Singer/Songwriter Tracy Klas

Tracy Klas has been a sister and musical friend for a long time now.  I remember the first time I met her in a studio called Aslan outside Portland in Beaverton.  I was supplying a certain computer (which didn’t sync up unfortunately) for the recording session and she and Bob (another friend) were there because she helped write the song and sang the lead vocal.  The producer and primary writer was a guy named Lonnie who played bass for Steve Miller back in the day and wrote or cowrote quite a few hits with him.

Anyway, we began talking and I found out I knew Bob from college days though not very well.  After this, we began to connect up at movies, outings and church.  Soon I moved into one of the houses Bob owned and Tracy lived in, to rent a room there.  We set the entire basement common room up for recording and rehearsing.  Tracy began using me for guitar then and I would show her a new chord or progression for fun, then when we got home, she had already written or began writing a new song.

I played off and on with her band for several years–until I got married.  If you go to her MySpace page, you’ll hear two songs I played on (Thirst and Flower Child)–can’t remember any of the others or even if I played anymore than these two.  It was fun to get a chance to play those songs again.  If you’re ever in Portland, go see her new band as well, it’s worth the free admission!

She is a great lyricist as well as crafting subtle melodies which seemingly come out of nowhere.  May be someday she’ll catch on to those who value great art.

I sincerely hope so.

Tags: art, artists, connections, friends, musicians, singer/songwriters, song writing