KEVIN SO

Artist Information

Biography

In over a decade of performing his music around the country, Kevin So has earned the respect of fellow musicians (Keb' Mo', Amos Lee), won over members of press and radio, and has built a loyal fan base across the US. Born and raised in Boston, So channeled his early passion for singing into the start of a career in music with his appearance on the nationally broadcast Fox TV show "Big Break" hosted by Natalie Cole. In 1994, So toured the country in a cover band that would later see some of its musicians moving on to Britney Spears' band. It was during that period when he spent a considerable amount of time listening to the early recordings of Bob Dylan. By 1995, So quit the cover band and was a regular on the open-mic folk scene in Cambridge. His strong musicianship caught the attention of a Boston Globe critic who wrote that Kevin was "unusually talented." At the prestigious Kerrville Folk Festival in Texas, an Austin Chronicle's music writer took notice, writing that So was "the big discovery." The release of So's Individual in 1997, was accompanied by a sold-out performance at Club Passim. So moved to Chicago in 1999, booked his own gigs, performing shows in the Midwest and elsewhere. Busking in Austin the following year, Kevin was "discovered" by The Agency Group. Subsequently, he opened for Joe Cocker, Billy Bragg, and Robben Ford. In 2001, So moved back to Boston. Soon thereafter, he released the controversial That Oriental Guy in the midst of a hectic tour schedule. Musically, he was shifting from folk to pop/r&b. The day after September 11, 2001, Kevin connected with popular bluesman Keb' Mo' and co-wrote "Talk," which Keb' would eventually record. So continued touring in 2002, becoming a favorite performer for dozens of Asian American organizations around the US. The double-disc Leaving The Lights On appeared to an avalanche of praise in 2003. With 2 other full length CDs under his belt (The So Must Go On and A Brighter Day), So continues to tour the country at a vigorous clip. More recently, Kevin was proud recipient of the 2007 NYC Fringe Festival Award (Best Music & Lyrics) for his current work-in-progress “Great Wall” – a musical production based on his life and times. So's latest release Best Foot Forward is supported by concert dates in 2009.

For find out more about Kevin So, please visit www.KevinSo.com.

The official KEVIN SO My Space Music Page:
http://www.MySpace.com/KevinSoandMidnightSnack

Instrumentation

Kevin So - acoustic guitar, piano, harmonica and vocal

Discography

Singles (on streaming/radio airplay):
A Brighter Day
Gulliver's Tavern
Save Me A Seat
Letter From Guantanamo
Karoline
Forever Friend
Once Called Glory
The System
Stronger Side By Side
Crush On You
Krista
5 Days In Memphis
Porn Star

LPs:
BEST FOOT FORWARD (New Release 2009)
SAY IT AIN'T SO: LIVE IN NYC (2008)
A BRIGHTER DAY (2007)
THE SO MUST GO ON (2005)
LEAVING THE LIGHTS ON (2003)
THAT ORIENTAL GUY (2001)
ALONG THE WAY (1999)
INDIVIDUAL (1997)
PENDULUM (1996)

EPs:
LIVE AT THE BIG TOP EP (2008)
THE NEW SENSATION (2008)
THE BROOKLYN SESSIONS EP (2006)
SHIRTS N' SKINZ (2002)
DIFFERENT (1999)
BLACKOUT ROAD (1997)

Audio

• Second To None
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• Forever Friend
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• A Brighter Day (live)
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• Best Foot Forward
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Lyrics

• Second To None
• Forever Friend
• Best Foot Forward

Video

Photo Gallery

Press

• KEVIN SO IS BEGINNING TO DO WHAT DYLAN DID FOR THE '60s [+ Show ]
  

  "Kevin So is beginning to do for young Americans what Woody Guthrie did for Dust Bowl refugees and B..."Kevin So is beginning to do for young Americans what Woody Guthrie did for Dust Bowl refugees and Bob Dylan for the '60s generation. Carving his songs from sweet r&b, hot rock, hip-hop, and folk-pop, he presents his life and times in brash strokes of insight, wit, and empathy, all underscored by a deeply felt pride in being both Asian and American."

• KEVIN SO AND HIS BAND BLEW ME AWAY ! [+ Show ]
  

  “Kevin and his band blew me away! Wow. please, if you get a chance, go to a show of his. Part of wh...“Kevin and his band blew me away! Wow. please, if you get a chance, go to a show of his. Part of what makes him great is my inability to accurately compare him to anyone famous, but just try to imagine a mix of Stevie Wonder, Bruce Springsteen, Ray Charles, Randy Newman, Ani Difranco, and Eddie Van Halen - all in the body of an Asian-American male with cool hair… SO great!”

• ONE OF THE MOST EXCITING AND POWERFUL SINGER/SONGWRITERS ON THE NATIONAL SCENE. [+ Show ]
  

  "In person and on disc, Kevin So delivers songs that are by turns riotous, tender, and red hot, and ..."In person and on disc, Kevin So delivers songs that are by turns riotous, tender, and red hot, and he does it with humor and a sweet sincerity. A likeable newcomer just a few years ago, Kevin is quickly growing into one of the most exciting and powerful singer/songwriters on the national scene. His new self-produced indie release works on every level - memorable songs, striking vocals, and outstanding instrumentation. Kevin hits every mood - there's haunting acoustic ballads, hard-hitting blues and pop, and joyous traveling music. But it's not just the great music I love about this album - Kevin So's love of people shines through everything he does."

• THE BEST LIVE PERFORMANCE I HAVE SEEN IN A WHILE [+ Show ]
  

  “Kevin So once again was an absolute hit. He is unable to disappoint the crowd with his musicianshi...“Kevin So once again was an absolute hit. He is unable to disappoint the crowd with his musicianship…without a doubt the best live performance I have seen in a while.”

• AN IMPORTANT VOICE TO KEEP ON THE MAP [+ Show ]
  

  “What's refreshing is that he's picking up the populist, street folk of Guthrie, Philips and ties it...“What's refreshing is that he's picking up the populist, street folk of Guthrie, Philips and ties it directly to the sonic landscape of the real modern folk music - rap and hip hop… an important voice to keep on the map that starts at union/work song and leads us to the very present moment.”

• THE FIRST ASIAN AMERICAN STAR [+ Show ]
  

  "The show-stopping set came from Kevin So, who could become the first Asian American star...minimali..."The show-stopping set came from Kevin So, who could become the first Asian American star...minimalist guitar picking that put the holes back into the music... Well-crafted original balladry and a silky Stevie Wonderish tenor held the audience entranced...The big discovery."

• MEMORABLE SONGS, STRIKING VOCALS, AND OUTSTANDING INSTRUMENTATION [+ Show ]
  

  "In person and on disc, Kevin So delivers songs that are by turns riotous, tender, and red hot, and ..."In person and on disc, Kevin So delivers songs that are by turns riotous, tender, and red hot, and he does it with humor and a sweet sincerity. A likeable newcomer just a few years ago, Kevin is quickly growing into one of the most exciting and powerful singer/songwriters on the national scene. His new self-produced indie release works on every level - memorable songs, striking vocals, and outstanding instrumentation. Kevin hits every mood - there's haunting acoustic ballads, hard-hitting blues and pop, and joyous traveling music. But it's not just the great music I love about this album - Kevin So's love of people shines through everything he does."

• HIS STAGE PRESENCE JUST GRABS YOU AND BRINGS YOU INTO HIS PRIVATE CIRCLE [+ Show ]
  

  "Kevin So is one of the most prolific songwriters I've ever heard. He puts into word thoughts that I..."Kevin So is one of the most prolific songwriters I've ever heard. He puts into word thoughts that I have felt but have never been able to express as an Asian American. There's no one else in our community who has achieved the things he has has done as a singer-songwriter. His stage presence just grabs you and brings you into his private circle. The energy he displays is infectious and joyous. As a musician, he's a technically fine piano/guitar player. The voice is strong and at the same time gentle. If you have a chance to see him perform, go ! You won't be sorry."

• THE NEW HARDEST WORKING MAN IN SHOW BUSINESS
  

  "The new hardest working man in show business"

• TALENT UNMISTAKABLE. HE POURS HIS LIFE AND SOUL INTO HIS MUSIC [+ Show ]
  

  Kevin So embodies the opposite of everything that most stereotypes dictate. So different and refres...Kevin So embodies the opposite of everything that most stereotypes dictate. So different and refreshing, there's no question that it's depressing to not seem him on the mainstream or being promoted by some big shot. But in a way his struggle is inspirational, his talent unmistakable. He pours his life and soul into his music, and it makes me angry that he isn't as recognized as most. I met Kevin at one of his high school performances, and snuck into one of his gigs- I can honestly say that he can touch the crowd and maintain his dignity. That's why I fully support Kevin, and yes, I do own most of his albums now.

Setlist

Set List varies greatly depending on the nature of the venue and whether KEVIN SO is headlining, sharing the bill, or an opening act. KEVIN SO can play from 15-30 minutes (3-5 song short cameo set) to 3-4 hours (3 sets) - all original material, solo acoustic. Cover songs can be provided if necessary - STEVIE WONDER ("Superstition"), BILL WITHERS ("Just The Two Of Us", "Lean On Me"), MARVIN GAYE ("What's Going On"), BILLY JOEL ("Piano Man"), JAMES TAYLOR ("Steamroller"), BOB DYLAN ("Like A Rolling Stone").

Basic Requirements

Calendar