A CHAT WITH KEVIN LEE
| Interview and Photos by Mario Salazar
Kevin Lee is a Chicago singer/songwriter who has been making music and rocking audiences locally and around the world in one way or another for many years now. He is also one of the 1st artists I met and interviewed upon my arrival to the Chicago scene in the fall of 2006. It's been some time since we last spoke music, so we recently sat down and talked about his band, the new 2010 record and his plans for the future. Here's what he had to say. Chicagosrock: So what’s new with Kevin Lee? I know you’ve got a new band (The Kings), what’s being going on? Kevin Lee: Well, it is kinda new, some of the guys I’ve been playing with for a while. Dan the bass player, has been playing with me since 2003. The drummer’s been in the band for 3 or 4 years. I’ve been rotating guitar players, it’s the one spot I’ve been trying to find the right person for. The guy that’s currently in the band, Johnny Million, has been in the band for about a year-and-a-half or something like that, so it’s not completely new. Chicagosrock: That’s cool. What about a keyboard player? Didn’t you have a guy for a while? KL: He’s a session guy in Nashville so I can only get him for a while, so I stopped calling him. I need some consistency & can’t have him at one show & not at another so I just used him on the record. It’s Pete Spero, he was in my band back when I was signed (The Lonesome City Kings), but he’s spending all of his time in Nashville nowadays so… He’s Mr. Country now and since that has exploded, that’s what he does, chasing opportunities where they are. |
Chicagosrock: That’s very cool. Now talk to me about your new album
‘Dusk Til Dawn’.What is different on or about this album than its
predecessor ‘Flip The Switch’?
KL: Probably the main thing that is different about Dust Til Dawn is the fact that I used my band to record it, which I never do that. I have a million session studio musicians that are just monster players. You don’t even have to rehearse with guys. With Loaded and Flip The Switch we didn’t even rehearse. We just went in and did them. I do home demos so I just handed them to the guys; didn’t even practice. They just went in and rocked them. They are just monsters at that. But I’ve been playing with these guys for a while. My original band [Kevin Lee & The Lonesome City Kings] was an actual band, so I wanted to get back to that feel & it does make them feel cool and involved. It creates a good band environment, with everyone playing on the thing [record, -ed]. So I tried to go for a more live thing with ‘Bam’ here’s the band as opposed to a more polished studio with a million overdubs. Granted, there are overdubs on it but we didn’t kill it with getting everything super-precise and almost over-produced it sucking the life out of the songs.
Other than that, I went for a more pop sound on the record. My friend Todd Jones, who is a monster background singer, did most of the background harmonies with me. All the ooohs and aaahs, I’ve never really done that on record and it really ‘popped’ it up with the big choruses. I think that was a big departure from Flip The Switch as that was more of straight-up rock, kinda 70s with not too many harmonies. It only had keys on 2 songs, whereas the new record has keys on all songs, which softens things up and gives it a more commercial appealing, ‘poppy’ sound. So basically the harmonies, the keys and the more mainstream sound are the biggest differences from the previous record.
KL: Probably the main thing that is different about Dust Til Dawn is the fact that I used my band to record it, which I never do that. I have a million session studio musicians that are just monster players. You don’t even have to rehearse with guys. With Loaded and Flip The Switch we didn’t even rehearse. We just went in and did them. I do home demos so I just handed them to the guys; didn’t even practice. They just went in and rocked them. They are just monsters at that. But I’ve been playing with these guys for a while. My original band [Kevin Lee & The Lonesome City Kings] was an actual band, so I wanted to get back to that feel & it does make them feel cool and involved. It creates a good band environment, with everyone playing on the thing [record, -ed]. So I tried to go for a more live thing with ‘Bam’ here’s the band as opposed to a more polished studio with a million overdubs. Granted, there are overdubs on it but we didn’t kill it with getting everything super-precise and almost over-produced it sucking the life out of the songs.
Other than that, I went for a more pop sound on the record. My friend Todd Jones, who is a monster background singer, did most of the background harmonies with me. All the ooohs and aaahs, I’ve never really done that on record and it really ‘popped’ it up with the big choruses. I think that was a big departure from Flip The Switch as that was more of straight-up rock, kinda 70s with not too many harmonies. It only had keys on 2 songs, whereas the new record has keys on all songs, which softens things up and gives it a more commercial appealing, ‘poppy’ sound. So basically the harmonies, the keys and the more mainstream sound are the biggest differences from the previous record.
Chicagosrock: As far as songwriting, are you still doing most of that work yourself, on your own, or is also a band effort?
KL: I’ve never done anything writing-wise as a band effort. I’ve always done it on my own, so that has not changed.
Chicagosrock: What is the pre-production process with your band as opposed to when you work with session players? KL: Well these guys are great players, I’ve got to give them that, but we do need to rehearse a bit. It’s a lot of picking over this and that, going over the kick drum, etc. I’ve recorded a million times for years and years, & I know how to make a song happen in the studio, so all the little things like drums are very important. I program the drums and do complete home demos, play everything and think everything out. So we play straight off the demos and it takes some rehearsing to get everything just right. But not too much other than a few practices… Chicagosrock: Are you guys playing the songs live as they are on the record or are you taking liberties with the arrangements for the sake of live versions? KL: Other than stretching a solo here and there, they’re just like the record. I try not to solo people to death but stick to the script, maybe do a breakdown in the middle of something & do a concert-y version of the song to keep it interesting if it works for the song. | 
Dusk 'Til Dawn - The Album
|
Chicagosrock: Is the new material blending in well with the older songs?
KL: It’s all relatively the same songwriting approach so it does blend in nicely.
Chicagosrock: Given the new slight change in direction, is it attracting a new demographic? What changes have you noticed in your audience, if any?
KL: Girls. Girls love this record. There’s this song called ‘Invisible’ which is this big power ballad of sorts and I’ve gotten a million, well not quite a million, but a large number of e-mails, messages from girls that bought or heard of it. But y’know, Flip The Switch was more of a guy record, a tough guitar rock kinda thing and this one is more radioish thing which the girls like…
Chicagosrock: yeah, I’m sure you guys are hating that huh…
KL: -laughs- it’s been painful, very painful –laughs! y’know, there’s been guys there too. But most of my fan base is in the UK which is where it’s been selling. Fortunately, I did a record for MCA which was a worldwide release and probably the majority of the albums sold, which sold pretty well, was over there. Those people over there, they hold on to artists unlike here in America where you get 10 seconds and you’re gone. All of those people still buy CDs, in fact I also sold a ton in Germany, Wales, England, Poland…
KL: It’s all relatively the same songwriting approach so it does blend in nicely.
Chicagosrock: Given the new slight change in direction, is it attracting a new demographic? What changes have you noticed in your audience, if any?
KL: Girls. Girls love this record. There’s this song called ‘Invisible’ which is this big power ballad of sorts and I’ve gotten a million, well not quite a million, but a large number of e-mails, messages from girls that bought or heard of it. But y’know, Flip The Switch was more of a guy record, a tough guitar rock kinda thing and this one is more radioish thing which the girls like…
Chicagosrock: yeah, I’m sure you guys are hating that huh…
KL: -laughs- it’s been painful, very painful –laughs! y’know, there’s been guys there too. But most of my fan base is in the UK which is where it’s been selling. Fortunately, I did a record for MCA which was a worldwide release and probably the majority of the albums sold, which sold pretty well, was over there. Those people over there, they hold on to artists unlike here in America where you get 10 seconds and you’re gone. All of those people still buy CDs, in fact I also sold a ton in Germany, Wales, England, Poland…
Kevin Lee on our February 2007 [weekly] cover.
| Chicagosrock: …really!
KL: yeah, but point being is that this record might have been a bit
too ‘pop’ for some of them, but I’ve also seemed to have gained a number
of new ones because a lot of people did buy it over there, proving that
you gotta change things around and keep it all interesting. To me
you’re still another songwriter and no matter what you do, you’re still
sounding like yourself but trying to shake it up is cool.
Chicagosrock: What is the pre-production process with your band as opposed to when you work with session players? KL: Well these guys are great players, I’ve got to give them that, but we do need to rehearse a bit. It’s a lot of picking over this and that, going over the kick drum, etc. I’ve recorded a million times for years and years, & I know how to make a song happen in the studio, so all the little things like drums are very important. I program the drums and do complete home demos, play everything and think everything out. So we play straight off the demos and it takes some rehearsing to get everything just right. But not too much other than a few practices… Chicagosrock: Are you guys playing the songs live as they are on the record or are you taking liberties with the arrangements for the sake of live versions? KL: Other than stretching a solo here and there, they’re just like the record. I try not to solo people to death but stick to the script, maybe do a breakdown in the middle of something & do a concert-y version of the song to keep it interesting if it works for the song. Chicagosrock: You have been playing around here quite a bit, are you planning to go outside our Chicagoland area? KL: y’know I only played in Chicago twice this year. We had an album release show at the Elbo Room and we did the Taste of Chicago. Other than that we haven’t played in town. We’ve been around Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin, Iowa, y’know, surrounding states. |
Chicagosrock: Any plans to go elsewhere, maybe the UK?
KL: Actually, I have a company that promotes me in the UK called TSM Promotions that does really good service. They really like the band and are talking to some people right now, it’s just a money thing that makes it all difficult. There’s a girl there named Sophie that’s trying to get some things together, so maybe in 2011, we’ll see what happens. I’m pushing for it and see if it can financially happen.
Chicagosrock: I know you also do solo acoustic shows throughout the area. Are you doing any of your new material there? How’s that playing out?
KL: Oh yeah…! Some of them you gotta mix in covers, but I know a lot of cool covers and can break it up nicely, but yes it’s been working out pretty good. I actually sell CDs at acoustic shows. The chances of selling CDs at acoustic shows are far better than conventional shows…
Chicagosrock: why do you think that is?
KL: I don’t know why (laughs). I really don’t. Maybe they hear the songs better, I think maybe when the band is playing people are more distracted, I have no clue why that is but I’ve really noticed that a lot.
Chicagosrock: maybe it’s just the singer-songwriter type vibe…
KL: yeah, maybe people are more prone to coming up and talking to you if you’re just doing the acoustic thing and that one-on-one thing encourages people to buy things.
Chicagosrock: I suppose it’s the perception of less rockstar and more everyday-kinda-guy…
KL: Pretty much. I’m just another dude out there playing, doing his thing.
Chicagosrock: About your show, and other than the new influx of girls, what is the new show like? Are you doing anything different than before?
KL: I think the new show with the new guys just has more energy. Johnny Million is a great guitar player and fits the band perfectly. He oozes classic rock which is something I had been looking for –modern guys with a heavy classic rock influence, so he really fits the bill and is a rock encyclopedia. Everything from metal to Cheap Trick, he’s very knowledgeable so with his soloing and all it’s just more energetic, focused and we’ve come together much closer as a band instead of just people playing a part. But no, we don’t have any clowns coming out or anything, or…
Chicagosrock: bombs…
KL: oh no, Great White put an end to that!
Chicagosrock: So where do you see yourself and the band in the next 5 years?
KL: I’m writing the next record right now and I’ve got a bunch of songs done so far. I’m going for a new sound again, although it won’t be as ‘poppy’ as Dusk til Dawn. I grew up with that whole genre and mindset of singer/songwriters where it was all about getting signed. I was always the next guy getting signed, or at least that was the word on the street, but so were a million other people. Everyone was shooting for that but I think that is now all gone which has changed the focus of things so I think that I’d like to go and do some things up in the UK and build that up over the next 5 years. I’m going in the studio in 2012 to start a new record, at least that’s the plan. So get a new record out, maybe if all goes well, spend 5-6 months on it and have it done that same year. As you know, that’s always easier said than done. I’ve also kinda downsized my rock ‘n’ roll fantasy thing and I think it would just be great to solidify enough fans to just fuel this thing, instead of always looking at the big picture, just having a good 5,000 people that just love you and that would buy your records, come to the shows, maybe buy a little bit of merchandise and allow you to keep this thing running on its own. I’d like to get back to playing more. Playing sporadically like it is now is not always that great but that has to do with the economy too which will hopefully turn itself around and help everyone out.
Another thing I wanted to point out before I forget, is that the last song on the new album called ‘Time Won’t Stand Still’ got a lot of airplay around the world and still is. The company I talked about earlier, TSM, really promoted the heck out of it and the song hit #1 on WMWX in Cincinnatti, OH about a month and a half ago, which is really cool. They’re a classic-to-modern rock station which plays everything from modern rock to the Stones and it was really cool to see me in the charts at # 1 and Bon Jovi at # 4. I was like ‘Heeeyy!...!’
Chicagosrock: That’s cool! Now, was that your first time hitting the charts?
KL: Well, I’ve been on the charts off and on since I started writing songs but that’s the first time anything’s gone to the # 1 position. And it actually stayed there for a while. Even the DJs were going like “…you got a bullet in your pocket? What’s going on?”. It was very cool.
Chicagosrock: That is awesome Kevin. Gotta take it wherever it comes from. I’m happy for you.
KL: It’s all about people hearing your stuff and getting airplay when you can. That’s what matters.
Chicagosrock: Very cool. Any parting words?
KL: Well, just check out the record, pick it up at CD Baby, iTunes, Amazon. I’m working on booking some local shows so if you see the name of the band come up, come on out and rock with us. Thank you for doing this, I really appreciate it.
For additional information on the Kevin Lee & The kings, visit them online at www.kevinleeonline.com or also on Facebook.
KL: Actually, I have a company that promotes me in the UK called TSM Promotions that does really good service. They really like the band and are talking to some people right now, it’s just a money thing that makes it all difficult. There’s a girl there named Sophie that’s trying to get some things together, so maybe in 2011, we’ll see what happens. I’m pushing for it and see if it can financially happen.
Chicagosrock: I know you also do solo acoustic shows throughout the area. Are you doing any of your new material there? How’s that playing out?
KL: Oh yeah…! Some of them you gotta mix in covers, but I know a lot of cool covers and can break it up nicely, but yes it’s been working out pretty good. I actually sell CDs at acoustic shows. The chances of selling CDs at acoustic shows are far better than conventional shows…
Chicagosrock: why do you think that is?
KL: I don’t know why (laughs). I really don’t. Maybe they hear the songs better, I think maybe when the band is playing people are more distracted, I have no clue why that is but I’ve really noticed that a lot.
Chicagosrock: maybe it’s just the singer-songwriter type vibe…
KL: yeah, maybe people are more prone to coming up and talking to you if you’re just doing the acoustic thing and that one-on-one thing encourages people to buy things.
Chicagosrock: I suppose it’s the perception of less rockstar and more everyday-kinda-guy…
KL: Pretty much. I’m just another dude out there playing, doing his thing.
Chicagosrock: About your show, and other than the new influx of girls, what is the new show like? Are you doing anything different than before?
KL: I think the new show with the new guys just has more energy. Johnny Million is a great guitar player and fits the band perfectly. He oozes classic rock which is something I had been looking for –modern guys with a heavy classic rock influence, so he really fits the bill and is a rock encyclopedia. Everything from metal to Cheap Trick, he’s very knowledgeable so with his soloing and all it’s just more energetic, focused and we’ve come together much closer as a band instead of just people playing a part. But no, we don’t have any clowns coming out or anything, or…
Chicagosrock: bombs…
KL: oh no, Great White put an end to that!
Chicagosrock: So where do you see yourself and the band in the next 5 years?
KL: I’m writing the next record right now and I’ve got a bunch of songs done so far. I’m going for a new sound again, although it won’t be as ‘poppy’ as Dusk til Dawn. I grew up with that whole genre and mindset of singer/songwriters where it was all about getting signed. I was always the next guy getting signed, or at least that was the word on the street, but so were a million other people. Everyone was shooting for that but I think that is now all gone which has changed the focus of things so I think that I’d like to go and do some things up in the UK and build that up over the next 5 years. I’m going in the studio in 2012 to start a new record, at least that’s the plan. So get a new record out, maybe if all goes well, spend 5-6 months on it and have it done that same year. As you know, that’s always easier said than done. I’ve also kinda downsized my rock ‘n’ roll fantasy thing and I think it would just be great to solidify enough fans to just fuel this thing, instead of always looking at the big picture, just having a good 5,000 people that just love you and that would buy your records, come to the shows, maybe buy a little bit of merchandise and allow you to keep this thing running on its own. I’d like to get back to playing more. Playing sporadically like it is now is not always that great but that has to do with the economy too which will hopefully turn itself around and help everyone out.
Another thing I wanted to point out before I forget, is that the last song on the new album called ‘Time Won’t Stand Still’ got a lot of airplay around the world and still is. The company I talked about earlier, TSM, really promoted the heck out of it and the song hit #1 on WMWX in Cincinnatti, OH about a month and a half ago, which is really cool. They’re a classic-to-modern rock station which plays everything from modern rock to the Stones and it was really cool to see me in the charts at # 1 and Bon Jovi at # 4. I was like ‘Heeeyy!...!’
Chicagosrock: That’s cool! Now, was that your first time hitting the charts?
KL: Well, I’ve been on the charts off and on since I started writing songs but that’s the first time anything’s gone to the # 1 position. And it actually stayed there for a while. Even the DJs were going like “…you got a bullet in your pocket? What’s going on?”. It was very cool.
Chicagosrock: That is awesome Kevin. Gotta take it wherever it comes from. I’m happy for you.
KL: It’s all about people hearing your stuff and getting airplay when you can. That’s what matters.
Chicagosrock: Very cool. Any parting words?
KL: Well, just check out the record, pick it up at CD Baby, iTunes, Amazon. I’m working on booking some local shows so if you see the name of the band come up, come on out and rock with us. Thank you for doing this, I really appreciate it.
For additional information on the Kevin Lee & The kings, visit them online at www.kevinleeonline.com or also on Facebook.
