Meet Joshua and Kari | Take Two Music

We had the good fortune of connecting with Joshua and Kari and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Joshua and Kari, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
We both felt called to the performing arts from a very early age,. I am a self-taught pianist, and always felt a love and innate joy for playing, singing, composing and performing. Kari was drawn to the entire orchestra, and from playing clarinet on the streets of New Orleans as a kid, to obtaining numerous degrees in music and vocal performance, she likewise knew immediately that a creative career was her only option!

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Take Two Music is the creative endeavor of our mutual love of the 1930s and 40s; the time period, the fashion, and the music. We have always separately loved the Frank Sinatra/Ella Fitzgerald/Louis Armstrong genre, and when we met a little over three years ago, and began working together, it was a natural fit to begin performing as Take Two – it combines our love for that special music, our enjoyment of performing together, and our overall joy of sharing music with others.

The challenges are mostly that we are performing music which is not currently popular. While the American Songbook. as it is referred to, is hugely influential and still appreciated, it is not the current pop music of the day; thus, we are constantly trying to find the right environment to share our original music and covers. We know there is an audience out there – it’s just a matter of reaching them!

As to what we have learned, we would say that it’s important to be true to who you are as a performer and composer. Don’t try to be something you are not. Even if you don’t have commercial success, the most important thing is that you produce work you are proud of; work you can look back on many years later – no matter how many people have downloaded or “liked” it – and still feel happy about it.

And as to what we would like the world to know about us — just that we are genuine, and sincerely love the music we create and hope it touches people wherever and whenever possible. We truly believe that the power of music is substantial, and one can change a life with a song!

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
We don’t go out a ton, but one place we really like is called Avanti, on Pearl Street in downtown Boulder. It has a variety of restaurants to choose from, and a roof-top bar that is fun to hang out in.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
We would like to do a shoutout to the entire community of kids and adults that make up Kari’s businesses, Reel Kids, Organic Theater and Boulder Music. Reel Kids is a children’s educational company, Organic Theater is an adult repertory company,. and Boulder Music is a piano/voice/composition/performance school. The people and parents who make up our clientele are truly valued and appreciated, and we would not be able to offer our love for the arts and education without them!

Website: www.take2tunes.com

Instagram: @take2tunes

Facebook: take2tunes

Youtube: @taketwo1793

Image Credits
Kari Kraakevik