Tours, art and boys aside, this Southern California band wants to chill in your living room.

When I met Nick Schutz last year, I never knew he was in a band.  The night before our date, he was en route to the Knitting Factory in Hollywood for business matters. I asked him what his band sounded like.

“Why don’t you listen and tell me what you think we sound like?” he asked.

So I did.  Was it country?  Punk?  Then I had it.  The Kris Special sounds like the desert: a dusty punk rock song interwoven with a tender and melodious country ballad riding into the sunset.  This canvas of love poetry written by singer and guitarist Anne Pointer is a story unfolding down a trail of tumbleweed and cactus.  Nick’s percussion provides the energy – the cold brew at the tavern after a long and dusty ride.

“But we’re not rockabilly,” Nick assures me.

On their 2008 CD Alone Feels Like a Hotel Room, Anne sings, “So many stars I have seen at night… I’m not saying I don’t love you or something crazy like that” on the record’s third track, “I Sleep Alone Sometimes.”  You can just sense the frustration of a girl being bewildered by, well, guys.

“I write songs because I’m confused and frustrated about things… I am good, got s*** figured out, but I don’t have guys figured out and they frustrate me, therefore I write all my songs about guys,” says Anne.

And she does it just fine.  I crack a smile when she says that, acknowledging her honest to goodness storytelling.  Nick nods his head. 

“She does it better than anyone else.” 

I have to agree. He, on the other hand, writes songs that initially do not appeal to Anne’s liking, however, something magical occurs once the two collaborate: a song is born.

“We definitely have a musical mutation going on. I bring a song to him, he has something in his head and then we kinda argue about it and then something cool happens,” says Anne.

As the two constants in the band, the Kris Special has gone from two-piece to three-piece, to five-piece, back to two-piece again.  Although touring is easier and economical as a two-piece, the band will eventually pick up additional members in the near future. 

Together, Nick and Anne have enough songs on deck for two or three albums.

But songs need to be grouped correctly.  Like art.  Should come as no surprise that Anne’s art background designed their album’s jacket or furthermore, assist in the decision making of song order.  Claiming, “every song is a piece of art,” it is imperative that song arrangement is done carefully with consideration of subject matter, style and structure. 

Nick’s music composition degree compliments Anne’s artistic background well, creating a connection that is obvious.  We sat and talked in my living room, and as I watched the two friends converse, I was reminded of their live performances: personal, unapologetic, and most of all, real.  Their musical talent creates that bit of delicate jealousy that made you wish you never gave up the recorder as a child.  The Kris Special has a collection of songs that is yet to be heard by their adoring public.  Lucky for us, their live EP, as yet untitled, is set for release early next year.

But what happens when the dynamic changes?  Their current set list is more punk as opposed to what fans had initially heard on Alone Feels Like a Hotel Room.  Recorded then as a five-piece, the CD versus the live two-piece collaboration of Nick and Anne has a definite and distinctive difference.  Full studio recording may sound different, but the two-piece outfit that tours has never been denied a warm welcome. 

The day after Thanksgiving, Nick and Anne embarked on their current tour, appropriately titled, “Way Down East Tour”.  This journey is the furthest east they have ever traveled (Little Rock, AR) and the furthest south (San Antonio, TX).  Other cities include Flagstaff, AZ, Oklahoma City, OK, and Shreveport, LA.  Got a living room?  The Kris Special will be happy to play there too. 

“Touring is so gorgeous.  You’ll meet a stranger and they invite us to their house, for a bagel… our last tour was the best tour ever, made a little money, and people were hospitable,” says Anne. 

That is why they do it in the first place.  For the music, the fans, and driving past the nation’s most amazing landscapes.  They passionately carry out this hobby and won’t hesitate to take you along for the ride. 

So who is the Kris Special?  Influenced by old country and old punk, they may call themselves Americana and generally don’t target a specific demographic.  They are Anne’s voice and guitar chords, coupled with Nick’s meticulously written drum cadences.  They write songs, play shows and have fun doing it.

Ignoring trends is what sets them apart from others.  Expect a smile or two, warm handshakes and some honest hellos from Nick and Anne when you welcome them into your living room.  I never regretted befriending these two.  And neither will you.

Related Content

Recent Posts

New to Glide

Keep up-to-date with Glide

Twitter