Carol Montag

Carol returns to CSPS Hall to perform selections from her new album, Strange Ballet, as well as other original works. The title track Strange Ballet was inspired by the derecho - or “land hurricane” - that devastated Cedar Rapids in the summer of 2020, destroying 65% of the city’s tree canopy. In the aftermath of the storm, Montag wrote Strange Ballet using the imagery of a pas de deux (a couple’s dance) as she witnessed delicate tree branches being lifted by a mighty, lumbering crane.

Strange Ballet is Montag’s seventh album and consists of eleven original songs. As she explains, “The songs on this album are somewhat personal and, hopefully, relatable to others who may have experienced similar events in their life.”

The songs explore themes of childhood, saying goodbye to good friends, cherishing enduring friendships, writing letters to loved ones, romantic relationships, reflections on the world we live in, and a celebration of life and family ties.

Montag learned to play guitar by ear, listening to the music of Joni Mitchell, Judy Collins, Joan Baez, and many others. She has opened for or shared the stage with artists such as Arlo Guthrie, Three Dog Night, Michael Johnson, Tom Paxton, Jim Post, Greg Brown, Kenny Rankin, David Wilcox, John Gorka, John Stewart, and more.

Carol was commissioned to write and perform music for Ballet Iowa and the La Crosse Ballet. She has also performed at the World Food Prize Laureate Award Ceremony at the Iowa State Capitol. Past performers at this prestigious event include Ray Charles, John Denber, and Simon Estes.

Her music video for the Strange Ballet song has received multiple film festival awards. The video was a collaborative effort with sound engineer Dan Towey and videographer Kirk Monson.