Bat-Or Kalo and Jared Gaiser - Guarding the Light from Israel to Oklahoma

My introduction to Israeli guitarist, singer and songwriter, Bat-Or Kalo, or “B” as her friends call her, came some years back when she played a show at a very unlikely venue for her…a cocktail bar in the Waldo neighborhood in Kansas City. She came to play on my Tasty Brew Music radio show. We’ve stayed in touch over the years as she has come to play solo at the Folk Alliance International Conference in Kansas City and most recently a duo show in Carl Butler’s Gospel Lounge with bassist Jared Gaiser. As you will hear in our conversation recorded recently when she and Jared visited my home, she is fiery and electrifying, her guitar chops and contralto voice a force of nature.KALO defies convention, channeling power trios like The Police, The Jimi Hendrix Experience, Rush or Cream but her solo and duo acoustic performances are just as powerful. Within the past two years, KALO has opened for Los Angeles-based rocker Andy Frasco, the godfather of British blues, John Mayall, Texas guitar phenom Chris Duarte and has shared billing with acts like Avett Brothers and Robert Randolph & the Family Band. She was nominated for an Independent Music Award in the 2017 Best Alt/Indie Rock Album category for her album Wild Change.B was intent on interviewing me instead of the other way around but B, her bass player and musical companion, Jared Gaiser and I managed to have a wide ranging conversation … from discussing the fine attributes of dirt, Disney Movies, Albert Einstein, learning disabilities, the importance of connection and community, the magic and humanity of music and what B wants us to know about the community and experience of her homeland…Israel. Please enjoy this time with Bat-or Kalo and Jared Gaiser.