Country Music Archives - Kekoas Korner

Drake Milligan brought some old school Country Music to Switzerland. Not only did we enjoy his set but I think him and his band did too. A small town boy turned into an Elvis-like musician who made it to Zurich – what a Story to tell!

Drake and his band of 5 took the stage and you could feel they came to play! Right away Drake wrapped his female fans around his little finger with his sexy winks and the intense eye contact. But no, Drake is not just good looks and charming – he is an incredibly talented musician.

From Country to Bluegrass – Drake Milligan can do it all. “Tipping Point” and “Over drinking, under thinking” were got us dancing and singing. Not just the ladies in the crowd loved him. I saw many men bopping their heads and clapping. Speaking of heads… it wouldn’t be a country gig without some cowboy hats! As you probably know I loove cowboy boots and have been wearing them for years. So of course I wore my newest addition from Boot Barn in Vegas 😀

Want to read more about our country gig in Las Vegas? Check out Dustin Lynch.

After just a few songs I was sold. Drake Milligan is super funny and the band has great chemistry on stage. They know exactly what the other one does and can react accordingly. It was so much fun to see them play.
A highlight for me was the song “Hating everything she tries on” because sometimes that’s just how we women feel and yes the bedroom looks exactly like he describes it:

Hatin’ everything she tries on
But I don’t know what for
Two dresses on the bed
Three more in the floor
She keeps saying, “I’m sorry it’s taking so long”
She don’t know I’m loving watching her
Hatin’ everything she tries on

Drake Milligan also paid tribute to Buck Owens – Bluegrass Legend with the song “Buck’Em”. And then suddenly he said someone yelled “Cowgirl for Christmas” and he probably wouldn’t be back before Christmas to sing this song… so he just played it! You know I cannot get enough of Christmas so that was right up my alley. The lights were green and red and we could sway to a lovely X-Mas song in March 😀

During “Goin’ Down Swingin” the band and Drake got closer together and did a little Grand Ol’ Opry style version of the song. You really have to appreciate the amazing band: Kelly, Adam, Clay, Ryan, Lucas you guys ROCK!

On we went with the set and with every song I enjoyed Drake and his band more. He also covered “Pretty Woman” which I enjoyed a lot. They didn’t stop for one minute – it was a funny energetic musically brilliant show and with loud claps and shouts of we want more and whistles they left the stage. The lights came on, the security started to move us away but the audience kept on clapping and shouting! I was so surprised that this audience could be so loud and persistent.

The crowd couldn’t get enough of Drake Milligan and apparently neither could he. The band came back and they played a special encore of covers including a little “Twist and Shout”. He then said he’ll be taking pictures with everyone after the show and what felt like 30 seconds later he was standing by the merch stand. What a wholesome night and I cannot wait for my next country gig with Darius Rucker in April!

Check out the amazing pictures Loads of Music took!

Allgemein, Concerts

Daddy Savoretti is singing to strangers around the world

May 8, 2019June 23, 2019 kekoaskorner

A week ago I published the New Music post about Jack Savoretti where I told you guys that I’d be so excited to see him play and I was very curious. Well fast forward a week and here we are at Volkshaus in front row waiting to see if Jack Savoretti would fullfil my expectations. But I might have been even more excited to see his support act called Ward Thomas.

Ward Thomas – Voices from heaven

At 7.30 the two sisters Lizzie and Catherine took the stage accompanied by their two musicians. I saw the two girls at the C2C Songwriter Sessions in London and I fell in love with their voices. Unfortunately they only performed one song “Cartwheels” because they were actually just surprise guests winning the CMA Jeff Walker Global Artist Achievement Award! How cool is that?!

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Allgemein, Interviews

Closer to you with Hunter Hayes

February 15, 2019June 23, 2019 kekoaskorner

I got know Hunter Hayes in 2011 when he released “Storm Warning”. Little did I know that 8 years later I would be able to interview Hunter Hayes for my own blog and that I will be seeing twice this year!

Slowly Europe is getting its country on and finally we get to enjoy some real country music 🙂 So for all my readers who love good music from a talented musician you gotta check out Hunter Hayes at Plaza on March 3rd. Get your tix here: Ticketcorner.com
And remember March 3rd is only 2 weeks away so get your hands on those tix or you might miss out on a really cool night! But before that I spoke with Hunter Hayes on the phone and here it is:

Interview with Hunter Hayes

Kekoas Korner: So are you ready?

Hunter: Yeah, absolutely.

On the Insta live last week you talked about your tour being named „Closer to you“. So you’re sharing lots of personal stuff in your new songs. Now my question: What’s your biggest fear?

I think the biggest fear is sharing too much! 🙂 Oversharing and feeling like okay we could have probably done it without that. But I’ve learned that this is the beautiful part about writing this album. Bringing one song to the show and introducing it slowly to the world taught me that the more you share the closer you are to the people around you. That’s friends, family or fans – that’s just music. My favourite music is so direct and so unfiltered. So I think the journey to get there in the process of writing music has been one of my favourite parts. The biggest area for growth for me is being more honest and putting more of myself in music.

Speaking of your new songs Heartbreak and One Shot. Will there be a new record coming soon?

There will be an album. I can’t say when. I’m glad you asked. They are all part of an album that we can talk about probably later this year!

Well that sounds good at least we got a little teaser. Who would you say is your musical influence for this album or the past ones?

It’s all over the map. It’s been everything from U2 to Punch Brothers. I like studying other artists and albums for long periods of time and really getting to know the albums. Not just the words but getting the heart and soul behind it. It’s a fun study for me. The more you start to pick the things that you love out of the music and internalize them versus I want to make a record that sounds like a twenty-one pilots record. Number one that’s not okay and number two and the most important part is that you have to be you. The process of music and finding out what I love about it and what that means to me and my writing process and how I can interpret that. If I hear more of their stories I will tell more of mine. Basically it’s trying and failing until finding out what’s right for me.
The list of influences is long. There’s a lot of music that was coming my way the last 18 months that have totally changed the way I approach making music.

So can you tell me a few names off that list. You said Punch Brothers?

Yeah! That was a big one early on. I also went through a BIIIG U2 phase last year. Not phases in like “I’m over it” but a phase like I studied sections of their career for several months and really got to know the albums. Of course some albums more than others. The study of a four piece band with a very limited production making such a big impact that was something I wanted to get better at and know a bit more about. It’s all a lesson in restraint. It’s very intentional and very emotional. It’s hard to get those two things in the same place.

Sounds really interesting. You’ve got a busy year: Playing the Opry, going overseas with the C2C festival which I will be going to as well….

Oh that’s awesome. Have you been before?

No I haven’t. It’s the first time!

Ahh you are gonna love it!!

Yes and I am really much looking forward to it but before that I’ll be seeing you in Zurich on your European tour plus the tour through America. What can we expect from the „Closer to you“ tour? Can you tell me a little secret? 🙂

*laughs* Sure. The thing about the “Closer to you” tour is, it’s not like any other tour we’ve done even tough it shares a lot with tours that we’ve done before. It’s nothing like anything we’ve done before because of the fact that it comes from this new music. For a while we’ve been touring with kinda the same collection of songs adding one or two. With the release of new songs it injects new energy. This is like a fresh reboot almost like a renovation of a house. It’s not unrecognizable but for me it feels brand new. Some of the places are places we’ve played before and some aren’t. It all feels like I’ve just woken up from a dream and it’s a whole new chapter.

So we can expect a lot?

The fun thing about this tour is the new take on some of the older music. Everybody is new on this tour except for me. 🙂 The songs I’ve been playing for a long time will be now re-imagined as if they would have been recored for this album. That’s gonna be really fun to do.

That sounds exciting. In like 2 or 3 weeks I’ll be seeing what this show’s about.

God that’s three weeks away? Good Lord. I’m excited!

Me too! Now Europe is slowly starting to listen to country music too. What do you want to tell your European fans who are coming to the shows?

Country covers a lot of ground. There is so much in country. I don’t think you could sum up the genre. If you pick three names doing completely different things I think you still leave a lot out. I’m exited for people to get know country as I know country. It’s a very vast genre full of brilliant storytellers with musically brilliant ideas. There’s a lot of people bringing new ideas from other genres into country music in such a way that goes along what we were talking about: The studying and internalization of things they grew up listening to. There is so much to discover in country music. I think you couldn’t properly dive into country music and don’t find anything that feels like home.

At age 27 you’ve played so many amazing venues already. Do you still have a bucket list venues to go?

I’ve got a few for sure. Pick the arena in every city around the world and the theatres too. I love theatres. I’ve learned that it’s such a special place to experience music and play it. That’s history. That’s historically where people would go to listen to music.
On that list would also be Red Rocks. I’ve never played Red Rocks in Colorado. I’d love to do that. I wanna play as many places as I possibly can put my name on the wall! 🙂

Red Rocks is also on my bucket list but to watch!

You know what I’ll let you know when we play it so we can both cross it off at the same time!

Sounds like we have a deal! 🙂 And what was your favourite venue you’ve already played in?

Can I pick 3? The Fox Theatre in Detroit was one of my all time favourite venues to play in. That leads into the Ryman will always have my heart. That will alway be my favourite venue – probably. Even though Nashville is not necessarily my home town it feels like home town the more that I live here. It embraces the people that come here to make music. The Ryman is just a spectacular place. I think I’m just gonna stick with that. The Ryman has my heart.

I’ve heard a lot of good things about the Ryman. And finally you are playing like a million instruments what would be the instrument you’d like to try to learn next? Maybe the Alphorn here in Switzerland?

Honestly I would just like to play the violin half decent. I’m not good at playing any instruments if I’m totally honest but I’d like to be decent enough in some sort of string instruments like the violin. I’d love to arrange string parts. I’ve never gotten along with that instrument for some reason but I’d like to.

Now I have some fan questions for you. I asked my followers to send in some questions.

Rachel who’s a huge fan from New Zealand was wondering if you do some more international gigs down under since the tour is called closer to you? 🙂

I would love that!

But nothing’s been planned yet?

Not officially. The good news for me – at least – once you start touring like we do this year hopefully the right people hear about it or you come in contact with right people and things happen. It’s momentum. Once you get back on the road… I’m hoping at least that that’s the result of it.

She also did a lyrics video to your song Heart break and it looks amazing. Do you check out fan-made videos and art?

Absolutely! Yes! 100%! In fact we had a really fun idea that I can’t say much about. Not too long ago I actually made a playlist of my favourite cover videos. That’s one of the biggest compliments you can get as an artist – just watch someone else cover your song. It makes me feel really cool. It’s a really good feeling! It’s awesome because they come up with these new versions of your songs. They give it a totally different live and that’s also the beauty of collaborations. Somebody else puts their creativity to work and really makes a song to their own. I love it and I love watching it. It’s awesome!! It’s so inspiring too. It gives you so many ideas and so much energy!

Taylor would like to know what’s your favourite part about meeting fans?

My favourite part is when they share their story. When I get to hear how they found a song or why a song means something to them – just getting to know them. I feel like music is such a great way to connect with people and that’s why we do what we do and we love what we do. It’s the best part the connection. That’s the destination for all music.

Nathan enjoyed your USO show in Wiesbaden. How much do shows like this mean to you?

That’s one of the most important parts about touring. I’ve always made it known to our team that that’s a big priority and that I feel very passionate about. We all have an appreciation for our men and women but to be there with them on base is a completely different experience. Being there in person and show them gratitude through music. The spirit in those rooms is incredible. They are incredible people. Hopefully our appreciation and gratitude comes across. It’s a privilege and a massive opportunity to bring home to them.

That’s sounds so lovely! Now we already have our last fan question from Sandra: What’s your favourite food?

I waver on this. It changes daily but I’m an Italian food fan.

So you’ll gonna be really close to Italy when you are over here.

Well you know I eat way better on the road than when I’m at home.

Funny! Well that was it. Thank you so much for taking the time to talk to me!

Thank you for your time as well 🙂

Hunter Hayes loves music and that’s what makes him such a talented musician. In addition to that he’s also super friendly. So make sure to check him out and go see him on his “Closer to you” tour.

Allgemein, Concerts

Getting my Country on with Brett Young, Midland and Maddie & Tae

October 1, 2018June 23, 2019 kekoaskorner

For years I wanted to visit the Country Night Gstaad and this year I finally found another Country Music Fan to join me! We started our little road trip at noon so that I could join the Line Dance workshop at 4. Of course the we couldn’t start without the right music: The hottest Country songs atm 🙂

When we arrived at the venue I kinda felt transported into a convention centre in the US. Obviously country music was playing, some people were eating and some were already line dancing. Let me tell you the work shop was a lot of fun and I never thought that line dancing is so exhausting! LOL

Krüger Brothers

They are Swiss but living in the US and they managed to get the most people into the actual concert venue! I quite liked their music and their performance however I was waiting for the other artists as my highlights unlike the majority of the audience. I think since the crowd is mainly middle-aged they prefer the good ol’ country music. And the Kruger Brothers perfect their unique style.

Maddie & Tae

If you google Maddie & Tae you quickly realize that they are two gorgeous girls but believe me they are even better looking in real life. But they are just good looking they are super cute and very talented too. God must have had a good day when Maddie & Tae were born. With big smiles on their faces they started with “Ain’t There Yet”, “No Place Like You” and “Friends Don’t”. Maddie & Tae’s harmonies were just perfect and together they played the guitar as well. I was super impressed and loved their set already. The girls continued with “Tourist”, “Fly” and “Waiting on a Plane”.

My absolute fav tune was “Your Side of Town”. It’s a super fast song including some clapping and it just has so much energy! I really really loved it. It doesn’t get more country than “Shut up and Fish”. For you country rookies let me show you what I mean with the following lyrics:

Oh I was fishing he was wishing
We were kissing I was getting
Madder than a hornet in an old coke can
Getting closer sliding over
Crowding up my casting shoulder
Reaching out and tryna hold my reeling hand
Saying I’m pretty saying he’s in love
And how it don’t get any better than this

I say yeah it could
Boy if you would
Shut up and fish

Just perfect! haha “Trying on Rings” was next before we got to hear a beautiful ballade with on point harmonies again: “Everywhere I’m Going”. I could listen to Maddie & Tae all evening. They deffo made a new fan 🙂 “I Don’t need to know” and “New Dog” followed. But of course the girls couldn’t leave without singing their biggest hit “Girl in a Country Song”. Such a cool song and the video is sooo funny so have a look below:

I think they loved it so much they added another lovely ballade “One Heart” to the set list. But what I really appreciated most was that they properly took time to sign the booklets of their fans and were just super sweet!

Midland

Midland looks like a band from the 80’s with their long hair and moustaches which one of the lads shaved off the day before and he got a lot of grief for it 😀 In any case I really really loved their set. You could feel that they love what they are doing and they were super grateful to be in Switzerland and play for us. They mentioned more than once that this was a once in a life trip and they enjoyed the beautiful views including a super dangerous hiking trip. I loved Mark’s storytelling skills. Unfortunately I wasn’t able to get a set list of all their songs since I was already crammed in to get a good spot for Brett Young’s first song.

They played a lot of folky country songs almost leaning into blue grass and what I really liked was when they covered “Stand by Me”. Their harmonies were absolutely on point in all the songs and they tried to get the crowd going a few times! And of course at the end they played “Drinking Problem” 😀 So you just read that fishing is big in Country Music now I can tell you that drinking is almost as big and this song is just the perfect example. Have a look at the video:

Brett Young

He was the headliner but only started playing at 11.40 so I was already super exhausted however he managed to get me up dancing from the start! For the first song “Here Tonight” I was front row again and hoped to get some good close up shots. “Used to missing you” was next and then I couldn’t believe it one of my fav Brett Young songs was already up: “Like I loved you” was on and I was singing and swaying along. So my concert buddy and I decided we couldn’t watch it from the back so we joined others who were dancing on the side.
One of his biggest hits was up in 5 4 3 2 1 “You Ain’t Here to Kiss Me” 😉 Brett then started talking. He said that he grew up in California and that one of his biggest inspirations is Gavin DeGraw and I looked over to Shirley from Loads of Music completely gobsmacked. I didn’t expect this at all. I was over the moon and I loved him even more so when he started playing “Not over you” I could barely contain myself haha I absolutely looove surprises at gigs!

After that we had to catch a breath and calm down to “Making me Say”, “Crazy Love” and “Ain’t too proud”. I knew that the slow part was coming now so we sat back down and enjoyed the next few cover songs where you could hear his very beautiful voice. Brett Young started off with “Walking in Memphis”. I love the song even in a slow version. “Bartender Blues” and “Garth” was next. He then asked Maddie & Tae back on stage to sing with him “Whiskey Lullaby”. Let me tell you those harmonies were on point! And to finish the slow cover songs set he sang “Hallelujah”. Such a beautiful moment and I enjoyed the quiet part very much.

“Close Enough” and “Catch” got us up and dancing again. For “In Case you didn’t know” Brett Young said that if you are here with your partner this is the song to dance to. At first no-one stood up but then finally a couple started dancing and it was just the cutest! This guy earned some major husband points that night lol “Left Side of Leaving” I usually turn up the volume real loud so I was screaming it back at him haha thank God the music was loud enough so that no-one heard me 😉
His hour was over waaay to quick since we were already in the first song of the encore with “Mercy/Silence”. For the last song “Sleep without you” we were allowed back in front of the stage and some even got selfies with him! After a short thank you and good night Brett Young left the stage and lots of people were left without his signature in their programme booklet.

Who’s excited for the Country Night Gstaad 2019?

It was such an amazing day filled with good country music, nice people and loooots of fun! I hope I can come back next year – maybe we get to see Sam Hunt? 😉 The date is already out so mark your calendars on the 20th/21st September!
Want to share your Country Night Memories? Just comment below.

My latest gigs: Selah Sue, Max Giesinger, Walking Papers

Allgemein, Concerts

Max Giesinger: Vom Eichhörnli über Kuschelrock zu Tretbootfahren

September 11, 2018June 23, 2019 kekoaskorner

Letztes Jahr durfte ich Max Giesinger an der Baloise Session zum ersten Mal live sehen. Ich hatte total falsche Vorstellungen und innerhalb von weniger Minuten hatte Max Giesinger mich zum Fan gemacht. Natürlich wusste ich, dass ich mir die Chance ihn im Dynamo zu sehen, nicht entgehen lassen kann.

Chris James – der Support – ist Deutscher macht aber Musik in Amerika. Er hat echt toll Lieder und war super sympathisch. Die Leute wurden super aufgewärmt und ich würde mir den Namen merken 🙂

Kurz vor 21.00 Uhr dröhnte plötzlich Bruno Mars’ “24K Magic” aus den Lautsprechern. Die Leute fingen schon an zu Tanzen. Das Licht wurde ausgemacht und Max’s Band kam auf die Bühne. Nach einem kurzen Intro kam Max Giesinger auf die Bühne und sie fingen mit “Roulette” an. Aber zuerst wurde die erste Reihe per High Five gegrüsst und dem Rest wurde zugewunken. Aber das war noch nicht alles! Max besuchte die Party People in der Mitte, in dem er kurzerhand über die Schranken ins Publikum sprang. Ein kurzer Remix mit Pharrell Williams “Get Lucky” lag auch noch drin 🙂

Die 5 Jungs spielten am Tag vorher am Energy Air for 40’000 Zuschauer und natürlich ging die Party Backstage weiter. Deshalb war am Sonntag ausschlafen und chillen angesagt. Da der Sommer in die Verlängerung geht, konnten die Jungs in der Limmat schwimmen – Ja Max der Fluss heisst Limmat nicht Rivella 😀 Nach dem kurzen Wintereinbruch letzte Woche sind wir wieder im Sommer. Der beste Song dafür hat Max Giesinger natürlich im Gepäck: “Kalifornien”. Die Jungs haben sich natürlich nicht eingecremt und nen dicken Sonnenbrand eingeholt. Also bitte Leute immer eincremen auch im September! 🙂
Einer meiner Lieblingssongs im Moment ist “Legenden”. An der Weltklasse Zürich wurde das Lied am Schluss gespielt und für mich war das einfach der perfekte Song im perfekt Moment. Eine Stadiumhymne, die auch im kleinen funktioniert. Wie Max gestern erzählt hat, man möchte ja als Künstler immer grösser werden, aber es ist genauso schön in kleinen Clubs zu spielen. Man spürt die Energie und sieht die Leute. “Ultraviolett” von seiner zweiten CD war als nächstes dran. Während “Für Dich, Für Mich” sangen wir “Ohhh ohhh ohh” und bei “Nicht so schnell” wavten wir mit den Armen 🙂 Ein wunderschöner Song bei dem man genau auf den Text achten sollte.

Max sass dieses Jahr in der Jury von The Voice Kids und fand ein Schweizer Talent: Flavio Rizello. Natürlich hat er ihn jetzt eingeladen, mit ihm zu singen. Die beiden sangen “Feeling Good” und ich hatte echt Gänsehaut. Ich hätte nie gedacht, dass Flavio eine so tolle Stimme hat. Max meinte, dass nicht mal er mit 14 so gut gesungen hat – vielleicht nicht mal jetzt 😀 Nach einem kurzen Umbau stellte Max mit viel Witz seine Band vor. Die 5 sassen nun nebeneinander und spielten eines meiner Favoriten: “Die Guten Tage strahlen”. Das Lied hat einen Country-Music-Touch und ist einfach nur super toll.

Wieder ein kurzer Umbau und da ich ganz links war, sah ich ein weisses T-Shirt hinter dem abgetrennten Teil nach hinten rennen. Ich wusste, dass muss Max sein 😀 Niemand sah ihn zum Sound laufen. Die meisten schauten mich komisch an, weil ich immer nach hinten schaute… Als das Licht dann auf ihn gerichtet wurde, war es den Leuten klar warum ich nach hinten schaute, anstatt nach vorne wie sie 😀 “Der Junge, der rennt” sang Max Giesinger in Mitten des Publikums. Ich finde es einfach toll, wie nah Max Giesinger am Publikum ist. Man merkt einfach, wie viel Freude es ihm macht und er einfach nur dankbar ist, dass er nun vor grösserem Publikum spielen darf.

Dieser Hit durfte natürlich nicht fehlen und alle erkannten ihn sofort als Max Giesinger das Harmonium in die Hand nahm. Nach “Wenn sie tanzt” hatte Max noch etwas vorbereitet. Er spielte einige Takte z.B. von Lambada auf dem Harmonium und wir sangen sie nach. It was a lot of fun! 😀 Dann meinte Max, er möchte bei jedem Besuch einige Wörter auf Schweizerdeutsch dazu lernen. Dieses Mal waren es zwei: Erstens Chuchichäschtli – was natürlich jeder Schweizer als Paradebeispiel benutzt – und zweitens und jetzt kommts Eichhörnli! Flavio hatte ihm das beigebracht 😀 So ein nützliches Wort, nicht wahr?!

Der nächste Beat kannten alle und da wir so ein musikalisches Publikum waren, fingen wir sofort an “We Will Rock You” zu klatschen und zu singen. Max liess sich sofort darauf ein und sang die erste Strophe und der Refrain bevor er dann ins nächste Lied “Vielleicht im nächsten Leben” einstieg. Max Giesinger erzählte nun von seiner Jugend. Er besitzt jede Ausgabe der Kuschelrock-CD vor allem die Nummer 18 bedeutete ihm viel 😀 Deshalb spielte die Band und Max ein Medley aus 90’s Songs: Can’t Stop von den Red Hot Chili Peppers, Don’t let go von En Vogue und eines meiner Lieblingslieder – das normalerweise nur Pink covern darf – What’s up?! von den 4 Non Blondes. Einfach nur toll!

Im November kommt die neue CD und “Wir Waren Hier” wird da drauf sein. Es ist die Geschichte von Max Giesinger, der sich vom Strassenmusiker zum Berufsmusiker durchkämpfte. Ein toller Song mit tollem Text! Natürlich geht Max nächstes Jahr wieder auf Tour. Er wird am 10. März im Kaufleuten spielen. Tickets sind ab Freitag auf Starticket verfügbar. Leider war es nun schon Zeit, dass sich die Jungs von uns verabschiedeten. Aber natürlich nur für ein paar Minuten. Mit seinem Mega-Hit “80 Millionen” meldeten sie sich zurück. Nachdem wir als Background-Chor ausgedient haben, holte sich Max 3 kleine Mädchen auf die Bühne. Ein mega süsser Kinderchor und sicher ein Erlebnis, dass die kleinen nie mehr vergessen werden! Max Giesinger sang mit den super textsicheren Kiddies und wir waren ganz still und lauschten 🙂
Nach 2 Stunden war das Ende nah und die 5 Jungs spielten “Für immer”. Der perfekte Abschluss für einen tollen Konzertabend der mit dem folgenden Text endete:

Du hast gesagt du bleibst für immer, für immer
Du hast gesagt du bleibst für immer
dass wir die Lichter sehen, bis die Musik ausgeht

Ach ja, was noch zu sagen bleibt. Lieber Max, natürlich kannst du in Zürich Tretboot fahren aber hier heisst’s Pedalo fahren! 😀
Möchtest du deine Erinnerungen deines letzten Max-Giesinger-Konzertes teilen? Dann schreib doch unten die Kommentare oder schau auf Instagram vorbei 🙂

Check out my latest gigs: Billy Talent, Sons of the East, Selah Sue

Allgemein, New Music

New Music: Tearing at the seams by Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats

January 17, 2018June 23, 2019 kekoaskorner

Kekoas Korner is a huge fan of Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats. After hearing “S.O.B” their first single on the radio I knew I had to get their self-titled debut record which turned me into an even bigger fan. Being lucky again I won two tickets to their show at Kaufleuten in 2016.

Kekoas Korner proudly announced that Nathaniel Ratliff & The Night Sweats are back! Their lead single “You Worry Me” is already out and the album Tearing at the seams will follow on March, 9th. But the best news is that they are coming to town on March, 22! Tickets are still available here. Have a listen to their first single “You Worry Me”:

Sounds great, doesn’t it? I just love their sound. It reminds of a nice summer day driving with open windows just enjoying the sun. Their debut record is one of 5 records I always keep in my car. So for me buying the new record is a done deal. If you feel the same you can pre-order the record by clicking here.
To create this record Nathaniel Rateliff felt like the Night Sweats need to be part of it since he did the first album by himself. The initial writing session were based in Rodeo, New Mexico were they had to figure out how to write a record as a band. This makes me wonder how the sound of this 2nd album is different to the first. Here’s the song list:

Shoe Boot
Be There
A Little Honey
Say It Louder
Hey Mama
Babe I Know
Intro
Coolin’ Out
Baby I Lost My Way, (But I’m Going Home)
You Worry Me
Still Out There Running
Tearing at the Seams

Which immediately strikes my eye is that the Intro song is No. 7 and not No. 1 on the record. I guess we gotta wait and see what this is all about.
Let me leave you with my favourite song by Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats:

Allgemein, Concerts

Country Music with a Swiss charm

September 16, 2017June 23, 2019 kekoaskorner

Reno Gabriel is an emerging country music artist in Switzerland. If you love Florida Georgia Line you have to check him out! I’ve been following him for a few months now and this weekend he released his debut album called “Heart Wide Open”. I was able to listen to it already and I can tell you that my car drive went by so quickly I didn’t even notice the time! (This is good ;-))

So I was invited to his album release party which included a concert in the Galicia Bar in Olten. Even with his “small” repertoire he played over an hour and the audience loved what they heard. At beginning you could see that he was a bit nervous but that is totally understandable. I would be too! 🙂
After the first two songs “If only in a country song” and “Don’t say goodbye” he welcome us to his show and hope we could party with him tonight. “Mine tonight” is one of his own songs which you can find on his new album. Just a very beautiful country song. Reno Gabriel and his 5 fellow musicians added a few covers to the set which I personally liked too. It showed his passion for country music and I love if artists show the audience own personal favourite songs. So the first of 4 was “We are tonight” by Sam Hunt.

He then introduced us to a special instrument called ganjo. It’s a mix between a banjo and a guitar. Apparently Keith Urban uses it a lot in his songs. Finally my favourite song of the record “New ways” was played and I absolutely loved it. Especially with that ganjo – I was fascinated by it. A cover by Keith Urban followed and we were right into slow part of the show with “Crazy for you” and “Believe”.
We enjoyed another cover “Red Dirt Road” before Reno Gabriel literally baptised his album by spilling beer on the cover. Accordingly the title track “Heart Wide Open” was played and this is just a superb country song. If you love this genre you will just love this song. We were slowly coming to an end but not before we heard “It should be me” and a cover by Florida Georgia Line “Sippin’ on Fire”.

Unfortunately the summer has ended here in Switzerland but “Summer Nights” is the perfect song to reminisce about the past season. With the final song “This Time” Reno Gabriel ended an amazing first album release party. I honestly hope that this is just one of many and I wish him all the best.
If you like what you just read please follow him and support him in his dream. Get your copy of the record on Cede.ch or check out his website for Spotify and iTunes. Comment below and let me know what you think!
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renogabriel.com

Allgemein, Interviews

Tobey Lucas brings the Nashville Spirit to Switzerland

September 14, 2017June 23, 2019 kekoaskorner

Tobey Lucas is a Swiss musician and has been around for quite sometime. Kekoas Korner’s Country Music Week gave me the opportunity to interview him. I’ve met him in his studio full of instruments. So let’s start:
You’ve played at Moon and Stars and the Seebad Enge – these venues are quite special. So what would be your favourite or most special venue you played or want to play in?
Tobey Lucas: Already played in is Seebad Enge. It was wonderful and very magical. It was one of the first hot summer days in May. It was packed. In fact there were so many people on that raft that it nearly sank. It was awesome. The sunset was wonderful. It was the perfect concert. Another nice one was Jazz Festival Montreux 2015 where we also played on a stage outside called „Music in the Park“. The atmosphere was kinda similar and absolutely beautiful. We also performed with the biggest „Tobey Lucas“ band ever. 7 people normally we play with 4 or 5. Just awesome.

A venue I’d like to play in. Once I went to see John Mayer in Los Angeles in the Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre (Today Irvine Meadows Amphitheatre) and that’s a venue I’d like to play in. It’s a big dream of mine it will probably never happen though. Or maybe generally to play in an Amphitheatre.

1024px-pennywise_on_stage_during_kroq_epicenter_2013_at_verizon_wireless_amphitheater_formally_irvine_meadows_2013-09-22_18-26.jpg — User:Lhegner : https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=28487218

I’ve just seen P!nk in an amphitheatre-like venue in Berlin called Waldbühne.
I don’t know it but I’m in! 🙂
Country Music is not very big in Switzerland. How come you started to play Country Music?
Well, I don’t really play traditional Country. Especially my new album will be really rocky but it has certain elements of country music and american music. It sounds very american. But it’s not about that actually. I commemorate the Nashville style so it’s not particularly Country like Johnny Cash. The „Nashville Spirit“ that what I like. It’s basically just about playing music – spontineously. So in a bar or club the musicians gather around and play together. Maybe they played together before or maybe they didn’t. What they all share is the love for music and they’re completely devoted to music. That’s the Nashville style. There are no DJ’s there because they don’t need it. Everyone carries a guitar and you play the famous songs by yourself so you don’t have to listen to a record. This is something that I commemorate and that I want to bring to Switzerland and that’s what my music is about: To play songs with a band. No electronic instruments just handmade music. That’s what makes it country or rocky but my range is very broad.
Which artists were/are your musical influences?
Quite a few. Eagles influenced my a lot. I adore them and I listened to them when I was a child. Aerosmith inspired me. It’s the attitude that I like – it’s incredibly infectious. Ryan Adams inspired me a lot too. I have a few songs of his in my repertoire which I turned into my own versions. I also like to listen to Metal or the 80’s music. It’s a mix. When you listen to my music especially the new record then you really hear the different influences.
So we’re really excited to hear the new stuff! When is it coming out?
I will release a single in Mid-October. The album will be release next year. I am taking my time with it. There might be another single coming before the album.

As you’ve heard Kekoas Korner is in a Country Music Week right now, who is most favourite country music artist at the moment?
I love to listen to Lindsay Ell at the moment.
Oh wow. I’ve seen her as a support act a few years ago! Lovely person.
I also really like Chris Stapleton and Eric Church. They are my three favourites. Lindsay Ell is the most recent one but the other two are also important for me.
Last question: I don’t know if it’s already happened but what needs to happen for you that you would say „Yup, I made it with my music!“?
Quite difficult. I think I already made it. The most important thing that you can reach is freedom and I am free. I can play the music that I want, I can play the concerts that I want, I can write the song the way I want it and I don’t have to adapt to anyone. I haven’t signed anything and I’m completely free and that’s the way it always will be. That’s the Nashville Spirit. I’ve reached a place where I wanted to be and I am happy but it’s a journey. Life is always a journey and music too. I’m excited for the new release of the single and the album next year where it will take me and what concerts I will play. Concerts are most important to me. The other things are not that important to me so when I can play good concerts I’m stoked.
Sounds brilliant. That was it. Thank you for the interview!
Unfortunately I somehow managed to have never seen him live which is a big regret of mine. I always see the concert dates and it never suits my busy concert schedule. But let me tell you guys this needs to change! After this amazing interview and the way he talks about concerts I will deffo make sure to see him live next year. Stay tuned to Kekoas Korner or follow Tobey Lucas’ music journey to get all the updates!
Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Youtube
www.tobeylucas.com
Get his old records on Cede.ch!

Allgemein, New Music

Wonderboy Chris took the Country world by storm

September 10, 2017 kekoaskorner

Chris Stapleton has been writing songs for other people for years. Did you know that Adele’s “If it hadn’t been for love?” was written by Chris? I bet you didn’t, neither did I until now. Lucky for us he decided in 2015 to release a solo album called “Traveller” and finally step into the limelight. What a wonderful decision and it proved to be a huge success. In the same year he won 3 CMA awards and gave an amazing performance of “Tennessee Whiskey” together with Justin Timberlake.

This album has been in my car ever since I bought the record two years ago. This year he released his highly anticipated 2nd album “From A room: Volume 1” and let me tell you a bit about it. It has 7 wonderful songs and is just like a masterpiece as the first album.
The 2nd single “Broken Halos” is an incredible song – the guitar, his voice in harmony with his wife’s is just pure bliss. If you are a fan of harmonicas and slow songs then you’ll love “Last Thing I Needed, First Thing This Morning”. If you’re more into country rock “Second One To Know” is your go to song. The E-Guitar solo is brill and it has a super catchy rhythm.
With “Up To Know Good Livin'” we’re headed into the Bluegrass direction. Which is another fantastic genre which is well underrated. This song is so country let me recite some lyrics:

I used to drink like a fish and run like a dog
Done a whole lotta shit not permitted by law
People call me the Picasso of painting the town
And I’ve finally grown up

His first single “Either Way” starts with only guitar chords and then his incredible voice sets in. The simplicity of this song and the intensity will give you goose-bumps. The chorus is so emotional you have to feel it! “I was Wrong” lifts the mood again with a chill sound if you don’t listen to the lyrics. (He tries to win his babe back). I adore the cool sound of the next song called “Without your Love”. It is one hell of a break-up song with beautiful lyrics.

Tears filled with pain and they fall like rain
Constant reminders every day

If you are ready to party country style then you gotta listen to “Them Stem”! I can literally picture this diner with trucks outside and the cowboys drinking beer inside. The last song of the record has a pretty dark name “Death Row” and it’s about someone who’s on death row. Pretty rough subject to sing about and this is why the song is kept pretty muted. I am not quite sure how I feel about this song since I’m not sure if anyone should be singing about this subject. I mean musically it’s another brilliant song but you see I struggle with the theme of it.
So this was From A Room: Volume 1. This title suggests that there will be a Vol.2 and let me tell you guys I cannot wait to listen to that! Keep following my blog and my social media accounts and I will let you know as soon as it’s out!
Sounds good? Get a copy of the record via Cede.ch or Apple Music and leave a comment below why you like Chris Stapleton as much as me!
@kekoaskorner
@Kekoaskorner
@kekoasmusickorner

Allgemein

Introducing: My country music favourites

September 7, 2017 kekoaskorner

I’ve been a country music fan for ages. Unfortunately here in Switzerland it is quite difficult to keep up to date or to see some of your favourites live because not a lot of people care for this music genre around here. I personally don’t understand why since country music is so versatile. Let me introduce you a few of my favourites.
Carrie Underwood – The new Queen of Country
She won American Idol back in 2005 and her debut single “Inside your Heaven” went straight to No. 1! With that her stellar music career began. Each of her songs tell a story whether it’s a sweet revenge on a cheating husband or a homage to being to being an All-American Girl. She knows exactly what her audience wants and her live shows meant to be fantastic. But she is not only pretty and talented she is also very funny which she will prove at this years CMA’s. The country music awards are being co-hosted by Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood for the 10th time this year on Nov. 8. Have a look into two of my favourite videos below:

Sounds good? Get your copy here via Apple Music or Cede.ch.
Luke Bryan – The sexiest hip shake since Elvis
I remember that I fell in love with his music when I heard “Do I” for the first time. He went on to have huge success and his “Tailgate & Tanlines” album is one of my all time favourite. All of his songs are amazing and I love all of them which doesn’t happen quite that often. Luke is charming and very funny and his live shows are sold out within minutes. To see him and Carrie Underwood live would be one of my dreams. I love to listen to him in the car where I can sing “Muckalee Creek Water” as loud as I can. Here are two videos which I adore:

You won’t regret it if you buy one of his records. Trust me 🙂 Here’s the direct link to Cede.ch or Apple Music.
Lady Antebellum – The country music trio
I had the pleasure to see them live at a festival in Switzerland called Live at Sunset. It was one magic night! I’ve been a big fan ever since they released their second single “Lookin’ for a Good Time” in 2008. I followed their journey and when I heard “Need You Now” on the radio of Swiss station I couldn’t have been prouder. This song turned out to be a global hit and made them go on a small European tour – Lucky me! 🙂 They don’t just write they’re own songs themselves they also lend a hand to fellow country music artists like Luke Bryan. So please listen to their wonderful music below:

Remember that song? Check out their other stuff on Apple Music or Cede.ch.
Lady A has also performed at the Country Music Festival in Gstaad which is this weekend. Have a look at their programme. The organisers always manage to bring famous country music stars to Switzerland and they love it here. Only last year Brett Eldredge (“Don’t Ya“) took us on his Swiss journey via Instagram. As you see I could go on and on with incredible artists who are unknown to most people in Europe but I do want to mention a few more: Sam Hunt (“Take Your Time“), Florida Georgia Line (“Cruise“), Little Big Town (“Pontoon“) and finally Chris Young (“Voices“). Make sure to give them a listen because it’s well worth it.
I will start a country music themed week with this post. I have quite a few goodies for you to come this week and if I was able to gain just one new member of the country music club it was well worth it.
Follow me on Kekoas Social Media accounts to keep up to date: instagram, twitter and facebook.

Tag: Country Music

Drake Milligan – the Elvis of our Generation

Daddy Savoretti is singing to strangers around the world

Ward Thomas – Voices from heaven

Closer to you with Hunter Hayes

I got know Hunter Hayes in 2011 when he released “Storm Warning”. Little did I know that 8 years later I would be able to interview Hunter Hayes for my own blog and that I will be seeing twice this year!

Interview with Hunter Hayes