Krantz

We at Nashville Unsigned are stoked to have the opportunity to interview these guys. With a retro style from the golden age of rock and roll, Jeffrey Krantz and band bring a psychedelic good time with each song off their debut, self-titled album “Krantz”. Their album art resembles a good, old-fashioned acid trip, complete with Gandalf, Cleopatra, super hot and naked angels. All of which are topped off with the chilliest tiger you’ve ever seen. I mention this because it paints the perfect portrait of what you get with this classic rocker and his band of rock and roll hooligans. Krantz adds a David Bowie-esque, star child flavor to his live performances and far-out music videos. His make-up and free child hippie flair come out as his edge on stage. His band is just as talented and free-spirited as he is, so the performances are always on point. There’s no doubt these guys love a good time, which makes them a lot of fun to listen to. - Jared

“Queen Cleopatra” is the latest single from this batch of Nashville emerging artists. The song and video capture most of the album’s vibe. They even included the queen of the Nile herself right on the cover. This is an indie groove with a lot of style, and the psychedelic flair of their look and sound is composed well in the music video.Krantz and Nashville Unsigned, unsigned Nashville artists

Other songs like “Change My Ways” and “So Naturally” add multiple instruments to the fold. This adds to the music by backing the songs up with strings or a brass section to add to that classic, golden-age rock that makes these guys stick out. They aren’t afraid to bring it when it comes to guitar-picking solos either, whipping up tasty guitar chops in the majority of their songs. Check out their website to download the album. Or go follow them on Facebook to keep up with their upcoming shows. With these guys, a big show is guaranteed, not to mention some seriously good times. -

Alternative/psych rock act Krantz have recently released a brand new lyric video for their track "Run Away With Me". The song comes from the band's upcoming EP, The Pennock Tapes, which is set to be released on April 27th.

In a press release from the band's team, it states that "Run Away With Me" is "an anthem dedicated to feeling stuck in a rut and disheartened by living in the shadows, and realizing how nothing is going to change unless one takes a chance."

You can view the lyric video in its entirety below. -

(Release) Nashville-based, alt/psych-rock band, Krantz, drop new single, “Run Away With Me,” from their upcoming EP, The Pennock Tapes, due out April 27.

The single is an anthem dedicated to feeling stuck in a rut and disheartened by living in the shadows and realizing how nothing is going to change unless one takes a chance. Inspired by the central figure, Jeffrey “Danger” Krantz’s real-life experience of playing in cover bands and side gigs on Broadway in Nashville and realizing he had the voice and courage to front his own band. - Alexander Juryte

Retro rockers Krantz just released their brand new single "Until We Meet Again" and to celebrate we asked Jeffrey Krantz to tell us the story behind the new track:

I was at work, playing my basic 4 hour gig on a Thursday night when I locked eyes with a gorgeous girl from across the room. I flirted with her from on stage, pointing out how tough she looked smoking her cig and sipping on a Budweiser, while I was sipping on a vodka soda. She came up and danced in front of me and we definitely had a connection. She wrote her number down on a gum wrapper and gave it to me as she told me she had to leave to pick a friend up at the airport. I hit her up after my gig and found out she was from New Jersey and was just in town for the weekend. The next day I met up with her and her friends, and we immediately hit it off. We spent pretty much the next 2 days in each others arms. It was a magical bittersweet feeling having found each other and clicking so fast, but knowing that she was gonna be heading back to her life in New Jersey on Monday.

I felt very inspired to write about the experience, knowing I had to express the feelings I had for her, and the memories that I would never forget. The song shot out of me, singing about how magical the weekend was, and I'll be just sitting around remembering the time we had until we meet again.

I wrote it as I write most songs, on my 70's Yamaha acoustic guitar. Not really sure how it would feel with the band, we jammed on it in several different styles. I liked the reggae vibe for this song, but it just didn't sound right for our style, being more of a pop rock band. Then our keys player started messing around with his effects pedals through his Wurlitzer, and came up with this sound that almost sounds like kettle drums, but with a trippy delay. It made the song click, and it just shot out. We added some strings (cuz I love strings) and made a sound that I've never heard before, which is very satisfying. -

Krantz is livin’ the dream, and it took some courage to get here. Finally the frontman of his own band, Jeffrey “Danger” Krantz is about to drop a brand new EP. To get us hyped for the release, he’s giving us the exclusive first listen of his band’s single, “Until We Meet Again”.

The Nashville based act can’t be described easily—but if we had to pick, we’d call ’em psychedelic alt-rock meets indie. Intrigued? We thought you would be. Hit play on “Until We Meet Again” below, then meet Krantz again when they drop their EP, The Pennock Tapes, on April 27th. - Emillie Marvel

What are your name?
Jeffrey Danger, Erik Theiling, Tee Tallent, Monica Lewellen





What is the bands name?

Krantz





How did you come up with the bands name?
It’s my last name. Didn’t want to be a solo artist when I released the first album, so I gave it that name because it really could mean anything. That’s also why I go by my middle name, Danger.





What is your genre of music?
If you’d have to put it in a category, it’d probably be Alternative Rock. I like to say it’s rock ad roll in color though.





Give us a little bio about you as individuals and as a band.
I hail from the cornfields of Iowa. Toured in multiple bands over the years and ended up in Nasvhille, TN, where I started the band. I met all the other members as they were doing the same thing from different areas of the country. We started jamming together and liked the sound.





Describe each other in 2 words.
Jeffrey-Psychedelic, weird
Erik-Cool, Collected
Tee-Smart, Creative
Monica-Strong, Sassy





What made you go in to music?
I fell in love with music after watching the Beatles Anthology in November of 1995. I picked up a guitar, started writing songs, and haven’t looked back since.





Are you a signed?
Not currently. Doin it all ourselves at the moment.





Your new single ‘Run Away With Me’, tell us more about it.
It’s a song I wrote about being stuck in a rut, and just wanting to escape. It’s definitely and upbeat number, and makes ya wanna move…perhaps run.





what was the naming process like?
It’s just the hook of the song, and covers the main there. I think it’s very fitting for the current times. It seems like many people are unhappy lately, so maybe just quit what you’re doing and go find yourself.





What was the writing process like?
I wrote this one by myself and brought it to the band. I demoed it with a beat, so we knew it should keep that four on the floor feel, and the band just took it from there.





What was the recording process like?
With this EP, we did all the bass, drums, and most of the keys in a studio called Jay’s Place here on Music Row in Nashville. Since we’re kinda DIY right now, I took all that to my house, where I do a lot of recording, and finished all the guitars, and we cut all the vocals and strings. From there, it was mixed by Ryan Rosebo, an engineer here in Nashville, who also mixed the first self-titled album.





You are also set to release a new EP, what can you tell us about it.
It’s called “The Pennock Tapes” and will be released in April. I live on Pennock Ave, where the band jams. This is the first collection of songs we’d worked on as a band, so we thought naming it after the street we all park on would be fitting. It’s very satisfying to have finally come up with a sound as the band, Krantz, and this is a great representation.





Describe each track in 2 words.
Weedeater-Finger Pointin’
Until We Meet Again-Dreamy
Romantic All Outta Love-Bittersweet
Freeing Can’t Forget-Bitter, Cocky
Run Away With Me-Pumping, Motivational





What was the writing process like?
I wrote all the songs, except two (All Outta Love and Weedeater) I wrote with Joel King of the Wildfeathers (and our old band, the Effects). From there, I brought them to the band where we arranged em and everyone came up with their parts.





What was the recording process like?
With this EP, we did all the bass, drums, and most of the keys in a studio called Jay’s Place here on Music Row in Nashville. Since we’re kinda DIY right now, I took all that to my house, where I do a lot of recording, and finished all the guitars, and we cut all the vocals and strings. From there, it was mixed by Ryan Rosebo, an engineer here in Nashville, who also mixed the first self-titled album.





Do you play any instruments.
I play a little bit of a lot of instruments, but my primary instrument is the guitar.





Who are your influences?
The Beatles, the Byrds, T Rex, my parents, Jesus





How do you get inspiration to write songs?
Hmm…lots of different things really. Musically, I love catchy hooks and melodies, and a beat you can groove to. As far as what the song is about, I can be inspired by anything from a lust to love, to a dream I had, or to my cat (which is a new number we’re currently working on).





Where do you see yourself now in 5 Years?
I’d really like to see the band touring full time, and hopefully be making a splash all around the world.





When you’re not doing music, what do you do?
Somehow music is usually involved in my life in most aspects, but when it’s not, I love to golf.





What was the song you listened to most that influenced you to go more in to the music scene?

Strawberry Fields Forever





What’s the best advice you have ever been given?
Be true to yourself.





What advice would you give to aspiring musicians not about the industry and just as an artist?

Just be genuine with the music you make. Don’t make it to become rich and famous, but make it because you really love it and want the world to hear your sound.





What quote or saying do you always stick by?
Time flies when you’re having fun, unless you’re a frog, then time’s fun when you’re having flies.





Where in your hometown is a must go to visit?
Ha, the Cumming Tap where you can get the “I love Cumming” tee shirts.





Your straight off tour;

1/ where do you go? Home
2/ who do you see? My cat
3/what do you eat? Cheese and fruit





Where is the go to place to go in your hometown?
Well I’m from out in the country in Iowa, so Des Moines is really the closest big city there. If you say home now (which is Nashville) I guess I’d say go to a concert at the Ryman.





When you are at a gig, what are 5 things you cannot forget? Engage the Audience
Make them Dance
Get your songs stuck in their head
Our gear
Sell Merch! (which you can buy at krantzmusic.com -

Nashville-based band Krantz released the lyric video “Run Away With Me” in March of 2018 from their upcoming EP due out April 27. The single is an anthem dedicated to feeling stuck in a rut and disheartened by living in the shadows and realizing how nothing is going to change unless one takes a chance. Inspired by central figure, Jeffrey “Danger” Krantz’s real-life experience of playing in cover bands and side gigs on Broadway in Nashville and realizing he had the voice and courage to front his own band.

After leaving his home state of Iowa, traveling the world, touring over 200 days per year, with a band called The Effects, and opening for bands such as the Kings of Leon, Shinedown, Foreigner and the Toadies, Jeffrey made the decision to “live the dream” and eventually landed in Nashville. Krantz hit the studio between tapings of MTV’s music competition, American Supergroup, where he eventually became a finalist in the competition. Following the release of his self-produced solo album, Krantz joined forces with Erik Theiling (bass), Tee Tallent (keys) and Monica Lewellen (percussion/vocals), who he met on the Broadway circuit. -

After leaving his home state of Iowa, traveling the world, touring over 200 days per year with The Effects, who opened for Kings of Leon, Shinedown, and the Toadies, Jeffrey Krantz made the decision to “live the dream” and eventually found himself in Nashville. Following the release of his self-produced solo album, Krantz joined forces with Erik Theiling (bass), Tee Tallent (keys) and Monica Lewellen (percussion/vocals), and together they forge a dynamic psychedelic/pop/rock edge equipped with an in-your-face attitude, provocative lyrics, and no-holds-barred rock and roll groove. Recently, the foursome released the dreamy "Until We Meet Again," from their upcoming EP The Pennock Tapes (April 27th) and here Krantz answers his Essential 8 and talks songwriting, the Beatles, his bucket list items (golf!), and more.

Do you write about personal experience, the experience of others, observations, made-up stories, something else or a combination?
All of the above. Mostly from personal experience I’d have to say, but we have songs about observing other people, as well as some that are talking to someone else, or just about a made up character.

Did you have a musical mentor? If so, who was it and how did they influence you?
The Beatles I’d have to say were the biggest mentors for me, and still are to this day. They cover everything I love about music. Great melodies, words, and interesting music to back it up. I love how eclectic they were as well. I’ve got a love for so many different sounds, and they made it okay to get out there like that.

When/where do you do your best writing?
I’d have to say I do most of my writing at home at night on my old 1970’s Yamaha acoustic. I like to light some candles and incense, get my mind right, and then just see what takes me away.

What’s the most frustrating thing about being on the road?
I’d have to say the parts that are so time consuming, like long drives, and just waiting around at the venue.


Favorite (or first) concert you have ever attended?
That’s a toughie because I’ve seen so many great ones I loved, but one that def sticks out for me was Stevie Wonder. The band was amazing, and somehow we landed floor seats about 11 rows back. Everyone in the crowd was dancing, so you could just forget all your cars and feel the music. It was amazing

Is there a song (of yours) you wish you would have released as a single and why?
There’s actually two from the first self-titled album I really love and kinda wish they could’ve gotten more attention, but oh well.

"What Happened to my Rock and Roll” is so relevant in music today. It’s about exactly what the title says. Rock is pretty dead right now, and the things that influence me that I love from rock of the past, anywhere from the 60s to the 90s, is all gone, or atleast not at all in the mainstream where the general public has access to it. Radio is controlling everybody and mainly playing stuff I can’t really get into.

“Change My Ways” This was a lot of my friends fave song from the first album, but it’s a tricky one to pull off live, so we never released it. Still one of my faves as well.

Which song of yours gets the best crowd response?
Probably "Until We Meet Again." It’s got a groove you just can help but move to, and the wurli sounds crazy trippy.

Is there a professional “bucket list” item you would love to check off?
Definitely would love to tour around the world. Haven’t gotten out of America much, but would love to make a splash over in Europe, as well as other countries, like Japan. I love to travel and what better way to see the world than doing it while I’m doing another one of my main loves, making music….and I wanna golf everywhere too... -

While the band appears to be straight out of a 1970’s psychedelic acid flashback, Krantz comes from the unlikely place of Nashville, TN. Best known for country, honkey tonk, and the grand ole opry, Krantz has cranked out a college alternative rock song “Run away with me”.
With a musical structure similar to that of the Killers yet an experimental flavor of The Muse, you will find Krantz has added fun to the mix with “Run away with me.” It has a sweeping back and forth medium paced beat that is fused with group vocals during the chorus and a guitar lead that provides good traveling music that will make the vast nothing of the road seem more like a runway for liftoff.
While the song itself sounds as if clean-cut and serious college kids created it, you will understand the “fun” description once you see the branded panties for sale in their “Merch” or the furry pink jacket worn by their singer in promo pics. Yes, even seasoned adult musicians can captivate a listener without taking themselves too seriously and draw a crowd by making people wonder,”whats going on over there with them?”
Like a potato chip, one song just isn’t enough to get the real feel for Krantz. “Run away with me” will spark a curiosity that will lead you straight through their SoundCloud playlist of music.
“Run away with me” is a catchy pop-ish alternative rock song, with softly sung parts that lead the way to an impressive strong note being held out while the guitar line answers back like a conversation between friends. The lyrical content begs to leave the cold weather behind and head out to a warmer location. I can’t blame them. I am here in Arizona and it’s 80 degrees of wonderful in January while the weather in Nashville shows a high in the upper 40’s. For all of you suffering in the bitter cold, time to pack it up with this hit the road anthem “Run away with me.” - Kayla Hutton

Nashville-based alt/psyche rockers Krantz take the sound of old rock’n’roll and mold it with psyche and folk elements in their new single “Run Away With Me.” It’s an explosive, motivational booster where the unfiltered lyrics and punchy percussions serve as reminders to not play a bit part in life. In their new single, Krantz find the perfect balance in preserving the old aura of rock while also adding their own rhythmic twist to it. Even if you don’t like rock, “Run Away With Me” has an undeniable catchy beat: -

Track: Run Away With Me

Why We Like It: It’s fiery adrenaline pumping indie rock equipped with everything you need to fill your heart with get up and go dance filled attitude. Its kinetic energy, catchy chorus and youth filled exuberance exudes heart racing blood pumping stamina. With shredding guitars punchy drums and velvety vocals melted on top of an infectious melody this track is blazing hot. Throw some scorching guitar licks and a kick ass solo and bam your hooked. These guys are so good. Brightened my day for sure. -