Kevin’s Keys
‘Piano Rockstar’ Kevin Burdick proves deeper than his nickname, spooling inspirational songs from a tragic past. But that doesn’t mean he doesn’t like to party. by: Amanda Chamberlain
Kevin Burdick with Dirty Copper, Midnight, CL Medicine Circus
When: Friday Mar. 7 at 9:30 p.m.
Where: Liquid Joe’s (21+), 1249 E. 3300 South in Salt Lake City
Tickets: $5 at the door
More Info: www.myspace.com/kevinburdick
*Burdick also plays regular shows at Sandy Station, The Huka Bar and Grill, and Tony’s.
When I opened an e-mailed press release advertising “Utah’s own Piano Rockstar,” my mind conjured up an image of a tattooed, roughed-up renegade stuffed into a dirty tuxedo, pounding out Manowar renditions on a Baby Grand. But Salt Lake resident Kevin Burdick fits no such bill. The grandma-trained pianist bares tree-trunk arms suggestive of a steady workout regimen; takes time to meticulously muss his short, dark hair; and hides his tattoos with short sleeves. And though his attire odes to rock with Affliction tees and leather wristbands, his overtures are genially devoid of organ-voiced victories and horror chords.
So what gives this 35-year-old songster the right to claim “rockstar”?
“I live part-time in a tour bus and love to have a ridiculously good time,” Burdick tells IN.
He adds that since his melodies are “straight with less of a ‘swing’ feel that a lot of jazz and big band piano might have,” they’re considered more a part of the rock genre. But he also aims for his music to inspire others, so think Elton John or Coldplay, rather than King Diamond or Lemmy Kilmister.
Burdick’s 2006 release, an E.P. entitled “In Your Cocoon,” exemplifies this piano-driven lite rock. His sweet, resonant tenor (and often, his impressively high alto) ties mid-tempo rhythm and bass to the super-melodic piano that dips into minor chords, which indeed gives it a punch of rock. The track “She Does Her Crying Alone” upholds this Burdick Standard by flowing slower, breezy lyrics through the music. “Mercy” turns it up a notch with a faster tempo, a darker root and an irresistible hook filled with enticing minor melodies and addictive lyrics (“Lordy, lordy, lordyyy/Come on girl, have a little bit of mercy” — see, I’m still singing it).
Burdick has also released two full-lengths: 2002’s “Deep Blue America” and 2005’s “True Stories and Other Fairy Tales”; the latter album holding content of a deeply personal nature. The song “Too Good For This World” reflects on Burdick’s loss of his infant daughter Dempsey Sue Burdick in 2003 from complications during heart surgery.
“Sharing that kind of personal tragedy with people really helps them to connect with me when I perform or when they listen to a CD,” Burdick says.
He’s taking the very same attitude while writing his upcoming album (due this June). The track “At the Fisher House” touches on wounded veterans, namely his manager’s brother, a Marine in Iraq who lost his legs a year ago due to a roadside bomb. He has interviewed him and met with his wife to more fully convey their message.
“I really believe this one will touch a lot of people,” Burdick says.
But this side of Burdick may never be experienced by curious MySpace surfers who only quickly scan his profile. They might huff “Diva” and navigate away after seeing his army of street teams, big-time reviews and — perhaps the most “no-he-di’n’t” notion — an FAQ saying he doesn’t have time to sign autographs. But really, this is all just Burdick testing out his “as-if” theory
“I think that any up-and-coming musician needs to act ‘as if,’ ” he explains. “Act as if you are already there; you are already famous; you have already made it! I don’t mean acting like an asshole — but if you carry yourself with the confidence that you have already arrived, it will be just a matter of time before the rest of the world sees it, too.”
Kevin’s Keys
‘Piano Rockstar’ Kevin Burdick proves deeper than his nickname, spooling inspirational songs from a tragic past. But that doesn’t mean he doesn’t like to party. by: Amanda Chamberlain
