Carolyn Wonderland
10-3-2025
The Carolyn Wonderland band featuring Cindy Cashdollar and Shelley King.
“One of Texas’ finest guitar-slingers…from blues to country to rock ‘n’ roll and beyond, she is fiery and deeply soulful.” - Austin American Statesman
Carolyn Wonderland, with her dynamic guitar playing, formidable songwriting, and pure Texas vocals, has more than earned her reputation as a fiercely independent artist. Wonderland plays original, bluesified, cosmic soul music, mixed with heavy doses of Tex-Mex and riff-fueled rock ‘n’ roll. She has been performing professionally since the age of 15 and has led a colorful and adventurous life. On the road her entire career, she’s played with icons from Townes Van Zandt to Levon Helm, from Buddy Guy to Hubert Sumlin, from Bob Dylan to John Mayall, all while writing her own story.
On her new Alligator Records album, "Truth Is," Wonderland, with her vividly detailed, instantly memorable songs, reflects on the world with honesty and righteous conviction. Wonderland’s bold and insightful songs tell common-sense truths that, in her words, “need to be told.” They are driven by her sometimes savage and other times gently melodic guitar fingerpicking, along with her full-throated yet still vulnerable vocals. As for the album’s brutally honest subject matter, Wonderland says, “There’s always hope and we’re still here for each other, but at some point, you have to sing about the elephant in the room.”
Truth Is was produced by legendary guitarist and songwriter Dave Alvin, who also co-wrote four songs, three of which he plays on. With Truth Is, Carolyn Wonderland stakes her claim among the most influential roots music voices today, delivering the blues’ honest truth to all who will listen. Her courageously empowering music packs an emotional wallop, with every track on the album performed with a rare intensity that is welcoming and ultimately uplifting. “She’s something else,” Bob Dylan once said to Ray Benson. “She should be nationwide.”
“Pure electricity…astonishing playing and soulful, sophisticated singing…Wonderland delivers her cleverly penned lyrics with sly joy as her guitar bites. Her passionate singing is expressive, romantic and sensual. Her solos burn and elevate the groove.” - AllMusic
“Carolyn Wonderland is the sound of Texas. She’s a feisty free-ranger, lassoing a variety of roof-rattling styles into her own inimitable take on twangy blues dripping with honky-tonk grease. Her vocals are a bluesy cowgirl’s dream come true.” -No Depression
The Carolyn Wonderland band featuring Cindy Cashdollar and Shelley King.
“One of Texas’ finest guitar-slingers…from blues to country to rock ‘n’ roll and beyond, she is fiery and deeply soulful.” - Austin American Statesman
Carolyn Wonderland, with her dynamic guitar playing, formidable songwriting, and pure Texas vocals, has more than earned her reputation as a fiercely independent artist. Wonderland plays original, bluesified, cosmic soul music, mixed with heavy doses of Tex-Mex and riff-fueled rock ‘n’ roll. She has been performing professionally since the age of 15 and has led a colorful and adventurous life. On the road her entire career, she’s played with icons from Townes Van Zandt to Levon Helm, from Buddy Guy to Hubert Sumlin, from Bob Dylan to John Mayall, all while writing her own story.
On her new Alligator Records album, "Truth Is," Wonderland, with her vividly detailed, instantly memorable songs, reflects on the world with honesty and righteous conviction. Wonderland’s bold and insightful songs tell common-sense truths that, in her words, “need to be told.” They are driven by her sometimes savage and other times gently melodic guitar fingerpicking, along with her full-throated yet still vulnerable vocals. As for the album’s brutally honest subject matter, Wonderland says, “There’s always hope and we’re still here for each other, but at some point, you have to sing about the elephant in the room.”
Truth Is was produced by legendary guitarist and songwriter Dave Alvin, who also co-wrote four songs, three of which he plays on. With Truth Is, Carolyn Wonderland stakes her claim among the most influential roots music voices today, delivering the blues’ honest truth to all who will listen. Her courageously empowering music packs an emotional wallop, with every track on the album performed with a rare intensity that is welcoming and ultimately uplifting. “She’s something else,” Bob Dylan once said to Ray Benson. “She should be nationwide.”
“Pure electricity…astonishing playing and soulful, sophisticated singing…Wonderland delivers her cleverly penned lyrics with sly joy as her guitar bites. Her passionate singing is expressive, romantic and sensual. Her solos burn and elevate the groove.” - AllMusic
“Carolyn Wonderland is the sound of Texas. She’s a feisty free-ranger, lassoing a variety of roof-rattling styles into her own inimitable take on twangy blues dripping with honky-tonk grease. Her vocals are a bluesy cowgirl’s dream come true.” -No Depression