September 2009: Kalai King at The Grand Opera House in Wilmington, DE.In 2000 Kalai moved from his home state of Delaware to Los Angeles to write sketch comedy for Nickelodeon while pursuing his music career. One day, while humming a Gram Parsons tune, he bumped into a co-worker who recognized the song. That co-worker was Polly Parsons – daughter of Gram himself. Polly invited Kalai to “The Sweethearts of the Rodeo”, a monthly Americana club that was the epicenter of the California Roots Rock scene. He soon became a fixture, playing with “The Sin City All Star Band” along side such guests as Lucinda Williams, Dwight Yoakam, Tim Easton, Shooter Jennings and Michelle Shocked.
In 2001, Kalai put a group together that soon opened shows for Robert Earl Keen and Chris Whitley at Hollywood’s Roxy Theatre. The Alt-Country band morphed into Hawkeye. Their performance of his song “Home” shot to 12 on the Garageband.com Americana Charts and they became the best drawing band at Hollywood’s famed Hotel Café. Their residency “Third Friday’s with Hawkeye” found the band in elite company with the likes of Sara Bareilles, Garrison Starr, Anne McCue, Alexi Murdoch, Eastmountainsouth, Gary Jules and members of The Wallflowers and Pete Yorn’s band.
Kalai is back on the East Coast and his first solo release, “The Red & Black E.P” was lauded by Miles of Music.com as:
“An organic mix of country, blues, gospel and rock, so seamless it sounds of its own kind. (Kalai) has the sensibility of a ‘70s era singer / songwriter, and the passion of a heartland rocker.”
The L.A. Music Scene.com seemed to agree with this review of his live performance with Chris Whitley:
“Capturing the inviting feel of southern rock, singer/guitarist Kalai King follows the style of (Bruce) Springsteen, armed with guitar, strong vocals, and a charismatic presence.”
And Music Connection added:
“King’s musical integrity is apparent in every song...with radio-friendly and widely appealing (material)”
Now back in Delaware, Kalai is recording songs for his follow up album. With recent performances along side Alejandro Escovedo and Tim Reynolds (of Dave Matthews fame) under his belt and a new band behind him, keep an eye out for Kalai King in a city near you.
"Down Home", Released September 2009.
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