SALTY sunset PLAYLIST ON SPOTIFY

If you’re a power fan of Sirius XM, chances are you’ve happened across the Yacht Rock station . .  and proceeded to linger for a while. You may have closed your eyes and let the sweet, languid strains of artists like Steely Dan, Sade, and Toto transport you to a different state of mind.

For most of us, that translates to summer, somewhere on or near the water, drink in hand, best friends nearby, and, generally, a sense of unfettered bliss.

That’s exactly the vibe that DJ Lee Kalt will be nurturing this summer when he triumphantly returns to the Social Life magazine Polo Match and Event, with Xandra K (nee Kaitlyn Mc-Monigle, a sensational, classically-trained opera singer). The pair is now known as Salty, a live Florida based electronic fusion group who plays yacht rock/pop classics.

“For the past 20 years, I’ve had this vision of doing something with live music. I didn’t really know what that would look or sound like, but, like kismet, it’s all come together,” said Kalt, who connected with Social Life from his winter home base in Florida.

“Audiences have changed, and we have changed. In many ways, the stars have completely aligned, and when I return to the East End this summer for one of the biggest events of the year, my fans will love what they’re about to experience.”

Kalt has had something of a transformation this past year. Erick Morillo, his mentor, partner, and all-around Jedi master passed away. Kalt, who had been considering a career shift for years, was suddenly faced with a forced reckoning with what he wanted to do, both professionally and personally. “It’s not that things were necessarily put on hold; it was more a case where all our energy and efforts were focused on Subliminal Records and, without Erick, the magic simply wouldn’t be there,” said Kalt.

Makes sense. Kalt became an exclusive artist on Morillo’s prestigious Subliminal Record label in 2008 after being hand picked by the master himself. Kalt went on to stratospheric success: “Kiss & Fly” was declared “essential” on Independence Day 2009 by Erick Morillo and BBC Radio One. 2010’s “Never Lose Control” (featuring Tora) appeared on dance music charts around the globe and was featured on Morillo’s Subliminal Sessions Voodoo Nights album. When Morillo relaunched the SONDOS record label under Subliminal Records, he signed Kalt on as an exclusive artist to be at the forefront, breathing new life into Sondos.

But, said Kalt, as with any dominating era, with the leader gone so may be the epoch. Certainly one committed to carpe diem, Kalt says there is definitely no time like the present. And currently tastes have changed.

Enter Xandra K, who brings the goods, not just from a vocal perspective, but also with a theater bent. “She can hook an audience like no one else, says Kalt. “And that’s critical these days, because the audience has matured: It’s sophisticated and varied, especially in the Hamptons,” he says. “She knows what show business is all about and what’s involved in getting something successful up and running. I’ve worked with many vocalists over the years, but never with anyone as professional as this.”

Or as versatile . . . so back to the yacht rock. “It’s what our audiences want, and what we want to do,” said Kalt. “This is very different from walking into a dark club, people at different stages of euphoria at different stages of the night. You know what I mean? We’re meeting people where they’re at,” says Kalt. Live music venues, waterfront and outside, more family focused, out in the sun. His is the environment people want.” Think hotel rooftops, tiki bars, marinas. 

Think fresh. 

Think smooth.

- Jacob Puck, Social Life Magazine