Dashboard Confessional

Background:

“I am influenced by all the music I was brought up listening to and all the music I discover now.” Christopher Carrabba

An American singer and guitarist who started his career by joining such rock bands as the Vacant Andies and Further Seems Forever, Christopher Carrabba is well-known to Emo/Punk admirers for being the vocalist and guitarist of Dashboard Confessional, a one man Acoustic-alternative band. Under Dashboard Confessional, he has produced a total of five albums and 3 EPs. Carrabba, whose trademark is heart felt lyrics, also has done soundtracks for movies Spider-man 2 and Shrek 2 (both) and Cursed (2005).

As for his personal life, 5’5” tall Carrabba, who still suffers from stage panic but keeps getting up on stage because he loves playing the music he loves, is an active supporter of AIDS research charity concerts. A media reported that Carrabba ended his single status in 2004, but his publicist declined to comment when asked to verify the rumor.


Skateboard

Childhood and Family:

An Italian descent, Christopher Ender Carraba was born on April 10, 1975 in West Hartford, Connecticut to a broken home family. His parents separated when he was only three years old. At age 16, he moved with his family to Boca Raton, Florida, after which he frequently skipped school to skateboard. He was not interested in playing the guitar until after graduating from high school. He carried on the passion while chasing a degree in education at Florida Atlantic University. After taking a directorial job at the JC Mitchell Elementary School in Boca Raton, Florida, in which he was the director of the special-education after-school program, Chris decided to pursue a career in music.


The Swiss Army Romance

Career:

Hailed from Boca Raton, Florida, Christopher Carrabba, who got his first guitar from his uncle at age 15, took only a gentle interest in his musical flair preferring to skateboard. After graduating from university, he even took a directorial job in an elementary school in Boca Raton, Florida, rather than pursued a career in music.

Realizing his true calling, Carrabba then made an introduction to music industry by joining and fronting a local band named the Vacant Andys, which was followed by a brief stint with another group, The Agency. He next joined Further Seems Forever, with which Carrabba had an exposure of becoming a recording artist with the release of the album The Moon Is Down. During this period, he started a small solo side project and, by the time he departed the group, Carrabba had decided to pursue a solo career.

Carrabba recorded his first solo album, The Swiss army romance, for the gratification of family and friends. His work instantly made the music circles that led to its ultimate release, as well as to the invention of Dashboard Confessional, Carrabba’s own band that is actually his stage name. In the early days of Dashboard Confessional, Carrabba played several shows at churches and Christian festivals, and then signed with a minor independent label, Fiddler Records. With great supports of his fans, he progressed to the bigger independent label Vagrant Records.

Known by many for his combination of heart felt lyrics with poetic wording and backs both with an affectionate acoustic sound from his guitar, Carrabba recently has released a total of five albums and 3 EPs under Dashboard Confessional. His songs also has been featured in films like the highly successful Spider-man 2 (2004), Shrek 2 (2004), and Wes Craven’s Cursed (2005).


Awards:
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