In my previous life producing promos for various TV networks, record labels always sent me unreleased or newly released songs to use, hoping to give their artists a little publicity. Because of that, I got turned on to music I’d likely never have heard otherwise, especially independent and obscure artists. To this day, a few of those bands, unknown outside their hometowns, are still among my favorites.
Klez was one of those guys. I loved “Here Right Now” on first listen.
About 10 years ago, I was working on the series finale promo of a popular show, and while labels were pitching Top 40 pop stars, I chose Klez. The lyric, “Help me find the truth now,” fit a finale where long-held mysteries were finally getting answers.
Millions of people got to hear “Here Right Now.”
Not long after that, Klez played L.A., and I saw him in a small club on a tiny stage in front of an enthusiastic crowd of maybe 50 people. He mentioned the promo from that night on stage.
Klez went on to modest success, including a headlining spot at a festival in Sweden, but it appears he stopped playing publicly soon after. His songs are still in my rotation, though, and several of them seriously hold up.
I bet he hasn’t forgotten that night in Hollywood.
I haven’t forgotten Klez.
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