Yesterday’s post, in which I extolled the virtues of Perry Como, has likely ruined any chance I have of being a music tastemaker.
But I press forward nevertheless, because this is the week that my pal Herr Kroheim Von Songheim (performing and recording as “Kalin Krohe Reference”) releases his brand new album, “Neon Halos.” Even if Kalin and I were not good friends, I would find lots to like in Kalin’s songs. I have favorites–“South Dakota Sun”, “Mr. Minute”, “Bird Or Machine”, “Honey Whiskey”, and a few others.
Since Kalin and I have known each other since he was 12 years old and a member of Pat Adriance’s gang of skateboard hoodlums, I have seen every step of his musical journey. As a teenager he was in a band, and they played loud and crazy shows for high schoolers. He had other musical minglings with different folks in Nebraska and South Dakota. He is part of a bizarre group of hillbilly minstrels called The Riverfront Boys. But the Reference (which, depending on the gig might be just Kalin or might be Kalin and a couple other guys) is something to behold. Kalin writes some amazing songs. Like this one:
That might be my favorite of his compositions. Hard to say. What I can say is that Kalin’s complexity as an instrumentalist and thoughtfulness as a songwriter just keep getting better and better.
Someone else–musician Luke Redfield– said a lot of this stuff a lot better than I can in his essay about Kalin’s new album:
Kalin Krohe Reference has announced the release of debut LP, Neon Halos, out March 8th, 2019.
From the rambunctious opener, “Honey Whiskey,” to the introspective and horizon-gazing finale, “Bleeds Leads Shines Fades,” Neon Halos is a luminous journey through the maize and mind of Western Nebraska—a place where the simple and eccentric merge in perfect harmony.
Neon Halos is no different—a reflection of an artist and the land on which he was raised. Throughout the 11-song record, the inscrutable is paired with the pedestrian, the obscure with the universal, the unexpected with the expected. There is pride and there is self-deprecation. Certain songs end abruptly, while others continue to reveal themselves long after the record stops—with Krohe’s mellifluous melodies playing over and over in your head for days and days.
On standout track, “Pour,” Krohe acts as The White Rabbit, coercing the listener out of the mundane 9-to-5 landscape and into an entrancing underground wonderland filled with enigma and intrigue. Electric guitars, driving drums, and melodies draped in confession and mystery take the track to a brand new frontier for the Kalin Krohe Reference—one of the most original bands on the circuit today.
Original, yes. Free of influences? No—and that’s a good thing, for all singular talent is the byproduct of a multitude. Folky “Thirsty Words” evokes an abstract Conor Oberst at his best. “Yeah, I have something up my sleeve,” Krohe sings—perhaps pointing at things to come for the band, while the whimsical Mr. Minute contains tinges of both the Beach Boys and Norwegian Wood-era Beatles. Banjo-driven “Just Be” is just a fiddle away from a run at Telluride Folk Festival’s talent competition.
Clearly, Krohe is well-versed in the spectrum of musical genres and Neon Halos is proof of that as it shape shifts between folk, rock, pop, indie, experimental, and emo—yes, there’s even a little dose of American Football.
Recorded and mixed by Nick Hosford (The Outer Vibe) in Belmont, Michigan at Pharaoh’s House Recording, Neon Halos expands on the collaborative relationship between Hosford and Krohe, which began a few years ago with breakthrough EP, Bird or Machine, which was recorded in Nashville. Accompanying Krohe (Acoustic guitar, vocals, 12 string guitar, harp, hand claps) and Hosford (Electric guitar, banjo, musical saw, dulcimer, bass, keys, strings, backing vocals) on Neon Halos are exceptional musicians Lisa Kacos (Trumpet, keys, strings, hand claps), Sean Zuidgeest (Bass, backing vocals), and Noah Synder (Drums/percussion, hand claps).
“Remember to have patience—life can change on a dime,” Krohe sings on Neon Halo’s beautiful and heartfelt centerpiece, “Patience.” “Dreams can be yours and mine,” he continues. Contrarily, “If it shines, it fades,” states the Box Butte County-placed final track. “I work so many long hours in the day,” sings Krohe, who daylights as a radio broadcaster and moonlights as a singer-songwriter. “Hell yeah, I’m grateful—but in disarray.” He finishes, like a master broadcaster reaching for more bandwidth: “Is my voice comin’ through? Can you hear me?”
Neon Halos will be celebrated with a release party and performance at Newberry’s on Friday, March 8th. The album will be available at Crossroads Music here in Alliance, as well as wherever you consume music online, i.e. Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon, etc.
Release Show Info:
When: Friday, March 8th, 7 p.m. doors
Where: Newberry’s, 110 W 4th St, Alliance, NE 69301
With: Special guest Gabriel the Brute. Derek Johnson and Darren Jelinek will accompany Krohe.
Okay, it’s Wenty again. I am really excited to hear Kalin play tracks from the album Friday night. I am told I also will be making some host-like introductions. (Note to self: Send “Introducer Of Things” sash to be dry cleaned.)