Molly Venter '98 releases first CD

A New Haven native, Molly began singing at an early age. She took piano lessons but was instead intrigued by her mother’s guitar in fifth grade. A few years of guitar lessons in grade school followed, and the gentle tunes of those strings have accompanied Molly’s voice for years now.

At Hopkins School, Molly sang with the concert choir, the Triple Trio a cappella group, and Honors Choir. She had already performed before this time, however, starting with solo performances in musical productions at her elementary school, Hamden Hall.

Molly often sang and played guitar at open mics amidst studying political science and playing field hockey at Williams College. Friends loved listening to her, and they urged her onto the stage. A non-credit song-writing course offered each winter helped her put her thoughts, musical emotions and ambitions on paper. She opened for major music groups that came to the college, was voted Class Musician, and wrote a song for her Class of 2002. Molly sang this at graduation and earned a standing ovation. Entitled “More Than I Take,” this ballad is now the final track on her CD.

Over the years, Molly’s talents – an expressive voice, thoughtful lyrics and soothing guitar chords – have taken her to parks, coffee houses, and small stages in Paris, New York, San Francisco, Sun Valley, Idaho and, most recently, Austin, Texas, her new home.

Molly initially went out west for the skiing and outdoorsy lifestyle; a music career was but a distant dream. While working at a restaurant in Ketchum, Idaho last year, however, she met Amos Galpin, owner of Empty Beach Records, who helped her record and produce her debut album. The album is a compilation of placid, beautiful songs that can lull you, make you alert to every honest word, or warm your spirit.

Now, rather than waiting tables, singing and songwriting is becoming a self-supporting occupation for Molly. She will be performing much more often, touring, and selling her CD; although not an easy lifestyle, these simple things make her happy. Overall, Molly is thrilled with her prospects, and about doing what she loves.

Molly Venter’s self-titled album is now available at Cutlers Records in New Haven and online at CDbaby.com.