Having already achieved radio play across the world and extensive coverage in national press such as The Daily Record and Sunday Post, Killing Kenny has now returned to release his highly-anticipated debut album 'Exactly Different'.
Featuring 11 tracks, including two stellar cover versions of Soft Cell’s Say Hello, Wave Goodbye and Bruce Springsteen’s Land of Hope and Dreams, this new collection is a bold and refreshing addition to the new music landscape. So we sat him down to find out more about his background and what has inspired him over the years.
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What was the first instrument you learned to play?
I started out at the age of 14 as a drummer. I take it learning the disinfectant soaked recorder at school doesn’t count?
What was the first album you remember owning?
The first I remember acquiring (stole from my Gran) was a copy of Simon and Garfunkel’s “Bridge Over Troubled Water”. The first I actually bought with my own hard earned cash was Bruce Springsteen’s “The River” in 1980 I think.
Did you ever form a band when you were younger and if so, what did they sound like?
Yes, at the age of 14, I was in my first band with my elder brother and another guy from school, called The Agents Of Change. We started out doing some covers of bands like ACDC and The Rolling Stones but soon moved on to playing our own material for a good few years.
What is a song you wish you had written yourself?
So many, but I think if was to be a big live performance song it would be Bruce Springsteen’s “Born To Run” or a ballad I would pick Bowie’s “Life on Mars”. If I am being honest I should really pick the song that grossed the most royalties!!
What has been the most thrilling moment about creating your own music?
The most thrilling moment has been coming back to my music after so long away and remembering how exciting, fun and therapeutic writing and performing music is. The realisation that after all these years I was still able to write some of the best if not the best material I have done. I was extremely lucky to be able to work with the legendary producer John McLaughlin on the new album and everything about the experience was a thrill, it was so much fun and a constant laugh working with John.
And what about the most frustrating part?
The frustrations were really more about logistics under Lockdown than anything else. With recording studios closing then reopening then closing again we had to make the most or access time, recording tracks three at a time in one session. Our musicians also had to record their individual backing tracks remotely one at a time as they were all in Lockdown at their homes. Considering what a lot of people have been through and had to deal with at the moment, compared to them this was nothing more than a minor blip we had to adapt to, so certainly can’t complain, we have been very lucky.
Which artist would you most love to share a stage with?
Bruce Springsteen has always been up there for me throughout the decades from the 80’s. I would have loved to have been up close to a live Freddie Mercury performance but would probably have just started in ore at his masterclass in stage presence. I would jump at the chance to join any artist on stage, invited of course, and not dragged off by the Rock Steady staff!!
Where do you see yourself in five years time?
Hopefully allowed out of my house after Lockdown, surely in five years time! I would love to have a string of albums recorded and well received, one done and one under way, as it stands. I would love to have had a few more years of the live performance vibe too, as a lot of the songs I am writing would work really well live. Hopefully more items ticked off my musical bucket list e.g. finish the musical score I have been promising myself I would complete for a couple of years, have some of my music feature in TV, Films, Adverts games etc, have someone cover one of my songs and just continue to enjoy what I am doing. I would also love to see my two young boys discover a love of playing music too.
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Killing Kenny's new album 'Exactly Different' is out now. Listen to the single 'These Streets' below.
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