Hoopla Feature
The talent: Keith Lynch (instruments, lyrics, production, writing)
The sound: Indie/Folk Rock
The gigs: 8 p.m. Friday (5/22/9) @ Starbucks, 4804 First Ave. NE, Cedar Rapids; 9 p.m. Thursday (5/28/9) 30 p.m. Friday (5/29/9) @ The Picador, Iowa City
The rest of the story: www.unknowncomponent.com
Take one man, scatter in some thought provoking lyrics, add a spatter of exploratory mid-tempo sound then bake for a two-hour set and you’ve got Unknown Component, a one-man show spreading a riveting virus of sound through the Corridor and beyond.
Five-time recording artist Keith Lynch keeps the spirit of his musical influences alive while producing a spin on the sound that takes his style of indie folk rock to a new level.
“I’m not sure how to describe (the sound), but I’m obviously influenced by sounds of the past and present,” Keith says. “I’m more interested in creating something new that I can call my own.”
And what a sound it is. Subtle yet intriguing lyrics married to a soothing and sometimes erotic sound creates the ultimate journey not too distant from that of Radiohead and U2.
Among all the commercialized hype for a minute of attention, there’s relief in this West Branch native’s ability to rely on little to no promotion of his talent other than witness-by-witness spreading of the good word from first-hand experience.
The intentional decision to set Unknown Component as a solo experience keeps Keith true to a concentrated path, complete with a sound he can call his own.
“I don’t know if I was inspired to write music as an individual, or if the decision was one of necessity, but it’s definitely allowed me total creative freedom,” he says.