Lucid dreams and nightmares became the inspiration for Layten Kramer’s song Gold And The Sea.
“Dreams are the strangest, coolest things,” he said.
The dream continued to haunt him at night for two years. He kept having the nightmare of drowning someone.
Kramer was going through a transitional time in his life. He just moved from Canmore, Alta. to Vancouver to try and work on his music career and was adjusting to his new life.
Kramer has been writing music since he was 13. Now 20, he can see a noticeable progression in his work.
“It’s constantly learning and trying to capture what I’m feeling,” said Kramer.
He’s releasing his debut album, For the Sun, April 29 in North America. The nine-song LP allows listeners to experience some intimate chapters of Kramer’s life.
Kramer knew he wanted to work with Colin Stewart, a Juno-award-winning producer who lives in Victoria, on the album so he made a cold call to connect with him.
“Colin, he’s produced some of my all-time favourite records,” said Kramer.
The call paid off and Kramer began working with Stewart on his album. It also allowed him to connect with songstress Kathryn Calder, who happens to be Stewart’s wife. She heard and liked Kramer’s music and is a guest vocalist on Kramer’s song Nowhere to Go.
“It was a pretty cool and very surreal experience,” said Kramer, about Calder singing on his album.
Kramer describes his music style as eclectic. If people needed to peg it down it’s like alternative folk, he said.
In 2014 Kramer received the grand prize in the Calgary Stampede Talent Search. That fall, thanks to a successful Indigogo campaign, he released his debut EP Through the Days.
Kramer preforms at the Vault Café with The Velvelteins and Morning Show on Thursday (April 21) at 9 p.m.
It’s the first time he’s performed in Nanaimo.
“I’m excited to play,” he said.
Doors for the show open at 8 p.m. Admission is $10.
For more information about Kramer please go to https://laytenkramer.bandcamp.com.
arts@nanaimobulletin.com
