Quality Americana

Texas alt-country songwriter Keith Michael Kallina takes a look back at his journey with the new release “Blessed and Cursed.”

Kallina’s uncle penned the original version of “Blessed and Cursed,” and the track always stuck with him after watching them perform on the outskirts of Dallas.

“They had this song that to me was just a standout,” Kallina said. “It was my favorite one that they would play and was really interesting musically. The chord patterns and the lyrics really spoke to me.” 

While forming Etta Place, a concept album focused on adventure and romance, Kallina chose the heartthrob from Butch Cassidy’s Wild Bunch as his muse. “Blessed and Cursed” had that feeling of desperation and misguided courage that can derail an artist and fit perfectly for the project. Kallina asked if he could take creative liberty with the song and crafted his own version.

“There were a couple parts to it that didn’t really resonate to me so I got permission to kind of have a little creative license with it,” Kallina said. He tweaked the structure and phrasings and recorded a demo. After sending it back to his Uncle it was given the green light.

“The guys loved it,” Kallina said. He later discovered that “Blessed and Cursed” was written about his life, and that his past struggles with addiction were the subject of the song.

“He told me that and I was like ‘OK no wonder there’s a connection there,’” Kallina said. “Sometimes going through the struggles can lead to a greater appreciation of life.” 

Kaliina will celebrate eight years of sobriety this year, and the work he’s put in has led to a greater spiritual connection. The single was produced by Dave Purcefull at Yellow Dog Studios in the Texas Hill Country.

“It helps me stay connected to that part of me,” Kallina said. “It helps to remind me that even if I am going through a struggle there’s a light at the end.”

More information on Keith Michael Kallina and Etta Place can be found here.

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