Life & Arts 29 Sep 2006 03:58 pm
Kevin McCarthy makes us ‘feel alright’
By Katie Alfaro
Copy Reader
Kevin McCarthy: writer, performer, melodic genius. A Lancaster native, McCarthy first showed interest in music at the age of three. His first inspiration came from the Irish band Irish Revolvers, a group that left young McCarthy so impressed that he began to pursue his music career in earnest. For the past ten years, McCarthy has been touring all over the world, playing in exotic places like the Bahamas, yet always coming back to his home base, Buffalo. McCarthy not only has a huge fan support within the area, but he supports local Canisius events as well. He first helped start Thursday’s Java Jams here on campus, and has played at several “Spring Fest” (ahem, Quad Party) events in the past years.
High on You, released this past spring, showcases the talent and dedication of a musician who believes strongly in a powerful melody—and you can tell. McCarthy’s songs exude the free flowing style of someone who knows a thing or two about melody. Songs like “Make Me Feel Alright” and “So Free” have an upbeat, catchy tune that immediately pull listeners into the melodious beats. Immediately after listening to the CD, I wanted to know more about the artist, the creative mind behind the lyrics and words. After interviewing McCarthy, I found him so intriguing that I thought it necessary to share more about his music.
When asked about his CD, McCarthy emphasized the importance of melody. He looks for melody in his songs, highlighting the beat and making it flow with the rhythm of his words. Inspiration comes from other artists who employ the same emphasis in their work, like System of a Down’s “B.Y.O.B.” And that’s not all. McCarthy’s other inspirations include R.E.M. and earlier alternative bands, as well as the Rolling Stones and the Beatles. He admits to it sounding a bit cliché, but nevertheless finds their combination of melody and harmony classic good rock.
“Love to Love,” the second track off his album, is what McCarthy calls his strongest song. With carefully worded lyrics, the song lends itself to an upbeat tone with lines like “It’s here you are again back on my lap/Putting up with my jokes putting up with my crap/It’s so much fun what can I Say/No one else could make me feel this way.” I’ll admit, it may sound a bit monotonous on paper, but trust me—add music and McCarthy’s throaty voice and you’ll find yourself at the very least wanting to dance. Other songs that should receive special recognition include “Belly Ring” and “High on You.” “Belly Ring” is one of his funnier songs, while “High on You” is attributed, in part, to his friends who pick on him for being one of the few substance-free musicians: “I don’t snort coke/I don’t shoot smack/But there is one thing I like to do/ I get high, high on you.”
With songs like this, it’s no wonder that McCarthy has several independent film companies looking to incorporate his music into future projects. McCarthy’s extensive support and large fan base in Buffalo has allowed him to pursue his dream of writing, while enabling him to continue performing and entertaining fans.
Currently, McCarthy is sponsored by Labatt Beer Company, which has supported him in touring and performing. He has opened for Lynyrd Skynyrd and Coldplay, and has toured at other venues throughout the country, performing shows like the Cleveland Air Show and the Michigan 500.
However, McCarthy will continue to play Thursday and Friday nights at Mister Goodbar, located at 1110 Elmwood Ave, as he’s done for the past nine years. Going to the Bills game this weekend? You can catch him playing before the home game this Sunday, and again on Oct. 1. McCarthy’s avid support of Buffalo makes him available for most venues, and willing to perform for private and corporate parties in addition to other gigs. This is just one of the many qualities that make McCarthy more admirable as an artist: his down-to-earth attitude and support of his native hometown.
High on You exhibits unique songs that really make the CD stand out. The album is anything but ordinary, its tone eclectic and yet hard to categorize. It’s not exactly hard rock, and by no means is considered emo or acoustic. McCarthy’s work could be considered pop rock, but categorizing it somehow diminishes his distinctive sound and thrilling voice. McCarthy’s pride and love of music is prominently displayed in each of his songs, as the album is a major stepping stone in his career: “I’m proud of the CD. It’s a good representation of where I’m at right now…good melody and good pop—it’s got a good bite to it.”
Regardless of your musical preference, I encourage you to stop by Mister Goodbar on Thursday or Friday nights. Check out Kevin McCarthy for yourself. Have a beer (only if you’re of age, of course), enjoy the Elmwood scene and listen to one of our greatest local talents.