With an intelligent, evocative pop/rock style and truly monster hooks in the vein of Thom Yorke, Jack Johnson, and Coldplay, Carey Ott is a perfect fit for today’s creative and human landscape.

Where are you from?

Originally Chicago, now live in Nashville

How does living there affect your songwriting?

Nashville is the songwriting capital of the universe. It makes me better to learn from and write with such masterful writers. Musicianship is incredible as well here.

Do you focus on any political themes?

I try not to, because "politics" is just a game. A distraction. In real life "us vs. them" doesn't really exist. Choices we make aren't black and white. There are no easy decisions. And neither democrats or republicans will truly represent you unless you're rich and powerful like they are. so I try to stick to human issues. "politics" is for suckers. It's a shell game that divides us and keeps us confused and pissed off.

How long have you been playing and what was your first instrument?

Guitar 20 years or so.

What are your main musical influences?

Beatles, pop music like prince and Billy Joel, funk jazz, anything with soul power...

Have you played any great live shows lately?

Library Bar at the Royal York Hotel in Toronto...blew the lid off it...

What's the most embarrassing thing that's ever happened to you on stage?

Probably just when gear stops working at precisely the worst moment, I forget my lyrics sometimes, that kinda sucks, I just mumble till I get back on track...

Are you working on any music right now?

Always, I can't stop writing new songs. it's kind of a problem :-)

What is your favorite movie?

I like Woody Allen. I love documentaries of all kind. Real life is the most interesting movie ever being made, ya know?!

Have you read any great books lately?

"The last hours of ancient sunlight," by Thom Hartmann should be required reading in school. just to open the dialog about what we humans destroy and then justify in the name of "progress." it's obscene. I wanna be part of the solution is all I know.

What do you have planned for the future?

Say less, do more, be who I am and not who the world expects me to be. Conquer fear. Always stay positive. The only way to combat darkness is to shine more light.