University of Utah Student Newspapers | 2014-01-14 | Page 5

www.dailyutahchronicle.com 5 ARTS Tuesday January 14, 2014 Kris Gruen's music embodies lullaby qualities Shawna Meyer STAFF WRITER GS. • • via; YERRON! MUTUAL FIRE INSURANCE Co • Kris Gruen's new album "New Comics from the Wooded World" builds off the successes of his two previous records. However, it is the recent level of maturity in his husky vocals and bold compositions that reveals a newfound sense of quiet confidence. A multi-instrumentalist and poetic lyricist, Gruen is scheduled to perform Jan. 20 at Sundance's ASCAP Music Cafe in Park City, Utah. Born in New York and now based in Vermont, Gruen grew up near award-winning musicians. Father Bob Gruen, acclaimed rock 'n' roll photographer, exposed him to the music industry at an early age. Gruen's exchanges with famous artists ingrained key elements into his song-writing style — elements such as simple structure, earnest delivery and carefully crafted lyrics that both tell a narrative and express emotion. "What sold me from day one [on Kris] were his lyrics and [his] melodic sense. He writes about real things in a not-so-obvious way and tells stories from life experience. His melodies are never what you'd expect yet are grounded in classic styles and driven by his vocal prowess to create something fresh and emotive," said Charles Newman, Gruen's producer. "I think [Kris's] lack of any legitimate music schooling has inspired him to create music and sounds based on the things he hears and likes around him." Released last summer, Gruen asserts that, in regards to sound and energy, his recent album ranges from "whisper-folk lullaby to punk-rock anthemic." The songs delve into familiar stories, such as waking up at night to comfort a newborn ("Who's Gonna Watch the Baby"), working a day job that isn't necessarily related to one's dream job ("Company Man") and reflecting on the woes of growing older ("Little Again"). While these subjects seem tired and overused, Gruen infects each song with compelling energy and emotion, making each track instantly catchy and relatable. "John Lennon said, 'The secret to success is to steal from the best.' Lennon was irreverent and left his audience to their own devices to decide what he meant, but I don't think he was talking about copying. I believe he meant that the ingredients of good art are the same for all, and that no one will invent the wheel no matter how hard they try," Gruen said. "Building on the foundations of those we admire is a good thing, and we can only, and most importantly, hope to reinterpret the world uniquely, based on our unique personalities ... More simply put, I try to write accessible, up-front songs about real life experiences, and [I] do that because I can, and I believe that if you can, you should," Gruen said. In Gruen's hands, even heartbreak and loss-two subjects abused by the mainstream music industry-become fresh and TRUST CO REPEL E BERRY &JONES o.RoCiiil t s75Fants Novisois-Fmk FEED 8,$EED5 imT17ctii eisizksv _ .10,1:42.r.o? yr A. D. HAYES GARAG E A.sn I Er LYDA EXT141$ poo-1.4.. ■ rat As Jr.-en 9.7.4.-tr. • • Sr. PHOTO COURTESY OF BOB GRUEN Kris Gruen will be performing at the Sundance Music Café on Jan. 20. alive. The track "Don't Be Shy" begins with a splattering of horns and builds into a graceful and soaring song that focuses on taking chances and saying how you feel, because, before you know it, the chance to say something will have passed. Another standout track is "Cemetery," which starts slowly with both the piano and acoustic guitar echoing in the background. This song describes the visit to a loved one's grave, and it acts as a warm hug to anyone who has experienced overwhelming grief. "As a songwriter, my goal is to call out to the listener, to be bold in my outreach to them, not to intimidate, but to reassure them that they are the point of why I write," Gruen said. "I write songs so that those who love and learn and thrive through music can understand and appreciate my perspective, having faith that any perspective, made accessible, can change the world for the better." Most of the songs on "New Comics from the Wooded World" were recorded live and produced at John Vanderslice's Tiny Telephone Studios in San Francisco. The record marked Gruen's first attempt at recording live, and his efforts to do so created an album that brims with authenticity and intimacy. [e-mail] `Only Light' exhibit celebrates MLK, Jr. Rio Gallery honors civil rights movement Dylan Griffin STAFF WRITER PHOTO COURTESY OF UTAH STATE FINE ARTS COLLECTION "Genius Draws No Color Line" by Carlos Anderson will be on display at the Rio Gallery as part of the "Only Light" exhibition. On Friday, Rio Gallery's "Only Light" exhibit opens, a showcase which celebrates Martin Luther King, Jr. and highlights the history of civil and human rights activism. Claudia Nakano, director of the Utah Office of Multicultural Affairs, had no trouble planning the content of "Only Light." "There were no challenges. We work with the multicultural community," Nakano said. "I wanted to do something significant in honor of Martin Luther King, Jr." The idea of a MLK, Jr. inspired gallery came from a previous Rio Gallery art display. "Last year, we hung some banners of Dr. King, so that sparked the idea to do an art exhibit," Nakano said. Bringing together artwork and putting on a successful exhibition is something Nakano has been doing for a while. She shared her own thoughts on how she and the Utah Division of Arts and Museums planned "Only Lights." "It needed to have a theme. In honor of Dr. King, we thought about his spirit and his contributions to the civil rights movement. [Contributions that] continue to impact the local and global community," Nakano said. Felicia Baca, in charge of Visual Arts and Exhibitions at the Utah Division of Arts and Exhibitions, is looking forward to the gallery demonstration. She glowed with pride at the range of artists and styles they will have on display. "We have artists that are both working and living in the present day and a few that are no longer living. We have pieces both historical and contemporary. Included in the exhibition are portraits of leaders in the field, and other artists dealing in environmental and human rights," Baca said. Included in the exhibit are portraits created by Margaret Tarampi, who paints significant civil and human rights leaders. For instance, Tarampi's portrayal of Cesar Chavez will mark up a segment of the Rio Gallery's walls. In addition, Lenka Konopasek's "Disaster Series" depicts Hurricane Katrina and whose subject matter revolves around the sensitive topics of race and poverty. Baca also emphasized the diversity at play. Not just the artists and particular styles, but how the artwork speaks to the spirit of Martin Luther King, Jr. and the larger and broader issues of civil and human rights. "It's pretty broad in scope, anything from painting to multimedia work. There is really great diversity with media work, artists and their background. It's a pretty broad interpretation of big issues, both historically and contemporarily," Baca said. [e-mail] Are Rorschach inkblots also fine art? Apply to be an arts writer for The Daily Utah Chronicle Contact Frances Moody at [e-mail]