Kai Wen (pronounced Kai When)

 

 

Bio:

I’ve been writing songs since before kindergarten.  Getting old cigar boxes and stretching rubber bands across them would be my first lesson in music theory.  I’ve been hooked on creating music ever since.  I was born in Tallahassee, Florida which is not really known for being a musical Mecca, but as long as the radio was working, I was cool.

 

I’d have to say my musical inspirations are Prince, Marvin Gaye, James Moody, Duke Ellington, John Coltrane, BabyFace, Sting, Stuart Matthewman and Stevie Wonder.  Whenever I listen to a new piece of music it’s like getting a music lesson.  This is how I learn, by listening and paying attention.  I’d like to work with anyone who I can learn something from about music. Hopefully with continued practice I’ll be able to write a piece of music so touching that it would move someone to tears. This is not meant to be out of meanness, but rather to know that I can touch someone’s heart in such a way with one of my songs that it moves the listener emotionally. That would be cool.

I’ve found that if you're centered about what you do, and don't worry what your boys think about you, if you're just being what you are, people will gravitate toward that.

So far I’ve had music in two major films:

Trois - www.trois-themovie.com

Pandora’s Box - www.pandorasbox-themovie.com

Press Reviews

"Kai Wen." FAMU student Kai Wen has been writing songs since he was a little kid, and his lifelong love affair with music comes through loud and clear on this self-produced CD. Wen layered samples and live music on the disc's nine songs to make a musically cohesive statement that's jazzy, funky, soulful and altogether hip. The compositions -- which range from the bubbling opening track "Jook Joint" to more laid-back tunes like "Nichole Jean" -- are uncluttered but dense with engaging sound. You won't find the disc in local records stores -- yet. Check it out at Wen's Web site; the address is www.kaiwen.com - By KATI SCHARDL @ Tallahassee Democrat