When Kiefer Shackelford introduces his band members by name on his new album, it’s a rare snippet of his voice on a record. He’s a pianist, beatmaker, and producer after all. Despite the goofy, endearing charm he displays via his Instagram account and Approachable Music podcast, there is little need to hear him speak alongside his decidedly uplifting and mellow music. But his fifth album Something For Real differs from previous ones; it’s Kiefer’s first live album.
Originally from San Diego, Kiefer has been a fixture in the Los Angeles music world since the late 2010s. He studied jazz piano at the University of California, Los Angeles, first gaining attention in 2017 with his debut album, Kickinit Alone. He’s released a bunch of projects on LA’s Stones Throw Records since then and recorded with other champions of the city’s sound, such as Terrace Martin and Mndsgn.
Los Angeles has a long-running history of regular club nights, like the beloved Low End Theory. Scenario, a weekly music night held at the Love Song Bar, is part of that too. It began in the summer of 2021 and is hosted by Kevin “Daddy Kev” Moo, one of the founders of Low End Theory. Something For Real’s 8 tracks were captured at one of Scenario’s April 2023 shows. The established trio of Kiefer, bassist Pera Krstajic, and drummer Luke Titus is credited for this outing, which may be a turning point for his music going forward. He’s created projects alongside his own computer-made beats and with a full band of musicians. But here, Kiefer has found the middle ground with the intimacy of three in an incredibly warm set that feels like a relaxed, unpretentious night out. When Kiefer occasionally speaks, he gives kudos to his bandmates and talks about his love of live events like Scenario.
On Something for Real, the trio starts at the literal beginning with “Tubesocks,” track number one from his debut album. Like much of his music, it’s playful and easygoing, with a slow groove emphasized by the heaviness of Krstajic’s bass playing. Easygoing gives way to a thoughtful, serene cover of Bobby Hutcherson’s 1975 composition “Montara.” Kiefer recorded this cover for the first time at a backyard show in 2022 and released it as a single. He bypasses Hutcherson’s original Latin sensibilities for a more modern, improvised version. In the last few minutes, once they run out of runway on the original, Titus leads the trio to a strutting alternate ending that allows Kiefer to tinker with a hypnotic solo that draws you in for a close listen.
The set takes a turn once it reaches the energetic “Fast One.” As far back as 2022, Kiefer, Krstajic, and Titus have played this piece at live shows but never recorded it until now. This marks Something For Real as Kiefer’s second project to include previously unreleased live material. His first was the 2022 double single, Why Not? / Montara. With Titus’ nimble drumming leading the group, this tune moves at a breakneck pace. Kiefer joins in with a snappy melody but once he makes way for a two-minute solo from Titus, it’s clear that this is the drummer’s moment to impress. Titus takes an off-kilter path by setting his own pace, playing at different speeds, and highlighting the drums and cymbals in his kit.
It’s a similar setup, but for Kiefer this time with “Something For Real,” a slow but satisfying burn that clocks in at 10 minutes. It’s all keys at the beginning with a delicate introduction to this introspective piece. He starts in uplifting territory before taking a moody, and later bluesy, turn. Krstajic and Titus come in for heavy-duty support about halfway into the track, adding a punchy bottom end to Kiefer’s statement. A worthy odyssey of emotions, it justifies the unusual length of the track.
Something For Real is a celebration of Kiefer in the live context. Three of his live-only offerings take center stage on this project so if you’ve never seen him perform in person, this may be one of the few times you’ll hear them. There is a cohesiveness in his studio recordings that is missing here so at times, the album feels drawn out and loses a bit of focus. But its strength lies in experiencing Kiefer in a fully realized live set for the first time. Before this release, we’ve only gotten glimpses of him and a host of musicians performing one or two songs in a live setting. So Something For Real is a treat and a worthwhile listen for his faithful fans.
