 
Published: November 18, 2008 11:31 PM EST
By: Isaac Davis Jr., MBA
(Juniorscave.com)
New Music Spotlight
Black Bone Child
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Black Bone Child
Photo by Brandon Chezbro
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With a nicely blend of the old and new, founding members of the group, Black Bone Child, Donny James and Kenneth M., are certainly making music that matters. What really draws fans to their music is the uniqueness of the band. The band delivers their music through a mixture of electrifying guitar playing, fun lyrics, and out of this world bass. Recently, we caught up with the band in this online feature. Enjoy!
Isaac: Elaborate on who you are and your upbringing.
KM: I am a six foot two, one hundred eighty pound, twenty three year old, Capricorn, right handed, dirty blonde, drummer, bassist, harmonica player, with an unhealthy love for music and sandwiches. I love long walks on the beach and puppies.
DJ: Who I am? Um... I am not sure how to answer that. I am someone who loves art and especially loves music. I am me. I am originally from San Francisco which is where I got my first taste. I started playing drums when I was five and then lost interest for a while. After about six years, I started picking up various instruments and ended with the guitar. It just seemed to make more sense to me. Kenneth and I have been working together ever since I picked up my guitar. One could say that the rest is history...
Isaac: Was there any one musician that spoke to your heart so profoundly, you were inspired to do your own thing?
KM: NIN. PJ Harvey. Tom Waits. Not necessarily in that order.
DJ: I would have to say that the first artist that really made me want to do my own thing was James Hetfield. Metallica was the reason I first loved the guitar. Trent Reznor is a huge influence on the producer side of me. I love his use of the studio as an instrument. Tool has been a big influence as well. There are really just too many to name.
Isaac: Which singer/group would you say you would most like to do a duet with?
KM: I love the way that Chan Marshall sings. I would be honored for her to sing on a song for us.
DJ: You know, I hear artists all the time and think to myself "it would be great to work with them." I am having a hard time thinking of any examples right now. I would say I would be more interested in working with some of the great producers. Rick Ruben to name one of many.
Isaac: What singer/songwriter do you most connect with?
KM: Possibly Tom Waits.
DJ: Trent Reznor.
Isaac: Out of your entire song collection that you've written thus far, which song(s) would you say is/are the most personal/ meaningful to you?
KM: MY most personal songs are not on the album. Most of them are too personal and I will never release them. There is a threshold of how comfortable I am with exposing myself to the public, and those songs are not intended for the public to hear. Sorry. On the album, I would have to say that "Nothing To Lose" holds the most meaning to me though.
DJ: The songs that are the most personal to me are not available on this album. They were released a long time ago and never really had any success. I wrote them at a point in my life where I had a lot to say and felt like everyone wanted to listen. This current project is so much more important than what I have to say alone. It's about having fun and escaping the monotonous nature of day to day life. I feel like that connects more with the fans and makes me the happiest. Out of the songs on the current album, I would have to say that "Ask For Forgiveness" is the most personal.
Isaac: Which singers/groups do you enjoy/like from some of today's music genres?
KM: I really love The Faint. My girlfriend will attest that they are the only band that will make me dance. It's not pretty, but I can't help it. I also really enjoy The Duke Spirit's new album "Neptune."
DJ: I recently really got into the Eagles of Death Metal. Kenneth got me into them actually. I am also currently listening to Scott H. Biram, Blind Willie Johnson, and Man Man.
Isaac: What charities are you involved with or support?
KM: Invisible Children. Support them support kids in Africa. They are doing amazing things and have hearts of gold.
DJ: no comment.
Isaac: Have you (or would you ever consider) writing a song about any of today's particular world issues/problems? If so, what world issue would speak to you the most to write about?
KM: I am the least political person. I stay away from politics as much as possible. Maybe at one point in my life it will be important to me and I will devote the time to educate myself on all the issues and politicians but right now in my eyes, I have more important things to do.
DJ: I recently started writing a song called Tell Me I'm Wrong. I can honestly say this is the first time I have written about world issues, I generally write about things that are more internal. It's written from the point of view of our generation speaking to the current generation who's in control. It's about the loss of respect and individuality in the world today.
Isaac: Why should people listen to your music?
KM: Because they want to.
DJ: Because I said so.... haha. No, I agree with Kenneth, people should listen because they want to.
Isaac: Your music is relaxing and chill. What inspired you to toss out these awesome lyrics and chords?
KM: Well I wouldn't describe it as "Relaxing and chill" but… I suppose that anything can be an inspiration.
DJ: I feel like our music is upbeat and energetic more than it is relaxing, but if someone is relaxed by it then more power to them. I would have to say that my biggest inspiration for the songs on this album is being in the industry over the past 8 years. We set out to write something that is fun and universal. I think we did a great job executing. I love it.
Isaac: How far into the creation of a song do you share any of it with anyone? Who would you play it for? Would it be a chorus, a verse and chorus, or a complete song?
KM: I will try and take the song as far as I can take it without any outside influence. When I run out of ideas, I will listen to it for a while, and drive around with it on the car stereo and try and think of what it is lacking. Once I feel like what I am listening back on is what I set out to do, I will show it to a couple of the people closest to me and get reactions. Sometimes the reactions you get are expected and sometimes people will go one way or another on you. Being a songwriter, you have to think of your songs much the same as a photographer looks at his photos. If you shoot a roll of 24 exposures and get one great photo, then you did well. The key is to always write so you get those gems out.
DJ: I wouldn't say that I have a specific formula. I am an excitable person so I think that the best answer is that I show everyone I can as quickly as I can. I am not afraid to show people our stuff at any state although Kenneth and I kind of have an unspoken agreement that we don't give out copies of our stuff until it is completely finished.
Isaac: How much do you let others "mess around with" one of your new songs?
KM: Almost 100% of the time. That is essentially what Black Bone Child is founded on. Donny and I wrote almost the entire album via email, sending song files back and forth. I lived in San Diego, CA and Donny lived in Austin, TX when we wrote all the songs that came to be our first album. He would mess around with my songs adding his own flavor and I would with his. That is how we created the Black Bone Child sound. It is our two completely individual takes on one thing, smashed together. The result of our two separate interpretations of one common thing is Black Bone Child.
DJ: See Kenneth's answer...
Isaac: Do you have to be a tortured soul to be a singer-songwriter?
KM: No. Not at all.
DJ: No, sometimes that notion can make you a worse songwriter.
Isaac: Are your songs strictly autobiographical or are they embroidered autobiography?
KM: Our songs will never be one or the other. Songwriting is an extension of your own thoughts. There is no limiting on how those thoughts will come out.
DJ: I don't feel like there is any formula or rules for writing a song. The most important thing is that it speaks to someone. Whether they connect with the lyrics or not, if they feel like the song is speaking to them that is all that matters.
Isaac: How long does it take you to process your emotions and turn them into songs?
KM: Thirteen and a half minutes. 810 seconds exactly… It's quite scientific.
DJ: It could be instantaneous, or it could take a year. I find that the best songs are written when your emotions flow through you freely and you aren't thinking; you're just playing.
Isaac: The best piece of advice you actually followed?
KM: "Sleep on your back Son." The last words my father gave me before leaving town with my band.
DJ: The Golden Rule.
Isaac: Give Shout-outs to your family and friends.
KM: I miss you all terribly; I will see you soon.
DJ: Hello y'all. Thanks so much for all of your love and support. We could not do this without your help.
Isaac: Last but certainly not least, what are you working on, now?
KM: A pint of beer and a follow up album for you to talk about.
DJ: Restringing all of my instruments... we are getting ready to start recording the next record... Thank you Isaac for your interest in Black Bone Child. It's been a pleasure answering these questions for you.
Black Bone Child
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