Artist Spotlight: Kevin Borland
Biography
A meticulous composer and arranger at heart, Kevin Borland has consistently found his way back to music as his preferred means of self-expression. The New Jersey native, with numerous successful projects and releases to his credit, continues to share his experiences and inspire others through his deeply personal solo project.Borland's sound, diverse and difficult to pin down, often wanders through the realms of progressive pop, art pop, art rock, and post-punk. His music, heavily influenced by icons like David Bowie and Peter Gabriel, is also inspired by the guitar stylings of Steve Vai.
Thematically, Borland's music resonates with unique themes that underscore his colorful and detailed imagination. His introspective debut album, "Harbor City Meltdown," delved into some of the most challenging periods of his life, while "Hive Mind" explored the complexities of man-made cities. His music, varied in its themes, remains anchored in lyrical brilliance and his knack for bringing esoteric ideas to life.
Raised in rural Hardyston, New Jersey, Borland excelled in math and science, leading to a BS in Physics from MIT. However, his true passion lay in music, a journey of personal discovery that unfolded while playing in various high school and college bands. He later returned to his roots, forming the bands “Cleverneck” and “Weekends With Dan” in the Washington DC metro area.
After a brief hiatus and a move to Florida, Borland re-emerged as a solo artist with the 2016 album "Harbor City Meltdown" and the 2018 album "Hive Mind." His involvement as CEO and chief scientist of Borland Genetics left little time for music, yet he managed to release “Prequel” in 2020 – a compilation of songs from past projects, capturing the essence of his work before his solo career.
Recent Projects and The Harvest
Kevin Borland's fourth solo project, "Talking To Dead People," was released to critical acclaim. This concept album in the progressive pop genre is an operatic portrayal of Borland's life on the genetic genealogy tradeshow circuit from mid-2018 through the end of 2020, showcasing his ability to fuse personal narratives with musical innovation.Currently, Borland is immersed in his latest project, "The Harvest." This upcoming album promises to be a continuation of his unique musical journey, and focuses on the experience of visiting one's hometown as an adult after having been away for some time. With "The Harvest," fans can expect a collection of tracks that combine Borland's signature lyrical depth with compelling melodies, marking another significant chapter in his music career.