Ken (KD)Bantz's songs express his compassion and keen observations of life. His debut "You Can't Go Back" "is well composed, making one want to Go Back to these familiar-feeling stories again and again."-Jason Hoffman,WHATZUP
His second release, "Complete the Circle" rises to another level. A journey ranging from timeless anti-war ballads to a 10 minute reggae jam to songs of hope/optimism.
Bantz's 3rd release, "This is Heaven", recorded with the great studio smith's Paul Mahern and Dan Figurelli, is an Americana, folk rock banquet of songs about love, life, time and history.
KD's latest release "The Blue Sky Sessions" addresses head on the issues of our times and ending with a song of inspiration and hope "We Can Make It If We Try" with the amazing Kenny Aronoff on drums.
Bob Dylan, John Lennon, Neil Young, Mark Knopfler, Eric Clapton, John Mellencamp and Carlos Santana are artists of influence.
CONTACT: kbmusic_ycgb@hotmail.com
DOWNLOADS HERE, ALL MAJOR SITES
Sounds Like: Bob Dylan, Carlos Santana
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"Those that have failed to work toward the truth have missed the purpose of living." Buddha
Be cool, be kind,
KdB
Ken (Kd) Bantz
BIO
Ken (KD) Bantz's life has been a series of travels and well-adventures. His varied life experiences range from growing up on a midwest family farm to working 10 minutes on and 10 minutes off in the summer heat of glass factories to working for for small Mom and Pop to Fortune 500 Companies to living/backpacking in the great Northwest to working for John Mellencamp to studying Eastern philosophy/spirituality to teaching for the University of Tikrit to venturing in the Australian outback-just to name a few. The one constant throughout has been his music-he has continually nurtured his passion for writing and playing music . These experiences have provided a broad/colorful emotional spectrum that Bantz draws upon when writing and is evident in his 4 album releases "You Can't Go Back", "Complete the Circle", "This is Heaven" and "The Blue Sky Sessions".
"I'm not sure how long Ken Bantz has been playing guitar or writing songs, but it's obvious from his lyrics he's always been a keen observer of life. A number of elements combine to make "You Can't Go Back" a wonderful listening experience. Bantz has a strong vocal presence, calming like James Taylor yet firm in delivery, and his guitar playing is consistently excellent, whether he's playing acoustic, electric or 12 string. The songs are well composed, as are the melodies and the lyrics, making one want to Go Back to these familiar-feeling stories again and again." Jason Hoffman-Whatzup.
Bantz's second release "Complete the Circle" contains powerfully written, guitar driven songs addressing the futility of war, how change can/will come if we raise our collective consciousness, songs of truth, promise and hope, of trust/faith in free people and democracy. "The music and artwork on "Complete The Circle" combine to create/shape an extraordinary journey. "Complete the Circle" "is a real band working together, musicians communicating with each other through their instruments, expertly performing these seven wonderful songs for those who have ears." Jason Hoffman-Whatzup
"This is Heaven", KDB's third release was inspired by Bob Dylan's "Blood on the Tracks". "I was laid up from a surgery-if you get physical on life you have to expect injuries- must have listened to nothing but that album for two weeks. Dylan just killed it, it's a masterpiece." KDB "This is Heaven" was recorded live using analog tape-which gives the album a warmth, a more live, organic band getting it on feel. This work includes songs about the elusiveness of time/change, dying rural American towns, outlaws, love and screwed up love, letting go, card games and bars and the concept that a lot of heaven is right here, right now-in the everyday, simple things of our lives.
KDB's last release, "The Blue Sky Sessions" floats, it sways and it flat out rocks.-"For over four years immediately upon the release of "This is Heaven" I had priorities other than music, the number one priority was taking care of my Mom who had fallen ill with dementia. Really did not feel like writing much during this period-but as time permitted- I worked extensively on guitar technique and tone-experimenting with different guitars, amps and effects pedals-then when I did get back to writing and recording, it took me close to three years to get this project to it's final completion-to where I was happy with it. " KDB "The Blue Sky Sessions" had favorable reviews and charted #10 on the jambands.com national radio charts in March 2021. "The Blue Sky Sessions" is about this great democratic experiment we call America. Benjamin Franklin once stated when asked after leaving the Constitutional Convention 'what kind of government did you form ' " A republic, now let's see if you can keep it." Franklin knew that, for a democracy to survive, it must continually be prepared to defend itself against all sorts of villains and threats to personal freedom. The major deterrent to these threats is not just a participative well informed citizenry-but a citizenry that embraces love, faith and hope. The latter is the message in the capstone song on this project "We Can Make It If We Try" -a classic anthem featuring world class drummer Kenny Aronoff--WITH LOVE FAITH AND HOPE-WE CAN MAKE IT IF WE TRY!!