KAREN BISHKO SONGWRITER
ABOUT
Karen was working as a portrait artist when Gary Kemp and Jess Bailey from Spandau Ballet, heard some songs she had written.
“Jess Bailey and Gary Kemp heard two songs and liked them. They produced them and encouraged me to write more and I became more confident. I got a band together and started gigging. Paul Burger, (ex-President of Sony Music Europe) became my manager. He was the person who encouraged me to write for musical theatre.”
Karen worked in the studio with Yoad Nevo (Sia, Goldfrapp) and Stephen Lironi (Jon Bon Jovi, Hanson).
In 2007 she opened for British band Take That in front of 18,000 people at two of Britain’s largest arena’s; Manchester Evening News Arena and London’s O2.
Seeking a novel way to present her heartfelt songs, in 2009 Karen left for New York to develop her musical, Therapy Rocks. The musical was staged at NYMF 2010 (The New York Musical Theatre Festival) with a cast of five and its performance run not only sold out but was extended.
Karens musical Single was set for a production at The New Wolsey Theatre in the UK in September 2020. It was sadly cancelled due to Covid-19. For more information see projects.
Karen was hired to write a sequel to the much loved existing show Menopause The Musical. Her version opened in North America in May 2023 and is now touring Canada and the US extensively. Find out more
Karen is also writing an 80’s version of Menopause The Musical.
Karen’s latest song My Name Is Karen is featured below with an opinion piece about it at www.uncancelled.co.uk
And Here’s Modi,
Episode 76 with Karen Bishko
Karen recently appeared on The ‘And Here’s Modi’ Podcast where amongst other things, she talks about her writing and being called Karen.
You can watch here on YouTube or listen on your usual podcast platform.