La Balade Des Anges

ERIC JOHN KAISER
“DEHORS C’EST L’AMERIQUE”
(“OUTSIDE, IT’S AMERICA”)

Since the June, 2010, release of his third CD, “Portland Rendez-Vous,” Eric John Kaiser (“Portland’s French Troubadour”) has logged close to 10,000 miles via air, land and sea. Exploring North America on multiple lengthy tours, the Paris native has gigged his way up through Canada and down through the South, as far as New Orleans and Washington D.C., where he performed as an “Artist in Residence” for the Smithsonian Museum. Sometimes driving his trusty Subaru under the wide Montana sky, sometimes riding the subway under the New York City canyons... Then jetting across the Atlantic to tour through France... His music has logged as many miles and picked up accents from across the American landscape: his latest songs resonate now with a very American rhythm, like bouncing across the vast plains on horseback… some western lap steel guitar... some dirty roadhouse blues… The culmination of this musical evolution is Eric John Kaiser’s latest CD (produced in part thanks to fan-funding through RocketHub.com), “Dehors c’est l’Amerique” (“Outside, It’s America”).

In his travels, Eric John Kaiser has become a kind of booster for the charms of Portland and America in general. He says, “After touring intensively in the US over the last two years, I think that in a way sometimes I am a mirror to people. They’ll ask why I would leave a beautiful and prestigious city like
Paris to come to Portland. What makes PDX special? What they mean is, ‘tell us why we are special and why you like it here’! I think in some ways that makes them even more proud to be Americans when they hear praise from a French guy…”

(SOME OF) THE SONGS
The new songs on “Outside, It’s America” both represent America as seen through the eyes of an adopted-son, and also the reflection of France through the eyes of an increasingly Americanized Frenchman who has traveled far and wide. The opening track, “Dehors, c’est l’Amerique” (“Outside, It’s America”) kicks off with the wailing of an oncoming train, merges from railroad rattles to an easy lap steel, until finally the French lyrics begin, grounded by a comfortable honky-tonk rhythm.

The song “Louisiane” is a musical reminiscence of Eric’s first trip to that most French of American cities, New Orleans. The song ties together Eric’s impression of French-New Orleans heritage as well as his exploration of the tragedy of Katrina. Touring through the Crescent City in 2010 with platinum-selling French recording star Tété proved an incredible opportunity for these two French musicians to see the blending of French culture through the deepest of American history where the roots of so much American music are anchored. During the trip, Eric and Tété were fortunate enough to hang out with the great Creole musician, Cedric Watson, in Lafayette. The musical cultures blended together in that room alone would be too many to count.

ABOUT ERIC JOHN KAISER
Paris native Eric John Kaiser is a complexity of sonic personality – a traveling musician in the Impressionist style… One night he may be singing solo French café songs in an elegant restaurant and the next fronting his electric pop-rock band for hundreds of dancers. Sometimes he’ll sing a Chanson Française in English with a modern beat and guitar loops. He has honed a set of classic rock covers (Rolling Stones, CCR, etc.) that he calls “Pardon My French” – crowd pleasers that once resulted in a $500 tip from a customer thrilled to hear “Take Me Home, Country Road” en Français. His original songs often combine French and English lyrics infused with rock, hip-hop and reggae (think Manu Chao meets the 1969 Rolling Stones), and most recently, Americana. When not touring, Eric is based in Portland where he hosts his weekly Portland Songwriters Showcase at the Thirsty Lion, a proving-ground for some of PDX’s most talented musicians. He has recorded three full-length albums, “L'Odyssée” (2008), “French Troubadour” (2009) and “Dehors C’est L’Amerique” (“Outside, It’s America”) (2012) along with one 4-song EP, “Portland Rendez-Vous” (2010).

“OUTSIDE, IT’S AMERICA” CD – CREDITS

Todd Bayles - Accordion, Cello, mandolin, keys, guitar
Paul Brainard - Slide, lap steel, trumpet
Patti Ferrell - Piano, Organ, background vocals
Alain Gandit - Organ on “Home”
Sam Howard – Bass & Standup Bass
Rob Stroup - Percussion
Kevin Van Geem - Drums
Recording - 8ball Studio
Mixing - KBC Studio
Mastering - Nettleingham Audio
Production - Rob Stroup (8ball Studio) and Eric John Kaiser

ERIC JOHN KAISER CRITICAL PRAISE
“Like über-producer/recording artiste Daniel Lanois, he's adept at seamlessly blending French and English lyrics with tasteful, sun-dappled sonics.”
-- Barbara Mitchell, The Portland Oregonian, Portland, OR

“Seeing as we've managed to snag these continental talents, let's enjoy 'em!”
-- Cary Clarke, The Portland Mercury, Portland, OR

“Eric John Kaiser's 2009 CD release 'French Troubadour' contains a full spectrum of great old style pop/rock songs, expertly written and delivered with engaging storytelling.”
-- Zaph Mann, OPB Music, Portland, OR

"... Kaiser is leading a bit of a Francophone resurgence in town, and it's one you don't need a beret to dig."
-- Michael Mannheimer, Willamette Week, Portland, OR

“Kaiser's smoky singing voice is full of the rich, throaty vowels of his native language. In some songs, accordion, trumpet and organ provide a European tone, while in others, guitar bridges the difference between the two worlds.”
-- Amy Atkins, Boise Weekly, Boise, ID