CD Review – I Can Do This by Chris Kay
So this is the second time I’ve reviewed a CD for Chris Kay, and it’s definitely twice as good. His first CD titled Bedroom Demos actually floored me, and I have been eagerly following Chris’ musical career at local open mics like Your Big Picture Café (www.YourBigPictureCafe.com) and Chrystal Hartigan Presents’ second Monday of each month’s Songwriters Showcase at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts (www.ChrystalHartiganPresents.com). Chris who is now 20 years old started playing guitar when he was 13. A child of the internet, he learned and took his guitar licks from the likes of Ultimate-Guitar.com. A protege of pop-punk and indie acoustic, Chris shows unwavering energy and talent in both his compositions and performances. So I decided to sit down and talk to Chris about his latest CD, and this is what he had to say:
drb: “So, Chris, what was the main inspiration for this latest musical creation?”
Chris: “A lot of this CD is about being tired with living in South Florida where there are so few good open mics for younger people to play at. It’s about how the younger people get overlooked by the older crowd who don’t appreciate the music younger people like to play.”
drb: “Are you suggesting we get rid of all the older people in town?”
Chris: “No, not exactly, but, there needs to be a decent open mic that’s for and by younger people to enjoy their own music together. It’s not the old people’s fault that they’re old. I know they were younger once, too. But, hey, it’s my music now.”
drb: “Okay, I know you don’t hate old people cause I’ve seen you hanging out with them at plenty of open mics. But, maybe being young isn’t about hanging out with old people. Maybe it’s about having your own space and time for your music and life.” Chris gives the silent thumbs up to this, so I continue. “There are six tracks on your new CD with a plethora of instruments. How many other musicians played with you on this?”
Chris: “This CD is all me except for the drum loops which I compiled on my recording program. I played guitar, bass, alto saxophone, piano, and a Garage Band I-pod synthesizer App that I used as a second guitar line on the title track, I Can Do This.”
drb: “You’ve really composed a magnificent sequence of individual parts for each song. Your voice in particular has incredible depth and range, especially on track three, Don’t Let Me Fall.”
Chris: “As complicated as they sound, most of my songs only have two vocal tracks. Usually they’re comprised of a main vocal line with a second harmonizing sequence laid over it. At times, however, I’ll add a third vocal track as I did on the last song of this CD, Dignity. There I used multilayered vocals to get a blended effect where the chorus lines at the end overlap and inter-sync with one another.”
drb: “Iter-syncing vocals? Chris, did you make that up?”
Chris: “Why not. Making original music is all about making something up. So why not make up some new words to go along with it?”
drb: “Good point. I couldn’t have said it better myself. But getting back to the CD, you were once one of the most prolific songwriters on the weekly Broward open mic scene. Now that you’re a junior in college and working full-time, how is your music writing going.”
Chris: “A lot slower. Instead of writing two to four songs per week, I’m now down to one every week or so. But I’m much more pleased with the quality of what I’m writing and playing, which becomes apparent when you compare an earlier CD like Bedroom Demos to this new one.”
drb: “Oh Chris, say it ain’t so. I loved Bedroom Demos. Can it get any better than that?”
Chris: “ I hope, and I think it has with I Can Do This.”
drb: “Okay, I think you’re right, too. After all, I loved Bedroom Demos, but I was equally floored by I Can Do This. You’ ve come a long way in both your guitar technique, compositions and recording capabilities since I first listened to you. So, where do you go from here?”
Chris: “At the moment, I’m in the process of assembling a band to play this stuff live. I’d also like to write with others which I feel would further advance my skills and performances. Though I’m a math major in school, I’d like to follow my music dream, even if that means being a math teacher by day.”
drb: “That’s true Chris. You know what they say. You can’t grow up and be a musician, you can only do one or the other (ha-ha).”
Chris: “So true, that’s why I just say follow your dreams the best you can. And for me, that means another CD sooner or later. In the meantime, anyone who’d like to join me on this musical venture can contact me at ChrisKKay@aol.com.
drb: “Cool, Chris. Keep playing and keep amazing me.”
So, the next time you see Chris playing at one of your favorite venues, ask him for a copy of his latest CD. I think you’ll be amazed, too.
Dr. Bob