closer to his musical soul.
Where I Belong begins with Levi Kreis “the performer”; the songs capitalize on his
gift to still deliver radio-friendly hits, that resonate with brilliance and
sustenance. “I wanted the whole thing to be a journey...all the songs are
autobiographical. Even “This Girl” is autobiographical (the song teasingly
alluding to a tryst with the opposite sex) -- sexuality is a lot more complex than
fitting into one of three categories.” The track “Stained Glass Window”
introduces the listener to Act 2 -- a more soulful, intimate-room atmosphere
permeates through songs like the woeful ‘’I Surrender All”, and still breathe the
joyfulness of the first arc with the beautifully rich “Not Afraid”. Levi agrees, “it
takes a more ‘inward’ tone (after ‘Stained Glass Window’). I wanted it to start in
an engaging way...and I think that “Gonna Be Alright” does that...and then
eventually end in a place where I can say: we’ve all had our good fun, but
seriously now...I want to leave you with this.”
Perhaps drawing inspiration from the acting and performing he’s been doing
most recently, Levi has infused his latest release with the true grit of a seasoned
showman, but not at the expense of his Blues and R&B Gospel roots -- this is all still
Levi Kreis, but he’s different and in the best place -- and that’s coming across
clearly. “Gonna Be Alright” is the first single and album opener. The track
resounds with the hope and prosperity that we are all hoping is leading to better
days, especially in the wake of all the darkness and confusion that the nation has
been living in. But with Levi tackling at the ivories of his piano, you can feel it --
the man has an undeniable insight! Kreis has found the precise balance in his life
and now it’s making him write and perform songs that are deeply relevant to his
journey as an artist.
While recuperating in his LA home from an injury he currently sustained while
performing in his hit show “The Million Dollar Quartet” (Kreis re-images the role of
legendary rock ‘n’ roll bad boy, the icon: Jerry Lee Lewis), Levi shared with me his
enthusiasm for this album project, the success of “Quartet”, and why he thinks
everything is going to be more than alright. “This is the most I’ve been home in
Where I Belong begins with Levi Kreis “the performer”; the songs capitalize on his
gift to still deliver radio-friendly hits, that resonate with brilliance and
sustenance. “I wanted the whole thing to be a journey...all the songs are
autobiographical. Even “This Girl” is autobiographical (the song teasingly
alluding to a tryst with the opposite sex) -- sexuality is a lot more complex than
fitting into one of three categories.” The track “Stained Glass Window”
introduces the listener to Act 2 -- a more soulful, intimate-room atmosphere
permeates through songs like the woeful ‘’I Surrender All”, and still breathe the
joyfulness of the first arc with the beautifully rich “Not Afraid”. Levi agrees, “it
takes a more ‘inward’ tone (after ‘Stained Glass Window’). I wanted it to start in
an engaging way...and I think that “Gonna Be Alright” does that...and then
eventually end in a place where I can say: we’ve all had our good fun, but
seriously now...I want to leave you with this.”
Perhaps drawing inspiration from the acting and performing he’s been doing
most recently, Levi has infused his latest release with the true grit of a seasoned
showman, but not at the expense of his Blues and R&B Gospel roots -- this is all still
Levi Kreis, but he’s different and in the best place -- and that’s coming across
clearly. “Gonna Be Alright” is the first single and album opener. The track
resounds with the hope and prosperity that we are all hoping is leading to better
days, especially in the wake of all the darkness and confusion that the nation has
been living in. But with Levi tackling at the ivories of his piano, you can feel it --
the man has an undeniable insight! Kreis has found the precise balance in his life
and now it’s making him write and perform songs that are deeply relevant to his
journey as an artist.
While recuperating in his LA home from an injury he currently sustained while
performing in his hit show “The Million Dollar Quartet” (Kreis re-images the role of
legendary rock ‘n’ roll bad boy, the icon: Jerry Lee Lewis), Levi shared with me his
enthusiasm for this album project, the success of “Quartet”, and why he thinks
everything is going to be more than alright. “This is the most I’ve been home in
without talking about Gospel...which was such a relief to do! I got so much off of
my chest about religion versus sexuality...there was a confrontational nature to
that album. I was trying to communicate I’m a proponent for religions diversity --
I believe everyone’s path is divine.”
It’s been that search for the divine that has been most signatory about his lyrics
my chest about religion versus sexuality...there was a confrontational nature to
that album. I was trying to communicate I’m a proponent for religions diversity --
I believe everyone’s path is divine.”
It’s been that search for the divine that has been most signatory about his lyrics
www.ambiente.us MAY | MAYO 2009
Exactly Where He Should Be | Singer/Songwriter Levi Kreis
Still Singing Out Loud!
by JC Alvarez
He’s come a long way since he first revealed to us his gospel, now
singer/songwriter Levi Kreis is about to share with his ever faithful fan-base his
recipe for his own success, and he assures us that everything is gonna be alright.
I’m inclined to believe Levi Kreis -- even if it’s just because I want to hold on to a
little bit of hope, especially in what seems like these most trying times.
With his latest album release Where I Belong, Kreis has managed to put his heart
on his sleeve like very few artist have dared to allow themselves to do before
in their music. Be aware that shying away from startling revelations is not
something Kreis is known for. Levi has always approached his singing and
songwriting in a very honest and revealing way -- one could say he’s arbitrarily
made it his mission to be courageous with his music and lyrics and to push
buttons, hence the provocative work he released in 2006 the album The Gospel
According to Levi. That project had a very clear message and direct purpose,
which lead Levi to 2009 and Where I Belong. “It’s hard to talk about this album
Exactly Where He Should Be | Singer/Songwriter Levi Kreis
Still Singing Out Loud!
by JC Alvarez
He’s come a long way since he first revealed to us his gospel, now
singer/songwriter Levi Kreis is about to share with his ever faithful fan-base his
recipe for his own success, and he assures us that everything is gonna be alright.
I’m inclined to believe Levi Kreis -- even if it’s just because I want to hold on to a
little bit of hope, especially in what seems like these most trying times.
With his latest album release Where I Belong, Kreis has managed to put his heart
on his sleeve like very few artist have dared to allow themselves to do before
in their music. Be aware that shying away from startling revelations is not
something Kreis is known for. Levi has always approached his singing and
songwriting in a very honest and revealing way -- one could say he’s arbitrarily
made it his mission to be courageous with his music and lyrics and to push
buttons, hence the provocative work he released in 2006 the album The Gospel
According to Levi. That project had a very clear message and direct purpose,
which lead Levi to 2009 and Where I Belong. “It’s hard to talk about this album
| . |
| . |
and influential in his songwriting. He’s been controversial and pensive, with
songs that take direct challenge to organized religion and expressions of faith, to
lengths where Kreis has asked that we look into ourselves for that sense of higher
power and solidarity. And these were not calculated choices made to incite
skepticism or sell records. Levi was expressing himself from his own experiences
and misgivings about faith and love, and especially what they all mean to him
personally. He’s never been one to compromise his word for the sake of his art,
but Levi Kreis is changing...perhaps he’s more comfortable in his skin. He’s
evolving as an artist, and so accordingly this is reflected in his music and how he
performs. His approach is much more redefined, Levi admits, “Where I Belong is
probably the truest (album) to who I am.” And fortunately for us, it brings us
songs that take direct challenge to organized religion and expressions of faith, to
lengths where Kreis has asked that we look into ourselves for that sense of higher
power and solidarity. And these were not calculated choices made to incite
skepticism or sell records. Levi was expressing himself from his own experiences
and misgivings about faith and love, and especially what they all mean to him
personally. He’s never been one to compromise his word for the sake of his art,
but Levi Kreis is changing...perhaps he’s more comfortable in his skin. He’s
evolving as an artist, and so accordingly this is reflected in his music and how he
performs. His approach is much more redefined, Levi admits, “Where I Belong is
probably the truest (album) to who I am.” And fortunately for us, it brings us
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the 7 months...here I have this new home and I’ve been here a total of 3
months!” He’s been so involved with the show since 2001 (where he began
workshopping the role of Jerry Lee Lewis). At the time, he was working on
another show, another musical when, ”the same theater got the script for ‘Million
Dollar Quartet’ and all they really knew at the time was: the kid can act, he’s
Southern, and he says he plays the piano.” The stars were seemingly aligned!
The producers asked to see Levi perform, but “little did they know that I grew up
playing Jerry Lee Lewis’ music, that I had never had an outlet before, to play
(frankly) as well as I can play...and I went in there, and it all just made since!” He
never had to audition for the role. But that’s not a surprise.
I dare say that there’s been a little Jerry Lee in Levi waiting to come out since his
very humbled youth growing up in the south. He and Jerry Lee share a rebellious
spirit. In that rebellion Kreis found a way to come to terms and accept himself as
a gay man, and especially after wrestling with the divine interpretation of his
relationship with Jesus, God, or a Higher Power. “It’s a rebellious concept
(religion is)...seriously! There’s very little support there in the scriptures for our
choices...it does require you to approach God, and to redefine God and the
word of God, and your spirituality. I had to wipe clean the slate and pretend that
I had never been taught anything, and I’m gonna start from the beginning and
redefine it for myself.” However he has chosen to define that relationship, it’s a
concept that has shaped him into a better and more expressive individual.
“It wasn’t until I was revisiting my past that I learned there was a very specific
way that I played. There was a very specific part of my instincts that I had sort of
pushed aside.” He may have felt that he had compromised some of his art in
order to make his previous works, that of songs that appeared on Gospel, for
example, sound more “pop” in order to convey his message, which Kreis admits
were themes that were very heavy -- he felt he needed to do this to make the
material easy to digest for the masses, but he knew that he was compromising.
“What I’ve discovered now is a beautiful thing called: forgiveness,” he laughs.
months!” He’s been so involved with the show since 2001 (where he began
workshopping the role of Jerry Lee Lewis). At the time, he was working on
another show, another musical when, ”the same theater got the script for ‘Million
Dollar Quartet’ and all they really knew at the time was: the kid can act, he’s
Southern, and he says he plays the piano.” The stars were seemingly aligned!
The producers asked to see Levi perform, but “little did they know that I grew up
playing Jerry Lee Lewis’ music, that I had never had an outlet before, to play
(frankly) as well as I can play...and I went in there, and it all just made since!” He
never had to audition for the role. But that’s not a surprise.
I dare say that there’s been a little Jerry Lee in Levi waiting to come out since his
very humbled youth growing up in the south. He and Jerry Lee share a rebellious
spirit. In that rebellion Kreis found a way to come to terms and accept himself as
a gay man, and especially after wrestling with the divine interpretation of his
relationship with Jesus, God, or a Higher Power. “It’s a rebellious concept
(religion is)...seriously! There’s very little support there in the scriptures for our
choices...it does require you to approach God, and to redefine God and the
word of God, and your spirituality. I had to wipe clean the slate and pretend that
I had never been taught anything, and I’m gonna start from the beginning and
redefine it for myself.” However he has chosen to define that relationship, it’s a
concept that has shaped him into a better and more expressive individual.
“It wasn’t until I was revisiting my past that I learned there was a very specific
way that I played. There was a very specific part of my instincts that I had sort of
pushed aside.” He may have felt that he had compromised some of his art in
order to make his previous works, that of songs that appeared on Gospel, for
example, sound more “pop” in order to convey his message, which Kreis admits
were themes that were very heavy -- he felt he needed to do this to make the
material easy to digest for the masses, but he knew that he was compromising.
“What I’ve discovered now is a beautiful thing called: forgiveness,” he laughs.
Listening to the album, you get that
Kreis has arrived at a very significant
point in his life; in his development as
an artist, which he credits to his role
in “The Million Dollar Quartet”.
“Although the show is tearing my
body apart, it’s reminding me what
my roots are as a musician. Growing
up in Tennessee with gospel, soulful
music and learning how to play
listening to Jerry Lee Lewis -- it’s
brought me back to a lot of
influences that I’ve rediscovered.
I feel like I’ve gone from songwriter,
to really becoming an artist.”
Seemingly, his acting has worked to
inform his music and allowed him to
creatively focus in a way he hadn’t
approached his creative process
before. “It’s brought me back home
to what I know best!” And what
Levi Kreis knows best is how to
entertain.
Catch Levi Kreis’ new album Where I Belong as a digital download on iTunes and
Amazon Mp3, and visit Levi at his homepage for additional show and upcoming
tour dates at www.levikries.com
CLICK HERE for more JC Alvarez
Copyright 2009| Ambiente. Do not reproduce without prior authorization.
Kreis has arrived at a very significant
point in his life; in his development as
an artist, which he credits to his role
in “The Million Dollar Quartet”.
“Although the show is tearing my
body apart, it’s reminding me what
my roots are as a musician. Growing
up in Tennessee with gospel, soulful
music and learning how to play
listening to Jerry Lee Lewis -- it’s
brought me back to a lot of
influences that I’ve rediscovered.
I feel like I’ve gone from songwriter,
to really becoming an artist.”
Seemingly, his acting has worked to
inform his music and allowed him to
creatively focus in a way he hadn’t
approached his creative process
before. “It’s brought me back home
to what I know best!” And what
Levi Kreis knows best is how to
entertain.
Catch Levi Kreis’ new album Where I Belong as a digital download on iTunes and
Amazon Mp3, and visit Levi at his homepage for additional show and upcoming
tour dates at www.levikries.com
CLICK HERE for more JC Alvarez
Copyright 2009| Ambiente. Do not reproduce without prior authorization.
