Album Notes

Biography: Kevin McCarthy

Some musicians experience an essential moment—an epiphany, if you will—when the veneer of impediments and “reasons why” holding them back from a headlong plunge into their passion peels away to reveal the heartwood of a true artist.

For Kevin McCarthy; a songwriter, singer and principal of his label, Corkmusic; that moment occurred when he realized that music was a vehicle with which he could communicate ideas and feelings for which words had failed.

The critics picked up on that ability right from the start: when his debut album, “Anchors Away” was released, a review in “Discovering Artists” revealed “His voice is smooth and the tunes are dreamy and undefinable as far as genres go, which adds to the album’s appeal.”

His new album, “Hiding In Plain Sight,” promises to generate the same excitement from critics, old and new fans alike. The new work was produced by McCarthy, Jerry Becker, and bassist Jeremy Bleich with performances by an eclectic cast of musicians “whose technical and creative abilities are second to none.”

McCarthy started writing music at 16, but his exposure to piano, trumpet and drums began a decade earlier. The solid foundation might be the explanation for the flowing, natural interaction between his lyrics and music; a quality that Discovering Artists characterized as a “soaring acoustic and electric sound with a feel of jazz and folk.”

He describes his artistic process as “chord progression, melody and lyrics,” fueled by his interpretation of what he observes and how it makes him feel. That approach carries through to what he wants for his live audiences.

“When they’re leaving my show, I want them to feel like they just shared a kaleidoscope of intense feelings,” McCarthy says, “like challenged, ecstatic, lost, found, electrified.”

Bringing that level of refinement to the stage and recording studio has been no small feat. In 2003, McCarthy started his label and released his debut album. In the subsequent three years, he’s lived an up-and-coming musician’s life, covering 120,000 miles on the road in locations from Rhode Island to San Francisco.

While he is feeling the challenge of making a mark in the independent music sector by having to handle virtually all aspects of promoting his music, his work ethic—by any measure: miles, performances or energy—will maintain his impressive career trajectory. The music will take care of the rest.

For more information about Kevin McCarthy, samples of his music, and news about his new album, “Hiding in Plain Sight,” visit his website at www.corkmusic.com.