About Oakris

A letter from creator of Oakris

Good morning,

Oakris carries a special place in my heart. There is a gentle warmth to it, as well as a wondrous mystery. When I have the chance to share this music with others, I am filled with gratitude and passion, and I often find myself feeling these feelings of wholeness and awe. Over the years, a multitude of simple folk songs have come to me in a quiet way – When this happens, I am often resting and my guitar happens to be around. I hum and I pluck, until something special emerges. I know it when I know it. I imagine it to be much like weaving a sonic tapestry and I wonder if that is just the absolute perfect metaphor, both for making music, but also for what our experience of life is.

Through the hustle and bustle of our day to day, we intertwine our words and action with those around us. It’s a big old beautiful mess! It’s an orchestra. It is swimming in the salty waves of the ocean.

Through these songs, I find a peace. And it is this peace – like a soft wind – that moves through me when I play.

Oakris isn’t my only ‘project’, so to speak, but it is something that really does something to me that I can’t explain.. It truly makes me feel like what I am doing matters – and in such a simple way, too. These sweet songs invite me to share gentleness, kindness, community, and rest – which are tools for our lives.

They are maintenance; they are medicine.

These tools seem to me to be the best way we can continue to move forward in a seemingly impossible world – to learn and to grow in light of the strife, sorrow, and suffering that we all experience, deeply. I have found that joy – as rare as it is – far supercedes the tragedies of our lives. With my breath and with my voice and with my play, I invite you to experience the joy of Oakris – in its simplicity. And, I hope beyond my hope that whomever is available to receive this music will be able to do so in as deep of a way that I have been able to experience, in the creation of these songs.

I am filled with curiosity to see how our journey together will continue to unfold. And, I am so glad that you have found me here. Perhaps we can grow together, in some way, and learn from one another as we take each step.

Who knows how things will continue to turn.

All the best,

Kev

About the Artist

Kevin V. Chrisman is both a distinctive and wide-ranging singer-songwriter, producer, and audio engineer. Born and raised in central Illinois, he has been singing for 25 years and composing original music for 15 years. Although he has multiple musical projects that span the genres of bedroom pop, piano soft pop, EDM/hiphop, and folk, it is Kevin’s original folk music project called Oakris that feels like his life’s most potent work. 

Oakris was born in 2016 in Nashville, TN, when Kevin was introduced to a particular unusual acoustic guitar tuning that had more of an open sound. This tuning, along with his classical guitar training, allowed his creative antennae to receive a new song with a folk vibe that was unforeseen and deeply impactful. From that point onward, more and more of these folk songs began to pour out of him. There are currently 20+ songs with many more to come, as this is a continually unfolding blessing. 

“Oakris has emerged as what feels like the bread and butter of my soul’s purpose on earth. I am inspired by the depth and beauty of these songs and wish for everyone to experience the wonderful gift that heartful music can bring. The songs of Oakris delve into intimacy, childlike nostalgia, earnest vulnerability, haunting tales of wonder, and more. Join me in the realm between the veils.” 

To attend an Oakris event is an experience. In the presence of Kevin’s grounded energy, serene voice, and humble personality, people can rest in a space of safety, relaxation, and inner reflection as this music calls to something unique within each listener. 

The professional recording and release of an Oakris album is forthcoming, as is a regional tour. Stay tuned for an upcoming crowdfunding campaign to support some of Kevin’s specific creative endeavors. 

When not in Oakris mode, you can find Kevin teaching yoga & meditation classes, writing poetry, as well as working on graphic design, branding, and marketing strategy for clients. He always welcomes collaboration with supporters and other creatives. 

We hope to meet you at Oakris, and please enjoy the show.