INTERVIEW WITH KELLINDO

What got you into music, and if you had not gotten into music what would you be doing today?

• Kellindo: I think in part what got me into music was that fact that I was almost born at a James Brown concert. My mom went into labor watching my uncles MACEO and Melvin performing with James Brown.  

  Thanks to my parents' record collection I quickly became a fan of the Jackson 5 and the Beatles. When I first saw Kiss on tv I instantly wanted to be a rock star. 

  If I hadn't gotten into music, I would’ve been a baseball player primarily a picture and a hitter. Growing up a Mets and Yankees fan I always had a good understanding of the game. 

What do you like to do when you are not playing music and how does that influence your creativity?

• Kellindo: I like to go to the museum and look at heart from different eras in the art world and in art history and inspires me to be more creative when I work on music

How long have you been making music, please share your backstory?

• Kellindo: I’ve been making music since I was eight years old and my music has always been inspired by the music that I listen to. As a child I was listening to blues and rock ‘n’ roll.  Which has become the backbone of my song writing style

Where are you based and how did that influence your music?

• Kellindo: I grew up in New York and was very inspired by the big popular rock bands that would come to Madison Square Garden. The Cars, Cheap Trick, Rush, Queen, Bootsy’s Rubber Band, Parliament etc.… I think being in the big city and living near Lincoln Center and singing an opera as a child at the Metropolitan Opera House Children’s chorus gave me an affinity to theatrical dramatic music.  I’ve recently moved to Texas and now I am much more influenced by southern rock and the blues

Tell me about your most memorable shows.

• Kellindo: One of my most memorable shows was the first time we, (Janelle Monae), opened for Prince at Madison Square Garden.  We were all very nervous and wanted to do everything we could to make sure the show was perfect. 

What is your favorite venue to play at, and do you have any places you want to play that you have not already?

• Kellindo: my favorite outdoor venue to play at is Red Rocks in Denver Colorado because of the outdoor setting the scenery is outstanding! the view of the mountains behind the stage is stunning. The sound acoustics are so beautifully crystal clear.

• My favorite indoor venue for a small venue is Viper Room in LA and Smith’s Olde Bar in Atlanta. When it comes to a larger venue Madison Square Garden in New York.  A venue I’ve never played but would like to play would be Wembley Stadium in the UK. I was blown away watching Live Aid with my dad on tv! I love Madison Square Garden because of all the energy from the history of the bands that played there ranging from the Beatles, James Brown, Kiss, Queen, Led Zeppelin, Bob Marley, the list goes on and on so that’s probably the most legendary large indoor venue in the world. 

If you could play any show with any lineup, who would be on the ticket?

• Kellindo: Favorite lineup would be Khruangbin, Parker (NYC funk punk band) and The Red Hot Chili Peppers. 

What is some advice that you would give to someone who is just getting into making music and some advice that you would give to your younger self?

• Kellindo: Advice I would give someone who wants to get into making music is to listen to a lot of music. Listen to full length albums. Go to as many concerts as you can. I got most of my education from going to shows. Advice I would give my younger self is to not be afraid to release what I’ve written early on and to go for it! Don’t wait and put things off. Also, to make a plan and to be organized. 

You recently released a new mix version and video for your song “Sugar” can you tell us about the song and of all the songs you have released which means the most to you and why?

• Kellindo: I think of my songs as my children so they all mean an equal amount to me so It’s difficult to have a favorite.  My new single Sugar is one of the most fun to play at the moment.

Which songs are your favorites to perform live, and which get requested the most?

• Kellindo: My favorite song to perform live is a new song that I’ve not released yet called “Let’s Get Ready” and the song that gets the most requests is “When Flowers Could Dance.”

What is your creative process, and what inspires you to write your music?

• Kellindo: I get inspired to write music when I go to concerts or when I go to a movie or even church. Usually the music that accompanies church or concerts and movies give me songwriting ideas. Sometimes museum visits inspire song ideas as well.

Do you have messages that you like to get across in your music? if so please tell me about them.

• Kellindo: Overall I’d like to give the message of love, peace and happiness through creativity and respecting life from all people.

You have a new EP coming out later this year, what can you share with us about it?

• Kellindo: My new EP is going to have some high octane fun. I know it’s gonna be a favorite of many people. I have written some very high energy grooving funky bluesy rock ‘n’ roll songs that all work really well together and I can’t wait for everyone to hear it!

What are your plans for the future, and do you have anything that you want to spotlight that is coming up?

• Kellindo: I plan on releasing a rock opera next year and I am excited to perform that live as well as I’ve been market testing some of the songs on stage in Australia in my recent tour and it went over really well. 

How can your fans best keep up to date with you, any socials you want people to check out?

• Kellindo: You can follow me @therealkellindo on Instagram on @kellindo on Facebook and Twitter.  www.kellindo.com 

  Listen to my music on Apple and Spotify.  Follow me on Spotify.