Community Night with K2

We had the pleasure of having K2 perform at Sanctuary Bistro for a community night.  Amazing people and amazing work.  It takes a community to spread love and compassion and we are so grateful for our community.Who Are Your Musical Influences? Keren: Queen/Freddie Mercury,Yes Band, The Jews (Israeli rock band), Annie Lennox, and many moreKen: I have influences from all across the musical map. From Classicalcomposers, such as Debussy and Stravinsky, to jazz composers, like McCoy Tynerand Bill Evans. From Classic Rock musicians like Jimi Hendrix, Yes, ELP, PinkFloyd and King Crimson, the list goes on & on...Do You Have a Formal Music Education? Keren: I’ve studied music in university, (no diploma though), as well as 2 years in jazz school in Berkeley. I’ve studied voice privately for 20.Ken: Yes. I have a BM in Music Composition & Theory from Rowan University, Glassboro NJI would love to know more about the name K2.Ken: Well, it was an obvious choice, combining our first initials, but it also has other interesting references. K2 is the second highest mountain on Earth, and perhaps the most dangerous to climb.How did your band get together, where are you all from? How did that influence your music.Keren: Ken and I met at the band LordRifa, and worked together 2 years prior to staring our duo. Ken is from Maui, I’m originally from Israel, but have lived in CA for 21 years now. We are coming from such different cultural background that each of us is bringing something fresh and new to the table almost each time we meet, we are both very passionate about music, and creating original music in particular, and enjoy entertaining others.Ken: Keren & I met in another band called LordRifa, whose music is a hodge-podge of post-modern Americana, folk and funk. We shared a love for original songs and started a duo.What other music services do you offer? Keren: I own a vocal studio and teach voice and performance in two locations – El Sobrante, and Corte Madera/Marin working with performers, people who stutter, and those who loose their voices, to build strength and talk or sing currently with the use of the right muscles.Do you write your own music?  What influences your songs? Keren: I’ve been writing and composing since I was 13 yrs. A lot of things influence me, dreams I have, current situations in my life, my personal struggles, and music I sometimes hear on the radio sparks a song.Ken: We write most of our music and choose covers that we can interpret interestingly. Lyrically, we're moving toward positive themes and evocative stories in our music.Community and compassion are our mission- in what ways do you exemplify this?Keren: Absolutely!! I love giving back to the community! For the past 2 yrs I’ve been volunteering at a kids center in Richmond, helping challenged kids who come from broken homes to find their own light, their own way, through weekly meetings where we talk, sing, laugh. I am inspired by many individuals I meet, who come from harsh life, yet see the positive in everyone, and give back. I also donate money from events I hold to those who are in need.How can we see you again? Keren: Ken and I are about to finish recording a first album of our music, with a wonderful 5 piece ensemble. Our next official show will be Apr 17 at the SF community music center. - Keren Gaiser, and Kenneth Johnson.http://www.k2duo.com