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Peter Matthew Kasen, originally from Miami [Florida], started his solo career back in May 2005 under the guise ‘Propel’. He’d studied music [songwriting, guitar & composition] at Berklee College of Music in Boston, Massachusetts and had always toyed with playing in bands. Investigating a solo road he discovered ’going solo’ had far more to offer then he’d previously anticipated. This new voyage was further herded on by the release of his first EP ‘A Year Worth Forgetting’. This established him with tour dates up-and down the west coast of the States. By 2006 he’d moved to Los Angeles, recorded and released a 2nd EP ‘Antique Scars’, which further opened doors throughout Arizona and the Midwest with gigs. It also received considerable radio play in the US and he got his first outting, across waters, into Europe.

By 2008 Peter was in Wales, UK recording his first full album ‘Dust, Doors & Debts’. His music has best been described as ‘Grunge Folk’ – raw emotive vocals laid over acoustic guitar. 2009 he has so far released the EP ‘Veer’ and has a number of tour dates in Europe and the US from September. UPFRONT caught up with him on the Q10

1.How did you get started?
I started as a solo singer songwriter, in May of 2005 with my first EP release, ‘A Year Worth Forgetting’. After having been in numerous bands in Boston during my years at Berklee, I decided honestly to not have to deal with ego in other singers. I felt that if I could handle all duties, meaning lyrics, vocals, guitar, composition, and performance why not go solo. This way I can only blame myself for the outcome, and doing so became a singer by default. I was always a songwriter, first and foremost, and I fee in that capacity lies my strength as a communicator.

2.What ingredients do you need to mix together to produce the recipe of your sound?
Environment, mood, some rifts which lead to answers through songs to questions in my life. My Martin guitar, perhaps the ocean, or woods, and solitude. Thinking of the past, as I write my future.

3.Did your first gig make you hungry for more?
Ironically my first gig, was the start of my first NW Tour. I literally played my first show ever as a solo artist on May 26th of 2005, in Berkeley California, than got in my car and toured all the way to Seattle. Yes it made me hungry for non stop touring, and thankfully is still with me today, as far as a hunger and need to live it as much as possible on the road.

4.What’s the biggest ‘cock up’ to date?
I assume “Cock Up” means screw up ? hoping. To stay in the realms of political correctness of course.

Usually musically speaking I don’t really screw up honestly. As for other parts of my career, well…..I would have to say financially and planning touring and releases, and things of that nature, have led on occasion to mishaps along the way. I would never say a blatant “cock up” happened, however plans changed, people came and went, and so did record labels, managers, booking firms, and fans. All part of learning what is and is not important in the music business. Words are used so often by companies to inflate what they do, or don’t do usually that they seem to prey on a musicians sensitivity in their own careers professionally. I feel this is the crux of most mishaps I have had to endure in my 4 year time frame as a solo artist.

5.What is it that inspires you to make your music/sound?
A need to be heard, when in the past I was never allowed to speak my mind. I don’t do this through words, literally I do this through the entire song subject and what it is trying to get across to the listener. I think pain, loss, expectation, selfless-ness, and of course improvement are the factors that go into my song writing.

6.What would be the icing on the cake?
I would not have to book a single show, worry about distribution, press, or radio help, and mostly I would have touring cycles set 6 months out, where I would not have time to worry about finances since at that level everything would be handled by companies. I am getting real close to attaining all of this, I feel its all within my grasp this coming year in 2010 with this upcoming sophomore full length release that will be internationally released in conjunction by 3 separate record labels. The US, UK, and Europe will all have a taste of my music this coming year.

7.How will you be remembered? (what will make you vintage?
Personally, I don’t sit back and wait for anyone to do things on my behalf both in my personal life, and professional career. I assume I will be remembered for my DIY mentality, and for one way or another getting it done time in and time again regardless of what pitfalls I had to step over.

Musically, I hope to be remembered as something completely individual, original, and genuine. I hope that one day underground songwriters on the indie level as I am, are given a fair shot to compete on the world stage musically. Its my wish and hope that the music lives on of course, and its my hope that someday, regardless if its in 10 years from today, or 100 years from today, that I will be an influence and importance to a niche group of people who look at music in a deeper, harder light than that of the masses of this world.

8.Describe your music as if it were a fine wine.
I used to work in a Wine company in SF, lets see what I remember…..

A smooth red wine like a Merlot with hints of nut flavour to add grit to a otherwise perfect aftertaste.

9.AfterMint! Does your musical style influence your underwear?
No comment. I don’t wear any!

10.Digestive! What do you know about Luxembourg?
I know that its strong enough financially to be its own entity, I also know its got really nice people who live there, as I do have some fans in that area of Europe. I know its positioning perfectly between France, Germany, Brussels, and the Netherlands. I also know that one day it would be great to do some shows there.

Find out more: http://peterkasen.wordpress.com & www.myspace.com/petermatthewkasen