influences include Barbara Mandrell. “She was my idol growing up in KY, “says Noe. “She made you feel the song; I also like Mary Chapin-Carpenter because of her storytelling skill.” Noe also cites The Carter Family, Statler Brothers, and Oak Ridge Boys for their harmonizing. “And, of course, Wynonna,” she excitedly exclaims. “Simply because, well, she’sWynonna!”

Pam Green has a background in classical guitar and has been performed in various bands and musical duets for many years. Her collaboration with diverse artists gives her a wide range of styles, making her a well-rounded professional musician. She is extremely musically versatile, playing percussion, acoustic guitar, electric guitar, and bass, as well as singing. Pam records artists and bands in her studio, Lunar Tunes Productions, based in Seminole, Florida. Pam was Born in Detroit, Michigan and started playing piano at age 6 and guitar at 11.

Her major influences include Heart, Fleetwood Mac, Led Zeppelin, Doobie Brothers, Crosby, Stills and Nash, Pretenders, The Police, Joni Mitchell, Joan Baez, Simon & Garfunkel, Cat Stevens, and, of course, the Beatles.

Amy Black is a percussionist extraordinaire. She has performed with the Florida Orchestra, the Southwest Symphony and was a percussionist in residence of the Imperial Symphony Orchestra for 18 years. Amy has accompanied such diverse artists as The Moody Blues, Lee Greenwood, Rosemary Clooney, Anne Murray, The Canadian Brass, Doc Severinson and Paquito D’Rivera. She has collaborated with several bay area bands, has provided back-up for local GALA Choruses and performed in theatrical productions of Pippin, Sound of Music and Sweeney Todd, to mention a few. A graduate of the University of South Florida’s, School of Music, her repertoire runs from classical to rhythm and blues, country to world beat, rock to jazz with a little folk to round it out.