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WINDY CITY TIMES
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Levi Kreis new CD engages the conscious consumer
From a press release
2013-05-28
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This article shared 4930 times since Tue May 28, 2013
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Billboard Magazine features Levi Kreis in the Top 3 most successful Kickstarter music campaigns for their annual DIY issue - no surprise considering that Levi's five album releases and three national tours have thrived on his ability to build an extremely intimate relationship with his fans world-wide. His new album, Imagine Paradise, is the result of multiple fan surveys, face to face fan interviews, and hours of personal phone conversations with fans to hear what they value most from their favorite artists.
All 12 songs of Imagine Paradise are custom-written theme songs based on the life stories of Levi's most generous backers. The result is a timeless collection of songs that modernize the sounds of the seventies when r&b and dance music emerged from the black and gay communities as vital anthems of freedom. From soaring strings and hard-edged club beats to authentic old school r&b crooning, Levi's soulful voice and compelling song craft offer a relevant and refreshing new sound. However, Levi's experience as a licensed spiritual counselor and metaphysical minister-in-training steps in to answer a new consumer demand. Levi explains...
"Per an overwhelming consensus from my fan base, I have found that people want to have a real conversation with me when they are listening to my music. This album fully commits to that real conversation with themes about cultivating a deep abiding sense of self love, forgiving ourselves for past mistakes, and letting go of the things that no longer serve us. With this album, I take full responsibility for the well being of my listener. This is what they specifically ask for. I don't know if it's a backlash to the current trends of corporate music, but I clearly see that music consumers investing in the longevity of an artist insist on material that has a greater give back. Major labels are hinting at it with songs like "Firework", but they're still being safe as they don't yet trust that it's becoming more mainstream to live a consciously aware lifestyle. Consumers are ready to go one step past positive pop into something deeper and immediately applicable."
With that said, the songs can be experienced on multiple levels: an audience dancing to the synth saturated "4 Letter Word," might not realize that the storyline is about a solider whose personal life has been compromised by the military's insidious "Don't Ask Don't Tell" campaign, the Defense of Marriage Act, and the deportation of his life partner. It is Levi's genius for connecting the patchwork histories of others to his own experience that is most revealing. "While subtly affirming the inherent opportunity within any given situation," he observes of these narratives. "As the title suggests, paradise is yours to the degree that you can imagine it. Change your thinking, and you can change your life."
Imagine Paradise releases June 20th and will be Levi's sixth album release. His songs have been featured on several major network television shows such as The Vampire Diaries, Sons of Anarchy, The Apprentice and has appeared on The View, David Letterman, and Late Night With Jimmy Fallon. Levi won the 2010 Tony Award for Best Featured Actor in a Musical for originating the role of Jerry Lee Lewis in the rock n roll musical Million Dollar Quartet. He is one of Out Magazines Out100 alums with #1 Videos for MTVMusic.com and LogoTV.
"Love Revolution" feat Qboy will accompany the album release, following up on the radio success of the debut single "So Much Better" which was released last March.
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This article shared 4930 times since Tue May 28, 2013
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