EMQ’s with KILTER
EMQ’s with KILTER
Hi everyone! Welcome to our new EMQ’s interview with Jazz Metal outfit, Kilter. Huge thanks to bassist Laurent David for taking part.
What is your name, what do you play, and can you tell us a little bit about the history of the band?
I’m Laurent David and I’m the bassist. When I arrived in New York in 2017, my goal was to start a “Metal Jazz” trio with saxophone and drums. In conversation with Andromeda Anarchia (who is our guest vocalist on our record), we tried to find out which musicians would be the ideal cast for this project. We both thought that the dream cast would have to consist of Kenny Grohowski (John Zorn, Imperial Triumphant) and Ed Rosenberg III (Jerseyband), as we knew that both musicians know how to play these two styles very well. So, I contacted Kenny, and also asked him which saxophonist he would recommend. Funnily, he also suggested Ed. So, it was the logical consequence that the three of us had to meet and jam. And we did!
How did you come up with your band name?
The name KILTER was found in a “democratic way” and had to match the mix of styles I wanted to play with Ed and Kenny. All of us suggested different names. One of them was KILTER and we all liked it.
What country are you from and what is the metal scene like there?
I’m from Paris, in France. There is a big interest for metal music there! And a bunch of bands…! My opinion is that there’s less opportunities to mix different influences in Metal music in France than in USA. That was one of the reasons of my move to NYC.
What is your latest release? (Album, EP, Single, Video)
The first production was our debut EP. It served as the basis for the production of the album “Axiom”, which was released on February 28, 2020. The first single of this album, “Ax And Spear”, is also available.
Who have been your greatest influences?
Here is a small list: Iron Maiden, Metallica with Cliff Burton, Headhunters, Word of Mouth, Zappa’s Mothers of Invention, Meshuggah
What first got you into music?
I have no idea. My first word was, ‘azik’ when I was a baby (which meant ‘music’ in my toddler language)!
If you could collaborate with a current band or musician who would it be?
Travis Ryan, Angela Gossow and John Zorn
If you could play any festival in the world, which would you choose and why?
I think, Hellfest in Clisson (France) would be really great.
What’s the weirdest gift you have ever received from a fan?
I have not received many gifts from fans, but I still wonder why a Moroccan fan gave me a “Clockwork Orange” T-shirt! Don’t get me wrong, I really like that movie, and I like the shirt!
If you had one message for your fans, what would it be?
Let me quote a message from Wayne Krantz, guitar player: ‘We don’t want your money, we want your soul’. Nevertheless, I still need a bit of money to make new productions! LOL
If you could bring one rock star back from the dead, who would it be?
The wish of many: Jimi Hendrix.
What do you enjoy the most about being a musician? And what do you hate?
The day I hate something about being a musician will be the day I’ll stop to be one.
If you could change one thing about the music industry, what would it be?
The music industry is related to how humans work. So, I assume the question of changing humanity is a bit too overwhelming for me.
Name one of your all-time favourite albums?
“Sweet Soul” by Peter Erskine. It’s not metal at all. But this one is truly amazing. And Meshuggah’s “Catch 33”.
What’s best? Vinyl, Cassettes, CD’s or Downloads?
Vinyl is playful and honours the art of graphic design. Cassettes were my generation and I loved the fact that we could copy music and create our own mixtapes. CDs are perfect. Downloads and streams put us musicians in a big dilemma: making music very affordable, often free, and anyone can hear everything from anywhere in the world. On the other hand, music productions have lost their value and many musicians are fighting for their existence.
What’s the best gig that you have played to date?
Playing just before ZZ Top at the huge festival, Les Vieilles Charrues, in France, In the front of 70’000 people.
If you weren’t a musician, what else would you be doing?
Absolutely no idea. Maybe I would have become a physicist? I am very interested in physics.
Which five people would you invite to a dinner party?
Bruce Dickinson, Etienne Klein (A french Physician), Thomas Pesquet (Who lived in space, in the ISS), Meshell Ndegeocello, my girlfriend.
What’s next for the band?
A European tour and see how people will react to our music.
What Social Media/Website links do you use to get your music out to people?
All the known platforms.
www.facebook.com/kiltertrio/
www.kiltertrio.bandcamp.com/
Jaffa Cakes? Are they a cake or a biscuit?
A biscuit-size cake.
Thank you for your time. Is there anything else that you would like to add?
I don’t think so but: thank you!
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