Home Sweet Christmas, Katie Garibaldi

Oh, how I love Christmas music. Katie Garibaldi’s Home Sweet Christmas is great to start getting you into the  Christmas spirit early. She wrote eleven of twelve the songs on the album, except for one.

I started listening to this album, but started from the last song – “Silent Night”. It’s a classic Christmas song. It’s also the only song not written by Katie on the album. Her voice is beautiful. My favorite songs are “Safe and Warm” and “Holy Spirit in My Heart”.

“Safe and Warm” is a slower tempo, but it’s beautifully written and sang. Once you listen to it, you will hear why it’s a favorite. Very soothing, as I’m having my cup of tea. “Holy Spirit in My Heart” has that jolly Christmas vibe.  “You are born a masterpiece” this is a lyric from the song, and I love that this song is giving a positive message that’s filled with Christmas cheer.

Home Sweet Christmas is a beautiful album. Katie’s voice is amazing on each song. She’s serving up Christmas in a new way that is unique. This album is upbeat and needs to be playing when you are decorating the Christmas tree and your home. I love that she wrote all the songs and not just sing traditional Christmas song as many artists do. She really embraced the Christmas spirit with this album.

Watch the Video

Check out the video for “Unhappy Holiday”.

About Katie Garibaldi

Katie Garibaldi is a San Francisco, CA based singer/songwriter and guitar player who has been releasing music independently for about half of her life thus far. Elmore Magazine describes Garibaldi’s sound as, “sweet, smooth music that is equal parts old‐school pop princess and folk songstress.” The songwriter has a characteristic musical style wherein her country‐tinged dreamy folk gives her a distinct sound—ethereal Americana with sparkling memorable melodies.

This prolific artist continues to stretch the boundaries of any genre’s walls with the release of her new full-length album this holiday season, Home Sweet Christmas, a collection of original Christmas songs that embrace Garibaldi’s operatic vocal prowess and soulful folky affection, but also songs that branch out into traditional country and even gospel atmosphere.

The melodic songwriter first began hinting about the Christmas album as a possibility with the release of her single, “Tomorrow is Christmas Morning,” an original song about yearning to make it home in time for the magic of Christmas morning, which features a charming string section that has become a staple in Garibaldi’s signature sound, in November of 2016. Celebrated Christmas blog “Merry and Bright!” called “Tomorrow is Christmas Morning” a “very well-written and performed song” and said, “Katie has hinted that this is merely a preview for a full-length Christmas album coming in 2017. That’s a Christmas wish that I hope comes true.” Supporters of Garibaldi’s music will not only be granted this wish with Home Sweet Christmas but can expect some big surprises from the new Christmas release as well. Home Sweet Christmas is out December 1st, and now available in her online store.

Her latest release, EP Rooted Clarity, recorded in Nashville, TN, houses five songs that focus on self‐discovery and faith and combine Garibaldi’s folk‐driven roots with a mix of classical and country string arrangements together. The sonic result delivers an effective and effortless sound that perfectly highlights the singer’s trademark, soulfully vibrato-smitten and sometimes operatic voice. This mini album, available everywhere and also released on limited edition 10” HIFI vinyl, has garnered Garibaldi dazzling reviews from the press, including No Depression, who writes, “Katie sings with vibrancy, hitting high notes even Joni Mitchell would appreciate. Katie packs a wonderful folky extravagance. This woman doesn’t have to prove a thing to anyone – she is a powerhouse driven by an intoxicating vocal tone. It reaches heights that are so easy on the ear that it’s a treat, a pleasure to listen to. The voice – free of bombastic notes – is just pure musicality.” The Daily Country says, “Garibaldi’s light as a feather vocals exude a strength that makes you want to believe in yourself and pursue your dreams and most importantly, gives you the courage, and clarity, to be yourself, trust yourself and allow yourself to fly.” The sweet soprano weaves between airy and operatic delving into the emotional depths of the stories behind these five brand new original songs, one of which, “I Am”, premiered on The Boot, the top source for the latest in country music.

Another standout song from Rooted Clarity, “Delightful” has become highly identifiable with Katie Garibaldi, even lending its name to describe her sound in many instances as “delightful Americana.” “Delightful” has received a plethora of positive reviews as well as a nomination in the 2016 Hollywood Music In Media Awards. And the song’s official music video, filmed in Nashville and directed by Anna Haas, has taken the international independent film festival market by storm, gaining multiple nominations and awards.. Since its worldwide premiere on The Alternate Root in August 2016, it continues to screen at film festivals internationally and the video has earned its own reviews from film blogs and critics, including Top Shorts film festival’s Les Brandt, who says, “Haas and her crew did a great job of becoming ‘secondary’ to this video and allowing Garibaldi to shine. Mission accomplished! One word, wow…” Indie Spoonful, writes, “Katie got the title right because this song and its video are a pure delight from beginning to end…The video takes us on a journey of self-discovery.” And Skope Magazine declares, “With a hushed reverence for the world is the gentle spirit of Katie Garibaldi’s ‘Delightful.’”

Other accomplishments for Katie Garibaldi since the release of Rooted Clarity include the LA Music Critic Award for Female Country/Americana Artist for 2016 as well as Female Americana Artist of the Year from the Indie Music Channel in 2017. The indie artist was also featured on Acoustic Guitar magazine’s “Acoustic Guitar Sessions” with a live performance video sharing her songs and the stories behind them.

The rootsy songstress’ previous release in 2014, Follow Your Heart, recorded at Tiny Telephone Recording Studios in San Francisco and engineered by Ian Pellicci, is a country‐esque collection carrying her powerful message of the importance of having the conviction to follow one’s heart. The record includes performances by notable musicians, including the Magik*Magik Orchestra [Nicki Bluhm & The Gramblers, John Vanderslice, Glen Hansard], and Philip Brezina [The Brothers Comatose] on fiddle. The album brought Garibaldi multiple songwriting awards as well as hometown credit for Artist of the Month by The Deli Magazine SF. Follow Your Heart also gained esteemed reviews, such as Guitar Player magazine calling Garibaldi “a gifted songwriter with a gorgeous voice,” and praise from Music Connection magazine, who says, “Garibaldi is blessed with a sweet and pure soprano, and we hear a sincerity in this artist that is real.” Her earlier work, including pop-country inclined album Next Ride Out (2009) can be found at digital stores.

This determined and enthusiastic national touring performer has been named a Music Connection magazine Top 100 Live Unsigned Artist and has acquired a devoted fan base over the course of her career, due in large part to her engaging live shows and personal connection to her listeners through her music. An active voting member of the Recording Academy, an endorsed artist of Breedlove Guitars (who worked with her to build a custom Master Class guitar), G7th Capos, Fishman, Reunion Blues, and Pig Hog cables, and a singer/songwriter who has continued to release a consistent stream of original new music, the ever-evolving Katie Garibaldi has proven to be an artist with staying power.