Interviews: Knightlife

In this new occassion we have had the opportunity to interview the  Alternative Rock band Knightlife from USA. Check out the interview and this band on their FACEBOOK PAGE.

1.Where did you get the idea for the band name, you planned it or came out just like that?

Knightlife comes from our guitarist last name. The name fits our interests and song-writing style. A lot of our lyrics pertain to night time activities and soul searching. The name is intended to be tongue and cheek, but in a way that doesn’t dissolve our serious nature.

2.Why did you want to play this genre?

Inherent to any brand of rock music, whether it be alternative, indie, stoner, pop, etc., is flexibility. Now, in this post-modern world, it’s probable that all genre is seen on the part of creators as unbound and limitless. In the beginning we understood the necessity for flexibility. As we grew older it would become clear that we were approaching our sound authentically, while most other bands we met (or even joined) had preordained and rigid systems in place. We believe people respond to our honesty; the best way to show that side is by making music that is both congruent and different.

3. Did you know each other before the band was formed?

Really, it’s all jumbled up. The short answer is no. Technically, Bruce is the only original member. Rich would join Bruce shortly after meeting at a gig. This was five years ago, so we think it’s fair to say they are both original members. Blaine was introduced to us by an old drummer of ours. Anthony and Bruce met from playing in a cover band. Initially, Aaron was only to be our engineer/producer. Aaron was introduced to us by our good friend Erik. Honestly, the story of us coming together has to do with the wide range of our network. We have built long lasting relationships and that’s helped get to where we are today.

4. Each band member’s favourite band?

For this question I want to give the caveat that we will be organizing this in a foundational, coming of age, growing-up sense. So, this doesn’t necessarily reflect favourite now rather it shows our early influences.

Bruce (guitar, songwriter) - The Darkness

Rich (bass, songwriter) - Red Hot Chili Peppers

Aaron (singer, songwriter) - Green Day

Anthony (live drums) - Led Zeppelin

Blaine (live guitar) - John Mayer

I think these influences allow us to explore a variety of sounds, while also realizing and appreciating the canonical elements of rock music (arrangement, instrumentation,etc.). The process of writing an album is to breathe a familiar style into the music while also mucking it up with personal tendencies.

5. Who or what inspires you to write songs?

With each day it becomes more relatable to poetry. As a band we find ourselves as perceptive to realities, and the complexities embedded within those realities. Knightlife is a band free to explore topics of pain, frustration, and sorrow as well as joy, happiness, and hope. Usually, the process begins with a chord pattern or riff. But, is simultaneously gifted emotion by attaching meaning onto it. The daily people, places, and problems we encounter inspire us to write music.

6. Where was your last gig?

We recently held our release show at The Grape Room in Philadelphia. We plan to take a residency there starting shortly after the new year on Thursday nights. We are excited for the residency because it will build more consistency to our schedule and help us continue to grow.

7. Where would you like to act?

We’d love to move up to larger venues. That would necessitate growth to bring out those crowds. The one element of the club scene we’ve become frustrated with is that we can feel and see the difference between us other acts. It’s hard to us to be on a bill with people that support our energy. We believe we are well-rounded, and that should attract attention to our project. For the time being we are accepting our status, we believe in what we have to offer to the community.

8. Whom would you like to feature with?

We think it’d be cool to work with someone from the UK. We’d be interested to understand their approach to music. It’d be a useful process to gain their perspective. Realistically, this would probably come from someone we haven’t met yet. Though, if I had to pick a any name I would choose Justin Hawkins from The Darkness. Our pushing-the-limits vocal style is born from his influence. It’d be interesting to hear is take on our project, and whether or not he hears his influence.

9. Any of you has ever suffered from stage fright? Any tip for beginners on how to beat that?

The trick to beating stage fright is two fold. First, consistency is essential so one can grow toward comfortability. This is very much emblematic of other life struggles. The more times you find yourself in situation x the more likely the outcome will improve. If the results worsen you must re-contextualize your thoughts and seek guidance from others. Second, it’s important to realize that young performers usually encounter music through school. The source of stage fright may come from other pressures associated with school (parents, teachers, other students, etc.). Too many times our young performers are taught that their mistakes are a reflection of their talent, ability, and overall character. It’d be better if teachers, particularly speaking from an American perspective, were coached to support and cheer-on children making mistakes equally, if not more, than children who display less mistakes. In my opinion, this whole culture is the inception of stage fright. So, to overcome stage fright is to realize that the system is flawed. Through recognition one can build skills to look past mistakes and errors without judgement, self-deprecation, and fear.

10. What bands have inspired you the most?

Artists that have pushed us forward, in no particular order and excluding ‘favourites’, are Thin Lizzy, Fleetwood Mac, Joe Walsh, Miley Cyrus, The Beatles, Weezer, Boston, Bob Marley, The Smashing Pumpkins, and so many others. We have taken stock in learning and exploring songwriters past, present, and future. I think, as I mentioned before, songwriters are like poets. But unlike poets songwriters get to add a musical accompaniment to either embody, support, nature or oppose, hurt, reject their message. It’s forever inspiring to put on Rumors by Fleetwood Mac and reimagine their meaning, each time discovering new elements. This is really why Forever Fight was released and makerted only as an album. We believe we’ve put something together that has relistenability, because of its congruent and consistent nature.

11. What's the weirdest thing a fan has ever asked you for?

One of the better fan stories we have is spontaneously playing Neil Young’s Rockin’ in The Free World with a fan. He was a nice guy, kind of shy about asking us. The performance of the song was fun, I think the audience could tell how happy we all were to do something sudden and unexpected. We are the type of band that is open to those requests. I think that probably comes from all of us being comfortable playing cover music. One of our biggest fans will shout Free Bird during our set, we have yet to give into the request.

12. What do you think of your fans?

Our fans are a product of our network. When Forever Fight dropped it was a joy to see how people we’ve known over the years share the record on social media. Other people gave us a call, congratulating us on the release. At shows people recognize that what we bring is human. People respond to us and recognize that they are living in the moment.

13. What do you think of our site?

We love the search by country feature. Place is so important to tradition and culture! These realities shape our styles. It’s interesting to search and find sounds from areas you would have thought differently about. It really helps to support multiculturalism.

14. Something add?

We hope you enjoy the record, seriously. I think this write-up will help you while you listen:

We’ve poured a lot intention and meaning into Forever Fight. One of the coolest results is the juxtaposition between Slow Down and Insomnia. Slow Down is full of must and attitude; where Insomnia is full of momentum and emotion. Slow Down has a confident rock tinge to it, featuring a long soaring solo, familiar progressions, and cautionary lyrics. Insomnia is 21st century rock, a lullaby-like melody coupled with small movements of change between chords help to embody a search for creativity. Slow Down is the dark, while Insomnia is the light. We think the record is that deep, and ought to be heard like that. But, we often have to remember that there are so many moments of excitement for the casual music fan. Take Chasin’ the Times, a showcase of outrageous drum fills, 2000’s sounding harmonies, and powerful guitar.Then think about the eighties-pop twinge shown off my Molly Ringwald, so appropriately named. The album has variety and consistency.