Music
The best kept secret in music
Press
... Inspired by artists such as Paul Simon, Pearl Jam, Jimi Hendrix and The Who, Graves weaves the traditional narratives of "story-telling" songs with the dynamic elements of rock and popular music. Ironically, for Graves, the sometimes harrowing uncertainty of living as an artist gave him clarity that he needed for his work.
"My day-to-day life is about chasing this dream of being a professional musician, of making my living playing and creating music; and above that is the search for what is truly possible in this life," Graves says. "Those daily pursuits influence the stories I seek to tell. I try to explore narratives about the chase." …
- Japanese American National Museum
... Kiyoshi's style comes from great singers of the past, but comes across modern and real. Instead of wailing to showcase his virtuosity, this artistic songwriter manages to blend melodies with intricate harmonies without distracting the listener from the focal point of the song ... - Music Biz Magazine
Discography
Chase LP (2006)
Past, by its waters EP (2004)
Photos
Feeling a bit camera shy
Bio
Kiyoshi Graves has the spirit of a poet and the heart of a rock musician. With a unique lyricism that ranges from uplifting and full of hope to questioning and full of doubt, Kiyoshi delivers an uncommon passion and honesty in every line of his songs. Kiyoshi is a rising artist who combines a diverse set of influences from Paul Simon to Radiohead to The Who, resulting in a unique sound that seamlessly blends elements of Modern Rock, Classic Rock and Americana.
Kiyoshi has built a strong and loyal following by playing in front of tens of thousands of fans at dozens of clubs, coffee houses, bookstores and festivals including B.B. King's, Borders Books & Music, Molly Malone's, The Derby, the Los Angeles Street Fest, the Harvest Moon Festival and the Lunar New Year Festival. “With whatever energy, passion and charisma I have, I want the audience to know that I am really grateful to be playing music for them and that rock music is something that should agitate, invigorate and motivate. It should be a give and take between the audience and the artist where, together, we go someplace we couldn't have individually. I'm not sure where we go but when things work, it's somewhere not on this Earth and I absolutely love that.”
His first full-length album Chase (jd8 Records, 2006) is a collection of 10 original songs featuring stories of journey and discovery. The songs range from high-energy and adventurous as on the title track “Chase” to atmospheric and introspective as on the track “Finish Line.” The album also features the tracks “Everything,” an angst-ridden response to those who doubt your pursuit of your dreams, “Reckoning,” a song that pays tribute to our soldiers but questions the purpose of the wars we wage, “So Much More,” a teenage crush anthem, and “Line,” a reflection on how each of us can make a difference by starting on an interpersonal level.
The Chase LP was produced by Evan Frankfort (Liz Phair, The Wallflowers, Pete Yorn, Orson, The Bangles, etc.) and features the organ playing of Rami Jaffee of The Wallflowers throughout the album. “Chase is the beginning of my journey into realizing what I am capable of, what is possible and how I might realize my true potential. It's a statement that we don't have to settle - that we can pursue our dreams and ambitions without compromise. People may try to tear us down, either consciously or unconsciously, but we can rise above that. The album is a collection of songs that I want to inspire action and give hope to those that hear it.”
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