Rolling Stone calls Kristian Hoffman "one of the underground's best songsmiths", and The Album Network calls him "almost blessedly skilled". If that sounds gushy, read on!

Currently living in Los Angeles, the singer/songwriter/keyboardist's most recent album is called simply "&". The L.A.Weekly said " '&' is the record that every fan of the Beatles, the Beach Boys, the Kinks, and great songcraft in general, has been pining for. Frighteningly Excellent!" Uncut called it " a spectacular operatic art rock power pop album, crammed full of invention", as if that isn't a mouthful!

"&" is a collection of duets with many of Kristian's favorite musicians, and some notion of the eclectic nature of his songwriting can be gleaned from the incredible list of participants: Russell Mael from Sparks, Stew from The Negro Problem, cult legend Ann Magnuson, Rufus Wainwright, Maria McKee, Darian Sahanaja of the Wondermints (who is also vocal director and keyboardist for the Brian Wilson "Smile" tour, album and DVD), Michael Quercio of The Jupiter Affect and the Three O'clock, Steve MacDonald of Redd Kross, Anna Waronker, Lydia Lunch , Abby Travis, plus a performance by Paul "Pee Wee Herman" Reubens and beautiful string arrangements by pop genius Van Dyke Parks.

You can buy Kristian's CD "&", or his earlier solo CDs "Earthquake Weather " and "I Don't Love My Guru Anymore" from www.CDbaby.com. Songs are also available from CDbaby as downloads.

Kristian wrote many of new wave legend Klaus Nomi's best known pop songs, including "Total Eclipse" (also recorded by Soft Cell's Marc Almond). He is featured extensively in the recently released Klaus Nomi documentary "The Nomi Song" as are four of his songs.

Kristian is also known as the main songwriter of NYC CBGBs era punk/pop band Mumps, whose lavish CD/DVD two disc career retrospective "How I Saved The World" was just released by Sympathy For the Record Industry. The notoriously flamboyant Lance Loud, the lead singer of Mumps, is known as T.V.'s first reality star, and was also the first out gay character on American television, in PBS' award winning 70's documentary"An American Family". All Music Guide calls Mumps "the 'great lost band" of the CBGB era" and the L.A. Weekly called them "a groundbreaking wild combo prized for off-kilter thrillers" which the L.A. Times say have "great hooks and snotty lyrics". For more information, pictures, and ephemera, visit www.mumpsmusic.com.

Also available from CDbaby is the original out-of-print 1995 Mumps compilation "Fatal Charm" at a bargain price. For "How I Saved the World", the brand new 2 disc CD/DVD extended and enhanced Mumps compilation, with a 24 page full color booklet, go to www.Sympathyrecords.com.

Kristian is currently in the studio producing an album for Ann Magnuson, composed mostly of songs he and Ann wrote together, for release mid 2006. The album is to be called "Pretty Songs and Ugly Stories". The ubiquitous Rufus Wainwright has already contributed vocals for a duet with La Magnuson and the fabulous Chapin Sisters have added their trademark gorgeous three part harmonies to two songs as well. Heather Lockie of KCRW faves Listing Ship is the CD's one woman string orchestra, and so far other guests are to include the fabulous Lisa Jenio of Candypants, Jonathan Lea of the Jigsaw Seen and Abby Travis.

Kristian has two earlier solo albums, both produced by one-time Spark Earle Mankey, who is highly regarded as the most skilled purveyor of shimmering L.A. pop production:

"Earthquake Weather" for which Magnet dubbed Kristian "a true American original" and about which BAM said "fearlessly plunders and reinvents all that is good in melodic rock music". A highlight among many is an uber-rare appearance of the Cramps' own Ivy Rorschach on lead guitar on "That's Our Secret".

"I Don't Love My Guru Anymore" which Genre hailed for it's "left-field lyrics and splendid, classic pop style".

Kristian also appears on numerous tribute CDs, and as a musical guest on many other albums. A complete discography is available at his extensive website (www.kristianhoffman.com), which also includes regularly updated diaries and blogs, news, photos, and exclusive MP3s and recordings.

An in-demand keyboard player, Kristian toured for five years as a member of the legendary Kinks' own Dave Davies solo band, and appears on three of his recent CDs.

Kristian is currently a member of Abby Travis' band, as well as playing keyboards with John Waters legend Mink Stole, Ann Magnuson, and making regular appearances with songwriter extraordinaire Carolyn Edwards. Kristian makes regular Los Angeles area live solo appearances backed by The Rock Gods, which the L.A. Weekly called "a dynamic wonder."

Kristian is also an illustrator and graphic artist, and had two one-man gallery shows in Los Angeles in 2005. He has designed album covers for Los Angeles punk legends X, Andrew Sandoval, and others, illustrated books for Lydia Lunch and poet Iris Berry, and is also the proud illustrator who drew the famous "bendover girl" from the New York Dolls debut LP insert.

But it is songwriting that remains Kristian's greatest love, which often results in such unabashed and over-the-top accolades as: "To say Hoffman is a great songwriter is an understatement ... the man and his music are pure genius! – Genre

http://www.kristianhoffman.com/