My roots go back to Buffalo, NY where I grew up and started playing guitar at age 14 after my brother (a guitarist/songwriter) gave me a Kramer acoustic guitar for Christmas one year. I started taking lessons and was eager to learn my favorite songs by U2 and the Alarm at that time. Although lessons didn't inspire me too long, I gradually started working on writing my own songs, and with practice, improving my playing (finally) by the time I was about 17. By that time it was all the old Bob Dylan songs that I listened to that got me inspired to keep figuring out all my favorite songs. Some of the first songs were ones like "Knocking on Heaven's Door" and "Blowing in the Wind". I had been singing already for years in choirs from elementary school and leading up to classical vocal training in college. I have always been a music person....I knew early on that music was something that was a real part of what my self expression would be.
Song-writing was also an early love of mine, and still is today. I liked writing poems and experimented with the words to change them in to song lyrics.
In college I wanted to start a band so I placed an advertisement in the local Buffalo newspaper "Art Voice" and very soon Desert Hum was created. We released a few studio recordings and performed at local Buffalo clubs and bars for a few years.
Next to creating music, (in the 90's) college radio really made an impact on me and introduced me to an unlimited amount of bands, solo artists, and genres during my college years. I started as a disc jockey at the Buffalo State College radio station, WBNY, in the fall of 1991 and remained a loyal weekly host of an eclectic music mix program until my departure in May 1996. On occasion I thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to fill in for the folk and roots music show "Rooting About" hosted by Al Riess, and searching through Al's extensive world and folk music cabinets in preparation for these shows is what introduced me to music from around the globe. This music exploration not only inspired me and opened my mind to endless music possibilities, but I credit this radio program for broadening and expanding my ear for music to a completely new level, and allowing me to develop my appreciation for so many different genres of music today.
While situated at the college station, I also started working as an on-air disc jockey during over night shifts at the new commercial modern rock station in town, 103.3 FM The Edge(WEDG). Although I got no adequate sleep, my music passion got the best of me (for better or worse!). I interned at Ani Difranco's record label Righteous Babe Records, and started a dj gig once a week at a local club.
I moved to Los Angeles in May 1996 to work in college promotions at Capitol Records in Hollywood, CA for a few years. It was a learning experience for certain, and also (as a music person), a privilege to promote artists like the Cocteau Twins, Vic Chesnutt, Radiohead, Beastie Boys, Luscious Jackson, Liz Phair, Sparklehorse, Mazzy Star, Sean Lennon, Jon Spencer Blues Explosion, Jimmy Eat World, Foo Fighters, Duran Duran (one of my all time favorites!)
Los Angeles is where I started performing as a solo musician. I have fond memories of the open mics at Highland Grounds in Hollywood, and Koos Café in Orange County. The monthly gigs at Anastasia's Asylum in Santa Monica are my favorites. I did a bunch of shows at various coffeehouses, and venues during the years and finally got to a point where I just knew that I was more destined to return to the East Coast...or at least, I really missed it and wanted to be able to see my family more often and start "a new" in my favorite town, Boston.
So it was to Boston that I moved my life and music in 2001, and have been ever since (except for a one year NYC experiment). When I met fellow singer-songwriter Keith Hampton one day when I was playing guitar in the Boston subway, it led to an opportunity to be a part of his compilation and include my song "The Point" on
“Coming Home: Boston Song Collective” showcasing local Boston songwriters.
Next to writing pop acoustic songs, I also have a real passion for Indian
culture and music. It led me to begin my study of Classical Indian
Hindustani singing with Classical Indian vocalist, Soma Sarkar in 2003.
I soon found this challenging style of singing to benefit me as a vocalist in many ways. It has strengthened my voice, and taken me to a new level of vocal exploration.
If I can occasionally indulge in my love for electronic music, and djing, then I will be happy! My first dj gig in the Boston area happened in March 2007 for the monthly event “UNIVERSAL” sponsored by Circle, Gnomefatty,
and Six Degrees Records at the Western Front in Cambridge, MA with resident dj’s Notecrusher and dj lavoie. In December '07, I helped organize an electronic fusion music dj event called "aditi" to raise awareness and funds for the organization Akshaya Patra.
Currently I am recording music towards my first solo album which I eagerly look forward to sharing with all of you- stay tuned......
Hey Kell.... Yes I have returned from France... YOu would have loved not just Paris but a Roman town called Nimes. Amazing. Will upload some photos soon.... took over 100 of gargoyles alone> That new Nikon I got has made me camera crazy. Over 1000 photos in France.
More soon my friend... Have you been writing or recording?
I hope you are well. As a build up to my album I have released an E.P. titled ‘Cinema for the Ears’. This gives a little taster of what’s to come in the album!!! Some of the songs featured on my myspace page are on the E.P. as well as some new one’s. If you like any of my work, check out the E.P!!!!!
COME TO ADITI!!!!! FRI, DEC 7th at UMBRIA - 295 Franklin Street, Boston DJ Komal and DJ Kelli Benefit for Akshaya Patra Music: Indian, Middle Eastern, Electronica, Bollywood, Bhangra, Drum n' Bass, along with live musicians. Come out and enjoy the music and support a worthy cause! Peace.
Kelli, Invisible Days is gorgeous! You're voice is amazing and the arrangement rocks! Thanks for the message. I will reply to that soon. Take Care, Rishma
