David Stoddard & Karen Mal

A duo of best friends since their first meeting at the Kerrville Folk Festival in 2005, they have FINALLY produced their first collection of together songs: DUETS volume I. Songs about love, life, and family. This talented pair, both instrumentally and vocally, entertain in a variety of styles with both original songs and covers that will please anyone who loves easy to listen to music. They recently returned from playing in the world famous South by Southwest conference in Austin, TX.

David Stoddard is a composer, songwriter, producer, educator and music theory lover based in Minneapolis. He is a Kerrville New Folk winner and has taken top writing honors at the Minnesota Folk Festival, the South Florida Folk Festival and the Tucson Folk Festival.

Stoddard tours throughout the U.S. and Canada. He performs on guitar and piano and writes for film and choir. He has performed with Dan Navarro, Leon Russell, Julie Newton, Cheryl Wheeler, Cliff Eberhardt, Trout Fishing in America, Ronny Cox, Dan Hicks and Michael Johnson, among others.

Mal has a storyteller’s voice, sifting words like she is talking to you over coffee, effortlessly rising from dusky phrases to bell-pure highs. You believe every word and note and you could listen to her sing all night long.

Now based in Austin, Texas, she spent time with the American Folklore Theater in Door County with a double role as actor and musician, which began her love affair with folk music.

She became the resident composer/musical director for Door Shakespeare in Baileys Harbor and realized besides singing and playing, she could write songs as well. She has won top awards from the Wildflower Arts & Music Festival in Texas, the Tucson Folk Festival, the Portland Songwriters Association and has been a three time New Folk Finalist at the Kerrville Folk Festival.