"Kev Gray: A Bit of a Genius - 'How the Story Ends", one of those rare tracks so achingly beautiful that the listener is laid out on a bed of melancholy... You'll understand once you hear it. It's an instant classic..."
Japanzine (2009)
"Kev Gray: genius? Quite possibly. "
- Jonty Davies, Seek Japan
Imagine, if you will, an encounter between Nick Drake and Antony Hegarty, and you might be somewhere close.
Japanzine (May 01, 2008)
Formed in November 2008, Kev Gray & The Gravy Train quickly established themselves as one of the biggest bands on the international music scene with their legendary live performances at Harajuku's rockabilly hang out, The Crocodile Club.
Dazzling Spanish guitars, South American percussion, North American bassmen, and award-winning lyrics of a British singer-songwriter mix jazz, lounge, folk gospel, blues and bossa nova into something familiar, yet refreshingly new.
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Kevin Gray’s music career started after he was diagnosed rather later in life with a condition known as immaturity. In the past three years, he has toured in the US, Europe Japan and Australia, leading to his sponsorship deal with Hemlock Music.
Earlier in 2008, he was spotted by musical entrepreneur, Paul Morgan of the prestigious Medici Studios in Australia, and invited to record there with one of the country’s top producers, ARIA-nominated, Michael Stangel of Jellyfish Records. The result was an eclectic mix of recordings of pop jazz, gospel, latin and folk, that really do transcend any one genre.
Originally from Newcastle, he majored in Modern History at Birmingham University, with a postgrad in Journalism. Living in Europe, the Middle East, and Asia, he worked as a travel writer, a teacher, magazine editor and medical experiment, admitting the latter as perhaps his true calling.
After recording his first songs in 2004 - wedding songs for friends - songwriting binges followed. On business trips back to Japan during 2005-2007, he recorded more songs for a second album.
One song –“How the Story Ends” – won the Japanzine Gaijin Sounds competition, and saw him declared “a lyrical genius”. This attracted the sponsorship to develop a website, recordings as a means to sell online, market the music online for soundtracks and open sales alike.
Kev Gray and The Gravy Train has progressed into the multi-group, The Gravy Train, in that all the members sing or play other instruments. A regular Saturday slot at the legendary Crocodile Club, and starring role in Japan Music Week, enhanced the band’s reputation as one of the best live acts in Tokyo, as the grouped switched singers, instruments, and styles during sets.
The Gravy Train 2011:
Kev Gray (Vocals, Guitars, Harmonica)
Chris Cooling (Bass Guitar, Electric Guitar)
Rob Gommerman (Percussion)
Forrest Nelson (Bass Guitar, Vocals)
Mami (Keyboards)
Damien Cavanagh (Percussion)
