Asheville's small-scale symphony, otherwise known as the Galen Kipar Project, has been busy wrapping up a new album featuring the convention-defying music that has become the band's trademark. Effortlessly crafting a fusion of folk, classical, jazz, and blues, this band-on-the-rise is on a mission to bring new sounds to your ears and big ideas to your mind. The results so far have been hailed as “complex yet accessible,” “cohesive and poignant,” “experimental folk masterpieces.” “With the care and meticulousness of a gourmet chef,” the Galen Kipar Project cooks up melodies and arrangements that defy expectations.

“process nerd”

Brevard-trained frontman Galen Kipar has an ear for lyrics that are at turns humorous and haunting, and his innovative compositional style has become the band's trademark. A proclaimed “process nerd,” Galen has spent years testing out different formulas for melody, phrasing, and orchestration, hovering over his guitar and note pad like a mad scientist hovering over his equations, waiting for the next discovery. As deeply involved as he is in the details of his music, Galen readily embraces the improvisational stylings of his equally nerdy band members, who frequently take perfectly good arrangements into new territory.

meet the band

Galen's tenor vocals, harmonica, and acoustic guitar receive solid backing from Jon Morrow (8 string guitar-bass) and Jeremy Young (drum kit, percussion), who bring with them deep ties to blues, jazz, and world beat rhythms.

In a place like Asheville, the GKP is spoiled by an abundance of talented potential collaborators. The core trio is frequently and enthusiastically joined by distinguished musicians who expand the band's sound to include viola, violin, female vocals, dobro, pedal steel, percussion, piano, and B3 organ.

sweeping the nation

The Galen Kipar Project has established a solid foundation in the Southeast region, garnering rave reviews for its live acts.  In 2007 the band has expanded its reach into other parts of U.S., touring nationally as far west as San Francisco to the revered Knitting Factory in Brooklyn. In 2009 the Galen Kipar Project played to a jam-packed, toe-tapping crowd at the Kennedy Center's renowned Millennium Stage in Washington, DC.  

back in the studio

Recently the Galen Kipar Project huddled in the studio once again to record its latest work.  With a highly anticipated release scheduled for spring 2010, it will be the band's fourth album in five years.  Featuring eight songs, the album promises to satisfy the musical longings of loyal fans as well as the uninitiated. The new release was recorded in Asheville, NC at Echo Mountain Studios - Donna and the Buffalo, Avett Brothers, Band of Horses (echomountian.net) and was engineered by John Ashley.   Mastered in NYC by Richard Morris Mastering - Iron and Wine, Nora Jones, Wiyos, Felise Brothers (richardmorrismastering.com).  The album will showcase musicians and instrumentation such as,  Jeremy Young – Drums,  Jon Morrow – 8 string guitar-bass,  Camellia Delk – viola/ violin/ vocals,  Vincent Corda – Flute, Aaron Balance – lap steel guitar/ dobro, Aaron Price – piano/ B3 organ and Galen Kipar – classical and steel guitars/ harmonicas and vocals.

knock yourself out

Thanks for visiting our site! Feel free to stay a while, listen to some MP3 clips, read more about where we've come from and why we do what we do, browse what the critics have said, gaze at our concert photos, etc. Knock yourself out.

hope to see you at a concert very soon!

If you would like to donate, we vow to use the money to create and release music back to the public!

 

 

the critics go wild

Voted 16 in WNCW 88.7 Southeast Regional Top 100 of 2008

"the care and meticulousness of a gourmet chef... the melodies and arrangements defy expectations, the lyrics take surprising turns and the adventure is a delight, every step of the way" "This album is great" -Noel Hurst, Flagpole - Athens, Ga

“Small-scale symphony: the GKP brings big ideas into simple songs. Paper Sailer (08') seems to be a metaphor for anything brave and fragile on that boundless sea of possibility... the simple combination of dobro, classical guitar, viola and male/female vocal harmonies - is remarkably effective, giving the recording a simple, almost elegant feel. David Cole, Mountain Xpress
 
“Playfully pushing the edge, could be an accurate take on The Galen Kipar Project';s music as a whole. It is smart, daring, and unashamed.  This brilliant young artist, never settling for conventional melodic or lyrical choices, everything about Kipar's music says that he is most certainly a thinker.” Kim Clark, Asheville Magazine

"Strange, slightly other-worldly acoustic music sung in a sweet, slightly distracted voice. I think of it as a sort of American Primitive, with hits of Sandy Bull in the guitars, Brett Dennen in the voice, Donna the Buffalo in the rustic simplicity, and something altogether new in the wonderful orchestrations. I have heard this CD about four times all the way through since it hit my car's CD player two days ago. One of the songs... made me cry the first time I heard it. In the words of Tina Fey, when I hear the sounds of this nearby world, "I want to go to there."
David Gans - Host of Greatful Dead Hour, musician, writer. Oakland, CA

Voted 28 in WNCW 88.7 Southeast Regional Top 100 of 2006

IMWS (Independent Music World Series) Southeast Semifinalist 2006

“A prodigal son returns, with talented backing band...Kipar has constructed an impressive musical resume and willingness to create something new to the world.” Andy Stokes, Metro Spirit 2005

Bill Berg plays Galen Kipar... “Changes is full of interesting lyrics and melodies, very unique writing. I still have some of those melodies in my head. The personality of the tunes grows on you and I really enjoy the soaring vocals...they glide over the tracks.” Bill Berg, Musician (Bob Dylan's “Blood on the tracks” album)

He narrates the tour in a crisp clear tenor, accented by uncommon chiming guitar style that melodically mixes bluegrass style picking, sultry blues slide work and percussive strumming.” Steven Uhles, Augusta Chronicle

Check out a fan's YOUTUBE video of “October Snow”  live at Pritchard Park in Asheville, NC.

 

Featured in WNC Magazine as one of the top bands you need to hear this year (July 2009) Read Article

Featured in Verge Magazine (Augusta, Ga - July issue 2009)  


GKP plays Kennedy Center in Washington, DC

Watch a DVD of the August 8, 2009 performance by clicking here and going to the Kennedy Center archive page for this event.  Look for the Play the Performance link at the bottom of the archive page.

Featured in Washington Examiner (August 7, 2009 issue)


GKP plays FloydFest 2009



 


2007 release, "Why it's Needed" featured in October issue of Asheville Magazine.

Review:
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