Writer. Performer. Scholar. Kevin Haden wears many hats. An artist that defies traditional genres, his infectious mix of folk, rock, and soul harkens back to a time when melody mattered, while still embodying the sensibilities of today.
Raised outside of Pittsburgh, PA, Kevin’s musical education began much like many of today’s artists - under the tutelage of his parent’s record collection. “I can remember singing along to The Jackson 5 in my living room as a kid,“ he says. “My parents had an old microphone that I use to take out and pretend I was on stage.”
As a teenager, he began to try his hand at composing. “I started writing pop songs because most of what I heard on the radio was too high for me to sing,” he states. “If I wanted to sing pop music, I had to write it myself.“ But it wasn’t until after going to New York University to initially study vocal performance, and then composition, that the Kevin Haden sound that we know today began to take shape. “Before NYU, I worked a lot with synthesizers. My professors encouraged me make use of live instruments more. There was a huge shift in my sound to something much more alive,” he says.
Of all of his releases and compositions, “Mercy” is Kevin’s favorite. “It was the song I wanted to hear that nobody else had recorded,” he continues “stylistically, it’s a near perfect blend of everything I’ve ever wanted to do.” And indeed, listeners will never get bored sifting through its musical layers. Shades of Tracy Chapman, Prince, Seal and Tool can be found throughout.
The limits of where Kevin Haden will go, both creatively and professionally, know no bounds. In addition to continuing to write, perform and release his own music, he has set his sights on teaching, researching and delving into musicology. Few artists are in the unique position to not only influence others with their work, but also examine and dictate the future of music. Kevin Haden is one such leader, make sure to be one of his sonic followers.
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