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During a subsequent hiatus, Riley returned to Memphis, and graduated from [[Southwest Tennessee Community College]]. Subsequently, he completed his baccalaureate work at [[Cornell University]] in [[Ithaca, New York]], where he continued his musical career. His sophomore record, the sci-fi concept album ''[[Kismet (Kurt Riley album)|Kismet]]'', was produced on Cornell's campus and released to acclaim from Ithaca media, including [[WVBR]],<ref>{{cite web|title=WVBR Interview with Kurt Riley, 10/8/15|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eYyVF25VEx0=[[YouTube]]|accessdate=2 May 2017|date=8 October 2015}}</ref> ''The Ithaca Times'', <ref>{{cite web|title=Through Space and Time: The new records by local artists Kurt Riley and Sisu Powder the Moon take flight|url=http://www.ithaca.com/entertainment/through-space-and-time-the-new-records-by-local-artists/article_70a9a7a0-e62a-11e5-a50c-f7d5eb8e42a5.html=|accessdate=2 May 2017|date=4 March 2016}}</ref> and ''[[The Cornell Daily Sun]]''.<ref>{{cite web|title=TEST SPIN: Kurt Riley — Kismet|url=http://cornellsun.com/2016/03/11/test-spin-kurt-riley-kismet/=|accessdate=2 May 2017|date=11 March 2016}}</ref>
During a subsequent hiatus, Riley returned to Memphis, and graduated from [[Southwest Tennessee Community College]]. Subsequently, he completed his baccalaureate work at [[Cornell University]] in [[Ithaca, New York]], where he continued his musical career. His sophomore record, the sci-fi concept album ''[[Kismet (Kurt Riley album)|Kismet]]'', was produced on Cornell's campus and released to acclaim from Ithaca media, including [[WVBR]],<ref>{{cite web|title=WVBR Interview with Kurt Riley, 10/8/15|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eYyVF25VEx0=[[YouTube]]|accessdate=2 May 2017|date=8 October 2015}}</ref> ''The Ithaca Times'', <ref>{{cite web|title=Through Space and Time: The new records by local artists Kurt Riley and Sisu Powder the Moon take flight|url=http://www.ithaca.com/entertainment/through-space-and-time-the-new-records-by-local-artists/article_70a9a7a0-e62a-11e5-a50c-f7d5eb8e42a5.html=|accessdate=2 May 2017|date=4 March 2016}}</ref> and ''[[The Cornell Daily Sun]]''.<ref>{{cite web|title=TEST SPIN: Kurt Riley — Kismet|url=http://cornellsun.com/2016/03/11/test-spin-kurt-riley-kismet/=|accessdate=2 May 2017|date=11 March 2016}}</ref>


Featuring an elaborate plot concerning alien royalty and the future of humanity, ''[[Kismet (Kurt Riley album)|Kismet]]'' was released through Electric Buffalo Records, an independent record label started by [[Cornell University|Cornell]] students. Continuing Riley's [[DIY]] ethic, the music videos for ''[[Kismet (Kurt Riley album)|Kismet's]]'' singles, "Hush Hush Hush"<ref>{{cite web|title=Kurt Riley - "Hush Hush Hush"|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VZHwtbLL8ME=|accessdate=3 May 2017|date=17 October 2015}}</ref> and "Whore,"<ref>{{cite web|title=Kurt Riley - "Whore"|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6PFZu0cEObw=|accessdate=3 May 2017|date=17 October 2015}}</ref> were shot in the [[Ithaca Commons]].<ref>{{cite web|title=The Shape of Things to Come: Electric Buffalo Records|url=http://www.ithaca.com/entertainment/music/the-shape-of-things-to-come-electric-buffalo-records/article_214d29de-9d0f-11e5-82d2-afc79ccbd63a.html=|accessdate=2 May 2017|date=7 December 2015}}</ref> Riley's fascination with science fiction and disparate musical genres were key influences: "I recalled [[MTV]]. [[Bruce Springsteen]]. [[Phil Collins]]. Soft synthpads and rocking guitar anthems. The last decade where it was acceptable for music to be joyful in that naïve old way, before cynicism became de rigueur. That [[New Wave music|New Wave]] energy was a true inspiration for Kismet - just as much as the work of [[Industrial Light & Magic|ILM]], [[James Horner]], and [[Drew Struzan]]."<ref>{{cite web|title=Music.|url=https://www.kurtriley.com/music/=|accessdate=3 May 2017|date=3 May 2017}}</ref>
Featuring an elaborate plot concerning alien royalty and the future of humanity, ''[[Kismet (Kurt Riley album)|Kismet]]'' was released through Electric Buffalo Records, an independent record label started by [[Cornell University|Cornell]] students. Continuing Riley's [[DIY]] ethic, the music videos for ''[[Kismet (Kurt Riley album)|Kismet's]]'' singles, "Hush Hush Hush"<ref>{{cite web|title=Kurt Riley - "Hush Hush Hush"|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VZHwtbLL8ME=|accessdate=3 May 2017|date=17 October 2015}}</ref> and "Whore,"<ref>{{cite web|title=Kurt Riley - "Whore"|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6PFZu0cEObw=|accessdate=3 May 2017|date=17 October 2015}}</ref> were shot in the [[Ithaca Commons]].<ref>{{cite web|title=The Shape of Things to Come: Electric Buffalo Records|url=http://www.ithaca.com/entertainment/music/the-shape-of-things-to-come-electric-buffalo-records/article_214d29de-9d0f-11e5-82d2-afc79ccbd63a.html=|accessdate=2 May 2017|date=7 December 2015}}</ref> Riley's fascination with science fiction and disparate musical genres were key influences: "I recalled [[MTV]]. [[Bruce Springsteen]]. [[Phil Collins]]. Soft synthpads and rocking guitar anthems. The last decade where it was acceptable for music to be joyful in that naïve old way, before cynicism became ''de rigueur.'' That [[New Wave music|New Wave]] energy was a true inspiration for Kismet - just as much as the work of [[Industrial Light & Magic|ILM]], [[James Horner]], and [[Drew Struzan]]."<ref>{{cite web|title=Music.|url=https://www.kurtriley.com/music/=|accessdate=3 May 2017|date=3 May 2017}}</ref>


''[[The Ithaca Journal]]'' ranked ''Kismet'' one of the best local albums of 2016,<ref>{{cite web|title=Return of the Jimmies: Top 16 local CDs of 2016|url=http://www.ithacajournal.com/story/entertainment/2017/01/03/return-jimmies-top-local-cds/96131166/=|accessdate=2 May 2017|date=3 January 2017}}</ref> and named Riley as one of the top local live performers of the year.<ref>{{cite web|title=X Ambassadors top region’s 2016 concerts|url=http://www.ithacajournal.com/story/entertainment/2016/12/20/ambassadors-top-regions-concerts/95672050/=|accessdate=2 May 2017|date=20 December 2016}}</ref>
''[[The Ithaca Journal]]'' ranked ''Kismet'' one of the best local albums of 2016,<ref>{{cite web|title=Return of the Jimmies: Top 16 local CDs of 2016|url=http://www.ithacajournal.com/story/entertainment/2017/01/03/return-jimmies-top-local-cds/96131166/=|accessdate=2 May 2017|date=3 January 2017}}</ref> and named Riley as one of the top local live performers of the year.<ref>{{cite web|title=X Ambassadors top region’s 2016 concerts|url=http://www.ithacajournal.com/story/entertainment/2016/12/20/ambassadors-top-regions-concerts/95672050/=|accessdate=2 May 2017|date=20 December 2016}}</ref>

Revision as of 19:42, 3 May 2017

Kurt Riley
Born (1987-02-28) February 28, 1987 (age 37),
Holyoke, Massachusetts, United States
OriginMemphis, Tennessee
GenresRock and roll
Instrument(s)Vocals, guitar, harmonica, bass guitar, keyboard, synthesizer, drums, percussion
Years active2005-present
LabelsIndependent
Websitewww.kurtriley.com

Kurt Riley is an American rock and roll songwriter, performer, and musician, based in Ithaca, New York.

Early life

Riley was born in Holyoke, Massachusetts. The son of a military father and a homemaker, his family relocated often during his youth, moving to over a dozen locations across the contiguous United States. Upon discovering music while living in Memphis, Tennessee, he became engrossed with early rock and roll and blues, especially the works of Bo Diddley, Jimmy Reed, Chuck Berry, and Muddy Waters. During this time, he began honing his instrumental and compositional skills, teaching himself to play harmonica, guitar, and several other instruments. Later, after moving to Florida, he formed a rhythm and blues group called The Steel Hearts, covering artists such as Larry Williams, The Clash, Eddie Cochran, and Otis Redding. After eighteen months of live performances across South Florida (including a concert at Palm Beach State College), The Steel Hearts disbanded.[1]

Brighthead

Subsequently, Riley began recording and performing as a solo artist; his first album, Brighthead, was recorded and released independently, produced by future Beyoncé and Run The Jewels collaborator Boots and his father, Steve Cruz. Working in a home studio located in Coconut Creek, Florida, Riley, Boots and his father utilized both standard rock instruments and esoteric items (such as castanets, a xylophone, and a family choir).[2]

"Riley and BOOTS shared their communal love of The Beatles and T.Rex while preparing for the album: I brought a few records that I loved dearly, unashamedly saying "make it sound like these." Friend or Foe by Adam Ant...Electric Warrior...we made a beautiful emulation. I wanted it to capture the same ebullience, the same joyful defiance in the face of recession and negativity. In the post-9/11 era, everyone's spirits were shattered...I wanted to do what I could to assuage fears and bring smiles back to faces."

— Kurt Riley, [3]

Beginning a reocurring tradition, Riley designed a custom stage outfit and makeup design for the album. This first costume was called the "Brightsuit."[4]

After the release of Brighthead, Boots also joined Riley onstage for the live debut of the album. Riley organized a live band and began performing in South Florida, but this series of live performances were cut short by what Riley called "unforseen personal circumstances."[5]

Kismet

During a subsequent hiatus, Riley returned to Memphis, and graduated from Southwest Tennessee Community College. Subsequently, he completed his baccalaureate work at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York, where he continued his musical career. His sophomore record, the sci-fi concept album Kismet, was produced on Cornell's campus and released to acclaim from Ithaca media, including WVBR,[6] The Ithaca Times, [7] and The Cornell Daily Sun.[8]

Featuring an elaborate plot concerning alien royalty and the future of humanity, Kismet was released through Electric Buffalo Records, an independent record label started by Cornell students. Continuing Riley's DIY ethic, the music videos for Kismet's singles, "Hush Hush Hush"[9] and "Whore,"[10] were shot in the Ithaca Commons.[11] Riley's fascination with science fiction and disparate musical genres were key influences: "I recalled MTV. Bruce Springsteen. Phil Collins. Soft synthpads and rocking guitar anthems. The last decade where it was acceptable for music to be joyful in that naïve old way, before cynicism became de rigueur. That New Wave energy was a true inspiration for Kismet - just as much as the work of ILM, James Horner, and Drew Struzan."[12]

The Ithaca Journal ranked Kismet one of the best local albums of 2016,[13] and named Riley as one of the top local live performers of the year.[14]

Tabula Rasa

Upon graduating from Cornell, Riley remained in Ithaca, where he continues his musical career. The recording of his third studio album, Tabula Rasa, was funded in part by a grant from the Community Arts Partnership of Tompkins County, New York. Upon its release, Tabula Rasa was well-received by The Cornell Daily Sun,[15] WRFI, and The Ithaca Times.[16] Subsequently, Riley and his band have performed at Cornell's Willard Straight Hall and several Ithaca venues in support of the album.

Discography

References

  1. ^ "About". 2 May 2017. Retrieved 3 May 2017. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |dead-url= (help)
  2. ^ "Music". 2 May 2017. Retrieved 2 May 2017. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |dead-url= (help)
  3. ^ "Music". 2 May 2017. Retrieved 3 May 2017. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |dead-url= (help)
  4. ^ "Music". 2 May 2017. Retrieved 2 May 2017. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |dead-url= (help)
  5. ^ "About". 2 May 2017. Retrieved 2 May 2017. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |dead-url= (help)
  6. ^ "WVBR Interview with Kurt Riley, 10/8/15". 8 October 2015. Retrieved 2 May 2017.
  7. ^ "Through Space and Time: The new records by local artists Kurt Riley and Sisu Powder the Moon take flight". 4 March 2016. Retrieved 2 May 2017.
  8. ^ "TEST SPIN: Kurt Riley — Kismet". 11 March 2016. Retrieved 2 May 2017.
  9. ^ "Kurt Riley - "Hush Hush Hush"". 17 October 2015. Retrieved 3 May 2017.
  10. ^ "Kurt Riley - "Whore"". 17 October 2015. Retrieved 3 May 2017.
  11. ^ "The Shape of Things to Come: Electric Buffalo Records". 7 December 2015. Retrieved 2 May 2017.
  12. ^ "Music". 3 May 2017. Retrieved 3 May 2017.
  13. ^ "Return of the Jimmies: Top 16 local CDs of 2016". 3 January 2017. Retrieved 2 May 2017.
  14. ^ "X Ambassadors top region's 2016 concerts". 20 December 2016. Retrieved 2 May 2017.
  15. ^ "TEST SPIN: Kurt Riley — Tabula Rasa". 30 April 2017. Retrieved 2 May 2017.
  16. ^ "Star Man: Local rocker Kurt Riley takes off". 20 April 2017. Retrieved 2 May 2017.
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