Exposed Vocals just sat down with Kaz Bielinski for an exclusive interview

Kaz Bielinski is an LA native who grew up in the Silver Lake district. His interest in music began with lip-synching to Beatles songs in front of a full-length mirror. This period was short as he soon began hounding his parents for a guitar & piano. Upon getting a guitar, a Japanese St. George guitar, he promptly began writing songs. Founding a band called “The Illusions” when in junior high which met with modest success. They had articles written about them in the local papers, and then in the Los Angeles Times and appeared on The Ben Hunter Matinee.

After attending Marshall High School and LACC, Kaz told his mother he wanted to be a big hit songwriter. She said “Fine, transfer to UCLA & I’ll pay for your room, board & tuition while you gain a BA in Political Science and you can write all the songs you want.” After graduating he drove a cab in Los Angeles while submitting music to various labels and publishers. But after seven years as a cab driver he wanted a change from the street and its myriad characters. Kaz then learned computer programming at UCLA extension and worked 17 years in IT all the while still writing & playing music. He then obtained a Masters in Clinical Psychology from Pepperdine. One of his highlights while working as an intern was working with troubled youth. Pride of place on the desk was a photo of him in his band. This was a great conversation starter with the kids who would ask, sometimes incredulously, “You’re in a band?”

Kaz’s material reflects the influences of the period, with infectious melodic tunes and meaningful lyrics that reflect the trials & tribulations of love, lost love, unrequited love, and found forever love. This single, “The Rainbow” was written while transitioning through a period of grief after losing his father the same month he graduated from high school.

We asked Kaz what the future holds for him musically. “I enjoy writing in different genres including folk, country, even bossa nova. These songs fit into the AC format, so I would like to try writing in new country, perhaps alternative rock. I think good artists can write in more than one format.”

Kaz still lives in the greater LA area with with his wife of 26 years & their son. Not too long ago their son asked, “Dad, why did you first want to be a big hit songwriter”. I said “Son, I think it was the fast cars, the money, & the beautiful women. But now I would say I write songs that people not only in the whirlwind of romance can relate but peoples in all stages of love as well as loss. Priorities change with adulthood.”

Exposed Vocals: So tell us your story. Where did you grow up? What made you decide to become an artist?

I grew up in the Silverlake District of Los Angeles.  Both my sister and I went to Marshall High School. One of my earliest memories was when my big sister was blasting Little Richard on her record player in her, locked of course, bedroom.  I remember thinking, “Wow, that’s the most joyous music I’ve ever heard”. But when the Beatles hit in 1964 that’s when I was hit hard. My best friend Nick and I were about 10. We gave up playing Army, cut plywood into the shape of guitars, and started lip-syncing in front of the big mirror. It was just a short while till we started hounding our moms for real guitars. Nick got a bass. I got an acoustic.  We’d go to the underpass by Ivanhoe Elementary School to play and sing. I started writing songs when I was about 14.  Mom bought a two track Ampex so we could hear what we were doing. After we got amps she was forced to put up thick drapes in a doomed attempt to reduce the noise. I must have jammed with every kid that picked up a guitar at Marshall in her living room.  She was very supportive of my music because she was an artistic type herself.  She went to the Chicago Art Institute on a scholarship. My uncles all played Jazz during the Swing Era.  During prohibition they played in speakeasies to help them during college. So yea, it’s in my blood.

Exposed Vocals: Since everyone was a start-up once, can you give any smaller or local bands or artists looking to get gigs and airplay some tips?

You want to write catchy music and lyrics that folks will find repeating in their minds.  Use words that appeal to your target audience that reflect their experiences. Take Chuck Berry’s “School Days” for example, “Up in the morning and out to school, the teacher is teaching the golden rule. American History and Practical Math. You study them hard and hoping to pass”.  LOL, obviously aimed at the teens, just like Sweet Little Sixteen. Know your audience.

You want the overall sound of your recording to be unique from all the others.  You want the listeners to know instantly that it’s your band. If you have great material but not a unique sound, get a good producer.  You would be amazed how the first demos by big names sound different from the records that made them famous.

Exposed Vocals: Do you ever make mistakes during performances? How do you handle that?

Yes I make mistakes, and my drummer seems to remember them all. If you forget a chord during a performance don’t guess. If your band is tight your mates will keep going and cover. If you forget a lyric grab some words that sound right. I’ve repeated parts of other verses to keep the show going. Above all: don’t panic.

Exposed Vocals: Do you tour? Anything interesting happen on tour that you think our readers would enjoy hearing about?

My wife was sitting directly in front of the stage in a club.  I’m doing my set, I look down, & there is some drunk guy trying to chat her up! l His pitch was “I know you’re married but I’d like your phone number”.  The dog. Another night, another venue, a female artist we work with between songs sat on my wife’s lap and yelled out “Look where I am!”  I told Judy “If you are leaving with her just place the jewelry I bought you on the table”. Judy looked at her hands & neck then yelled “What Jewelry?”.  I was set up, that time with an inside practical joke.

Exposed Vocals: Any planned studio upgrades? What are you working with now?

I do pre-production work on my Macbook Pro with Logic.  Once the ideas are worked out I go to a pro studio.

Exposed Vocals: How do you find ways to promote your music? What works best for you?

I love all the different websites that allow you to expose your songs and allow people to become fans. Then you can communicate with them to establish a relationship like never before. I love playing clubs where I will do covers everyone knows & intersperse my originals. The are professional promotion companies out there, but make certain you’ve got something they want to be associated with.  You can get rejected there just like any other place.

Exposed Vocals: If you could perform anywhere and with any artists (Dead or Alive) where and who would it be with? Why?

I’d love to sit in the Stones or the Beatles. But since you said anyone I would have to choose my farther & uncles who were musicians. The venue would be a Bielinski family reunion. I’d have to brush up on Swing.

Exposed Vocals: So, what’s next? Any new upcoming projects that you want to talk about?

I like trying to write songs in different genres.  I’ve done rock, folk, bosa nova. I’m thinking of trying Alternative Rock.

Exposed Vocals: If you weren’t making music, what would you be doing?

We collect MG cars & belong to a couple of car clubs.  We do some of the work & go on short tours with the clubs. The clubs like me to perform at events but of course these are volunteer organizations.

Exposed Vocals: What should fans look forward to in the next year or so?

I’d like to tour in some other countries.  I know I have fans in the UK & Ireland and they are both such beautiful countries.

Exposed Vocals: Any Shout-outs?

First my beautiful long suffering wife Judy who provides a lot of my inspiration.  Jerry at Adamos Recording in Westminster.  Alex, Sam, & Howard who have helped me with promotion. Of course all the people who became fans from the internet or the radio.