PROFILE
Karen Kosowski
By Michael Raine
Starting out as a rock-loving kid with a DIY-ethos from Winnipeg , it may seem unexpected that producer-musician-songwriter Karen Kosowski now lives in Nashville and turns out country radio hits , but that ’ s the way life and music works – and it ’ s a fun ride .
“ I was born and raised in Winnipeg , and my formative years involved all sorts of musical activities — I kind of rejected sports and anything else !” Kosowski remembers . “ I took private piano lessons until I finished my grade 10 Royal Conservatory , but I was also lucky to go to junior high and high schools that were very musically active , so I got to participate in classical concert bands , wind ensembles , jazz bands , choirs , jazz choirs , and musicals . My parents were always playing music around the house , everything from The Beatles to Whitney Houston to Reba McIntyre , and that had a big influence on my appreciation of music and a wide variety of genres . I can ’ t remember a time where I wasn ’ t interested in pursuing music .”
As a teenager in Winnipeg , she was fond of writing her own pop-rock songs and found gigs around town once she turned 18 . “ Some of my first recording experiences were on an eight-track Tascam recorder that was set up in the basement where my first band rehearsed . DIY recording was something I got used to right from the start , especially because back then I couldn ’ t afford to pay for studio time ! But I really fell in love with the process of making my own recordings , especially when I bought my first computer and got into digital recording , and started learning how to manipulate sounds and build an entire production from scratch .”
Eventually Kosowski moved to Toronto to pursue her own projects , but around 2007 she had the realization that writing and recording for other artists is where she excelled and found the most satisfaction . She spent about a decade in Toronto , building a solid career and reputation as a cowriter and producer , working with artists like Emma-Lee , Peter Katz , and Alee . That work also led to touring with some of those same artists , as well as other rising Canadian stars like Royal Wood , Sarah Slean , and more as a multi-instrumentalist and backing singer . Meanwhile , she was also traveling to Los Angeles , London , Nashville , and New York to write and get connected to the local scenes .
In 2017 , Kosowski moved her studio to Nashville and has since been writing and / or producing for Tim Hicks , Meghan Patrick , Brett Kissel , The Washboard Union , Madeline Merlo , Tryon , Melanie Dyer , and Ross Ellis . Her most essential collaborator at the moment , though , is Mickey Guyton , a rising Black star in country music . Kosowski produced most of Guyton ’ s acclaimed debut album , Remember Her Name , and co-wrote several tracks . That album received three 2022 Grammy Award nominations , including for Best Country Album , and the Kosowski-produced title track was nominated for Best Country Solo Performance and Best Country Song .
“ Since her album came out , we ’ ve done a variety of interesting things , including a cover of ‘ Nothing Else Matters ’ for Metallica ’ s The Blacklist album . She also asked me to arrange and perform behind her for the Super Bowl national anthem performance this year — just wild !” Kosowski marvels , also noting that she played with Guyton on the Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon , the American Music Awards , and the 2021 Grammy Awards .
“ I also recently signed a publishing deal with Sony Music Publishing Nashville , which has opened up a whole new world of musical connections that I ’ m really enjoying exploring . It ’ s leading to many new co-writing and production opportunities .”
Among the other extensive career highlights that she lists off is producing , mixing , and co-writing “ Memphis T-Shirt ” for Melanie Dyer , which was number one for six weeks in Australia .
“ Between Tim Hicks , Brett Kissel , and The Washboard Union , I ’ ve had a number one song in Canada , another number one in Australia , three gold certifications and one platinum certification . I also had a top-40
pop hit in the U . S . with Tryon ’ s ‘ Somebody to Love Me .'" Kosowski also casually drops that she ’ s been nominated for Producer of the Year at the CCMAs and “ I ’ ve done some film work and was nominated for Best Original Song at the Canadian Screen Awards . I feel very lucky , these are all bucket list things I ’ ve dreamt of my whole life and I ’ m very grateful .”
The music industry is a tough business , one that comes with a lot of rejection , she notes , “ which can be really hard on your heart . Aside from that , I think one of the personal challenges I ’ ve had to overcome is my insular nature . Because BOB WITH HIS I came WIFE KAREN from a very DIY background and was fairly isolated in Winnipeg , it took me a long time to get into collaborating with other people and realize the value in that . At the same time , being self-reliant has also been a tool that has been incredibly useful , so I don ’ t completely regret it .”
Away from music , Kosowski and her husband split their time between their apartment in Nashville and a condo in Toronto . “ We don ’ t have a ton of leisure time but when we do , we love to binge-watch our favorite sci-fi shows , have dinner with friends , cook , and take long walks .”
Michael Raine is the Editor-in-Chief of Professional Sound .
PROFESSIONAL SOUND 19