As lead singer and primary songwriter of the Portland rock band Purusa,
Kris Kirkman spent about three years near the top of the Portland music scene.
The band toured all over the West Coast, selling thousands of records,
including one of 2002's best selling local CD's, Spectacle. Some modest
radio play for the single 'Disappear' as well as opening slots with national
acts such as Dada, Joe Bonamassa, Bernie Worrell & The Woo Warriors, Eyes
Adrift and Lapdog, helped build a loyal following.
During sessions for their full-length follow-up to Spectacle, the band had
their first breakthrough in College Radio with the advance single 'Breaking
Down'. With 79 stations nation-wide adding it to their rotation, and a
strong new album on the way, Purusa looked poised to break out.
Unfortunately the pressure of touring and keeping a lineup together ultimately
broke the band apart.
Kirkman and lead guitarist Zach Hikelman finished off the still unreleased
album with an impressive array of guest musicians including Ezra Holbrook,
Simon Widdowson and Ken Stringfellow of The Posies. Unfortunately the tumultuous
past year had done it's damage and Purusa as a band was done before the end of
2004. It looked as though the new album would never be released until
Hinkelman graciously gave Kirkman his blessing to release it as a solo album.
Look for the official release of this album, Repair, in the coming year. You
can find Kris hosting the weekly NW Radio
songwriter's showcase in Portland and performing solo acoustic shows around
the Northwest. As an acoustic act he has shared the stage with such
national talent as Glen Phillips (Toad the Wet Sprocket), Chris Whitley, Ian
Moore and Colin Blades.
