Kristin Shout and Smoking Kitten by Kristin Shout and Smoking Kitten

Prior to her journeys overseas, Kristin was a member of the ensemble that won the 1991 National Poetry Slam and received a fellowship award from the Illinois Arts Council in the field of performance art, which enabled her to stage her well-received one women show "Screaming to be Free from the Icon Tree." Kristin Shout's unique history in music, poetry and performance art has led to her to a sound that is all her own. Upon her return to Chicago (and its infamous Wicker Park arts scene), she has continued to build a following with her band, Smoking Kitten, through desire, energy, and talent. According to Barile from Chicago Arts and Entertainment, "Through stark originality and adherence to musical integrity, Shout's music has grown to be yet another facet in the jewel called Chicago's music scene".

Shout can be seen performing with her band, Smoking Kitten, which was voted the best new band in Chicago in New City's "Best of Chicago" 2002 Reader's Choice poll. They have played at some of Chicago's most acclaimed original music clubs, such as The Abbey Pub, Schuba's, Double Door and Martyr's where they have shared billings with Grammy nominated vocalist, Abra Moore, Golden Globe nominated songwriter, Dave Baerwald (Tuesday Night Music Club), Soul Asylum, Nash Kato, The Spin Doctors, Josh Joplin, Kelly Hogan, Tim Easton, Leon Russell, Fastball, Kasim Sultan (from Utopia), The Alarm and Amy Rigby.

Excellent examples of her work can be found on both of her self-released EP's. Both brassy and intimate, the music comes from a soul that has felt much pain and eyes that can still see beauty. In response to Kristin's debut work, Anna Maria Stjärnell from collectedsounds.com said, "Shout lets out weird vocal inflections like there's no tomorrow. . Her deep, rich vocals and strong songs impress. . .there's enough here to herald the arrival of major new talent." Carter Moss from the Illinois Entertainer added, 'This EP allows Shout to showcase her strong and diverse vocals, and leaves a reason to look forward to her first full-length release." Also contributing her recordings were several well-known Chicago musicians: Dave Max Crawford, Lenny Dietsch, Bob Goins, Mike Hagler and Patty Ortega.

Backing Kristin Shout is Smoking Kitten: Jeff Kust (guitar/mandolin/banjo), Doug Brush (percussion), Greg Nergaard (bass), Melissa Ziemer (backup vocals) and John Knecht (drums) who play her music with passion, imagination and energy. Smoking Kitten plays on Shout's follow-up EP which was completed in the summer of 2003. They are working on a full-length CD to be released in the spring of 2005.

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