Winner of the "2000 Los Angeles
Music Award" for Best Male Singer/Songwriter, Kevin Henry’s
upcoming album, East On Sunset (Coastal Records)
is certain to carry the "singer/songwriter" genre to a new
level.Produced by Kevin Henry and Roman Ciuni,
East On Sunset features 11 original songs, including his
pre-released hit single, "Next Year" (popularized by
the NBC sitcom, "Friends"). Henry’s debut solo album
takes you on an emotional road trip.
Henry’s lyrics are a combination of detailed experiences
and vivid metaphors that focus on modern love, life and the
human condition. His music draws upon traditions that range
from Art Rock (David Bowie) and Motown (Marvin Gaye), to pop
singer/songwriters (Elton John) and modern rock bands (Radiohead),
creating a sound that is entirely his own. "Love is like a
spontaneous road trip where you don’t know what weather to
pack for," says Henry. "All your baggage ends up useless in
the end."
Based in Los Angeles, Henry (whose full name is Kevin Henry
Hassett) formed his current band to back his solo project in
1999 when he relocated to the West Coast from NYC. The
talented Ryan Cross on upright bass, Roman Ciuni on
guitar, and Marco Menighin on drums have helped Henry
build a strong following of Angelinos, continually selling out
shows at numerous Hollywood venues.
Combining cutting edge programming with cello, layered
electric guitars with grooving upright bass lines, and
seductive yet catchy melodies with poetic lyrics, Henry and
his band utilize the best devises of pop and rock in the
album’s musical arrangements. Kevin Henry expresses his
experiences through music that draws upon diverse traditions
ranging from Nat "King" Cole to Bjork.
East of Sunset was recorded at Smart Studios, owned by
producer Butch Vig, and home to the recordings of Garbage,
Nirvana, and Smashing Pumpkins.
Kevin Henry was born and raised in the progressive city of
Madison, Wisconsin, once described as "15 square miles
surrounded by reality." It was the ideal environment for the
young artist, of which he took full advantage: singing and
playing the piano by the age of four, publishing his first
song at eight, and performing regularly in civic theatre
productions from 6th grade on.
At the age of 18, Henry moved to the East Village in New
York City, where he expanded his creative development under
the sharper realities of the city. After graduating cum laude
from N.Y.U. with a degree in Dramatic Literature, Henry formed
his first band, a 7-piece jazz-funk project named Gotham,
with whom he released the CD Invisible Ghetto
and toured the US and Europe.
Henry went on to write and produce for other artists as
well, including three songs on R&B singer Tina Moore’s album
All in My Vibe (RCA), and pop singer Mercedes. Henry
worked as songwriter and vocalist on Outlet by New York
trip-hop guru Joe Wize (of Groove Theory notoriety).
Kevin Henry performed in two ASCAP sponsored showcases for
HSX (The Hollywood Stock Exchange), was a featured act at the
first annual EAT’M (Emerging Artists and Talent in Music)
conference in Las Vegas, and was brought to Panama for a
series of sold out shows over New Year’s 1999.
Henry’s signature song "Next Year" began as a special New
Year’s song performed by the band while on tour in Panama. The
unique New Year’s arrangement, which weaves "Auld Lang Syne"
into the original song, was described by USC’s Daily Trojan
as, "a haunting ballad…"
After a six-week radio promotion for "Next Year" in
December 1999, it charted at #39 "Pop" and #7 "Most Added" on
the New Music Weekly chart. The single also reached the
#23 "Top 40 Most Added" and #77 "Hot A/C" positions on the
Friday Morning Quarterback chart.
In addition to "Next Year", Henry has had two songs appear
on CBS’ "Nash Bridges" and also several songs on the E!
Entertainment Television documentary, "Club Vegas."
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For more information, interviews or photos, please contact
Lynn Hasty at Green Galactic at 323-466-5141 or lynn@greengalactic.com.