King Easy
Richmond, Virginia, United States | Established. Jan 01, 2016
Music
Press
Many great opportunities are formed in the wake of passion and previous endeavors. King Easy, a reggae rock band from Richmond, VA, spun off from earlier bands Crane Fly and Lost Dreads, dating back to 2011, and Crucial Elements from 1999. Lead vocalist and guitarist Austin Stalnaker, and Kwan Burke on trumpet and keyboard, were members of the original Crucial Elements, and they display an obvious chemistry honed from years of playing together. Chris Galiffa (bass), Ryan Harlowe (drums) and Tyler Donnelly (saxophone) complete King Easy, adding their own signature style to the troupe.
King Easy appeared at the Broadberry on November 5 to promote the release of their new eponymous EP, King Easy.
"We gonna rise up above the clouds because it feels so nice, above the trouble, above the trouble” Austin sings, inviting the audience to join in the unity. This new song has brilliant resonance, with Kwan’s trumpet and Tyler’s sax joining in to flavor and echo the mood. The break into jamming with energetic shredding on guitar amp up the song's energy and passion. On the yet-to-be-released “Let’s Move,” Kwan displays penetrating skank properties on keys while Tyler's brass comes in to mesmerize the audience like a snake charmer. This instrumental jam evolves into a slower progression layered with shimmery atmosphere while the vox melodica creates a hypnotic trance. "Dready Boderation” has great vocal harmonies, echoed by Tyler's sax. It is a light tune with a resonant message.
“A lot of problems out there we need solutions. We need solutions, be the solution. We need love. We need unity” Austin sings in fan favorite "Solutions." The song echoes reggae's constant call to channel one's energy as a conduit for peaceful change. “Cold Heart,” with its driving bass and drums, creates a vibrant and precise solid sound that draws you in from the first note, the music's transitions propelling the listener into its many different layers. Go see this band. If you missed them you can still catch two shows before the end of the year.`
King Easy will be in Richmond again on November 30 at the Camel with Roots of a Rebellion, and they'll return to the Broadberry with The Folly December 21 for the Antero reunion.
To find out more about King Easy, visit them at:
https://www.facebook.com/KingEasyRVA/
https://www.reverbnation.com/KingEasyRVA/songs - Rebecca Maguire
Discography
Still working on that hot first release.
Photos
Bio
King Easy is a 5 piece Reggae band hailing from Richmond VA, emphasizing theirmodern interpretation of Roots Rock Reggae, and adding a dash of dub. King Easybrings powerful Reggae ballads to the stage. With uptempo beats, dynamic hornlines, and uplifting and spiritual messages, King Easy looks forward to getting you tomove your feet and having you leave with your soul rejuvenated.
Lead Vocals and Guitar - Austin Stalnaker lyrical and songwriting
style concoct uplifting songs, with spiritual guidance and messages
of positivity. Heavy metal and classic rock inspirations can be heard
in Austin’s guitar shredding solos.
Keys ,Trumpet, Vocals- Kwan Burke is a bit of a masterinstrumentalist,
with a unique skill of playing the organ on foot
pedals, piano and trumpet all at the same time. With Kwan’s
synthesizer he can emulate 70s roots shuffle and bubble to a
modern synth sound with a heavy dub influence.
Saxophone - Tyler Donnelly completes the harmony of the horn
section, with deep Jazz funk and RNB influences which can be heard
in his solos and fills.
Drums - Ryan Harlowe, on his first note on intro roll, with his snare
tuned high almost like a timbale, you can instantly recognize with
his vast knowledge of historical reggae percussion. Ryan stays true
to classic reggae drum beats like the one drop, rocker and steppers,
while still being able to add his own modern twist and style.
Bass and Vocals - Chris Galiffa is a professional sound engineer,
multi-instrumentalist and talented singer/songwriter adding a solid
complement to the riddim and three-piece harmony vocals. Chris’s
education in sound engineering and writing helps brings the
backbone to King Easy with his heavy tasteful bass grooves.
KING EASY is now booking for summer and fall 2018
Band Members
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