Q & A for Kane Kalas
Tell me about yourself.
I am a classically trained recording artist, professional poker player, and investor. While I’m
originally from Philadelphia, I’ve lived in many different places around the world including Costa
Rica, Malta, and currently Puerto Rico. I have a passion for the Great American Songbook.
What are the essential qualities that make a good musician?
A musician’s most important job — in any genre — is connecting to their fans. Bob Dylan and
Taylor Swift do this through their profound yet accessible lyrics. Sinatra, on the other hand, used
his one-of-a-kind phraseology. Patsy Cline connected to country fans with her haunting and
heartfelt vocal dynamics. Dean Martin? Off-the-cuff comedy.
What first got you into music?
My father, who was raised in the 40s and 50s, never lost an appreciation for the exceptional
music of his time. So growing up, Louis Armstrong, Ella Fitzgerald, and Bing Crosby were
always playing in our house along with early musical theatre.
I went to a small private middle school — so small that every student was compelled to be in the
middle school musical. I thought, “if I’m going to be in musicals for the next three years, I might
as well learn to sing,” so I found a local voice teacher who happened to have a classical
background. The rest was history.
Who inspired you to make music?
My father. Dad is very well known in Philadelphia and in sports circles around the world. He
broadcast baseball for the Philadelphia Phillies for 37 seasons and was the voice of NFL films
for more than two decades. He received the Ford C Frick award from the Cooperstown Baseball
Hall of Fame for broadcasting excellence in 2002.
In Philadelphia, dad was known to sing Sinatra’s “High Hopes” whenever the Phillies made a
postseason run. To this day, thirteen years after his passing, the Phillies still play a video of dad
singing “High Hopes” on the jumbotron after every home victory.
My debut album, is titled High Hopes — it’s a tribute to dad as well as the city of Philadelphia.
How would you describe the music that you typically create?
Nostalgic, melodic, symphonic, “a breath of fresh air” — are all terms I would use to describe my
music. For some time, mainstream music has strayed further and further away from strong
melodies and an orchestral sound in favor of the spoken word and computer generated beats. I
believe it’s only a matter of time before the pendulum swings back the other direction and
younger generators rediscover an appetite for big band style music.
What is your creative process like?
To brainstorm ideas, I listen to all types of music from various eras. Standards, country, pop,
rock, classical, reggae — you name it. Then I think, “do the lyrics of this song speak to me? Are
they relatable today?” If the answers are, “yes,” the next things to explore are, “does this song
have a strong melody? Would it sound good with a big band in a croon or swing style?”
Then I get together with the rhythm section of my band. I normally come in with a general idea
of the kind of sound and feeling I’m going for, not a formal composition. I’m lucky to be working
with some of the best musicians in the country so we’re able to just jam out and see what works.
Who would you most like to collaborate with?
Frank Wildhorn, the best living musical theatre composer.
If you could go open a show for any artist who would it be?
Trying to entertain and connect with someone else’s audience for 20 minutes who may or may
not understand and relate my music and message isn’t for me.
I would headline the show.
Where have you performed? What are your favourite and least favourite venues?
I love singing with a big band; this genre of music is electrifying when the audience can hear
each instrumental section filled out by a full or chamber orchestra. For that reason, my favorite
place to perform is on large stages that can accommodate fifteen or more musicians, such as in
theaters, casinos, and concert halls.
One unusual venue I frequently perform at though are sports stadiums. I sing the Star Spangled
Banner to kick off each season for the Philadelphia Phillies at their home opener. While
performing at a stadium comes with its own unique challenges, such as cold and windy weather,
hearing your own reverb, and the necessity of singing a capella, I absolutely love the experience
and hold the tradition dear.
Last season I had the honor of performing God Bless America during game four of the World
Series; there is no greater feeling than connecting with 43,000 fans over a shared respect for
your country and love of baseball.
What is one message you would give to your fans?
I don’t like generic, Hallmark-esque messages. So instead of answering with something like,
“follow your dreams,” I’ll touch on something specific that I think could help people.
Personal finance is the most important subject that is not taught in schools. It’s for this reason
people pay financial planners to put them in cookie-cutter products that more or less mimic
index funds that people can easily access themselves.
Promise yourself you will set some portion of your salary aside each month to add to your
savings. If you don’t know what to do with your savings, simply open a brokerage account and
put it in the S&P 500, which has averaged 10% returns over nearly 100 years. Do not keep your
savings in depreciating fiat currency, such as the dollar, or in low-yielding promises to be repaid
fiat currency in the future (such as in bank savings accounts or bonds). Promise yourself you will
not move your savings into cash at any time, even during down markets.
People who stick to this plan for a decade or longer will see a remarkable growth in their
savings due to the effects of compounding returns.
Kane Kalas, 'Luck Be a Lady' Releases His Rendition of Frank Sinatra’s Classic.
Kane Kalas has a single, 'Lucky Be a Lady' It offers a glimpse into the life of a gambler — the song is filled with hope and suspense,” Kane says. “In capturing this feeling, I really explored playing with the lyrics, dynamics, and even the melody. These liberties capture the dramatic essence of the piece.
Listen to “Luck Be a Lady on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/track/2MINkfDaa5XWYCNOkrR9dd?si=f0618307f3c84ba5&nd=1
Connect with Kane Kalas
Website: https://kanekalas.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kanekalas/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kane.kalas
Twitter: https://twitter.com/kanekalas
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6PppY7ZK_5rhk4GfX_w9Pg
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@kanekalas
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/02085d2Dl1uAc5qEcUlBOf?si=y4Vj1J09TxmXojn_K8e1Sw&nd=1
Q & A by: SchizoFranic
Link: https://linktr.ee/SchizoFranic
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