Bridges

Kiefer is a keyboardist first and foremost, taught to play the blues by his father practically before he could walk. He started producing his own beats at around age twelve, and eventually went on to study under renowned jazz guitarist Kenny Burrell at UCLA’s Jazz Studies program. There, he started to toy with the synergy between the jazz piano he studied and the beats he created outside of school. While his peers performed over live instrumentation, Kiefer produced electronic beats completely free from sampled melodic material or drum breaks. While Bridges remains true to his jazz and hip-hop roots, the release between full-lengths was an opportunity to take his sound in new directions. “My dad always told me any time you work on something, make it better than last time,” he says, “I want to approach things in a new and updated way.” No longer driven solely by Kiefer’s signature piano, several songs on Bridges incorporate new instruments, including a range of analogue synths. They also display a renewed emphasis on arrangements. Steering away from the improvisatory, beat-tape styles of songs on Kickinit Alone and Happysad, Kiefer focused on a structured approach to composition and more intricately orchestrated moments, giving the title its second meaning — the musical bridge. Kiefer will take this new material on the road throughout 2019 backed by a team of A-list jazz musicians including Jonah Levine (trombone, keys), Sam Gendel (alto), Andy McCauley (bass), and Will Logan (drums). The dates include a US leg in April followed by Kiefer's first solo European headlining tour in May. Put simply, Kiefer hopes his music and live shows can help inspire joy. “It’s comforting to see someone who is truly dedicated to making beautiful stuff,” he says, “I want people to see someone genuinely pour their heart into something.” Apr 10: Boston @ Middle East Apr 11: New York City @ Mercury Lounge Apr 12: Philadalphia @ World Cafe Live Apr 13: Washington D.C. @ Songbyrd Apr 14: Atlanta @ Aisle 5 Apr 25: San Francisco @ Brick & Mortar Apr 26: Los Angeles @ Troubador Apr 27: San Diego @ Soda Bar 3 May: Zurich @ Moods 4 May: Frankfurt @ Kunstverein Familie Montez 5 May: Berlin @ Gretchen 6 May: London @ Oslo 8 May: Bristol @ Thekla 9 May: Manchester @ YES 10 May: Paris @ Hasard Ludique

Los Angeles' Kiefer Shackelford (aka Kiefer) first grabbed listeners with his 2017 debut Kickinit, and earned more with his 2018 sophomore album Happysad, both of which found him applying his UCLA-trained jazz keyboard chops to robust hip-hop and electronic-influenced originals.