Chavez

Kevin M. Kirker
Vocalist, harpist, songwriter

For more information on Kevin M. Kirker:
http://www.kevinmkirker.com
http://www.myspace.com/kmk808

Interviewer: Hawk Chavez
mousagenrepromotions@gmail.com

Via myspace request I discovered another upcoming musical talent, Kevin M. Kirker, an instrumentalist and songwriter. I got the opportunity to interview Kevin about the ins and outs of music and then some.

MG: Do you write your own music?

Kevin: Yep! I’ve tried working other musicians in the past but it usually doesn’t work out. I need to do things my own way. At least, for now.

MG: I assume ‘Our Story Now Begins’ is base on true life experiences?

Kevin: Yeah, a good portion of the lyrics are verbatim from my personal collection of unsent letters. Or letters sent to me. I didn’t do much in the way of abstract imagery or metaphors, most everything is simple and meant to tell a story clearly.

MG: What made you choose the harp? What type of harp do you play?

Kevin: Hmm, when I was a kid it was the best sounding instrument to me. I grew older and got into the machismo of the guitar. It’s still a badass instrument, but there are millions of guitar players out there now. I spent a long time trying to figure out how to play guitar like a harp. Eventually I just decided that it would be better if I played harp.

I’ve got a giant 46 string Venus pedal harp, I use that for recording since it’s too hard to transport. My second one is a small lever harp that’s light and easy to move around.

MG: Do you play any other instruments than the harp?

Kevin: Oooh yeah, I got a nice little collection of instruments now! I’m learning some new ones too. I think overall… hold on let me go look. I got a big assortment of different kinds of guitars. I got a mandolin, banjo, glockenspiel, various keyboards. I’m starting to get decent at drumming, but I don’t think it’ll show up on any future records.

I’ve got some ukuleles now, a bunch of different kinds of flutes and wind instruments. I have a shakuhachi that I haven’t figured out how to play yet. I hope I can do that one day. I just got a snake charmer, it sounds awesome. I have a mini toy accordion that’s becoming one of my favorite instruments. I have too many to list and keep track of I guess.

MG: What are your thoughts on the state of the Music industry predominantly with major labels?

Kevin: It’s at a big turning point now. The big four record companies are slowly losing their grip. The internet has changed everything. Before, if you weren’t with a big record company you had no way of promoting your music. With the internet, even somebody relatively unknown can get recognition. In two or three generations, I think music will be back in the hands of the people again. For better or worse.

I think what we’ll see is the fall of the superstar; the fall of the universally acclaimed musician that’s adored the world over. In it’s place we’ll have a horde of moderately successful musicians earning only a decent living but having loyal fans. That’s just my guess, though.

MG: Does your family have any musical talents?

Kevin: Ha! Me having any musical talent is debatable, let alone my family. No, I think there’s lots of good musicians in my family. Too many to list.

MG: Do you perform in public or for private events?

Kevin: I’m a bit of a hermit, so it’s been quite a long time since I played a show. I play over the phone to people sometimes; I think that’s about it. I’m obsessed with writing songs so that’s been my focus for a long time. I’m not very good at it though, so it takes awhile.

MG: What are your rehearsals generally like? Do you have a set time in which you practice?

Kevin: There was a point in time where I practiced 10+ hours a day, but those days are long gone for me now. I usually just write songs away from instruments, then learn how to play them later. That’s the extent of my practice these days.

MG: What is your ultimate direction for your music?

Kevin: Hard to say. My only real goal was to just make something that moved people, I guess. In that respect, the response from people has been overwhelmingly positive. I’m grateful for all the people who seem to have been touched by what I’ve done. I get alot of heartfelt emails, and it’s crazy to me that I could effect anyone so deeply. Just a few years ago, I was totally alone. And now to somehow be apart of so many’s people lives is just a strange, wonderful feeling.

I suppose my goal hasn’t changed. I’d like to make more music that resonates with people, even if it’s flawed or not that great.

MG: Music-wise, what are your ongoing plans? Any upcoming albums, projects?

Kevin: I was working on a triple album, but now I’m considering throwing it away and starting over. I usually keep my website, http://www.kevinmkirker.com, pretty updated with what’s going on musically. It’s always changing since I usually tackle more than I can handle.

MG: What aspect of making music excites you the most right now?

Kevin: The fact that I can share whatever I make with nearly anyone in the world via the internet. What an amazing, wonderful tool. It’s a great time to be a songwriter I think.

MG: What do you hope for other musicians of your genre to achieve?

Kevin: I don’t listen to much music anymore so I haven’t been able to keep track of what’s going on with the kind of music I make.. but I’d hope that more people are taking chances now. I feel like people are starting to get bored of hearing guitar/bass/drums every song. I think they’re starting to get bored of being told what to feel, and just want something real. I’m not sure though.

I guess I just hope fellow musicians are able to work hard and get rewarded accordingly. It’s difficult to see people work so hard on something musical and have it not pay off for them in the end.