Tag Archives: songwriter

Mark Cote Welcomes You To His Funhouse

Mark CoteFor singer/songwriter Mark Cote, producing an album like Funhouse Of Your Mind was a no-brainer.  After all, he had fun with pretty much any instrument he picked up.  Whether it was the guitar he learned how to play when he was 10 years old, or the refurbished 1901 Gulbransen piano his parents bought for him a few years later, Mark was fascinated by music, and was plunking out melodies long before any kind of formal training.  Music, however, was not the only form of artistic expression Mark was exposed to as a child.

His mother, a New Zealand native, and father of Canadian descent, made sure that Mark was surrounded by creativity.  His mother was an avid painter, and encouraged her son to express himself visually.  His grandfathers on both sides of the family were musically inclined.  Somehow, through it all, the concepts of visual expression and music became intertwined in Mark’s mind, which is the hallmark of the creativity we enjoy in his latest album.

Funhouse Of Your Mind is best described as a “visually musical” experience, where all elements that ignite the imagination come together in one place.  It begins with the illustrations Mark created for the album’s liner notes, and extends into your own visual interpretations of the music as you listen.  It is an opportunity to not only glimpse into Mark’s creative world, but to discover your own as well.

Recently, KC Cafe Radio Music Director Kathy Forste talked with Mark via Skype from his home in Los Angeles.  They talked about his artistically diverse upbringing, his musical influences, and how all of that led to the development of “Funhouse.”  They also talk about his approach to creating music, and his unique approach to connecting music with visual imagery.

Listen To The Interview:

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Music By Mark Cote On KC Cafe Radio:

KC Cafe House Concert: Kasey Rausch

Kasey RauschSaturday, September 22, 2012  –  Kansas City area singer/songwriter Kasey Rausch entertained music lovers attending the KC Cafe Radio House Concert in Lee’s Summit, MO tonight.  Over the course of the evening Rausch shared her life story in both words and music, and reminding us that, as unique as we may all be as individuals, humanity does share common, emotional paths.

Rausch shared such personal favorites as “Live How You Love,” and “Turpentine,” along with a few new tunes, some created just a few days ago.  Her clear, pure voice combined with a superb guitar treatment of the music helped to personalize the experience for everyone in attendance.

Listen To The Entire Performance Here:

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Here is a video of Kasey Rausch performing “Heavy Fog”:

Music By Kasey Rausch On KC Cafe Radio:

Kerry Patrick Clark: His Story, My Story

Singer, songwriter and storyteller Kerry Patrick Clark has certainly had a lot of time to master the art of storytelling.  After all, his lifelong influences include some of the best: his parents, who encouraged him with his first musical instruments; musicians such as John Denver, Harry Chapin and James Taylor; and his work with the New Christy Minstrels.

And now, with 5 albums behind him, Clark tackles his most ambitious project yet – telling the story of Jesus from perhaps one of the most unique of perspectives one could imagine – his own.  The result is his 6th and newest album, titled His Story, My Story, which most appropriately launched during this Easter holiday season.  By connecting his own life journey to that of Jesus, Clark has put together a collection of poignant songs that we can all relate to, as we reflect on our own life’s journey.

Clark is also quite the entertainer, as was demonstrated during his KC Cafe House Concert (listen in here), on a recent visit to Kansas City.  There, we had the chance to experience first-hand the unique connection between story and song.

Recently, KC Cafe Radio Music Director Kathy Forste had the chance to catch up with Kerry via Skype.  They talked about what inspired him to produce such an ambitious album.  They also talked about the House Concert, and we get some insight and great advice from a masterful performer and storyteller on how to relate to an audience and draw a crowd in to your performance.

Listen To The Interview:

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Music By Kerry Patrick Clark On KC Cafe Radio:

KC Cafe House Concert: Beth Wood

The latest in our series of House Concerts was held June 1 featuring singer/songwriter Beth Wood.

A West Texas native now living in the Pacific Northwest, Beth has been performing her unique “troubadour-style” modern folk music, featuring acoustic guitar, and occasionally, when available on her tours, piano.  Her website describes her performances as “soulful, organic, intelligent, barefoot, high-energy communication of joy.”

Beth’s latest album is titled “The Weather Inside,” which she describes as “a case study in contrast… embracing strength and tenderness, the polished and the well-worn, the broken and the hopeful heart.”

Beth Wood performed music from her new album and more, during this intimate gathering of friends in Olathe, Kansas (that’s oh-LAY-the!)

Listen To Beth’s Performance Here:

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Music By Beth Wood On KC Cafe Radio:

Life Is Good For John Roy Zat

For singer/songwriter John Roy Zat, life couldn’t have him in a better place than he is right now.  “I have worked blue collar and white collar day jobs, with people in many different parts of the world,” Zat says on his website.  “With some mileage on my chassis now and a lot of this planet traveled, I can say that music is one of Nature’s laws. Everybody is moved by music. Everyone has a favorite song, or two, or twenty. One of my greatest joys is making music and sharing songs with people, and the more the better..”

Zat describes himself as “a singer, songwriter, fiddler, and guitar picker,”  He plays both classic American roots, folk, country and bluegrass standards, and also original songs.  It’s the original songs where Zat’s talent really shines brightly.  “I like songs that lift spirits, brighten hopes, make us laugh, and maybe cry a little,” he says.  “I want to celebrate love, mourn loss, ponder mystery, and especially have fun!”

Zat started playing guitar and singing in High School.  He took up fiddling shortly afterward, and began writing music in his early twenties.  His work has garnered the attention of the likes of music legends Caroline Herring and Kate Wolf, who recorded his words to “Midnight On The Water” in her second album.

Zat’s newest music endeavor are two albums.  The first is simply titled Solo, and features Zat playing and singing all his music. The second is an album that is 10 years in making, aptly titled Collaborations.  It features Zat playing his music with other musicians .

Recently KC Cafe Radio Music Director Kathy Forste spoke with Zat.  They talked about his long career, how he got started playing guitar and fiddle, his musical influences and how he chooses the traditional songs he loves to play.

Listen To The Interview:

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Music By John Roy Zat On KC Cafe Radio: