Meet Kevin Farris of The Voice Season 18

The Voice

February 7, 2020 By Mark Franklin 0

Kevin Farris, 33, of Mount Prospect, Ill., and Team Nick Jonas on The Voice Season 18. (NBC Photo)

His audition: Kevin Farris, 33, of Arlington Heights, Ill., performed “Home” by Johnnyswim, launching into a fun, high-energy performance. John Legend, normally stingy with his chair turns, turned within 40 seconds. Near the end of the song, Nick Jonas turned as well. John called his audition “powerful” and “magical.” Nick took the stage to sing “Lovebug” with Kevin, who indicated it’s one of his favorites. Kevin joined Team Nick.

Here’s more about Kevin.

* He’s from the Chicago area, attended Prospect High School and credits his dad, uncle and brother for introducing him to music at a young age.

* How young? His first performance came at age 8, when he played a Blues Brothers song on the clarinet, according to the bio that accompanied one of his releases.

* The clarinet was eventually replaced by a guitar as Kevin, his brother Bryan and some friends formed a rock band named Coventry.

* They performed around the Chicago area and, in 2009, released an EP called “I Said No.”

* These days, Kevin describes himself on Soundcloud as a gritty and soulful singer-songwriter whose songs cross pop, rock and indie genres.

* Among his inspirations, he lists Paul Simon, Jeff Tweedy and Neil Young.

* He’s released five singles since 2018, including “Oh My My,” “Always on the Run,” “Born to Rock and Roll,” “Cursed” and “Austin.” Check out a performance video of “Cursed” below.

* Says Kevin: “I don’t really feel right if I haven’t connected with at least one person at a live show on some level. I think music in all forms, is such a pure vehicle for self-expression and I try not to take that for granted. Not to mention … it’s an enjoyable pursuit, man! I mean that’s why I started writing and playing in the first place.”