KARIN ZOID
Based in Johannesburg
Born in Brussels as the daughter of a South African diplomat, Karen grew up in Belgium and Johannesburg where she became a teenage busker, honing her song writing, guitar playing and singing skills on the streets of Melville.
In June 2001 EMI released Zoid's first solo album, Poles Apart, which fired the imagination of both critics and the public to such an extent that Karen Zoid became an icon of the South African youth, which the press renamed the Zoid Generation. In 2004 both Time Magazine and US News & World Report highlighted her role as an icon.
In June 2003 EMI released her second critically acclaimed album, Chasing the Sun.
Both Poles Apart and Chasing the Sun have been accorded Gold Record status.
In July 2005 her third album, Media, was released by EMI.
Her work as a singer-songwriter has been included on many albums of other artists as well as compilations and she receives daily fan mail from all over the world. Touring the country and often headlining major festivals, she is supported by her accomplished band members Don Reinecke on lead guitar, Rixi Roman on bass and Marlon Green on drums and percussion.
Her recent years have been highlighted as follows:
2002
- Release of first album Poles Apart
- Four nominations for the SABC TV2 Geraas awards
- Winner two SABC TV2 Geraas awards - Best Newcomer, Best Rock Album
- SA Rock Digest and SAFM radio - Poles Apart no 1 album of the year
- SA Rock Digest and SAFM radio - Set of Wheels song no 1 of the year
2002
- SAMA (SA Music Association) nomination Rock Album of the year
- Nomination Shoprite-Checkers Woman of the Year
- Winner Kanna Award for best Light Music Production at the Klein Karoo National Arts Festival
2003
- Named by Independent Newspaper Group as one of the top 100 people of South Africa in 2003
- Named by Sunday Times newspaper as one of the top six Rising Stars of South Africa in 2003
- Named by Rapport newspaper as one of South Africa's Top Ten famous people in 2003
- Release of second album Chasing the Sun
- Nominated for five SABC TV2 Geraas awards
- Winner three SABC TV2 Geraas awards - Best Songwriter, Best Rock Album, Best Album
- Played at Ukkasie in London
- Played at the government's official Heritage Day concert at the Union Buildings in September
2004
- Performed at the Inauguration Concert for President Mbeki, Union Buildings, 27 April
- SAMA (SA Music Association) nominations Best Rock Album of the year and Best Female Composer - Event on 29 May
- Planned concerts in SA, London, Belgium and Holland
2005
- Played at President Mandela’s 46664 charity concert with Queen, Annie Lennox and others
- Donated her part of royalties on an album sponsored by Levi-Strauss to the HIV Aids Treatment action campaign
- Played at official Youth Day concert in Johannesburg
- Gold records awards for first two albums
- Release of third album Media
