Kingswood
Aussie lads Kingswood are riding the crest of a wave that doesn’t look set to break anytime soon. Their album Microscopic Wars did great things so much so that it’s getting a touch up with a deluxe edition to coincide with the supporting role on the AC/DC tour. Alex Laska is on the road but took time out for a quick Q&A with Across The Ocean.
It seems like it has been a massive twelve months or so for Kingswood, does landing the AC/DC support seem like it caps things off?
Landing the AC/DC support is literally a childhood dream come true. In fact I’d say it’s high on a lot of people’s man/lady hood dreams also. However I don’t really think of capping anything off ever, I suppose it’s just what is happening now. I’m always looking to what’s next.
Is this the stuff that childhood dreams are made of?
It sure is. Ferg and I played in a band when we were twelve years old. We sang two songs, one by Lynyrd Skynyrd, one by Aerosmith. We then went on to support Aerosmith. When KW first started out, we played AC/DC tunes, now we’re supporting them. Dreams.
How did it all come about?
I believe the tour promoters caught one of our sets at Melbourne Music Week last year. This then put us in a pool of bands that go into potential selection for the slot, but have to be cleared by big chief Mr. Angus Young. The fact that he cleared it is very humbling on its own.
What was your first reaction when you heard the news?
Amazement, excitement, disbelief. Repeat.
How do you approach this tour compared to your own tours given that it is a massive opportunity?
Well you want to make sure you do a damn good job and that you don’t piss anyone off. You don’t have a lot of time so you have to plan an appropriate set and make sure its sharp as a tack. Then you do a big production rehearsal and time it so it’s like clockwork, from wheel on to wheel off. Once that’s all sorted you just refine it and make it great.
Was it always planned to release a deluxe edition of “Microscopic Wars”?
No not at all. It was time for a reprint of stock and the AC/DC support came about serendipitously, so it seemed perfect to celebrate the touring with something a little special. I’d written a couple of tracks after the first album that seemed to somewhat match that family of songs, and we also had the live recording of the forum which was really special, so we put it all one a double CD release.
Was that hard working out what to add?
No not really. The first album felt complete and tidy on its own. Therefore the thought process didn’t comprise around ‘adding’ to the first album, but more so to add to a package, a phase 2 if you will. As mentioned, Vlad and Baby Doll were written afterwards as was the Forum show, and they weren’t the kind of things you hold onto forever. It seemed appropriate for phase two.
How did the songs Vlad and Baby Doll come about?
The were written by me after the completion of the first album, and came to me in odd times and places, as songs usually do, luckily we had the opportunity to record them in Nashville with the same crew because we were in and out of there a few times post recording the album. They were just a pair of cool little rock songs to put down, nothing more, nothing less.
What’s the plan for Kingswood beyond this tour with AC/DC?
The plan for Kingswood post the AC/DC tour is to head back to Nashville and setup a home base, developing the presence over there whilst writing and recording the second album. You’ve got to be in it to win it, so we have to spend some good time over there to see if we can make anything of it.
How do you think it will sound?
I have no idea. I’m open to anything and everything.
Will it be hard to maintain the momentum gained when you come off the road for a break/recording the new album?
Momentum is a funny one. Sure there’s pressures to maintain a level of whatever it is you think you require to feel fulfilled or satisfied, and likewise trying to fulfil and satisfy your audience who’ve come to expect a certain level of band from your developed momentum. However, I believe momentum comes from great music. If the songs are great, it sort of doesn’t matter how long it takes to get there, because you can build of lot of pace with a great song. Sure you don’t want to leave things too long, but we’re present enough in the world we exist in musically to have not broken momentum even a year after our album came out I think. The key will be the next album without a doubt.
Whether it is rummaging through vinyl at record stores such as Clarity and Title finding hidden gems to scouring the internet to find that album by the next big thing or chasing bands to get that elusive autograph and photo his passion is music all the way.
- Aversions Crown - January 27, 2017
- Sick Of It All - January 19, 2017
- Refused - January 11, 2017
