Shown: Mike Flynn (guitar), Paul Avrutin (bass), Cole Raymond (drums), and Carlotta Schmidt
Photo by Jeff Crespi
Extended EPK
(Electronic Press Kit)
Song Samples
For more than a decade, New Jersey based singer/songwriter/guitarist/producer Carlotta Schmidt (she/they) has been wowing audiences with her soaring vocals, heartfelt lyrics, and vibrant guitar playing. Released in 2025, Carlotta's sophomore album, Overthinker, was entirely written and produced by Carlotta. Overthinker features her band, The Bold, and special guest musicians Dave Eggar (Coldplay, Lady Gaga, Norah Jones) and Lyris Hung (Beyonce, Quincy Jones, Indigo Girls). Their first, self-titled album delivered brand-new originals and classic songs performed with their signature jazz-inspired acoustic rock spin. Carlotta’s albums have received rave reviews from fans and publications, including Earmilk, Atwood Magazine, and The Alternative. Carlotta has played all kinds of music at all kinds of venues, including the iconic NYC club the Bitter End and Asbury Park, NJ’s own Stone Pony, Asbury Lanes, House of Independents, and The Wonder Bar. She has performed with numerous local legends and national acts, including 11-time Grammy winning Americana singer/songwriter, Brandi Carlile, and Grammy-nominated jazz trumpeter, Jon Faddis. In 2024, Carlotta created, produced, and performed at the successful women-led, Lilith Fair inspired, music festival, Fourth Wave Fest, through which they raised thousands of dollars for a NJ based charity that serves survivors of domestic violence. In 2025, Carlotta was a recipient of the Emerging Artist Grant from the Jersey Shore Jazz and Blues Foundation and in 2026, Carlotta was nominated for the Asbury Park Music Award for Emerging Artist of the Year (Individual). Whether she’s playing solo or with her band, Carlotta Schmidt and the Bold, Carlotta loves perfecting her craft and sharing it with the world.
Bio
TL;DR: Quick Facts
Instruments: Guitar and vocals
Other skills: songwriting, arranging, music producing, event producing, music teaching, and more
Main genres: singer/songwriter, soft rock, jazz, folk, Americana, and country.
Years active: 2014-present
Location: New Jersey based, will happily travel
Influences: Indigo Girls, Brandi Carlile, Ella Fitzgerald, Carly Simon, Melissa Etheridge, Janis Ian, and more
Achievements:
Released two critically acclaimed albums, Carlotta Schmidt and Overthinker.
Positive press from Earmilk, The Alternative, Atwood Magazine, and more
Founded, organized, and performed at a music festival called Fourth Wave Fest for three years (and raised thousands of dollars for charity)
Performed at venues like The Bitter End, The Stone Pony, The Vogel, and more
Performed with 11-time Grammy winner, Brandi Carlile
Opened for and performed with Grammy nominated trumpeter, Jon Faddis
Nominated for the Asbury Park Music Award for Emerging Artist of the Year (Individual)
Recipient of the Emerging Artist Grant from the Jersey Shore Jazz and Blues Foundation
Winner of Guild Guitars’ Guild Together giveaway contest
Videos
“Her voice is blessed with a natural warmth that flits between tender softness and soaring intensity, while her acoustic guitar work anchors each song with organic emotion…Songs like "Let Me Be Me" and "Dream of [You]" show Schmidt’s knack for marrying lyrical honesty with melodic sensitivity.”
— Earmilk
“Carlotta Schmidt’s “Let Me Be Me” is the kind of song that sneaks into your playlist and then refuses to leave...Honest, uplifting, and impossible not to smile at, “Let Me Be Me” proves that authenticity never goes out of style.”— We Speak Media/Music
“The record draws serious firepower around [Schmidt’s] vision…It’s a richly layered set that rewards close listening.”
— That Eric Alper
“Overall, Carlotta Schmidt has made an album that feels both honest and emotional from the start. Taking vulnerability, finding strength within”
— Music Crowns
“...Overthinker never shies away from vulnerability, yet it consistently finds beauty within uncertainty. It is an accomplished sophomore release that demonstrates Carlotta Schmidt’s growing confidence as both a songwriter and producer, offering a thoughtful, richly crafted work that rewards attentive listening and lingers long after its final notes fade.”
— Atwood Magazine
“… she’s more than just a singer, songwriter, and guitar player – she’s a musical force to be reckoned with."
— Jersey Shore Jazz and Blues Foundation
"Carlotta Schmidt’s self-titled debut album has a simple yet venust jazz rock sound that foregrounds her expansive voice...I predict that this album will be Carlotta’s curtain raiser."
— The Alternative
“...ask anyone in Long Branch who has seen her take the stage, and they’ll tell you there’s nothing surprising about Schmidt getting her flowers.”
— Long Branch City Lifestyle
At its best, “Let Me Be Me” functions as both personal testimony and public invitation. It is a reminder that protest songs need not shout to be powerful. Through thoughtful songwriting, heartfelt performances, and an ambitious visual concept executed with remarkable warmth, Carlotta Schmidt has crafted a work that resonates well beyond its autobiographical origins. In an era hungry for authenticity, this is a song that earns its emotional weight.”
— Urbanista
“In a musical landscape often dominated by fleeting trends and surface-level storytelling, Carlotta Schmidt's "Let Me Be Me" stands apart as a heartfelt celebration of authenticity, identity, and human connection.”
— Ignite
“With "Let Me Be Me," Schmidt delivers more than a compelling singer-songwriter track—she creates a space for people to see themselves reflected in the music.”
—Sonic Sisters Magazine
“Overthinker, is an album that feels carefully curated emotionally and sonically, showcasing Carlotta Schmidt as an artist who has the ability to create an album that speaks to many, while remaining deeply personal.”
—Lock