| Local Artist Spotlight: Andy Ks |
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 Wednesday, October 7, 2009The Desert (On Set of Music Video Shoot) Palm Springs, California Story and photos by Jace Edwards To see more Jace Edwards photos of Andy Ks, click here. It was an early Wednesday morning when I found myself on the set of a local artist's video shoot. That artist was Andy Ks. He is a performer whose fast-paced eclectic guitar and emotional vocals create the acoustic dissident sound upon which Andy Ks thrives. The first time I met this amazing talent with a free and artistic spirit was when he performed in my “Acoustic Moshpit” on my morning radio show. His performance there was mirrored by this performance for the cameras. Emotional. Real. Stirring. All words that describe his music.  During the shoot, he asked me what I got from one of his songs called, “When I’m feeling Down,” I explained that the song spoke to me in a personal way. I told him how it had helped me through some trying times. I thanked him for penning the song. From his influence of Quiet Riot Founder and Ozzy Osbourne guitar virtuoso Randy Rhodes to a former music instructor, there is more beneath this desert dweller who almost draws upon the sand itself to create this rhythmic guitar effect he conjures.The following is an interview that I was able to get between takes: Jace: First off, how are you doing? Andy Ks: Doing great, doing great. Enjoying the summer morning. Jace: Let’s talk about the music. You’ve been playing for how long? Andy Ks: Music? (laughs) Long time, around 25 years, probably 30 years. Jace: When you picked up the guitar the first time, explain to me the magic that happened with you. Andy Ks: Oh, man! The first time, yeah. I remember it, clearly. I don’t know. It was something, yeah, it was completely overwhelming. It was just like a shutter, yeah, yeah, it was this, what do they call it, an epiphany. Jace: Your moment of clarity? Andy Ks: A direction if nothing else. I mean, to that, possibly yeah, I mean definitely a direction that’s worthwhile; I’ve loved every step of it. Jace: Influences? Andy Ks: My biggest influence, it’s silly to think about it these days, I still think about it though, but Randy Rhodes. Yeah, he was the guy, you know he did the classical, and I liked the fact that, that is what interested him. And I remember reading some articles about him wanting to progress like a different, do something different, a crossover sort of between acoustic and classical. And it’s those sorts of ideas, those hard-rock ideas. I have a strong metal background that I wanted to take and utilize and specifically focus on the acoustic, for acoustics’ sake. Jace: Other influences?  Andy Ks: Gloria Swisher, she was my uh, she was the one that kind of, she was my prof in school. I went to school for music for a while. So there were a lot of big influences with how she would guide and direct what you would want to do. I didn’t know that I wanted to do the acoustic thing until I studied under her.Jace: Tell me about the new stuff. Andy Ks: Yeah, I have a bunch of new material. I am getting ready to go record, scouting out some studios right now. It’s going to be; do the recording spring 2010 and so it should be available some time end of summer maybe fall 2010, got a working title right now, “Acoustic Noir.” A special thanks to Andy Ks, DC, Producer John and the rest of the video crew as well as all those who support local music in the Coachella Valley.
To see more Jace Edwards photos of Andy Ks, click here.
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Jace Edwards is a contributing writer to Palm Springs Guides with a focus on hiking and the numerous trails the Coachella Valley has to offer. Aside from his contributions, Jace is also a broadcaster who has been heard on KCLB (Palm Springs), KCXX (Riverside), KCAL (San Bernardino), KKND (New Orleans), KEDG (Las Vegas) and KNRQ/KZEL (Eugene). An avid adventurer, Jace is always looking for that next challenge, so that he may write about it here, on Palm Springs Guides. For more information about Jace Edwards or to contact him, 
