some nicely enlightened 'under the influence with...' selections from
Kat O1O this time round. with a new release, natural phenomena, out on quannum projects (one of my fave labels from the US). Kat 010 is a member of Crown City Rockers
out of the Bay area who are well renowned for their live shows and
massively talented line up that includes Raashan Ahmad (who did that
amazing 'If I' tune, MC'ing over Jon Lucien. Pow!).So,
along comes Kat 010 (who plays keys with the Crown City Rockers) and
her debut solo album which is full of warm Rhodes and lush beats. You
can feel her love of the keys with these sounds that are perfect to
accompany you on winter nights by the fire or drives along highway 1
with the sun going down over the Pacific Ocean.
Check out the influences below and the tune 'eucalyptus' below for just
a taste of what to expect. Much thanks to Kat 010 for taking time out
of her busy schedule to share this with us.
CheersC
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Life
as a drug is a ‘helluva drug’! Influenced by everything under the sun,
it’s always a bit difficult for me to pick and choose which ones
to share with folks, since it changes daily as do most things. Nothing
really stays the same, and if it does, it becomes stagnant, still, like
still water where mosquitoes breed, and nobody likes mosquitoes.
It’s a brisk fall day, and I’m on tour with my band, Crown City Rockers (crowncityrockers.com).
While on tour, there’s always a plethora of music to gain inspiration
from. Everyone shares what they’ve been listening to lately and also
what’s all in their music collection. Plus, we all get to share what
projects we’ve been working on. It’s great. So, here are my choices as
of today, incorporating all influences from the past couple of decades
of my musicianship.
In no particular order:
Herbie Hancock Headhunters – Sly This
whole album is freakin amazing, but in particular, the song, Sly. Every
time I listen to it, I find something new to get influenced by.
Whether it be a sweet lick or a rhythm that I hear, something always
seems to grab me in a new way. As a keyboard player, the chords and
progressions that Herbie plays, speak to me in such a way that I listen
so closely, maybe as how most people listen to lyrics. For me, each
note and line and motif that is played is a beautiful melodic lyric,
each chord is a sweet phrase, each song is such an epic story told by
these musicians, that if the song is playing, it’s hard for me to have
anyone around me talking, since it distracts from the musical beauty
coming from the speakers. So, if you’re trying to tell me something
important, and this song is playing, be sure to know that I will not
have heard one word you’ve spoken. Please don’t take it personally. I
can’t control my ears.
Chopin – Bercuese Yes,
really. I grew up playing classical piano competitively. There were
many pieces by so many different composers from so many different eras
that have influenced me in some way, but this piece in particular
touched my heart in such a way that it will stay with me forever. It
is a solo piano piece meant to be a lullaby which starts out at with
broken chords in medium walking tempo with an sweet melody over the top
that slowly unfolds in to frenzied lines in the right hand while the
left hand stays consistent such as an anchor holding a butterfly with a
long bungy cord. It is so fun to play and so nice to listen to, if you
have the time to actually sit down and listen. I know. What a novel
idea, sitting down and listening? Who does that anymore. Well, this
is well worth the ear time.
Pink Floyd – Dark Side of the Moon I
know. It’s such a stoner pick, but it really did influence me in a
major way. Maybe it was my teenage years growing up in Wichita, KS,
opening up my own ‘doors of perception’ that make this album such a
staple of my musical existence. From beginning to end, my attention is
completely focused on what’s going on in the music. I close my eyes
and love every bit of it.
Les McCann – Layers
I would have to say this album was probably the most influential for me
doing an album by myself. It is exactly what the album title is,
layers. Layers and layers of tracks, keyboards, drums, all by him.
That’s exactly what I did with my album, Natural Phenomena, layers and
layers of sounds. With Les McCann’s album, all the sonics were dope
too. The synthesizers were thick and robust, with melodies that soothe
and also stun.
Outer Space Yes.
Everything about it. I know it’s not a song or album of influence, but
it is a main source of inspiration for me. The fact that it is such a
huge ‘un’mass of unknownness is so frightening and serene at the same
time. I love looking at the images from the Hubble and just imagining.
It is so open. No boundaries. No form. Just there.
J. Dilla – Donuts What else can I say. Dilla.
Stereolab – Dots and Loops What awesomeness.
Michael Jackson
– I don’t know anyone who wasn’t influenced by this man. Now it’s
getting to the point where I can’t go on anymore without just listing
things.
There
are way to many things that inspire to compile into just one list.
Everything from Bob Marley to Gang Starr to Marvin Gaye to Dead Prez to
Prince to D’Angelo to Portishead to Stevie Wonder to Tribe to car
commercials to airport announcements to car alarms to poems to movies…
Now it’s all getting mushed, so I should stop now. But
seriously, I’m influenced by what I hear, and a lot of times, mix tapes
are my source of inspiration. Sometimes I won’t even know who the
artist is on a track, but I won’t be able to stop listening to it. So
if you’re inclined to.. send me a mix tape! I’ll do the same for you! [email protected] | crowncityrockers.com
Peace.
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Download 01 Eucalyptus
buy 'Natural Phenomena':
iTunes ,
amazon
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