Featured Artist: Kevin So

Through the magic of CDBaby, I came across Kevin So’s album Leaving the Lights On. Being Chinese myself, I was looking for other Asian-American artists to check out… I was interested in hearing what other Asians were writing and singing about… I ended up finding a wealth of them out there, which was GREAT to see.

Ultimately I picked up So’s album because A) it was a double-album, and B) it wasn’t PRICED as a double-album. Yeah, I was really cheap like that (still am). The Cd arrived a few days later, but for some reason, I left it sitting in the envelope for about a week before opening it up. This might have been the week when the San Diego Chargers clinched the AFC West (dude, what HAPPENED to them this year???), but anyhow, man alive I’m glad I finally spun the record.

I gotta be honest… Kevin So was still completely unknown to me at the time. After ordering the Cd, I didn’t do any research on him, I didn’t check out his website or anything… so listening to Leaving the Lights On was actually my first introduction to this awesome talent. I sat there in my chair, utterly dumbfounded as the songs rolled on by. It wasn’t until the Cd player stopped that I went online to find out just who the heck he was.

Well, that was back in 2004… now it’s 2008 and Mr. Kevin So has done quite well for himself. He’s got some eight records under his belt, a musical to his credit, and a growing fan base that includes artists like Keb’ Mo’, Joe Cocker, Billy Bragg, and Amos Lee. He’s a musical chameleon who is able to shift between various genres and styles… Blues, Folk, Rock, R&B, Rap, Gospel, Pop, Jazz, Hip-Hop… he can do it all, and he can do it well.

What I find interesting about his musical development is the path he took. Kevin obtained a degree from USC in jazz studies, held a gig on a cruise ship backing celebrity impersonators like Buddy Holly, Madonna, Tina Turner and Elvis, toured the country in a rock/pop/r&b/punk cover band that included future members of Britney Spears’ band… and after doing all this, his first album was steeped in folk and blues ala Bob Dylan and Robert Johnson.

I would never have guessed that THAT was the genre he would have chosen for his debut, but that’s ok because I’m not very good at guessing anything. To emphasize this point, think of a number between one and ten and I’ll guess it… is it… three? CRAP!

His first few albums, Pendulum, Along the Way (a live album) and Individual, were impressive explorations in this folk/blues territory. These records showcased his singer/songwriter craft through songs like “The Great Wall,” “Cadillac Queen,” and “The Ballad of Amy Xu.” The thing that grabbed me, though, was the fact that he wasn’t hiding the fact that he was Asian. It made me reevaluate my own songwriting, as I’ve always tried to remain as race-less as possible. That’s one thing I really respect about So, and with titles like “The Great Wall” and “The Ballad of Amy Xu,” he began laying groundwork for his unique voice for what would become (in my humble opinion) his greatest work to date.

Which leads me back to the double-album, Leaving the Lights On.

From what I could gather on the web and the Cd’s liner notes, the record was inspired by three defining moments in So’s life: his father’s passing, his friend Henry Ko’s passing, and 9/11. Kevin does not hide this at all… he discusses each subject and finds a way to blend it all together so there is actually a story arc to go by. The album took three years to complete, and appears to be the culmination of all his past works up to that moment. It’s really a fascinating record to experience.

I don’t know if many of you have albums that “speak” to you, but that’s the best way that I can describe Leaving the Lights On for me. Sure, I’ll admit that the Asian-American connection within the songs helped, but in all honesty, that’s merely the surface of the record.

Friendship, acceptance, racism, identity, love, and family are just some of the universal themes touched upon here. Anyone and everyone should be able to relate to his lyrics. Yes, So discusses these subjects through the eyes of an Asian-American, but that’s what makes it so focused yet extensive, all in one breath.

He sings in “Abacus,”

These lyrics describe the majority of people on this planet. The song goes on to ask some hard questions like, “How many mixed couples in the school do I see?” or, “How many Koreans have friends who are Portuguese?” or even, “How many Palestinians have friends who are Israeli?” The song made me take a good look at my place in America. If we ARE the “melting pot” of the world, then why DO racial stereotypes still exist here?

But there’s no anger, no bitterness, no violence, no call-to-action here. So merely shares with you his thoughts, values, and ideals, without infringing upon your beliefs.

Leaving the Lights On was also So’s first step outside of the folk/singer/songwriter arena. The album explodes with flavor, covering a wide variety of styles. Rap, pop, R&B, Hip-Hop, soul, jazz, rock, funk… he covers it all and presents it as a complete thought, rather than merely a random sampling of ideas.

I remember emailing Kevin in 2004, asking him about the production on the album. He replied, explaining that Leaving the Lights On was primarily a home-grown project, with most of the production and mixing being done by So himself. VERY cool.

I’ve posted a couple of selections from this album in the Dig-It section below.

Kevin So is a prime example of what can be accomplished through one’s dedication to their craft. He tours constantly and always seems to be working on SOMETHING. His music has a message to be heard, one that transcends gender, age, and ethnicity. He’s a rare breed in that sense…

I got an update from him (thank you much, Kevin!), explaining that he is back in the studio, recording a solo acoustic album called “Best Foot Forward”.

“Long overdue this solo acoustic thing,” he writes.

I look forward to it!

Here are some remaining 2008 show dates for Kevin So. If you’re in New York, try not to miss him!

Dec 9, 2008 @ 9pm – “Boroughs in the Round” at Banjo Jim’s, New York, New York
Dec 10, 2008 @ 8pm – Kenny’s Castaways (solo), New York, New York
Dec 13, 2008 @ 3pm – Rockwood Music Hall (solo), New York, New York

Kevin So’s official site

Buy his records, pick up some swag, catch a show, spread the word…

Buy Kevin So on Amazon
Buy Kevin So on CD Baby
Buy Kevin So on iTunes

Your Dig-It Downloads:

Download: Abacus

Download: Somehow We Will Get By

Download: Save Me A Seat (from the album “Along the Way”)

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