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 It’s difficult to make acoustic music have an edge — and rightly so. But that’s exactly what Montreal singer/songwriter Arthur Kall set out to do. Despite always having a love for music, Kall said he needed a push to venture off and actively pursue his own musical career. And that push was Canadian Idol.
“When I went on Canadian Idol, it wasn’t under the name Arthur Kall,” he explains. “I was the guitarist in a heavy metal band, and it was actually the singer of the band who went to audition and I just went to back him up. Most people don’t realize that before you audition for the celebrity judges there are at least two preliminary rounds you have to get through first. Well I got to [the celebrity judges] and they liked my music.”
Unlike most contestants who perform karaoke-style renditions of famed pop-songs, Kall decided to audition using an original song instead.
“It’s a competition and you have to bring something to the table. It was a real turning point for me. After that, I really started to sit down and write what would become my album.”
Notes in Neon is the name of that debut album and it’s a project that’s been several years in the making. The product of his dedication is a collection of extremely personal, genre-breaking tracks he recorded himself.
“The thing about the album is, everything just started with a few scratch tracks. It’s not like I got to rehearse with a band or anything.”
Despite not having a full band, Kall assures there are advantages to being a solo act. He says he’s been fortunate enough receive more gigs because of easy and convenient it is for him just to sit down with his guitar and play.
“The good thing about being alone is you can play just about anywhere,” Kall laughs. “But I’m currently putting together a full band so the live show sounds more like the record.”
But as mainstream music has proven time and again, sometimes simplicity and talent can sell on its own. Since the album’s release, Kall has received many comparisons to other singer/songwriters like Jack Johnson and John Mayer. Although wanting to forge a musical path of his own, Kall doesn’t mind being told his music reminds fans of other successful artists.
“It’s great,” Kall explains. “They’re great. They are my influences stylistically and they are the big guys out there. [However] I hope to find an edge that makes my stuff stand out and give it that individual push. It’s nice to be compared, but at the same time there’s a lot I do differently.”
Among the things Kall does differently is collaborate with Underground, a Montreal hip-hop group for the track “Can’t Stop.”
“That track is probably my favourite on the album because it’s so different,” Kall admits, adding he hopes to continue to try new things with his music as he finds his own sound.
Although no single is decided on yet, Kall said he plans to continue pushing his music through touring, word of mouth and old-fashioned determination.
“I hope my music takes me as far as possible. I’m really happy when people connect with my stuff and tell me they love this song or that song. That’s ultimately the goal, getting people to feel something.”
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