Show ’H ' Ay-- ’vH'i'i'1- " f'-- - - ‘ V KZi znsttSBSttnn g r'f hen you consider dial he didn’t III Mil leant to until he was tracks simultaneously like most aspiiing performers he began playing where he could — in friends’ back yards and at parties or twondet ' other gatherings He played his first Just three yean alter he started ' “serious show” at Utah State messing with an old classical that a friend had lying around Allied vfj University’s Pride Day Allred recently recorded his first album': graduated from USU with a degree in American studies “SickToday” He followed that 2000 He got his big musi-crelease with “Gasping for Breath” earlier thisyear break so to speak ’ ' when a “spoken word” In his short career die number from “Sick Logan native has already played for' audiences of 45000 and sold more Today” was included on than 500 albums and he was recently “QueerStock Queer acoustic-fol- k artist voted second-beSoup” a double-dis-c in City Weekly’s 2003 SLAMMy (Salt compilation benefiting Lake Area Music and More) awards gay youth advocacy v Not bad for someone who admitted- - ' groups was is still deal “It instrument his a big ly learning because it’s a national “I still Ain’t know all die technical words and things” he said of guitars-pea- k project” Allred said “I’ve met a lot of “I just do what I like and what people who know who I am just because of that CD” sounds good” ' ' After eight years of piano lessons Since then Allred has played regu- and seven years on die clarinet Allred lariy in Salt Lake City at venues such as die Stonewall Coffee Shop and the said he was inspired as a teen fry the g folk singers music of Urban Lounge Locally he has played at Sultan’s and Border’s among other like Ani Difranco “I wanted some- places And he’s played for huge 'audithing I could cany with me” he said He tabght himself to play by writing ences at gay pride festivals in cities songs and recorded his first album in throughout the West including Salt Lake Boise Pocatello and Portland one day laying the guitar and vocal r play guitar 16 Kevm Allred is something of six-stri- ng V"! In full-leng- a th al l st Jfl - ' - : guitar-playin- : - If Allred is reluctant to label himself “The ‘Queer Stock’ CD got me of a as a “gay songwriter” he’s also reluclot of pull with the pride festivals tant to label Ids music with a specific because they could advertise me as a genre He said his influences include ? p ‘Queer Stock’ artist” he said to everything from folk to - Allred is openly gay and ‘“very polit- bluegrass — “every kind of music” v " ically active in queer politics” mid he don’t like to put it under any cate- said his fan base largely reflects that gory because I don’t know what it But one wouldn’t know' ' would be” he said' ' it by listening to his y Allred said his songs are heavily music There is the d so it’s no surprise that one reference to ' his word pieces was chosen of spoken his sexual orientation ' for the compilation and one might infer music just seems to icome to “The things from songs like me but I’m really concerned with get- ‘ “Maybe an Angel” a the words right” he said “I ting tribute to die late "wouldn’t say it’s more but Matthew Sheppard ' it’s what I work harder important at” whom Allred refers to Jesus V' As for Allred’s future plans he has as “a modem-da- y contemplated a move to New York but Christ” But for the he’s now leaning more toward the most part Allred’s songs are gender-neutrWest Coast For now he’s living in In other words when it comes ' to his love songs you wouldn’t know Logan saving money writing new material and well waiting for his next whether he was talking about a guy or V-- ' a girl big break “I don’t like being thought of as a “I want to be able to book a big tour in the upcoming year” he said gay songwriter" he said “I’m a song- writer and I happen to be gay For “everything you could ever ask “I like to think it’s about feelings for and more” visit Allred’s Web site everyone has no matter who they’re at wwwJrevinallredcom attracted to” he said “I hope everyone — by John Wright can relate to it” Herald Journal staff writer 'y hip-ho- v-“- American Lila Downs on Nov 13 at 7:30 pm in die University of Utah's Kingsbury Hall Regularly priced tickets are $16 and $24 for the general public and $8 for University of Utah students (limit two singer-songwrit- ' er per valid ID) Tickets are available at ' the Kingsbury Hall ticket office the ' UofU Union Desk and all ArtTix out- lets by phone at (888) and online at wwwarttixorg Discount tickets are available for UofU faculty and staff senior citizens students groups of 10 or more members 451-AR- (non-Uof- U) - ‘lyric-base- a : " ! 1 al vr Music from down south down south Office is The ASUUto Presenter’s present Mexican- - v r'’ : V of KUER-F90 KUED Channel 7 and die UofU Alumni Association Fbr more information call M 581-71- Mexican-America- n songstress 00 Downs has quickly become one of die most respected and popular world music stars today Downs’ music and stage presence are a unique fusion of cultures styles and sounds culminating in a concert experience unlike any ' other Her signature style has recently reached an even great audience with her feature role in the Acadamy Awardwinning film “Frida” and her live performance at the 2003 Academy Awards ceremony 'i h vV' S |