Young and Ridiculously Talented

Okay, that’s enough about me…No?....not funny?... whatever.

Last night (11/4/2011) I was at one of my local music spots, Mueller College, here in San Diego for a concert. While the concert was pretty AWESOME, it was the after show performances that I am going to tell you about today. I was talking to one of the performers when I heard this beautiful music coming from the stage. There was a young man up there playing the hell out of one of the earlier performers guitars. His voice grabbed everyone’s attention and like moths to a flame we were drawn back to our seats.  He kind of tried to shy away at first when we were more or less begging for more, but as all musicians do he eventually agreed to play some more. He started by playing an Allen Stone song called "Unaware", another artist that I am new to and already like… A LOT, and I was hooked!

His voice was strong and powerful, but delicate and had an extremely soulful glow that you could see with every strum of the guitar and the warmth in his voice was felt with every note that was sung. Just picture Leroy from “The Last Dragon” mixed with Troy Palomalu, , Brian McKnight (circa “One Last Cry”), and some Jason Mraz/Ernie Halter and TADOW (yup that was needed) you have KylleThomasson.  While he was singing that Allen Stone song, he stopped in the middle to say that he felt like he was massacring the song…This was so not the case. One artist that played earlier made mention that he was “crushing it” and that he did the song “better than the original”. Now I was so awe-struck that I didn’t record the version he performed so I can’t show you but I did manage to record some of his song “Good Morning" , I also have a few select videos from his YouTube channel. To me this song sounds like he’s ready to make a single. Tell me what you think.

We (my wife and I) thought that he was so good that not only am I writing this post but my wife offered him a job as a vocal coach for her afterschool program. I would highly recommend that you keep an eye out for this guy because he is going to be huge! I asked Kylle some questions to better get to know him and here they are. I think you’ll find that for an 18 year old he’s got a pretty good view of things.

1.     Where are you from originally?

I'm originally from Stockton, Ca.

2.     What brought you to San Diego?

 Mainly to pursue music, and continue my education and leave the nest ( as in home.)

3.     Who inspires you instrumentally, lyrically, and in life in general?

Instrumentally would have to be john mayer, james taylor, David Ryan Harris, George Benson, Wes Montgomery, Prince, Stevie Wonder but it can go on but those are essential. As for lyrically James Morrison, Amos Lee, Bob Marley, again John Mayer, Tupac, Allen Stone, and some. And In life in general not only does he inspire me in the two previous categories extremely but his outlook and his total message in his music which I think is embodying the emotion of love entirely. Is Jason Mraz, and I feel the same way about Michael Jackson. Although those are just artists that at an instant can jog my creativity and inspiration, but mainly when it comes to general life inspiration I'm completely inspired about our total being, as in what makes us tick, what makes this world, and what makes you or I coexist with everything and everyone around us. 

4.     How long have you been performing?

 I have been performing since about the age 9.

5.     Describe your first REAL performance. (what I mean is one in front of a crowd of strangers, on a stage, not your parents lol)

 My first performance for singing was when I was in 5th grade and my elementary school had their 1st annual carnival and my teachers knew I like to sing so they asked me if i'd like to perform and so I did, it was a completely rad and gratifying feeling afterwards.

6.     How would you describe your music style?

Its hard to explain myself but overall I feel as if its just soothing, calm, heartfelt and my main goal is to establish some type of emotional connection.

7.     Where do you see your music in 5-10 years from now?

 In 5-10 years I see myself still learning myself musically and diligently pursuing a music career wherever it may have gratefully placed me by then.


8.     What made you start making music?

It was place of expressing emotion or an event in life in an unique and self creative light. I was able to place the stories on my own and that was had my interest peaked,

9.     How have you progressed from your first song to now?

 I feel as if my mind has gradually been opened up little by little since then. I can put things of importance in my music to better perspectives such as the words I may select and how the story unfolds in a way that can relate better to whoever listens, and as far as my musicianship I have gained a slightly better understanding of how I can combine those selected words with a chord that speaks the words same language.


10.  Is there anything that you want to say to your fans and any new to you people?

All I can really say is Thanks for the support up until this point, and I hope you enjoy whats being shared & its totally a rad feeling to know that music can bring people together in a positive light, and once more I'm in complete thanks for the all around support.

Next on the mic (so to speak) we have the amazing Lexi Pulido. She also performed for us at this “show after the show” and wow, has she got some vocals! This young woman can hold her own with any of the so called “female vocalists” that are out today. She’s got an Adele type quality that I can only see getting better as she grows as an artist. To put it bluntly, her voice is on the verge of being timeless. I know those are strong words for someone so young, but when a voice allows you to hear colors and feel sound, you just know it’s something special. Mind you I’ve only heard her sing one song live (and I can’t wait to see more live performances) but that one was enough to know that her star is not one that will be going out anytime soon. I did not get a chance to record any of her performance because my phone was dead but I have a few songs from her YouTube channel that really show off her AWESOMENISITY.

See what I mean? She is so powerful and commanding but can turn it around and be so soothing at the drop of a hat. I love how versatile she is. I tell you what, I generally think that we are doomed because of our youth but these two are restoring my faith in humanity. ! I asked her the same questions I asked Kylleand here are the very interesting responses I got...

1.     Where are you from originally?

 Well, for most of my life, I've been a military dependent, but let's just say parts of me are scattered throughout California, and a decent chunk came from Manassas, Virginia.

2.     What brought you to San Diego? (if your not from here originally)

 A series of unfortunate events that cause my father to retire from the air force and return here which is his hometown.

3.     Who inspires you instrumentally, lyrically, and in life in general?

In terms of musical catalysts for aspirations and growth, Matthew Santos, Brett Dennen, Marvin Gaye/Tammi Terrell duo, Esperanza Spalding, Amy Winehouse, anyone with a decent rendition of a jazz standard, and the Italian pop-opera boy band, Il Volo, (just because they push me to expand my vocal horizons) all play pretty major roles in guiding my direction. Lyrically, I'm very much so influenced by my age and gender. In other words, I write a lot of songs about/attacking insecurities and boys. Oh, and in life, I have a ton of respect for the lives of Mother Teresa and the author of The Irresistible Revolution, Shane Claiborne. 

4.     How long have you been performing?

 I've been performing since I was about 5 in churches and musical theater, but I didn't start showcasing solo music until the end of my sophomore  year of high school.

5.     Describe your first REAL performance. (what I mean is one in front of a crowd of strangers, on a stage, not your parents lol)

My first real performance in solo music was at my school's coffeehouse show in 10th grade. I kept shaking my friend backstage because I was so nervous, and I felt terrible afterwards because I had sped up so much during the bridge. I guess I just felt vulnerable since it was my first time letting anyone hear something I had written, but the feedback I received was reassuring. I had about a quarter of the audience(which I'm guessing, in total, was around 70-80 people, but I'm terrible at estimating) come up to me and tell me things like, "I seriously started crying by the end of the second verse," and "You need to pursue this," and it all just made me realize how blessed I am to have the ability to make these connections through music and how much I never want to let it go.

6.     How would you describe your music style?

 I feel like I'm still in the process of developing my style, but I'm aiming to incorporate my jazz-vocal tone and keep it relatively upbeat or at least funky.


7.     Where do you see your music in 5-10 years from now?

 It's foggy on the windshield of my life-road car, but I'm always singing on road trips. :)

8.     What made you start making music?

 When I was a kid, I was more of a sports-oriented tomboy, but that all shifted gears (yes, more driving metaphors) near the end of 3rd grade when I was diagnosed with Acute Lymphatic Leukemia. The sickness kept me pretty limited physically, so my mother decided to put me in piano lessons. At about the age of 12, I began developing my emotions and finally bringing together the 3 P's (pen, paper, piano), and it all took off as a means of expression from there.

9.     How have you progressed from your first song to now?

Oh boy. To me, that's like asking, "What's the difference between subtraction and integration?" I mean, there's been so much trial and error in discovering myself throughout middle and high school, and my songs are basically a reflection of that.

10.  Is there anything that you want to say to your fans and any new to you people?

 I appreciate anyone who gives me their time to listen! I just hope it makes you feel good, or you just get something positive out of it.


Well there you go, 2 young and ridiculously talented people. Kylle and Lexi have bright futures and are sure to please your ears and soul. Check them out today because you won’t be disappointed! So until next time HAPPY LISTENING!!!

Editor & Chief of The Penguin Gazette,

Rudy


...Just because they're awesome together....