Kiff Gallagher -- I write and produce my own stuff. On my recordings I perform all vocals and piano as well as other tweeks and beats...BUT, i've had the opportunity to work, learn and play with wonderful and talented folks in the studio and on stage.
Including old friend, engineer and co-producer of my album, Andrew Bush.
Dan Nervo and Randy Jacobs (Seal, Bonnie Raitt) on guitar;
Curt Bisquera (Christina Aguelera, Nelly Furtado) and Ramy Antoun (Seal) on drums; Mark Anthony Calderon on bass;
Bill Mason (Tupac!) on B3;
Michael Spiro on percussion and Patrick Warren (Macy Gray, Fiona Apple) on strings'n'tings.
The new record was mixed by Joe Chiccarelli (U2, Beck, Elton John) and Mark Needham (The Killers, Fleetwood Mac, Chris Isaak).
Recent shows I've played with Nate Morton, Chris Williams, Denise Martin - drums, Derek Frank - bass, Maya Kronfeld, Eli Brueggemann - Keys and Zoe Ellis on back vox/perc. I'm always down to meet and play with playaz ;)
“[Four stars…] Kiff’s music is satisfyingly diverse and rich with emotion.”
- Pop Syndicate
Remarkable The Time For Kiff Is Now.
- TheOwlMag.com
Rocks and Rolls with Unforced Fluidity.
- Critics Choice in East Bay Express
Kiff Is on the Verge of The Big Time.
- SF Chronicle
A Minor Masterpiece Ready To Drop Into Radio Formats Across The World Immediately.
- Haight Ashbury Beat
We immediately became hooked. A mix of rock, pop, funk, soul, paired with a killer voice and some serious skills on the piano, Kiff brings a refreshing complexity to the singer-songwriter music scene.
- Trend Central
Kiff's classic song-writing and soulful, pop-rock hooks have been called "stunning" by SF Weekly and compared to "Maroon 5 w/ a dose of Stevie Wonder" by SF Examiner. "Now" (the lead track on his second, self-produced LP, You Can't Keep It Down) is case in point. But the new record goes well beyond his radio-friendly first single to intimate ballads like "Starting Line", dance jams like "How it Feels" and "Follow the Leader" and rock anthems "Just Give it Up" and "Talk to Me."
Kiff's music reveals not only rare talent but raw passion, wicked groove and what owlmag.com calls the "raspy smooth, velvet blanket" of his voice. Hear why several of Kiff's new songs have been awarded 5-stars by GarageBand.com and featured on Clear Channel's hot new artist buzz pages.
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Kiff's also got some pretty funky job titles behind him which entailed working at the White House for Bill Clinton, meeting with Bono in Dublin, helping launch the AmerCorps program, stock trading, MC'g a hip-hop acid jazz band, playing capeoira in Brazil, selling organic juice, guest lecturing at Stanford, Berkeley and other biz schools, meditating with Thich Naht Hanh and serving a network of environmentally + socially conscious CEO's. He also a fan of Trader Joe's, Jim Cramer and Jack Bauer....all true, but for another day. Check out Kiff's music at KIFF.com.
Demand KIFF!
Influences
James Taylor, Stevie Wonder, Joni Mitchell, Beatles, Bread, Michael Jackson, Hall&Oats, Brand New Heavies, Sting, Foreigner, The Roots, Seal's & Crofts, Steely Dan, Lewis Taylor, Jonatha Brooke, Doobie Brothers, Michael McDonald, A Tribe Called Quest, ELO, ABBA, Aaron Copland, Peter Gabriel, Pharcyde, Bee Gees, Christopher Cross, Willy Porter, Marvin Gaye, Mos Def, Beach Boys, Earth Wind & Fire, CSN, Lionel Richie/Commodores, Bill Withers, Chicago, MeShell, Genesis/Phil Collins, D'Angelo, Dvorak, Blood Sweat & Tears, Elton John
Buy KIFF's New CD "You Can't Keep it Down" Now!includes these 4 songs + 7 more w/ lyrics and 10pg booklet! Get it from CD Baby or direct from KIFF (signed!). You can also download the record from iTunes or emusic! Kiff's debut record from 2004, Will and Surrender, is also available.
Kiff continues to incubate and play with new material in his basement. But he hasn't been rehearsing his band or booking shows while he launches the new "Peace Corps for musicians." Kiff says, "Taking this idea from vision to reality is the 'album' we're making right now. I miss connecting with friends through live shows, but I know that the successful launch of this initiative will nourish my creativity and music for a long time."
Kiff recently represented CARE on a trip to Ethiopia to learn about the developing country's maternal and newborn health strategy. Kiff's been working with CARE this summer on a proposal for funding from the Gates Foundation. See Kiff's slide show here.
Kiff captures a special moment from Hugh Masekela's concert at Stern Grove in San Francisco. Watch and listen as the South African artist discusses indifference, and asks us to remember our fellow human beings in Darfur and around the world. Watch the video »
We'd like to thank BJ Barratt from B Showcase who managed and produced KIFF's east coast tour. See BJ'sblogs, photos and video from recent sold out shows in NYC, Philly and DC. Click on the video to the right to see KIFF (w/ Dan and Mark) perform his new song "Weightless" in Washington, DC.
KIFF's album You Can't Keep it Down (UCKiD) — featuring songs "Now," "How it Feels" and "Die 4 the Cause" — is currently spinning on over 100 college stations nationwide. UCKiD's charting Top-30 on several. To see the list and request KIFF in your area, click here.
The first PeaceLabs Music Series concert, featuring KIFF Trio and Mica Lee Williams, was a sold-out success. Stay tuned for video footage and photos. Learn more about the vision for PeaceLabs Music.
KIFF won the 2006 International Singer/Songwriter Award, presented by We Are Listening. Kiff's song How It Feels was selected by distinguished judges from a submission pool of many thousands. See, listen, and download FREE!
KIFF Videos Check out the video of KIFF playing a sold-out show at the Independent in San Francisco, recorded in early 2006. Watch it now, then check out more KIFF videos, including Joe's Pub w/ full band from May 2006 and KIFF basement sessions, at YouTube and MySpace Video.
A Gift of Home for Troops Overseas. Between Xmas and Valentine's, proceeds from iTunes sales of KIFF's single “Coming Home,” about loved ones far away, went to the non-profit group Cellphones for Soldiers to help our troops call home. Thanks to everyone who downloaded Coming Home or dropped cells and accessories at the PeaceLabs concert or SF partner, The Postal Chase.
KIFF was selected to perform at the annual Grammy celebration on December 4 in San Francisco, and had a blast playing for over 400 attendees. See the kids in action (3-piece w/ bro's D-Nerv and Mark Anthony) plus red pants!
Music Connection magazine names KIFF's UCKid (You Can't Keep It Down) in their "Top 25 of 2006". Out of the 1000s of CDs they receive, and the 100s they choose to review each year, KIFF's latest album is tied for 2nd best review score of 2006. Check out the issue, on newstands for the full month of December (instead of the usual two weeks).
Kiff's song How It Feels was recently selected to appear on Discmakers Indie Music World Series compilation CD-ROM. Kiff is one of only 16 artists (out of over 1300 submissions) from the western states appearing on the compilation — we're honored!
>> One of the nation's leading AAA radio stations, Bay Area's KFOG, recently featured You Can't Keep It Down in their monthly "New Music Connection" letter alongside new albums from Train and Jack Johnson. Kiff was also featured in KFOG's Local Scene.
I was listening to your music at work and it put a smile on my face...I miss hearing it live though. Come to San Diego! How are you? My best to you and Hahva!! xoxo
Hi Kiff! A Belated Merry Christmas to you and Havah, as well as a good cheer for the New Year. I hope you are doing and feeling well. Enjoy this new year! :-) Much Love, Sarah
Merry Christmas Kiff. Hope you are doing well and wishing you all good things in 2008. Keep in touch.
Peace, Robin
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ "Christmas - that magic blanket that wraps itself about us, that something so intangible that it is like a fragrance. It may weave a spell of nostalgia. Christmas may be a day of feasting, or of prayer, but always it will be a day of remembrance - a day in which we think of everything we have ever loved." ~Augusta E. Rundel
Yo Yo Yo Kiffster! Wat up? Hey at least I blog regularly so you can see what I'm up to! I KNOW you're doing amazing things.... I just need updates now and then....you should blog more! MISS YOU!
Hey Kiff, it's been WAY too long since I've seen and heard you! Any plans for a local show? Hope you are doing well. Would love to catch up with you and hear what you've been up to. Carpe Diem, Susie
+ KIFF Player +
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Kiff's song How It Feels was recently selected to appear on Discmakers Indie Music World Series compilation CD-ROM. Kiff is one of only 16 artists (out of over 1300 submissions) from the western states appearing on the compilation — we're honored!
