INTERVIEW: Kudu Blue — Music Musings & Such

INTERVIEW:

PHOTO CREDIT: Kay Ibrahim

Kudu Blue

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I have been finding out about the Brighton group Kudu Blue...

and what the story is behind their new single, Mountain Song. I was keen to know what they have planned going forward and how the band formed; what the scene is like in Brighton and whether there are approaching artists worth watching out for.

The band share their favourite albums and memories; they provide advice to musicians coming through and tell me what tour dates are in the diary – they select some cool songs to end the interview with.

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Hi, guys. How are you? How has your week been?

Hey! We're great been working on some music and rehearsing so it's been fun! We also had a show in Bristol at the Louisiana with Cub Sport and a show in London supporting another Brighton band, Loyal, at the Moth Club.

For those new to your music; can you introduce yourselves, please?

Sure. We're Kudu Blue (Tom, Owen; Clem and Creeda). We all live in Brighton and have been making music Electronic tunes together for four years now.

Mountain Song is new. How did it start life and what is it about?

We actually wrote this well over two years ago now. It came together when we were rehearsing. Since then, it's gone through a few different forms to arrive at where it is now. The track is about knowing what's good for you but finding it hard to do it and having to deal with your own reluctance.

I love the harmonies in your music. Did you always experiment with harmonies or is it something quite new?

Thank you! I’ve always enjoyed recording harmonies but it's something that I’ve got much more into with the new E.P. and the tracks that we're recording at the moment. I also find it the most enjoyable part of recording vocals now. You can get really creative with them which I love.

Might we see more material coming down the line?

100%. It might seem like we've been off the scene for a little bit but we've been writing loads so have got bags of new material on the way.

How did Kudu Blue find one another?

Tom and Owen were childhood friends; they met Creeda in Brighton as well. I moved down from Birmingham and we all just met through our love of music. We were playing together in various different bands and projects in Brighton before we got together as a four-piece.

In terms of music, do you share tastes? Would one find similar albums in your collections?

Yeah. There are definitely artists that we all have a shared love for but we also have another side of our tastes where they are quite different. I think what's great about us working together as a group is all of our different influences come together to make something a bit different.

What is Brighton like as a base? How inspiring is the place?

It's beautiful. Coming from Birmingham, I really appreciate being by the sea and getting that fresh air every day. It is a really creative city and there's a close-knit music community here which is great. Everyone knows each other and supports each other’s music.

Have you got a favourite memory from your time in music so far – the one that sticks in the mind?

Hmmm. Probably playing KOKO in Camden. It was the biggest show we've done to date and the energy there was amazing. Hopefully we'll get to experience some more shows like that.

Which one album means the most to each of you would you say (and why)?

Clem: D'Angelo – Voodoo

I love every track on that album. D'Angelo is a big inspiration for me. His music is unmistakably his and you can hear so many influences in it.

Tom: Ram Narayan – North India: The Art of the Sarangi

While this album hasn't had any discernible influence on Kudu's music, it made me fall in love with music all over again; it showed me that music was capable of a lot more than I'd previously thought possible.

Creeda: In Rainbows – Radiohead

For me, it's just the most beautifully crafted album from start to finish. The soundscape is so ethereal and it’s probably the only album I've listened to over one-hundred times and still not got bored of.

Owen: Portishead – Dummy

I grew up in Bristol and this album is steeped in ’90s Bristol Nostalgia. Such beautiful, crisp production; so ahead of its time. And Beth Gibbons’ voice still haunts me to this day.

If you could support any musician alive today, and choose your own rider, what would that entail?

Probably Cher or Shania Twain. On the rider would be a bath tub full of Nik Naks. We’re all addicted at the moment. And some vegan toasties for Tom.

What advice would you give to new artists coming through?

Keep plugging away. There are hard times but it’s worth it if you’re able to express yourself creatively. But also to look after yourselves and your mental-health. There are so many ups and downs that it can be tricky to remain stable in the music industry. It’s ok to take a break every now and then.

PHOTO CREDIT: Marieke Macklon Photography

Do you have tour dates coming up? Where can we catch you play?

14th March – Lille Vega, Copenhagen (Tennyson support)

15th March – Berghain/Kantine, Berlin (Tennyson support)

17th March – Hydrozagadka, Warsaw (Tennyson support)

21st March – Le Pop-Up du Label, Paris (Tennyson support)

23rd March – Hoxton Bar & Kitchen, London (Tennyson support)

24th March – The Sound House, Dublin (Tennyson support)

6th April - The Old Market, Brighton (MOVES Festival)

PHOTO CREDIT: Bobbie Johnson/PHOTO CREDIT: Aaron Wood

Are there any new artists you recommend we check out?

Bobbie Johnson. She's a rapper, singer and producer from Brighton. She's amazing. Cousin Kula are one of the most exciting U.K. live acts at the moment mixing Prog psychedelics with Synthpop. I saw Moses Sumney at Royal Festival Hall in 2018 - and it was one of the best gigs I’ve been to.

IN THIS PHOTO: Cousin Kula

Do you get much time to chill away from music? How do you unwind?

Yeah. We find time; we all like food A LOT. We like cooking and going out for food. Going to watch live bands and the occasional mad night out. Mmmmm, food.

Finally, and for being good sports; you can each choose a song and I’ll play it here (not any of your music - I will do that).

Girls of the Internet - When U Go