Kevin Johansen

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Bio

HISTORY OF A REVERSE LATINO

Kevin was born in Alaska (yes, in Fairbanks), but was raised in Argentina as of age 12. Of Argentine mom and American dad, Kevin made a brief appearance in the local rock scene with the band Instrucción Cívica ("Obediencia Debida", recorded in 1985, achieved gold record status in Peru!). On October 12, 1990 he set out to “rediscover” the North America of his childhood. He says “New York is not the United States” which is probably why he lived there for almost ten years. Soon after his arrival he was discovered by Hilly Krystol, owner of legendary CBGB’s, who invited him to participate in his future record company. During the 90’s he recorded and played there as a “house band” every Saturday, and played also at the Knitting Factory and the Mercury Lounge, among others.

In 2000, Kevin went back to Argentina –where he currently lives- right on time to witness the country´s economic and social disaster. He refers to this weird decision with humor: “When I first came to this country in 1976, the old ladies at the bakery store would ask me “where do you like it best, here or there?” I would answer “I like it here best”, and everyone was happy. Now, the question’s changed: “what the h... are you doing here?!”

“The Nada” is the name of Kevin´s first album. It was recorded in New York but release first in Argentina by independent label Los Años Luz, and later in Spain by K Industrias. “The Nada” toys not only with Kevin´s two main languages (Spanish and English) but with various rhythms and elements of the Americas, from cumbia to milonga and son cubano, handled with a ‘quasi’ pop sound. “Mixture is the Future” is the album’s mantra. He calls to blend in ('mestizarse') in the near future and to mesh with strange accents and colors. The album fascinates immediately due to Johansen's personality. He is not a musician that you can make quick and easy comparisons with.

Two years later, Kevin recorded “Sur o no Sur”, released again by Los Años Luz in Argentina and by Sony Music internationally. His second album confirms him as an unique composer, going further in his eclectic style. “Sur o no Sur” has the charme of permanent surprise: Cumbias flamencas, Celtic Sambarera, Hip pop, Hyndu Blues are some of the names that Kevin uses to define the genre of his songs. “I´m a degenreate” states Kevin, and we all welcome his lack of musical prejudice.

During 2003, Kevin became a big success in Argentina, playing in June at the Gran Rex theatre, the largest in Buenos Aires. He also toured in Spain and USA.
By the end of that year and the beginning of 2004, Sur o no Sur was released in USA, Mexico, Chile and Spain, while other European countries will release it along 2004.

Funny, profound, intelligent, reflexive, Kevin is one of those rare cases of a singer with fans from 4 to 99 years old. And also one of the few truly bilingual artists, switching from English to Spanish in an organic and natural way. Music that is worth to be discovered, listened to and enjoyed. You sure won´t get disappointed!

DISCOGRAPHY:
The Nada (2000) Los Años Luz
Sur o no Sur (2002) Los Años Luz / Sony Music

VIDEOGRAPHY:
Living in a story (1995) New York
Guacamole (2001) Buenos Aires
Daisy (2003) Buenos Aires
Sur o no Sur (2003) Las Leñas – Argentina
La Procesión (2004) Buenos Aires

WEBSITE:
www.kevinjohansen.com