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Thirlwall making music, a name for herself in Calgary

She?s gone but not forgotten. And if you can?t do without the sweet sounds of Karen Thirlwall, her new CD is just a postage stamp away.

She?s gone but not forgotten. And if you can?t do without the sweet sounds of Karen Thirlwall, her new CD is just a postage stamp away.

The former Whistler musician made the move to Alberta this summer to spread her artistic wings, and by the sounds of it, she?s soaring. It has taken Thirlwall no time at all to find her way onto Calgary stages ? and beyond.

"I?ve been playing bars, pubs, restaurants, farmers? markets and did a few weddings," Thirlwall told Pique from her new Calgary home Monday. "The Stampede of course is complete mayhem and I had a lot of gigs during that time."

She?s also had some help from another former favourite Whistler performer, Wil Mimnaugh. Mimnaugh is best remembered for his barefoot, high energy parties at The Crab Shack.

"Wil is like a major celebrity (in Calgary). People go crazy! There?s a full cult following," laughs Thirlwall.

"He?s been really good to me. He?s been recording this summer, so every time he couldn?t do a gig, he?d phone me. We cater to the same audience and I?ve had a lot of good opportunities."

However, the Calgary music scene has its ebb and flow, not unlike Whistler. Thirlwall is learning how to read audiences according to college and university schedules. A packed venue can depend on exam periods and the pocketbooks of area students.

Thirlwall has been picking up the slack by exploring the worlds of film, television and theatre. She has successfully completed five courses and three auditions.

"I?m loving the process but still have a long way to go," she adds.

And her music received some national exposure this summer when her song Fall Away, from her first CD Wide Eyed , was featured on the Global TV teen drama series Higher Ground.

One of Thirlwall?s last projects before leaving B.C. was a six song CD recorded at One Drop Studios in Black Tusk. Karen Thirlwall, New Acoustic Songs is exactly that: just Thirlwall and her guitar combining on her signature classy folk/pop originals. You can order a copy for $10 (including shipping) by dropping a request at karen@ktmusicpro.com. Or order both of her CDs for just $22.