T. Kao

"Mixing the heartfelt angst of a singer/songwriter with sweeping arrangements tinged in Americana and Britpop, T. Kao strongly refuses to be defined by any genre, leaping from one spot to another stylistically as he writes about lost love, deceit, and revenge. A native of Springfield, OH, Kao began writing and recording his first songs at age 16. During a five-year stint in Shanghai, China, T. Kao began sketching out songs for his first solo effort, Hundred Flowers.

A native of Springfield, OH, Kao began writing and recording his first songs at age 16. During a five-year stint in Shanghai, China, T. Kao began sketching out songs for his first solo effort, Hundred Flowers.

A cursory listen proves Kao's infatuation with pop music. He tears through rock's back pages taking whatever he wants, as well as borrowing from country, Britpop, electronica, and other musical genres. But this musical eclecticism disguises his true cynicism. Take a listen to songs "Sweet Surrender" and "Every Little Thing". Underneath the shiny exterior is a real contempt for cheating hearts and religious discrimination. "1989" (a live favorite with Shanghainese audiences) is a tribute to the victims of the Tiananmen Square Massacre. City life and all its pitfalls come full circle in classic "he said, she said" fashion in the massive "LA". All in all, Hundred Flowers is an album marked with both bristling cynicism and soaring optimism--contradictory just like the political movement it was named after--but nonetheless an album that is very listen-able, heartwarming, and sincere."