Born in Columbus Ohio, Brian Kahanek grew up nearby on an 80-acre farm full of corn and alfalfa fields where his family bred beautiful Arabian horses and sold the yearly harvest. Helping his dad work the farm, feeding the horses and listening to music of all genres was part of daily life. When Brian was 10, the Kahanek clan moved to his father’s birthplace of San Antonio, a hotbed of Texas style rhythm and blues. It was here that a family friend purchased Brian his first guitar, a $100 acoustic from Ruston's Western Wear store on the outskirts of the city. Even with strings so high that you could shoot arrows with them, he dove into the musical offerings of Jim Croce, Simon and Garfunkle, Crosby Stills and Nash, and a myriad of other 60’s and 70’s singer-songwriters. He was hooked, learning to strum and fingerpick right off the bat, and never looked back.
By the age of 15, Brian was knee deep in The Police, AC/DC, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath, ZZ Top and Jimi Hendrix to name a few. Honing his chops by playing every chance he got, Brian graduated High School and left home to study music at The University of North Texas in Denton. What he didn’t realize was that he would be playing more sessions and gigs than attending classes. With a palpable sense of his own artistic vision and a choice to make, he left the school of music to find his own identity as an artist. Cutting his teeth as a guitarist and singer, Brian worked the Texas club circuit for 6 years winning over regional critics and fans. Finally in 1998 he gave in to his childhood dream and moved to California, the land where everything is possible. It was in LA that he really set out to change things, but in reality things would change him. The City of Angels is where he found his own voice going against the superficial grain, and in 2001 Brian embraced his muse and dove in headfirst. In 2004 he released the underground hit album “;Real Life”;. “;Gemini”;, an instrumental track from “;Real Life”;, appears in a coveted position within the hottest video game of 2006 “;Guitar Hero II.”; Right on the heels of Guitar Hero, Brian released his sophomore record "Suicide King". With musical support from his longtime friends/bandmates, this was the next giant leap for an artist that had firmly come into his own, holding nothing back on this searing statement about igniting that elusive spark of inspiration in even the darkest times. As Winston Churchill said “;If you are going through Hell …; Keep going!" Definitely music not to be missed. Since the release of "Suicide King", fans have been eagerly anticipating BK's next move. Due out in early 2010, a third record entitled "One True Thing" is in the works. The perfect driving companion, this dynamic collection of original tracks conveys a potent sense of optimism, a reflection of this musician's maturity and confidence. Listeners will be treated to a balanced mix of instrumental and vocal tracks that will keep them cruising down the highway with unlimited possibilities on the horizon.
In addition to pursuits in a solo vein, Brian has recorded guitars and mixed for some of music's top artists including Tim Mcgraw, Multi-platinum Latin Group RBD (Rebels), Virgin recording artist - Betzi, Walt Disney Pictures, Warner Bros pictures... In fact Brian’s guitar work is featured on the 2006 number one single and record in the Latin American market “;Save Me”; from RBD's (Rebels) debut. These sessions are just to name a few as he is the behind the scenes vital talent that puts that finishing touch on much of today’s music.
Brian is also a sought-after recording engineer, having mixed and mastered some of the aforementioned artists while working on feature film as an ADR recordist and mixer. Brian’s film and video game credits include ... Pixar's Finding Nemo and The Incredibles, Peter Jackson's King Kong, Hayao Miyazaki’s Howl's Moving Castle and Proco Roso .. and these are just a few. Brian’s future as an artist and producer is as bright as can be imagined. With his boundless drive, energy and talent mixed with the most amazing fans…; the sky is the limit.
By the age of 15, Brian was knee deep in The Police, AC/DC, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath, ZZ Top and Jimi Hendrix to name a few. Honing his chops by playing every chance he got, Brian graduated High School and left home to study music at The University of North Texas in Denton. What he didn’t realize was that he would be playing more sessions and gigs than attending classes. With a palpable sense of his own artistic vision and a choice to make, he left the school of music to find his own identity as an artist. Cutting his teeth as a guitarist and singer, Brian worked the Texas club circuit for 6 years winning over regional critics and fans. Finally in 1998 he gave in to his childhood dream and moved to California, the land where everything is possible. It was in LA that he really set out to change things, but in reality things would change him. The City of Angels is where he found his own voice going against the superficial grain, and in 2001 Brian embraced his muse and dove in headfirst. In 2004 he released the underground hit album “;Real Life”;. “;Gemini”;, an instrumental track from “;Real Life”;, appears in a coveted position within the hottest video game of 2006 “;Guitar Hero II.”; Right on the heels of Guitar Hero, Brian released his sophomore record "Suicide King". With musical support from his longtime friends/bandmates, this was the next giant leap for an artist that had firmly come into his own, holding nothing back on this searing statement about igniting that elusive spark of inspiration in even the darkest times. As Winston Churchill said “;If you are going through Hell …; Keep going!" Definitely music not to be missed. Since the release of "Suicide King", fans have been eagerly anticipating BK's next move. Due out in early 2010, a third record entitled "One True Thing" is in the works. The perfect driving companion, this dynamic collection of original tracks conveys a potent sense of optimism, a reflection of this musician's maturity and confidence. Listeners will be treated to a balanced mix of instrumental and vocal tracks that will keep them cruising down the highway with unlimited possibilities on the horizon.
In addition to pursuits in a solo vein, Brian has recorded guitars and mixed for some of music's top artists including Tim Mcgraw, Multi-platinum Latin Group RBD (Rebels), Virgin recording artist - Betzi, Walt Disney Pictures, Warner Bros pictures... In fact Brian’s guitar work is featured on the 2006 number one single and record in the Latin American market “;Save Me”; from RBD's (Rebels) debut. These sessions are just to name a few as he is the behind the scenes vital talent that puts that finishing touch on much of today’s music.
Brian is also a sought-after recording engineer, having mixed and mastered some of the aforementioned artists while working on feature film as an ADR recordist and mixer. Brian’s film and video game credits include ... Pixar's Finding Nemo and The Incredibles, Peter Jackson's King Kong, Hayao Miyazaki’s Howl's Moving Castle and Proco Roso .. and these are just a few. Brian’s future as an artist and producer is as bright as can be imagined. With his boundless drive, energy and talent mixed with the most amazing fans…; the sky is the limit.
