L&K

Recording of radio interview with Michael K at KHMB Radio, Half Moon Bay, CA - Coastside Carousel, KHMB Radio

Leah Walters met Konane Cramer in early 2014.

Neither of them guessed then that they would become a duo, then a band, and start a Southern California tour next month.

Walters had a classical background, having earned a bachelor's degree in vocal music from Friends University of Wichita, Kan. Cramer's musical skills came from the “no school, self-taught” tradition, he said.

Those two backgrounds may seem diametrically opposed. But that serendipitous meeting harmonized to shape the future for the two El Granada residents.

Walters maybe had a clue.

“I knew immediately that his sound matched mine,” she said. “Our visions and approach to music matched. It would be great if we worked together.”

Within a short time they were collaborating on original songs and finding common musical ground.

“Meeting Leah, I learned more music fundamentals,” said Cramer.

Walters had gotten into free-form jazz, looking beyond her classical training. With a formal musical education, “you tend to have a box,” she said of the classical structure. “So you obsess with following the rules, unable to cross over into creativity.”

She looked outside the box.

“Creativity comes out of musical technique and putting aside how things should be,” she said.

“I had to relearn guitar to play what she presented,” Cramer said. “That made me play exactly who I am. I found guitar again.”

Over a few months, the two became a duo, jamming nonstop in a new musical phase.

“Konane pushed me to own up to who I am,” said Walters.

That phase culminated in a first show in June of last year. And with the addition of Half Moon Bay residents Abraham Engel on bass and Erik Egol on drums, they became the full band L&K.

Added to the founding members' experience, the new members make up a full complement of experienced musicians. Egol had jazz influences, and Engel had performed in local theater.

Beginning in January, the band was playing gigs in the Bottom of the Hill, Hotel Utah and The Knockout clubs in San Francisco, locally at the Old Princeton Landing, and at the Pescadero Art and Fun Festival in August.

Their sound is rock with earthy hints of folk. Driving yet fluid guitar lines are led by Walters' voice, which leaps from a yearning, emotive soprano to a guttural Janis Joplin-like throatiness.

With a four-song demo CD for sale at gigs at $5 each, L&K is hitting the road for a Southern California tour Nov. 19 to Nov. 22.

It will launch with a benefit at 8:30 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 7 at the Old Princeton Landing at 460 Capistrano Road, El Granada. There will be a $10 cover fee.

For those wishing to support the tour, L&K welcomes donations at www.gofundme.com/L-Ktour.

The tour kicks off at 9 p.m. on Nov. 19 at Bocci's Cellar in Santa Cruz. The band then heads to Los Angeles for a second 9 p.m. gig on Nov. 20 at the Room 5 Music Lounge (a haven for singer/songwriters, Walters said) and Nov. 21 and 22 gigs at clubs to be confirmed.

To hear their music, visit www.soundcloud.com/L-K94019.

Another glimpse into the band will come through interviews with radio personality Michael K in “Coastside Carousel” on local station KHMB, at 100.9FM and 1710AM on Wednesday evening.

The four eagerly anticipate finding where the tour eventually takes them.

“The fact that we're on a booking tour, for me, is satisfying,” said Walters.

“This is a proving ground,” said Cramer.

To be a touring band is in L&K's game plan. “These are seeds you plant first,” said Cramer, “getting some recognition and building new audiences” with different gigs at a variety of venues.

“It takes a lot of confidence because you have to maintain that your plan is going to succeed,” said Walters. “Failure is not an option. You have to maintain that mantra.”

“I'm excited” said Cramer. “There are so many different areas (where) this adventure could go. You have to take each chapter as it comes and know that there's always a next chapter.”

“Keep a sense of being present and enjoying the ride,” added Walters. - Half Moon Bay Review

Radio interview with Michael K on Coastside Carousel to promote L&K's upcoming tour - Coastside Carousel - KHMB