Cary Kanno
Elmhurst, Illinois, United States | SELF
Music
Press
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With the thought of making a profit buried deep in the back of his mind, Cary “CKP� Kanno of The Chicago Drop record label/collective doesn’t make the best businessman. As unconcerned as he is about striking it big, though, Kanno is after grander things — particularly exposure. Over the past few years, this advertising rep by day/guitarist by night has made it his mission to ensure “organic� hip-hop bands and musicians of Chicago have a label behind them.
Appearing: 6/3 at Abbey Pub (3420 W. Grace) in Chicago.
“We don’t actually finance anything yet because we have no money,� Kanno says before letting out a chuckle. “But, we’re definitely producing and trying to put out the best material that we can find.�
As a member of the nine-piece Abstract Giants (AGs), Kanno is adamant about changing the notion hip-hop has to be created and performed solely through drum machines and turntables. The AGs, for example, make use of everything from keyboard to violin to create their pulsing brand of hip-hop. Taking note of full-band arrangements The Roots implemented more than a decade ago, Kanno believes keeping things live is the best way to go.
“I think it’s awesome to do shows that are a DJ and MC . . . but the majority of the shows I’ve seen with just a DJ, it doesn’t hold up to having a live band — to having like a big bass amp or kick drum going through the loud speakers and just booming,� explains Kanno. “A record is sort of flat in a live scenario. When you record it, it sounds a lot better ’cause it’s a lot more crisp; it’s a lot more clean. But when you get to a live setting there’s less people to watch, there’s less human nuances ’cause it’s a record spinning round and round. When you get five musicians all interacting and playing off of one another, it’s a lot more organic.�
Considering how the Abstract Giants accidentally formed back in the fall of 2001, you could say Kanno has always kept things organic. One night when he was scheduled to play with his former funk band, Traveling Riverside, at The Tin Lizzie in Lincoln Park, three MC acquaintances of his (Abitight, Mathismo, and Ronnie Physical) happened to be in the building. And as luck would have it, Traveling Riverside were given more stage time than they knew what to do with, leaving room for improvisation. “It was a three-hour time slot and we only had like an hour-and-a-half worth of music, so we had [the MCs] come up and we just played background music and they would do their thing,� he recalls.
As awkward as Kanno’s first experience with performing live hip-hop was, it’s evident the spur-of-the-moment jam was one he’ll forever proudly look back upon. “It was loud, and it was obnoxious, and you couldn’t hear anything, but at the same time, it had a good vibe and people were into it,� says Kanno. “And from that, I couldn’t [just] book Traveling Riverside. Everybody wanted Traveling Riverside with the MCs. And it just blossomed from there.�
Within six months of their Tin Lizzie sound clash, the AGs were already attracting attention from prominent media outlets and performing at venues like the Old Town School and Metro. Aside from the now defunct Organic Mind Unit, they were one of the few Chicago-based groups at the time bringing live instrumentation into hip-hop, thus making them one hot commodity.
Despite being onto something different at the time, Kanno isn’t quick to sing his own praises. “We never felt like it was new because The Roots obviously had made it big [and] it seems like now there’s a lot of bands doing that,� says Kanno. “We knew it was different, which a lot of times means you’re not accepted because the hardcore hip-hop heads just want a beat . . .�
– Max Herman
For the rest of the Abstract Giants’ evolution of live hip-hop, grab the June issue of Illinois Entertainer, available throughout Chicagoland.
Abstract Giants, Cary Kanno, Chicago Drop, Features Monthly - Illinois Entertainer
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Discography
Cary Kanno "One"
Cary Kanno "Two"
"One" is currently being played by over 150 radio stations across the US and Canada.
Comments:
we love [the album].
- David Rocha, KCSS 91.9 FM Music Director
"Just wanted to update you that you are getting some major play here at WMCR, I believe you were in our Top 10 for this week - which is awesome......
So, I just wanted to tell you that we're enjoying your album and good luck!"
- Amanda Moser, Music Director - WMCR the Sound
"I really enjoyed the record. :) I wish you the best of luck! Keep up the good work!"
- Sammi, KGAR 93.3 FM Music Director
"Keep up the great music Cary"
- Chelsea and Alex, Music Department KWCR 88.1FM
"listened to 'One' this AM. Terrific! Thanks for sending it along. It'll hit our new rock shelf tomorrow. 'Run From Yourself' a great track."
- Jeff/WMHB 89.7 FM, Colby Coll., Waterville, ME
"both of your releases I found to be well suited for airplay here..... This week, your release "Two" is charting on our Urban Top 10. Enjoy...
Very pleased that you provided your releases to us for airplay Cary."
- Ron Burd, Music Director CIUT 89.5 FM Radio Toronto
Photos
Bio
As of late 2009 Cary Kanno One was being played on over 150 radio stations across the US and Canada (see list on website). Songs have also been picked up and played on dozens of podcasts. Recently a song Cary wrote and performed was picked up and licensed by the Showtime Network and featured in a commercial for the TV show "Weeds".
Bio: "CKP" Kanno is constantly in search of new musical frontiers. Based out of Chicago IL, he formed and continues to play with well known bands the Abstract Giants, and Doko Benjo. In search of fresh creative outlet in 2009 he simultaneously released his two solo full length albums simply called "Cary Kanno One" and "Cary Kanno Two". Both were recorded and produced primarily at CKP studios, Cary's home studio. They feature an array of guests from Abstract Giants, Doko Benjo, and other musician friends. Cary performed all engineering, mixing, mastering and production as well as played bass, keyboards, pedal steel, banjo, guitar, and percussion. The albums have been well received by both fans and industry alike.
Cary has opened for many well known acts including: Rusted Root, Rodrigo y Gabriela, Robert Randolph, The Gza, The Rza, Lyrics Born, Mr. Lif, Buckwheat Zydeco, Jean Gray, DJ Z-Trip, The Redwalls, Poi Dog Pondering, Eyedea, Andrew Bird, Bernie Worrell, Digible Planets, and many more
For more info see www.carykanno.com
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