EDITOR’S PICK: KRIS LAGER IS BACK IN OGDEN FOR THREE SHOWS THIS WEEKEND

Q & A with Nebraska-based blues/funk musician Kris Lager about his new album “Presence,” and his return visit to Ogden.

By Deann Armes

LIVE MUSIC

Image courtesy of KLB Management

Kris Lager is a Nebraska-born singer/songwriter and guitarist who handles a room like a King of Celebration Music, uplifting souls with his booty-shaking brand of American Roots Music, converting new fans with every visit to Northern Utah. He returns with his new album “Presence,” for another jam party at Kamikazes in Ogden Friday night, along with Jordan Matthew Young, and the high mountains of Ogden Valley at Powder Mountain on Saturday and Sunday.

Artist: Kris Lager
New Album: Presence, 2022, Fervent Ameba Records, 2022
Upcoming shows:
- Friday, Jan. 20: Kamikazes Ogden, with Jordan Mattew Young, 9 pm, $10, tickets here.
- Saturday, Jan. 21: Après Ski at Powder Keg, Powder Mountain, 3-6 p.m.
- Sunday, Jan. 22: Après Ski at Powder Keg, Powder Mountain, 3-6 p.m.

Q & A WITH KRIS LAGER

What or who first inspired you to play music? 

“I’ve been inspired by so many people and things through the years. When I first picked up the guitar it was blues players. Then at different points in time I have I fell in love with almost every genre. I love funk, soul, country, zydeco, jam bands, Latin music, country, and folk music… I’m a music lover. I love most melodies and rhythms. There seems to be a blues foundation to everything I do since that was my first love.”

What do you love about playing in the Ogden area?

“I love skiing, which is something I never was able to do as a kid from Nebraska, so I really look forward to that every time I’m in the area. Most of all though I’ve made a lot of friends in the Ogden area. They have been very warm and hospitable to me.”

What's your favorite song on the new album?

“‘Fly With The Stars.’ The opening track seems to be a lot of folks’ favorites and I think it’s one of the catchiest tunes.”

Any favorite places to eat or things to do here?

“I love skiing of course so Powder Mountain and Snowbasin are two of my favorite places. Our friend Donna hosts us a lot and she makes us feel like we have a home away from home.”

ABOUT THE NEW ALBUM: “Last year Kris released a blues album entitled ‘Blues Lover’ also found under ‘Kris Lager’ on his own Fervent Ameba Records label and this year marks another self-produced and mixed album entitled ‘Presence’. “The concept of the album ‘Presence’ is to deliver a sound and vibe that allows the listener to feel the power of the present moment while also reflecting on the past. I think even in the sad songs off of the album there remains a sliver lining of light that can guide us out of the darkness and into a new sense of hope and purpose” Explains Kris. A true pandemic project, no doubt. ​ The album features 10 new original songs and a cover of King Floyd’s classic soul tune ‘I Really Love You’. The album’s opening track and lead single ‘Fly With The Stars’ features a powerhouse guitar riff and a driving beat reminiscent of a Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers hit. There are also live staples such as ‘Let’s Dance Nice & Slow’, ‘Feel It In The Air’, and ‘You Ain’t Gonna Do Me Like That’ both available on an album for the first time. There is even a track on the album with no guitar! The gospel-tinged song ‘Love Hate Thang’ features Kris on the piano and organ. ​The album honestly and accurately showcases Kris’ evolution as a songwriter, musician, and producer who was involved in every step of the production. He wrote and recorded the record entirely himself on his Tascam 388 tape machine. This recording is truly an accurate artistic statement and an original recording directly from the artist himself. ‘Presence’ is also the ‘Swan Song’ for Kris and longtime drummer John Fairchild AKA ‘Scooby Sha Bo Bo’. It marks their last recorded project together before parting ways after almost 17 years of recording and touring together. “For me, that’s just another reason why this album serves as a beautiful time capsule. Scooby and I had great chemistry from playing thousands of shows together and this is a great crescendo and documentation of who we were as a team.” Long-time KLB touring Bassist, Joe Donnelly makes his first appearance on the album with Kris. He is laying down the funky low end on three of the tracks: ‘Let’s Dance Nice & Slow’, ‘Love Hate Thang’ and a tune he helped write ’Time To Get To Work’. The closing track on the album.” —KLB Management