Kenai Gonzalez @ Chain Reaction 8.12.2017
40 tickets, all presale, no more no less. This is the going rate for many young artists just starting out to have their career be pushed to next level—-from YouTube videos to live performances. Most clubs, concert halls, or other music bars expect their showroom to be completely filled with fans of the small artist that are bearing their soul to the crowd. This is no different for Kenai Gonzalez, a young musician trying to find success in a world of obscurity.
As his voice fills the room, Kenai’s friends and family watch him knowing that his set will be a success as he starts in with the song "The Move". Strangers who came for a good time are surprised by his smooth voice and look at each other with approval. After the song, he engages the crowd, his nerves are now mixed with a confidence that can only come from the rush of performing. Proclaiming his name to the crowd, he explains that he will be performing more covers, but more importantly he will be playing songs from his third EP—-though the title and release date are yet to be announced. And that is just what he does, playing songs brand new to the stage and that are a staple to any of his performances.
As his voice fills the room, Kenai’s friends and family watch him knowing that his set will be a success as he starts in with the song "The Move". Strangers who came for a good time are surprised by his smooth voice and look at each other with approval. After the song, he engages the crowd, his nerves are now mixed with a confidence that can only come from the rush of performing. Proclaiming his name to the crowd, he explains that he will be performing more covers, but more importantly he will be playing songs from his third EP—-though the title and release date are yet to be announced. And that is just what he does, playing songs brand new to the stage and that are a staple to any of his performances.
Having been an avid listener of all that Kenai’s Soundcloud has to offer, I was taken aback by some of his new music. Not only has the music become crisper, but his typical Acoustic-Pop sound was now experimenting with supplements of RnB and Rap. I have heard plenty of musicians in the past try to create a successful genre mash-up, and don’t get me wrong, they sound fantastic, but there typically feels like there is something missing somewhere within the track, but Kenai does not fall victim to this. Kenai Gonzalez is able to make the full story of his song "Lanikai" come alive with a perfect audio layering that showcases a secret side to the artist.
Leaving the audience in awe, he steps back from the mic stand, turning to his computer a small smirk on his face—-maybe as a sign of pride for the success of his last song, or maybe as a foreshadow of what is to come, the true reason might forever be unclear. But either way, he takes back the mic and speaks to the crowd, any nerves he might have had have long passed. He announces his last song, “HUMBLE”, a Kendrick Lamar cover, and that’s when the track begins to play. |
His friends are all singing and dancing with Kenai through the chorus but stop once the true rap begins and instead they listen to him, each with their own smirk as they see their friend do what he loves.
When the last bar of the cover finishes, he thanks the crowd, making sure to take a selfie with the audience and quickly jumping off stage to pass out his CDs. Kenai Gonzalez is the classic example of an up-and-coming artist, and though his show was over by the dusk, I know his musical career is a rising sun. With his soulful lyrics, intense passion, and advancing instrumental techniques, Kenai Gonzalez is a musician to watch, and I expect nothing but the extraordinary to come from him.
--El Carlisle (The Crisis, Thursdays 6am-8am)
Check Out Kenai Gonzalez on SoundCloud and YouTube Channel!
And Check out Other Concert Reviews at blog.kuci.org!
When the last bar of the cover finishes, he thanks the crowd, making sure to take a selfie with the audience and quickly jumping off stage to pass out his CDs. Kenai Gonzalez is the classic example of an up-and-coming artist, and though his show was over by the dusk, I know his musical career is a rising sun. With his soulful lyrics, intense passion, and advancing instrumental techniques, Kenai Gonzalez is a musician to watch, and I expect nothing but the extraordinary to come from him.
--El Carlisle (The Crisis, Thursdays 6am-8am)
Check Out Kenai Gonzalez on SoundCloud and YouTube Channel!
And Check out Other Concert Reviews at blog.kuci.org!
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