Although only a mere 23 years old, singer, songwriter and fiddler Kendel Carson debuts on Rearview Mirror Tears with the artistic assurance and musical maturity of a far older artist as well as the charm of a future star. Produced by musical legend Chip Taylor and released on his Train Wreck Records, Rearview Mirror Tears introduces an artist whose natural blend of folk, country and rock marks her as one of 2007's brightest new musical lights.
Starting on the violin at age 3, Carson has been a featured guest soloist with the Victoria Symphony and a member of the esteemed National Youth Orchestra of Canada. But the violin prodigy also began making her name as a fiddler at age 9, playing with the BC Fiddle Orchestra and later with such Canadian groups as The Paperboys and Outlaw Social as well as in a band with her brother Kid Carson (formerly The Carsons). A veteran of international tours, the Canadian folk festival circuit and numerous sessions, Kendel caught Taylor's ear at the Canmore Festival in 2004 when she played a fiddle workshop with Carrie Rodriguez, whose duet albums with Taylor are some of the most acclaimed roots music works of the new century.
Impressed with her prodigious talent, Taylor invited Carson to New York City to collaborate on songwriting and record what was intended as demos. After a few days of writing together, Taylor and Carson hit the studio, where the magical vibe that unfolded resulted in a full-blown album in a mere few days. Singing solo with Taylor singing live harmony (Carrie Rodriguez & brother Tyler Carson would later add their voices as well) and fiddling with a Gypsy allure, Carson is backed by such top players as guitarist John Platania (known for his work with Van Morrison) and drummer Dan Rieser (who plays with Norah Jones). Brimming with a fresh energy and rich with spirit and musicality, Rearview Mirror Tears is one of those memorable debuts by a new talent on which her bright future is immediately obvious.