Interview: Kicknut

Congrats on your recent music release!
How did your musical journey begin? What initially sparked your interest in music?

It began with a meme: the drummer Paul and guitarist Paul driving back home to NYC from a gig in Rochester—went into cry laughter hysterics over a random family beach picture that had an accidental nude in the background. We enjoyed each other’s company, One of us said: let’s do a studio date together and record some songs. This was 2018, the song was just released, it’s called BRO-NO-BO.

Can you describe some of the pivotal moments or turning points in your artistic development?

After BRO-NO-BO, Jason (keys, vocals) declared that we need to make the songs 2:30 or under—this has given KICKNUT a ‘formula » currently—a laser like focus in the songwriting that’s crucial to the KICKNUT SOUND right now. In addition to our goal of being BRUTAL.

How have your musical tastes and influences evolved over time?

It’s a never ending ebb and flow: two weeks ago I was only listening to modern country: Paul Cathuen, Luke Combs and then I just saw Slipknot—so it’s been a week of metal. Those are two styles of music (country, metal) that I would have been less into as a high school junior—so always trying to be more open. The mind is a parachute: it works best being open.

Are there any specific experiences or challenges that have shaped your artistic identity?

The modern digital world makes KICKNUT possible—we all live in different geographical locations—so we move the band forward online and then get together in human once a month or so and record live together.

What role does experimentation play in your creative process?

We are always trying to add new and hip and cool sounds to our tracks particularly after the concrete is set with drums, bass, guitars—-once we start with vocals we are always trying to add crazy and funny sounds: Homer Simpson laughing, a head getting punched, the random quack of a duck.

Can you share a particularly meaningful or memorable performance or recording session from
your journey?

They have all been very special because we laugh so dang much when making the tracks: One that I find particularly hilarious (Paul, guitarist, writing here) is when I brought in the riffs for our smash hit: GRIND ZONE —we always make little logic demos at home…and I had called it « grind time »—-and Jason and drums Paul took the riffs and sat in the live room and got each so hyped up in the organization of the song form: they started envisioning it like « Seven Nation Army »—the song that plays in every stadium, when I came back into the room they were singing the riff as if they were in Beaver Stadium. Fully amped. Fully Charged. Full morning coffee vibes. It was hilarious. Then they changed the title to GRIND ZONE. it’s a smash meow.

Are there any recurring themes or concepts that you find yourself exploring in your music?

Sex.

How do you stay inspired and motivated to create new music?

That’s all I wanna do. Creating music is the motivational part, the fun and awesome and rewarding part. The rest of the business is where you need motivation and skills and smarts. I’d rather be writing tunes now then this, you dig?

Looking back on your journey so far, what are some lessons or insights you;ve gained about yourself as an artist?

That FUN is the answer. It should never be hard, cause if it is: do something else.