Kurtis Dengler CD release show

Published 10:13 am Wednesday, November 20, 2013

Kurtis Dengler’s self-titled, self-produced debut solo album of all original material was recorded with only real instruments and he played them all.

Dengler is bringing those talents back to Lopez for a CD release show at Woodman Hall, Saturday, Nov. 23 at 8 p.m.

“Doing a release show on Lopez is something I’ve always wanted to do – to share my music with the people and place I know best,” he said.

Dengler will be performing the album live, in its entirety, along with a full band of friends and special guests from Seattle including Jean-Jacque Tetu, Jon Bolton and others. CDs will be available at the show. Admission is by donation.

Dengler grew up on Lopez and learned to pay the guitar from fellow islanders.

“The fact that my nearest neighbor growing up was a quarter mile away meant that I could make a lot of noise and not have the cops show up,” Dengler said. “Don’t ask me why my parents put up with it.”

Lopez served as a wealth of musical opportunity for Dengler. He never had trouble finding someone to jam with or an event to play tunes at.

“I’m so grateful for all the support I was given and continue to be given,” he said. “It’s probably influenced me in ways I haven’t even thought about yet.”

Dengler recorded this recent album on the island. The upcoming show will basically recreate the CD in a live setting. Although Dengler recorded the CD by playing all the instruments himself, the show will feature other musicians.

“They’re all my friends and as a musician I’m privileged to play with every one of these guys,” he said. “They’re all pros and I’ll have to do my best to keep up with them.”

The music is inspired by the pop music of the 60s and early 70s.

“I’m excited to get to show everyone what I’ve been up to,” he said. “It’ll be like coming back home, even though I live in Seattle. Lopez always feels like home.”