John Klezmer, also known as, “KLEZ”, is an Indie Soul/R&B singer songwriter from the Bay Area. KLEZ was raised playing multiple instruments and listening closely to his family’s music collection, which included the likes of Otis Redding, Marvin Gaye, Bill Withers, Smokey Robinson, and the Motown and Stax legends who paved the way for generations of Soul and R&B artists to come.
KLEZ firmly believes that music can create a positive change in the world, and he seeks to spread a message that people of all ages and backgrounds can understand and feel. KLEZ believes that, “Music is the universal language that can unite people around the world and make them feel emotion.” According to KLEZ, “If my music can emotionally take you to a different place, then I am doing my job right.”
KLEZ’s yet untitled EP is scheduled for a worldwide release in the first quarter of 2016 on Gisborne’s Sound x 3 Records (Sony/The Orchard).
In this interview, we chat with KLEZ about influences, challenges, the new project, and more.
Full Q&A, links, and streams below.
Let’s dive a little deeper into You, the artist and your music. What attracted you to this genre(s) or style(s)?
I would have to say that I found my way to Indie Soul, as a result of being raised listening to a lot of R&B/Soul music throughout my childhood. I was extremely shy and introverted as a child…well, I guess in a lot of ways I still am, but anyways Soul music always bridged the gap between myself and the few adults that I spoke with. Whether I find myself in the highest of spirits or down and out, Soul music has always made me feel whole, and I’ve always loved that quality about it. That’s why I make the music that I make,
What led you into this journey with music? And further, what drives you to push it out to the public?
I’m not going to sell you some overdone Hollywood story about the struggles of my life, but I can tell you that many things happened to me that have forever changed the way that I view people and the world itself. When I was at my lowest points in life, music was always there and provided me with an escape. Whether that escape was for the duration of an album, song, chorus, or line, music has brought me through it all. Without music and the guidance of some significant people in my life, I wouldn’t be here today. I push my music out to the public because I know that there are other people who are going through hardships in life, and my hope is that I might be able to help them through life’s lowest points, just as my favorite musicians helped me get through mine. There is a lot of pain going on in this world right now, so if for one line, chorus, song, or album, I can take sonically people to a better place, then I have done my job right.
Who or what influences your creativity? Have your tastes in music changed over time?
In a word…everything. Life is short, and any source of inspiration to create new music is welcomed by me. Whether that be the result of simple sounds in everyday life, or the attempt to emulate memory-evoked emotions through an arrangement of notes, inspiration for creativity is everywhere. My taste in music is always slightly changing with the times, but I think that it’s essential to constantly evolve and grow as a person and musician. If I was the same person today that I was yesterday, then what would be the point in waiting for tomorrow to arrive? This same idea applies to music. Though nostalgia is great, if as an artist, I am always seeking to replicate what I’ve already done, then where’s the opportunity for growth and potential to connect with more people?
Were you trying to accomplish anything specific on this new project? Creatively or otherwise?
Being my debut EP, this project provided me with an opportunity to introduce myself as a person and an artist. As a means to provide listeners with an ice breaker, I included songs that come across a bit genre-crossing. Where songs like “Behave” feel more Indie Rock, “Here Right Now” mixes hip-hop with modern soul lyrics, “Let My Heart Speak” comes across Alternative R&B, “Withdrawals” is a double entendre with a Soul/Funk vibe, “Hard Times Here No More” is a spiritual Soul song, and “Loaded Gun (Where Do We Go From Here)” has numerous remixes and versions, each of which change the overall genre and emotion. My goal was to send a soulful message to an array of listeners from different backgrounds, through a combination of songs that listeners wouldn’t expect but could easily get behind. I can also tell you that the second EP which is being recorded right now, is far more stripped down in production and distinctly soul, so I’m looking forward to seeing how listeners will react. As I said before, I think it’s essential to continually evolve.
What was the last song you listened to?
Raleigh Ritchie – “Werld is Mine”. (No, that’s not a typo, the title is actually spelled that way). If you haven’t heard Raleigh Ritchie’s music, then do yourself a favor and check it out. As a college radio DJ, I’m happy to say that I’ve been able to watch his career progress over the past couple years, and it’s incredible.
Which do you prefer? Vinyl? CDs? MP3s?
I love the experience of taking a vinyl out of it’s sleeve, placing it on the record player, gently lowering the needle over the grooves in the vinyl, and listening to the inevitable symphony of crackles that accompany the music. The overall translation of audio recorded in the studio is nowhere near as clear as that of a CD, but the experience is priceless. MP3’s are by far my least favorite. Momma always said that if you got nothing good to say, don’t say anything at all, so…………..yeah. haha
How about this one…. Do you prefer Spotify? Apple Music? Bandcamp? Or something else? Why?
As a musician, I prefer Bandcamp, because it liberates me and other artists/bands from the struggle that has been onset by minimal streaming royalties. Not that it fills everyone’s pockets either, but it definitely helps out more than the others. That being said, if you come across my music on a different music platform, then by all means take a listen. I’m not going to tell you how to enjoy your music, but I will ask that if you truly enjoy the music that you listen to, then find a way to give back to the artist. It doesn’t have to be me, it can be whoever you feel has influenced you and helped you through life’s up’s and down’s the most.
Other than the digital era overwhelming us with access to an abundance of music, what is the biggest challenge you face when trying to connect with or find new fans?
The lack of time in a day and the continual need for instant gratification that we all possess on some level. On top of working as an artist and a songwriter, I’m a full-time college student, I work for a college radio station as a DJ and a member of their board of directors, and I have another job as well that pays the bills. The lack of time in a day makes it difficult to respond to people as fast as I would like to be able to. Plus, on average I spend way more time than the average person answering emails with as much care and attention as I would want to receive, so it sometimes takes a while for me to respond. To anyone reading this who might’ve contacted me already, yes I have seen the email, yes I will respond, yes I care about you, which is why it’s taking a little while longer than you probably expected.
Where is the best place to connect with you online? Discover more music?
I’m on all the main social media platforms all the time, so send a message to any of them and I’ll get back you. 🙂 If you are looking to discover more of my music, then follow my social media sites, or check out my website and you’ll probably know everything before it happens or as it is happening. If you want to discover other artists music, then I’m not certain…maybe contact them and ask? I’m Ron Burgundy?
Anything else you’d like to add before signing off?
Keep breathing, keep listening to music, and keep pushing forward. Today might’ve been rough, but tomorrow will be exceptional if you allow it to be.
