K-Mack The Songwriter
Karen "K-Mack The Songwriter" Ortiz is a Filipino-American songwriter based in Detroit, MI. She started her exploration with songwriting ever since the tender age of twelve, which resulted in her pursuing a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music Composition from the University of California, Davis. She has also won a few awards for her songwriting through VH1's Song of the Year, which she has received a "runner up " recognition award for her song, "Just Another Day," and a finalist award for the Unisong Songwriting Contest 2008 in the Non-English category for "Ang Pag-Ibig Ko Sa'yo" (My Love For You), co-written with Pierre Reyes.
From 2007-2009, she was a CEO of an independent record label called "KAR Records", based in Orlando, Florida, where they were committed to releasing extraordinary musical talents through the internet in the genres of pop, R&B, jazz, gospel, ballads, rock and country.
She has worked with many talented producers in the music industry, such as Tim Walls, James "Just Gifted" Gideon, Scott Jordan, Amy Matthew, Melanie Fontana, Veit Renn, Willy Baker, Don Curry, and King Rak, to name a few.
Her first release had garnered national attention during the 10th anniversary of 9/11, when her song (written with lyricist Amy Matthew), "A Hero", sung by Regina Snyder, was released.
Have you performed live in front of an audience? Any special memories?
I am more a songwriter/composer than a live singer, but I do enjoy singing live once in a while.
Your musical influences
I have an eclectic musical taste, but the artists who have most influenced my writing style are Carole King, Carly Simon, Brian McKnight, Burt Bacharach, Barry Manilow, Diane Warren, Ogie Alcasid, George Canseco, Rey Valera, Norah Jones, Lizz Wright, India Arie...the list goes on and on...
What equipment do you use?
A Windows 7 dual-core laptop with ProTools 8, Mbox 2, Finale 2013, Native Instruments 5, Reason 4, Waves Diamond, M-Audio Keystation 88, Alesis M1 Active 520 studio monitors, SE Electronics reflexion filter and a vintage Electrovoice R16 ribbon mic.
