Kevin Basko

http://mycommunitysource.com/top-stories/singer-songwriter-kevin-basko-bringing-it-all-back-home-for-freedom-fest/ - My community

http://examiner.gmnews.com/news/2011-06-30/Front_Page/Millstone_musician_puts_his_heart_and_soul_into_Th.html - The Examiner

Anyone who’s heard Rebecca Black’s “Friday” (or anyone over a certain age, anyway) has probably feared for the future of popular music, and humanity, not necessarily in that order. But just when you’ve about given up, you hear an album like “The Atmosphere” (Dreamland, NSB) by 18-year-old songwriter, guitarist and vocalist Kevin Basko, and all is right again with the world.

It would be too much pressure to hang the future of pop on Basko’s young shoulders, but he sings and plays with a confidence that makes you think he could handle it.

You know the album won’t be typical teenybopper fare right off the bat with “Keep Me Cool (Song for Jenna),” which kicks off with a blaring sax — the lyrics may be in the same neighborhood as “Friday,” about driving “in the car with the window down,” but in terms of authenticity it’s an entirely different universe. (One gets the sense that Basko, a New Jersey native, owes far more to the car-bound heroes of the Springsteen’s catalog.)

Basko has a fluid, easy guitar style reminiscent of John Mayer, and the songs range from the smooth pop of “Beautiful Static” to the bluesy romp of “Wash Me Away.” Sure, it would be nice if he rocked a little harder, and his reedy voice could use more of a growl — would it be wrong to suggest he start smoking Marlboros?

Still, he has plenty of time to refine his already impressive style and sound — Basko will be relocating from New Jersey to Boston in the fall to attend the Berklee College of Music. We can most likely expect great things by the time he goes back.

“The Atmosphere” is available at cdbaby.com as well as iTunes, Amazon.com, digstation.com and other digital sites.

Copyright 2011 North of Boston. Some rights reserved


Read more: NEW VOICES: Basko rises out of ‘The Atmosphere’ - Wicked Local, MA - North of Boston http://www.wickedlocal.com/northofboston/archive/x381615589/NEW-VOICES-Basko-rises-out-of-The-Atmosphere#ixzz1Rv1kvyag - By Peter Chianca / pchianca@wickedlocal.com

BY JENNIFER KOHLHEPP
Staff Writer
MILLSTONE — Aspiring musician Kevin Basko will open a benefit concert for a former roadie of The B Street Band who has complications from a rare disease.

Basko, an 18-year-old singer/songwriter from Millstone Township, Monmouth County, is one of two opening acts for the Feb. 26 show at the Stone Pony in Asbury Park. He will perform songs from his soonto be-released album “The Atmosphere.”

Basko met Glenn Stuart, lead singer of The B Street Band, in July 2009 while playing lead guitar in the band Finale Hill. Finale Hill opened for the Bruce Springsteen cover band at Summerfest in Brick Township.

“Glenn is helping me produce my new CD,” Basko said. “Glenn has been performing professionally for years all around the country and has a number of connections in the music business.”

Basko sent Stuart a copy of a CD he had been working on to get some professional feedback on the project.

“He liked the CD and later offered to help me produce a version for marketing,” Basko said. “I recorded the vocals and guitar. We added some instrumentals from guys in the B Street Band — Steve Meyers on saxophone, Steve Lopresto on bass, and Glenn on drums and percussion. A friend of ours, Charlie Ernst, a great jazz pianist, recorded the piano and organ.”

As Basko worked on the album’s finishing touches, Stuart suggested he play the benefit concert for John “J.C.” Colyer, who was The B Street Band’s longtime technician and roadie.

“John had to retire early due to a rare disease that affects his muscles,” Basko said.

Colyer, who worked with The B Street Band for 16 years, has been living with lupus for more than 46 years.




Achronic inflammatory condition caused by an autoimmune disease, lupus can cause disease of the skin, heart, lungs, kidneys, joints and nervous system, because lupus patients have unusual antibodies in the blood that target their own body tissues, according to the Lupus Foundation ofAmerica in Washington, D.C. The disease has affected Colyer’s balance and muscles.

The doors to the Feb. 26 benefit concert will open at 7:30 p.m. and Basko will perform from9 to 9:30 p.m., followed by Colyer’s former band, the Kilby Taylor Reunion Band, and then the headliner, The B Street Band.

“They put on a great show and really get the crowd going,” Basko said. “It will be a fun night, and all the profits are going to a great cause.”

The show is open to all ages. Concert attendees must be 21 and older to drink. Tickets are $20 at the door or in advance at stoneponyonline.com.

A free extended-play demo of Basko’s “The Atmosphere” will be available at the show.

“The photo on my CD cover shows my guitar on the bench in the hall at Allentown High School,” Basko said. “This is where I would sit and write a lot of my songs.”

Basko’s solo career started in January 2010when his senior practicum adviser atAllentown High School allowed him to work a couple days a week with the school’s music program, and another few days a week on creating an acoustic CD.

“At that time, I was writing a fair amount of instrumental blues originals, so initially I thought the CD would be totally instrumental,” Basko said.

His guitar teacher, Ed Cedar, had long been trying to convince him to sing, Basko said.

“The last time I really sang was when I was about 6 years old,” Basko said. “But then I began to explore different styles of music like John Mayer or Dave Matthews-type tunes. I expanded upon those influences and decided to start singing and make my own sound.”

The songs on the album have nature and weather themes that tie into life situations.

“Not to say this is my main message, but it is definitely a noticeable theme throughout the record,” Basko said .

His interest in music started at Millstone Township Middle School, where teacher Gwen Parker taught him to play saxophone.

“In fifth grade, Mrs. Beth Topinka’s husband, Jerry (a jazz guitarist), came into our science class to teach us about guitars, and I was drawn to its sound and look,” he said.

Basko played saxophone, guitar and drums in the Allentown High School jazz, symphonic and marching bands. In 2008 he and a group of friends formed Finale Hill to compete in the school’s Battle of the Bands.

“Until recently, I played lead guitar for this hard rock band,” he said.

This year, Basko is completing his basic liberal arts requirements at Brookdale Community College before leaving to attend Berklee College of Music in Boston.

“During that time, I hope to continue to play in local venues in New England, as well as in this area when I’m home on semester breaks,” he said, adding that his dream is to be a professional singer/songwriter.

“Which is almost like saying that I want to be an NBA basketball star,” Basko said. “It’s an incredibly competitive business, and this world is full of great musicians who are struggling to survive. While my parents support me 100 percent, they have tried at times to convince me to do something else. But it’s important enough where I push through it and try to make something of myself.”

Details: www.kbasmusic.com.
















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