It’s no secret that Jeffrey Krantz has hit the music industry like a wrecking ball when he hit the scene with his first self-produced solo album titled “KRANTZ”. Jeffrey Krantz left his hometown in Iowa, traveled the world, toured over 200 days per year with a band called “The Effects”, and opened for multiple acts such as the Kings of Leon, Shinedown, Foreigner, and The Toadies. Hard-working is undoubtedly an understatement of Jeffrey Krantz. His work ethic is commendable and creates admiration for him as an artist. Jeffrey Krantz recorded his self-produced solo album in Nashville where he decided to pursue the dream and create his own legacy. He actually recorded this album in between tapings of MTV’s music competition, “American Supergroup”. He eventually became a finalist in the competition. However, Jeffrey Krantz isn’t just a solo act!
While working nonstop at the Honky Tonks of Music City to reach his musical dream, Jeffrey Krantz (lead guitar, singer) joined forces with Tee Tallent (keys) and Adrian Flores (percussion), all whom he met on the Broadway circuit. Together, the band “Krantz” brings a psychedelic/pop/rock edge equipped with an in-your-face attitude, intertwining meaningful lyrics, and authentic, no-holds rock and roll. Super cool right? As an alternative rock band in a land of country music, Krantz embraces a refreshing take on golden age rock acts, combining classic musical elements of The Beatles and T. Rex, with more modern sounds of bands like Weezer and Green Day, creating whimsical and catchy melodies that are certain make your feet dance and heartthrob. Their sound is out of this world and you can’t compare this intricate band with any other musical act you know of. Just hearing the name of the album, “Misty Morning Dew” already sets a visual that sounds heavenly according to Jeffrey, the visionary behind Krantz. Their third release recently came out on Oct 25th, and the track is a bit more of a raw feel, very influenced by two of Jeffrey’s favorite decades in music: the ’60s meets the 90’s. 2019 has deemed to be a powerful year for these multiple bands, and we’re excited to see what’s in store for their beaming future.
Welcome to BuzzMusic Jeffrey Krantz! For you, How have the transitions been between working solo & with a band? Any major conflict you deal with and overcome?
Well, thank ya BuzzMusic! Honestly, I do most of the writing and all that myself, but I don’t like to be viewed as a solo artist. Definitely more of a band guy. I like to have my gang around me. Honestly, the hardest thing with the band is just organizing everything. I really don’t have much going on besides my music, but that’s not necessarily the case for everyone else. We make it work though.
Talk to us about your single “Misty Morning Dew”. What was the initial vision and theme you had for this record?
Well the single is just kind of a world in my imagination…a kind of happy place ya might say. Most of the record is about love, sex, and drugs….groundbreaking, I know. I feel it’s a very colorful record that anyone can put on just for some good feeling music.
How were you able to resonate that with your listeners?
Well hopefully they found the same theme I was trying to portray when they listened.
Can you talk to us about your songwriting approach to the record “Alone” and what this song represents for you as an artist?
Alone is actually a song I wrote for the girl I was dating about 5 years ago or so, and just kinda never went anywhere. At the time, I was in a rock band more on the heavy side, so that song didn’t quite fit in with the rest of our catalog. I think I was just going through old songs and demos, came across that one, and thought “hey, I liked that one” so there ya go. It was fun to record because the rest of the band had never heard it until we were in the studio. We had a little extra time to kill, and I knew I wanted it to be simple and stripped down, so I showed it to them, and we just laid it down on the spot. Studio magic….
What was your personal favorite element to the song “Sweet N Sour Marylynne”?
I love how it sounds like the mix between 90’s alternative, but with a 60’s melodic pop twist. One of my faves of the album for sure. I wrote it with my good buddy from the Wildfeathers, Joel King.
Talk to us about the album “Misty Morning Dew” what was the creative process behind this project?
It was mostly just my favorite songs I’d written over the year of 2018. Jammed them out with the band, and went into Sienna Studios here in Nashville, TN. Laid everything down over two days, so that’s what gives it more of a live, raw feel than a lot of the past Krantz tunes.
What are you looking forward too in 2020?
Always keeping with the writing and recording, touring more, and hopefully heading over the pond to make a splash in Europe!