Published: July 27, 2010 5:40 PM EST
By: Isaac Davis Jr., MBA (Juniorscave.com)
New Music Spotlight July 2010 Edition
Kingsuh Midtown
Music Now Artist/Band Spotlight Weekly Series
Kingsuh Midtown
Check out this cool feature with the Northern California Alternative/Reggae/Hip-Hop band, Kingsuh Midtown (KM), who has been entertaining music lovers since 2005. With strong influences that include such iconic legends as Bob Marley and Jimi Hendrix, the band is creating their own special buzz within the Indie music industry. In this spotlight with our Webzine, we spoke to Russ, Josh, and Keyton about the band and their music, their main reason why they are making music, and what can others expect from them. Here is what transpired from this online conversation.
Isaac: Let’s get started with this interview. When and how did you first become interested in music? How long have you been playing music?
Russ: I have been singing since I was little kid, pissin off my parents when it was supposed to be bed time. Playing guitar all started with my older brother, making me learn Metallica songs so he could practice his Kirk Hammett riffs (laughs). That was in 1995.
Josh: Well, the first thing that comes to mind is pictures I’ve seen of my mom with those big ol’ headphones on her belly before I was born; playing Cat Stephens to me and CSNY and John Lennon.
Keyton: I am not and I don't. I am just really good at pretending.
Isaac: Who would you say are your biggest musical influences and why?
Russ: Bob Marley, number one reggae man, songwriter, singer (in my humble opinion). Jimi Hendrix, the tripped out madman makin his upside down strat sing. My dad, an amazing jazz guitar player, he gives me helpful advice all the time.
Josh: Manu Chao for sure, I agree with a lot of his political and social views. He’s done a lot of good for the poor people of the world and I like his music. I like Bob Marley. His lyrics and music are so sincerely simple, and I Love Norah Jones and early Metallica.
Keyton: Primus for sure. Les Claypool is one of the most creative songwriter/performer/singers ever. Extremely technical, yet never misses a beat live and NO one sounds the same. The Gorillaz are great. What a concept for a band and very creative tunes. Wonderful grooves! And of course the classics, Floyd, Zep, etc. With that said, my answer would be totally different tomorrow, hell, it'll be different in an hour. I could have easily said Marley or Nirvana, and the list goes on...
Isaac: What has been the greatest highpoint in your career so far?
Russ: Rockin out for the Transworld Rail Jam in South Lake Tahoe, CA. There was a ton of people there, and they rocked hard with us the whole time. It was like a 3 hour set.
Josh: Playing at Transworld’s Backyard Bang Rail Jam was sick. Huge crowd, tons of pro-riders, and an overall great scene.
Keyton: Having sex with Natalie Portman, for sure (far away stare on face).
Isaac: What has been the greatest disappointment in your career so far? What did you learn from that experience?
Russ: Our last show in Auburn, CA. We learned not to hire the bass player that quit your band, for a one time show (laughs, sort of).
Josh: There have been some shows that I have finished up and felt that they hadn’t been a great show on my part. Then the reflection begins and I think about all the parts in the songs I would have like to do better.
Keyton: I once had a fan tell me he liked a song so much, that he put it on when he tried to take his own life. I think he thought it was a compliment! It wasn't. I guess it made me realize that the things you put out there can affect people more than you will ever know, even more than they affect you.
Isaac: What draws you to want to play the type of music that you do?
Russ: It makes me feel good, even when I’m singing about something sad, I feel like I can make the mood light, keep people happy and dancing, even though I sing of atrocity a lot.
Josh: I like the groove, Russ’s lyrics are dope. It is great to be able to produce something that makes people feel good and want to move their hips.
Keyton: Well, we have always performed and played a lot of different styles. I think the fact that I listen to a little bit of everything makes me want to play all different things. It kind of wears on me to play out one thing too much, you know? Our fans love it too. I have heard a few fans say “damn, is there anything they CAN'T do?” Plus, we switch instruments all the time. I love that.
Isaac: What do you feel it takes to play this type of music that you play?
Russ: Two things. The love for it, and the dedication to do it well.
Josh: To play Kingsuh Music it takes some kick drum. You got to feel that thump in your gut, and some smart lyrics. Words that inspire or make you think, but at the same time are fun and relevant.
Keyton: The ability to know when NOT to play. Seriously. Silence is golden. Some musicians under-appreciate the value of silence.
Isaac: What do you think you will create that will make your performances and who you are stand out in the music industry?
Russ: That’s a tough question, I believe that we already stand out amongst our peers. We like to alter moods, control when people dance, and when they just sit there and rock they're heads back and forth. The only reggae band I know of with a country song (no, really).
Josh: We make the audience feel welcome. Kingsuh doesn’t put up a wall between the audience and ourselves, or act like our shit don’t smell bad. We speak with you through music not at you.
Isaac: If you had the opportunity to do one cover, what cover would you do and why? How would you put your own spin on this cover?
Russ: Ask Josh, I don't like doing covers.
Josh: Since forever ago, I have been totally taken with Peter Paul and Mary’s “Puff the Magic Dragon.” I’d love to try and dub that up … keep the lyrics and the story the same though.
Isaac: What does it take to be a good songwriter?
Josh: Something that I clearly do not have.
Russ: I believe that to be a good songwriter, you need to open yourself to the universe. Become a channel through which the divine can express. Wait, never-mind, just try hard. Listen when people tell you the song you just wrote sucks ass, and try again until people like it. That’s how I roll anyway.
Isaac: How difficult is it to juggle music, family and work obligation, and life in general? Explain.
Russ: Its damn near impossible. I could not do it if I didn't have the understanding, and supportive family that I have. It takes a lot of time from family. Couple that with taking a full time job, and you're very quickly looking at no family time at all. Sometimes you have to piss off your band mates so your son doesn't forget who you are.
Josh: Man, I totally live life like there are 9 days a week. I’m in school for my Master’s degree in teaching up in Incline Village Nevada, I run an open mic, and I am working full time at South Tahoe High School. Oh, did I mention I was in a band?
Isaac: What is your definition of being an Indie artist/band?
KM: Everything we've done up to this point, has been done completely on our own. No record label, no manager, no agent. It’s a wonder that anyone knows who we are. That is my definition of independent, but don't take our word for it, I am sure the dictionary has a better one.
Isaac: Where can fans access your music online?
