Escaping the Midwest & landing on the West Coast, Kurt Vatland's music can cover the gamot but his most familiar, most noted, and most appreciated topics range from small town despair, insanity's deep end, along with the big city and it's mirrored sexual underbelly. It's been a bit over 3 years since his original solo acoustic breakout from fronting successful bands (Velveteen, Black Box Found) and his musical ventures have all been showered with as much critical acclaim as hard knocks-of which he'd be the first to tell you-but never one to appreciate easy appeal anyway.
From the reveered Minneapolis music scene to that of Southern California, as well as a few stops on the East Coast, Kurt has connected with his audiences and always made new fans. His excercise in 'sweat makes great scars' was first applied with the solo acoustic EP entitled "?ON THE CORNER OF CRAZY?" which featured four home recorded tracks made upon a return from CA to the Minneapolis scene again in 2006. Kurt's audiences grew overnight with the addition of numerous shows and their bootlegged recordings while the West Coast became restless in wait for his return.
In December 2006 Kurt became one of 14 artists from around the globe selected to represent the Blind Melon tribute album entitled Twenty Stories Below. While honoring one his favorite bands via tribute, he had previously performed at the annual vigil concert, known as Vigilstock, for the late singer Shannon Hoon for three consecutive years. After that small stint in the scene of the Upper Midwest, he returned to SoCal and pressed on in solo fashion, hitting the pavement first in San Diego. He instantly joined the ranks of the invite only Listen Local Acoustic Alliance, which is a premiere local showcase featuring the top 12 acoustic artists of San Diego, and performed at the legendary Brick By Brick and throughout the San Diego music scene. Summer/fall of '07 found Kurt with a minor radio hit locally in San Diego with his single "Rock'N Roll Kennedy" featuring a full band versus the original acoustic recording found on his EP. He then pursued his lust for the stage in the Los Angeles scene earning a venue home on the famed Sunset Strip in Hollywood at The Cat Club, notorious for its platinum littered patrons. Kurt openly challenged Emo/Acoustica with a new Indie/Americana/Alt Rock experience, showcasing his brand of whiskey smoked vocals and edgy rhythm guitar. Being the power piped Midwest transplant now in the heart of Hollywood caught the eyes and ears of eager Los Angeles producers wanting corral him into their studios and subsequent slavery/management deals. In the sea of industry creeps Kurt, not yet artistically complete, kept his integrity and knew the best thing was to just keep writing, and if need be get away for a while and come back refreshed.
This past January Kurt hopped a Greyhound from San Diego bound for the lonely stars of Houston, Texas and the much needed anonymity of the South. Some may ask why a bus, Kurt would answer "for lyrical scenery later." Here he has taken some time away from the stage and been writing in seclusion.
With plans to return to his beloved Southern California later, he is headed to Minneapolis this summer to front a new band called "The.Gun.Bird" with friend and co-writer Ross Caligurri (Tigerclaw, DMRE) and still record as a solo artist as well. Kurt is allowing suspense to build and the mystery to fulfill while demons have stirred his creative flow north to Minneapolis once again.
Stay posted here on Kurt Vatland's Official Myspace Page for Updates, Upcoming Performances and Appearances, Pictures, and Music/Media.
PRESS QUOTES ABOUT KURT VATLAND:
"..one of the most enigmatic & provocative singers to get on stage.†~Andrew Olson, The Weekly Reader, MN
"Music is what Kurt Vatland says saved him. In the end, It’s Kurt who will save music. An effervescent frontman with a gift for baring his soul and delivering a gritty, provocative, stylish yet real show, Kurt has staked out his place among the stars." ~Christina Killion, Post Bulletin. Entertainment Writer
"Kurt can really sing....he's got a good rock'n'roll voice."
~Rogers Stevens of Blind Melon
"I love [Kurt's] lyrics... they hit hard.. [Kurt] is kicking ass!" ~John Wozniak of Marcy Playground
"Kurt just needs a finished product (full length album) and it will happen for him. He has everything else to be a star."
~Eric Bare, Stage Manager of The Commadores
"If the record industry has any sense they will substitute Jack Johnson at half-time and bring Kurt on." ~John Mason & the Northern Light, UK
"..so impressed by his voice, incredibly truthful, deep, & emotionally performed. He is holding something really very explosive inside of him. With a lot of respect: 100/100." ~Kuzimoto, www.MP3unsigned.com
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