Interviews: KB & THE IDYLLWILDE

On this new occasion, we have had the opportunity to interview the  Soul Rock/Rock band KB & THE IDYLLWILDE from the USA. Check out the interview and follow the 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?

The band name came from a drive one day in Massachusetts, I had just gotten sober and started to hear new music in my head with horns and biting guitars and a huge voice and I was really interested in this new sound. I drive a lot and think, or don't think, anyway, I was driving and something told me to take a couple turns and pull over way out of town, I ended up at this farm called Idyllwild Farms.  I looked up at the word and just jaw dropped-- THAT'S IT! I knew that was the name of this sound I was going to make.

2. Why did you want to play this genre?

I had been playing & writing folk and soul folk type stuff for years and would always tell people, "Hey thanks for listening, yeah I have way more fun soulful, rockin stuff on the way, so just wait!" I was constantly apologizing or qualifying my art/poetic songs and wasn't fully behind them. I wanted to write rock my whole life and didn't know how. I wanted to write music that told things what to do, or how things were gonna go. I wanted to feel powerful, I think. I think I couldn't write powerful music until I had started to feel power. So when I got sober, that power became available along with this hard rock/soul genre.

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

I  worked with Rachel Crick (fiddle) on my first two singles in 2018 and she just became a staple in my life musically and personally/spiritually, the rest of the band changes or may change, but truly, 38% percent of my sound & sanity hinge on that woman and her brilliance.

4. Each band member favorite band?

My favorite bands/artists are Led Zeppelin, Michael Jackson, Charles Mingus and right now Dermot Kennedy & Ciaran Lavery.

5. Who or what inspires you to write songs?

I think anything can inspire me to write. Usually its something confusing or I'm just feeling like there's a knot to be worked out, I get excited and hit the guitar and go under my "bodhi" tree I call it. And write under that thing until I'm telling the truth somehow. Or, a melody happens in my head about a character that I just want to live in, and I walk around the house singing as if I'm them.

6. Where was your last gig?

My most recent gig was at Little Harpeth Brewing with my album release party, it was so joyous and lovely. I'm so in love with all my friends who played. And we closed out the show with a ten-piece brass band.

7. Where would you like to act?

I want to play in the UK at one of the big theatres out there. Their histories are so deep and there is so much respect. Here in Nashville however, there is always the dream of the Ryamn Auditorium.

8. Whom would you like to feature with?

I would love to feature with The Raconteurs, Dorothy, Jack White, The Dead Weather--Third Man is a dream home for this music. Also, The Damn Truth from Canada!

9. Whom not?

I think my stuff wouldn't work with singer/songwriters...

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

I suffered from stage fright for a long time, I definitely would cancel shows, meet ups, all kinds of fear would stop me in my tracks. I still feel it, but I have developed a kindness toward the fear that really helps. Also, I imagine I'm a robot with my emotions/feelings wiped and if I couldn't think, and had to move and act from sheer habit (band practice) then we would be fine. So I let my mind go offline and act from that bare place to get into it if I have to.

11. What bands have inspired you the most?

I'm very inspired by bands like the Avett Brothers who have been doing it for so long, their persistence and longevity inspire me to never quit and to also allow for change and evolution, a lot like Incubus, I feel like their amount of reincarnation is very important and has really taught me to listen to the pull of change.

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

I've been asked if I'm Native American. I'm not. But I think its all my stark grey and black hair?

13. What do you think of your fans?

My fans are the greatest, my favorite fans are the ones that reach out and support me in totally surprising ways and they totally surprise me in how they love so big. I also really love the fans that just keep showing up and don't even say hello, they just love what we do. I'm used to overly-friendly fans, so having fans just come out to shows for the music, no niceties--BUSINESS! I love that.

14. What do you think of our site

Your site is badass! It has the most extensive list of rock genres I have ever seen and I'm so grateful that you all tease out the various categories of rock/metal because often we all get lumped together in the alternative or metal spectrum.

15. Something add?

I just want to add that the upcoming east coast tour is going to be ridiculously fun and wild, and anyone in the areas ought to come out and kill with us!!!!