Interview '08 - Kevin Martin
06.09.08 - Monday
It is going to be a big summer for Candlebox fans!
Recently vocalist Kevin Martin took time out to talk with us about his reunion with the band, duets, the new album and much much more!
Photo By
Nick Samartis
Left To Right:
Scott Mercado, Kevin Martin, Peter Klett, Adam Kurry
Kevin: The strange thing is it really felt like we had never left. Everything just kind of fell into place. I think that has a lot to do with the fact that we had played so many shows over the eight years that we were a touring band. The music that Candlebox created was always very instinctual so once we set foot back on that stage it was 1991 all over. Our intention with the tour was to bring those songs that were still being played on the radio, still being searched out on the internet by an entirely new audience back to a live environment. An experience for the folks that never go a chance to see us could and those that hadn’t seen us in years might want to catch maybe one more for posterity sake.
Island:
Candlebox was a band that was placed in the Grunge
Movement but clearly there was more to the sound of the band then a pure
grunge feel. What made you feel it was time to bring Candlebox back to
life again? And how has the reaction been to the rejuvenation of the
band?
Kevin: There
was this growing interest in the band via Myspace and then came the Best
Of Candlebox cd that Rhino was putting out that fueled the initial
talks. I’m not sure what were expecting but the response has been more
than refreshing to say the least.
Island:
Fast forward to 2008, recently Tantric released their
album "The End Begins", which you were a part of. The song "The One"
which we found to be one of the best tracks on the album was extremely
fun to listen to. Which brings us to the question of how did you get
involved in working with Tantric on this song? And what was it like
working with an accomplished vocalist the likes of Hugo Ferreira?
Kevin:
Jeff Hanson our label president reached out to me. He
asked if I would be interested in singing on a track that they were
considering as a single and perhaps use it as a sort of launching for
both bands. Vis a vis the Hip Hop and R & B community where one artist
launches and or introduces the another and vice versa. I hadn’t ever
really spent any time listening to Tantric so I did my research, dug
into where Hugo was coming from, called Jeff back and said “sure, let’s
give it a go.” what was it like working with Hugo? He showed up 4 hrs.
late! Insert laughter here. LOL. Honestly, he was really sure in his
direction, very positive and quite good at choosing the melodies he
wanted me to work with.
Island:
Keeping on the same page, being that you recorded "The
One" as a duet, do you see possibly in your future working with other
artists on duets? Or do you feel your better suited for single vocal
material?
Kevin: I don’t mind
the duets, think they’re kind of cool and would definitely do one again.
Island: July 22nd, 2008 will see Candlebox's reunion come full circle as a brand new album will be unleashed. Being that it is the 4th album from the band, it is obviously difficult to pick and choose a personal favorite. But when looking at the full Candlebox catalog, how do you feel the new material stacks up against the previous albums?
Kevin: This is the best record we have ever made. It has all the elements of the first, second and third records but it has so much more life than them. I think that the fans will agree.
Island: Before taking a hiatus, your last album "Happy Pills" was released on July 21st 1998. Now almost exactly 10 years to the day the band sets their sight on "Into The Sun". Was the band looking at releasing a new album in the time frame of 10 years in terms of paying respect to the previous release? Or was it pure chance that after that amount of time the band felt a new album was necessary?
Kevin: Pure chance. Was happy pills really released on that day? WOW, crazy, time flies huh?
Island:
The new album features 12 brand new tunes, with the first
single being "Stand". Picking a leadoff single had to be a difficult
task; did the band have any say over what the first single would be? And
in terms of the song itself, do you feel "Stand" represents who
Candlebox are in 2008?
Kevin:
I think we all knew that “Stand” was the obvious 1st
single due to the fact that it kicks you in the teeth, which quit
honestly not a lot of music is doing right now, it takes no prisoners
and it pretty much says “you mother fuckers better run cause we’re comin
to get ya!” So yeah I would say it represents us pretty well.
Island: Recently the band released a follow-up single entitled "Surrendering" via legal digital downloading sites such as iTunes. What is your take on the new route music has gone in terms of releasing an album/single. For example 15 years ago, singles were released in stores for over a dollar in which you received usually one or maybe two songs. But in today's music world digital seems to be faster, cheaper and more efficient.
Kevin: I’m not really sure how I feel about all of this digital shit, I still have an eight track player in my Trans Am man which is slower, cooler and burns a shit ton more Rock & Roll baby! LOL.
Island: Album artwork is something that seems to be lost in today's music world. How did the band go about choosing an album cover that best portrays the direction of the material that can be found on "Into The Sun"?
Kevin: Well, lets see, it’s a 150 X 150 X 72 dpi jpeg so lets make sure it stands out real good on itunes so everyone can read it because you know everyone’s become so tech savvy that we don’t really need to know what the lyrics read or who wrote the songs or who the band wants to thank for all the good times etc. hell we all just want to make sure it downloads to our iphone, zune, cell phone etc. because we’re all so much more important than the music that inspires us to own an ipod, iphone, zune, cell phone ringtone etc. sorry just a little cynicism there. Just wanted something cool so we thought shit, we’re not cool so lets hire someone who is, TIM ROBERTS, to make us look like we’re cool via our album cover that no one is really gonna spend any time looking over because hey (insert above chapter on tech savvy).
Island: Last year via The Official Candlebox website it was mentioned that a live CD/DVD entitled "Alive In Seattle" would be released in the summer of 2007. Unfortunately this set has yet to see the light of day. Is it possible that in 2008 this collection will finally be released to the fans? And if so is there a timetable setup at this time?
Kevin: LOL, LOL, LOL, LOL. Yeah man, it’s finally coming out, August something or other. The company that we sold it to, IMAGE ENT., wanted to wait till we released our CD before putting it out to generate and or help push the sales of it. It’s pretty cool, I think everyone will like it.
Island: Looks like this is going to be a big summer for Candlebox as the band has already announced some summer tour dates. The band is going out with a wide array of acts, but one thing did come to mind. Considering you recently recorded with Tantric is it possible that a double bill tour could happen in 2008? Also with the bands you already have lined up, is there one particular act that you are looking forward to touring with?
Kevin: I don’t think we’ll be touring with Tantric this year but possibly in 09’. We are taking out a band called “the King’s Royal” that we rally dig. Should be a great time.
Island: As this interview comes to a close we'd like to thank you for taking the time out to talk with us. We look forward to hearing more from Candlebox! Are there any final thoughts, words of wisdom or anything you'd like to mention to our readers, your fans?
Kevin: If your starting a band or wanting to know how to go about getting started here’s the musicians best kept secret but you didn’t hear it from me! Motorhead Baby er I mean Candlebox 08’
For more on Kevin Martin/Candlebox make sure you check out:
| www.candleboxrocks.com | www.myspace.com/candlebox |
|
* Thanks To Doug Weber @ New Ocean Media |
|