This year we had the first ever Resurrection of the Bands, an event where we tested a couple new paranormal theories. One of these was to use live music as a tool to help communication with legendary musicians who have passed over. Chad Kaiser honored the soul of Kurt Cobain.

 

I liked Chad’s music when I first heard him sing. It had a dark, acoustic sound that sent interesting echoes through my ears. It wasn’t creepy, it was melodic in a lower vibrational tone. Of course, that’s not all he does. That’s just my first impression.

His debut album, self titled, was recorded in his very own studio. His followup EP,"Outside The Box", was some songs he felt had to get out there.  With this combination of music he  was a finalist in the 2012 Hard Rock Cafe, Hard Rock Rising Battle of the bands. From his library of music, “Dirty South” and “31” were chosen to be in the Indie comedy, "Grand Theft Matrimony”.

 

Very recently, he released his latest album. We get a moment to drop in on him and thank him  for being part of our fundraiser and see what else is going on in his musical life.

 

THE INTERVIEW

 

Daniel/LLM: Please introduce yourself and tell me if you’re more of a snow globe or nutcracker fan when it comes to Christmas.

 

Kyzer: Well, I’m Chad Kaiser. People call me Kyzer in the biz but, truth be known, that’s just the name of my band. I kept the name throughout my solo career. I still do the band thing, but most of my recent work has been geared toward the solo project KYZER.

 

When it comes to Christmas, I was raised in the Midwest, Eau Claire/la Crosse, Wisconsin area, so as long as there is snow, and my family is happy, I’m a happy dude in December!

 

Daniel/LLM: Right on! For Halloween are you more of a Garfield Halloween or Charlie Brown Halloween cartoon fan?

 

Kyzer: I love Halloween!! I also love Charlie Brown!

 

Daniel/LL M: What was your most favorite character to ever dress up as for Halloween? And do you still put on a costume every year?

 

Kyzer: I went as Marilyn Manson one year before his “Smells Like Children” album…people didn’t get it!! It was great. Nowadays I still enjoy ol’ Hallows Eve…through my children. My youngest son was a zombie Dr. this year! 

 

Daniel/LLM: (laughs) That sounds cute! At the recent Resurrection of the Bands event, what was your overall impression?

 

Kyzer: It was great to get to do something different for a change! I met some cool people and hopefully we raised some money and awareness to the causes we were there to support! ( Louisville Limelight Magazine and Caring Across Counties )

 

Daniel/LLM: Do you think your performance and honoring of Kurt Cobain helped bring through the communication?

 

Kyzer: I have no idea…I’m a bit of a nut, but I’m not naïve enough to think I know what’s going on  over on the other side of life…I’m still trying to figure out this side!

 

Daniel/LLM: (laughs) Do you have a personal experience with the paranormal? Please tell us.

 

Kyzer: When I was a kid, my aunt passed away. She was a free spirited person and she passed when she was only 32 yrs old. I’d like to think it was her that used to come in my room at night.

 

Daniel/LLM: Was Cobain a big influence in your musical upbringing? Who else fits that bill?

 

Kyzer: He was! I was a misfit growing up. Music was my friend. Bands like Alice in chains, The Doors, Black Sabbath and Counting Crows have influenced me through the years but, when Kurt left, I took it personal and was hurt by it. I stopped listening to real music and went to a dark place. I got into the gang life for some time and forgot to care about people or art. Kurt was a major influence in my life to be honest, not just my musical upbringing. 

 

Daniel/LLM: Talk a bit about how cool it was to have your songs in "Grand Theft Matrimony” and the journey from being a finalist in the 2012 Hard Rock Café’s Hard Rock Rising Battle of the bands. I bet that was cool!

 

Kyzer: A childhood friend of mine did the music for the movie. I hit him up one day to give me his opinion on some of the songs I was working on. His reply was “Is it ok if I use these songs for the music in this movie I’m working on for a production company I work with?” Of course I said yes. It’s very strange to hear your music coming out of the lead actor’s truck as he rolls up. Strange and very, very cool! The Hard Rock Battle was just an excuse to play the venue! It was far out brother! I’ve won a spot to play there in the past 2 years and hope to again next time it comes around!

 

Daniel/LLM: That’s amazing! You just had another album released. What’s the name of it and what kind of things can we expect when we put it through the cassette player? (laughs)

 

Kyzer: The name of it is “Trempealeau”. The word is a French translation of a Native American word meaning “mountain of water” or “water mountain”. There is a county in the state of Wisconsin named after it as well as a town. Trempealeau is in actual mountain in Wisconsin in the middle of a lake. I use it more as a place in time in my life than in the literal sense. When I was living in La Crosse county WI, just south of Trempealeau Co., my father would take me to my mothers to spend time on the weekends. My mom lived on the Jackson/Trempealeau Co. line. The title track on the new record recalls the trip in which we arrived to the house still smoldering from a fire. The fire was a total loss.   

 

Daniel/LLM: Do you still own any cassettes or records? I think I kept about a dozen. Even a rare Ozzy cassette. Score!

 

Kyzer: I do. Actually about a week ago I was riding down the street and turned off the CD player. I had been listening to Nirvana’s “Bleach” album, so I hit the tape deck play button to see what tape I had left in there and to my surprise…it was Nirvana’s “Bleach album”. I had the same record in both the CD and tape decks. Funny!

 

Daniel/LLM: How different is your latest cassette, I mean CD, differ from the EP and debut? Was it also recorded in your own studio?

 

Kyzer: Yes, all my recordings have been done by my me at home. I don’t know how they differ. I hope they stand on their own and, like all good art, move someone in some way!

 

Daniel/LLM: What is an upcoming tour schedule or show schedule looking like?

 

Kyzer: I am currently writing again and looking forward to recording the next record. You will see me out some but at this time I have to take a short break. 2014 looks promising though.

 

Daniel/LLM: Where can people go for more about you and your music?

 

Kyzer: The best place to start is WWW.reverbnation.com/kyzermuzic  You will find all the links to my pages and music there. You can also find KYZER on itunes and all the other digital distributers out there.

 

Daniel/LLM: Is there anything else you’d like to add?

 

Kyzer: Thank You to all my friends and family and fans for the support and love! Especially Steph…my queen! I couldn’t and wouldn’t do it without ya’ll!

 

Daniel/LLM: Here comes that last signature question. Let’s say that you were clipping your toenails while you were listening to your catalog of songs. While doing so you realized that in the background, very subtly, a voice from the other side was giving you advice. Suddenly, you realize you actually took this advice. What was the advice, who gave it to you and which song was playing?

 

Kyzer: It was Jim Morrison telling me to get him a drink, and “When the Music is Over” was playing.

 

Daniel/LLM: I’m so thankful for you help in raising funds and awareness for Louisville Limelight Magazine and Caring Across Counties. It was a pleasure! I wish you the best!

 

Daniel C. Morrison – Louisville Limelight Magazine