Native Nigerian Kalu James may not look the part of an accomplished folk rock singer songwriter, but the release of his second CD, "Dim the Lights," proves otherwise. Recorded in his new home in Austin, Texas, "Dim the Lights" showcases Kalu's affecting lyrics with his unique style of vocal delivery. The buzz from Kalu's sophomore recording resulted in a sell-out show at the recent CD release party at Ruta Maya International Headquarters as well as gigs at well-known Austin venues Stubb's & Momo's. Born in Nigeria and raised in Republic of Benin, Kalu fluently speaks three languages - French, English and Igbo (native language ). Although he had sung in the choir since age 9, it wasn't until he moved far from home to New York State in 2001 to study computer technology that he discovered his gift for songwriting. The son of a businessman and an educator, during his childhood his parents would play American artists such as Otis Redding and Marvin Gaye from his dad's record collection. American & Reggae music was also popular on African radio with tunes from artists such as Boys II Men, R. Kelly and Bob Marley as well as Nigerian favorites Fela Kuti & Osita Osadebe. But it was after Kalu moved to Rochester, New York that he discovered some of the artists that would have the greatest influence on him, Jeff Buckley and Tracy Chapman. Kalu had always been a writer and a poet. Now he was inspired to put his words into music. He bought his first guitar and began attending open mics. Music began taking over his life. Soon he was not only a regular, but also running one of the most popular open mics in Rochester, New York. After six years in Rochester, he was a well-known and popular entertainer. But when the opportunity came to move to Austin, Texas, he didn't hesitate. Kalu remembers, "I had developed a name in Rochester and you could almost say I was well known in my niche. Friends would ask why are you moving to Austin where there are so many other musicians? But I wanted to go tough it out with the big boys. I couldn't just wait for people to discover me. I had to take the music to the people." Even so, Kalu worried if Austin would accept him. His insecurities about the move are reflected in the song he wrote as he made his way south, "Austin Bound." I’m Austin bound, in debt but oh so high This city is filled with hopes and dreams Please oh please, car don’t die We got more hundred miles to cruise I’m Austin bound, got my eyes set on the prize Kalu found Austin to be a community open to people. In just a few short months, Kalu established himself at the longest running open mics in Austin, Ruta Maya International Headquarters, and the man one Ruta Maya regular dubbed "the smiling man from New York" created a working relationship with the Ruta Maya open mic house band, the MCO band. Kalu says, "Austin reminds me of my home in Nigeria. People are not walking around like islands. People smile at you. There is something about Austin that is very inspiring." "Dim the Lights" is Kalu's second CD and was recorded with the help of the MCO Band, which includes Drew Howard on electric guitar, Randall Squires on bass, Swift on drums, Melvin Wilburn on saxophone, Michael Rubin on harp and Ruta Maya Booker and Open Mic Coordinator Wayne "Ozzie" Rea taking the executive producer role. As his CD "Dim the Lights" proves, Kalu isn't just a singer, he is a storyteller in the old tradition. The title track paints the story of a musician on stage with all lights and glamour and people, but who finds when he leaves the stage that he is still just himself. Kalu explains, "There was a point in time where most people I knew by association got fake. 'Dim the Lights' is about me in a sense, but not just about me. People expect music artists to be this stage persona that no one can be all the time. Musicians may seem like huge extroverts, but they are lonelier than most people imagine." I am a Person, not a personality So don’t come around if you’re looking for him Won't you dim the lights, else I’ll be gone CDs for review and other media contacts can be obtained with requests to kaystone001@yahoo.com.