Chris Pureka

Chris Purekais agenderqueerAmerican acoustic singer-songwriter.

Chris Pureka
Background information
Born	1979 (age 44–45) Connecticut,U.S.
Instruments	Voice guitar
Years active	2001–present
Labels	Sad Rabbit Records
Website	www.chrispureka.com

Pureka has received positive reviews in the long-runningradical feministpublicationoff our backsand other magazines. Their music does not deal explicitly withLGBTQor political issues, focusing instead on emotional interactions between individuals.

Early life

Raised inConnecticut,they began writing songs at the age of eight and began playing the guitar at 16.They soon became a frequent performer at local coffee houses and open mics. As a young performer, they opened shows for such artists asErin McKeownandPamela Meanswhile completing a degree inbiologyatWesleyan University.After graduating, they worked in a microbiology research lab atSmith CollegeinNorthampton, Massachusetts,eventually leaving to focus on music full-time.

Musical career

In June 2001, they recorded a self-titled seven-song EP in preparation for a three-month nationwide tour with lesbian folk poetAlix Olson.The EP, which was home-recorded in two weeks and featured Pureka playing back-up accompaniment on themandolinand bass, was later mastered and reprinted for the 2005 summer tour.

In 2004, Pureka releasedDriving North,their first full-length album, earning rave reviews from fans and fellow artists alike. In 2006, they releasedDryland,and toured the US a second time as a headlining act. The album received rave reviews and was featured on thePaste MagazineSampler in February 2007.

In May 2007, Pureka was a member of the month-long New American Songwriter Tour in New York City, Philadelphia, and Massachusetts. The tour also featuredKrystle Warren,Jesse Harris,andRyan Scott.In August, they played at theMichigan Womyn's Music Festival.

In July 2007, Pureka's song, "Swann Song" won 1st Place in the Acoustic competition on the independent music site Ourstage.com.Because of their performance there, they won a spot to perform at the Virgin Music Festival in Baltimore, Maryland, and performed there on August 5.Pureka had previously also won the Acoustic competition in April for their song "31 and Falling".

In October 2007, they were nominated for 2007's Outstanding Folk Act by the Boston Music Awards. They were also awarded an ASCAPLUS award in the summer of 2007.

Pureka sold over 7000 copies of their 2010 album,How I Learned to See in the Dark,independently, on their own label, Sad Rabbit Music, which they founded. During this time, they gained popularity by performing with artists such asDar Williams,The Cowboy Junkies,Peter Mulvey,Ani Difranco,Martin Sexton,Jeffrey Foucault,Kris Delmhorst,Melissa Ferrick,Catie Curtis,andGirlyman.

Pureka has been compared to artists like earlyBruce Springsteen,Ryan Adams,Patty Griffin,Gillian Welch,andMary Gauthier.They covered Welch's song "Everything Is Free" onDrylandand have expressed admiration for her music as well as that of Griffin. Pureka cites influences fromPeter Mulveyand Pamela Means, as well asAni DiFranco,but says that their own music differs greatly from DiFranco's often-outspoken political messages. Pureka has lent vocals and guitar playing to several tracks by artists likeAlix OlsonandArjuna Greist;a notable track is "Checking My Pulse" with Olson, which went on to become a relative hit for Olson.

On January 20, 2009, Pureka released a fourth album, an EP entitledChimera.The EP has seven tracks; one new, original song (with a prelude as the first track), a reworked studio version of a song off of their 2001 EP, three live tracks, and a cover of Bob Dylan and Ketch Secor'sWagon Wheel.The hard copy of Chimera is complete with written commentary from Pureka on each track.

In April 2010, Pureka released their fifth album,How I Learned To See in the Dark,which they co-produced withMerrill Garbus.

In 2012 Pureka released a live album recorded at the Grey Eagle in Asheville, NC on January 19, 2011. It was recorded by Marsellus Fariss and mastered by Mark Alan Miller. Other musicians on the recording are: Andy Alseri, Sebastian Renfield, Julia Read and Jax Keating.

In 2016 Pureka released their first new music since 2013 with the albumBack in the Ring.

Songs on TV Shows and Soundtracks

Year	TV Show	Song	Album (Year)
2009	Brothers and SistersS4E6	Swann Song	Dryland (2006)
2011	Covert AffairsS2E13	Come Back Home	Dryland (2006)
2012	ShamelessS2E8	Wrecking Ball	How I Learned to See in the Dark (2010)
2012	ShamelessS2E10	Hangman	How I Learned to See in the Dark (2010)
2012	ShamelessS2E10	Land Locked	How I Learned to See in the Dark (2010)
2012	ShamelessS2E12	Damage Control	How I Learned to See in the Dark (2010)
2013	ShamelessS3E3	Time is the Anchor	How I Learned to See in the Dark (2010)
2014	ShamelessS4E6	Damage Control	How I Learned to See in the Dark (2010)

table references

Personal life

After their 2010 album release and a move to New York City, Pureka suffered fromwriter's blockand emotional exhaustion.At the end of 2012, Pureka moved toPortland, Oregon.They are apescetarian.They use they/them pronouns.

Discography

• 2001 –Chris Pureka EP
• 2004 –Driving North
• 2006 –Dryland
• 2009 –Chimera (EP)
• 2010 –How I Learned To See in the Dark
• 2012 –Chris Pureka Live at the Grey Eagle 1.19.11
• 2013 –Chimera II (EP)
• 2016 –Back in the Ring
• 2021 –The Longest Year

External links

• Official website
• Chris PurekaatAllMusic
• Chris Purekadiscography atDiscogs
• Chris PurekaatIMDb