Interview with Kenny Baquol

Photo Credit: Daulton Snowden

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

As a child, my dad surrounded me with a massive love for classic rock. We eventually took guitar lessons together, and in my teenage years I became obsessed with getting better at every instrument I tried. If not music, my time would probably be devoted to speedrunning outside of my day job. I once beat Pokémon Red Version in 2 hours, so I know I could've had at least some potential as a speedrunner!

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

Usually gaming or attending concerts. Seeing bands play live turbocharge my creative process because I can feel the stories and emotions they're trying to share in a close-up environment.

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

I've lived in different parts of Maryland all my life. My college town, Westminster, had the most influence on me because when I took jazz guitar lessons there, it showed me how little I really knew. And the jazz scene at the college in town pushed me to grow a ton.

Tell me about your most memorable shows, if you haven’t played live what is your vision for a live show?

I would have to pick the time I played at Baltimore Soundstage with Downhill Uprise (now Lithium & Candy). It was an actual life dream of mine to play there since I was a teenager, and when we got offered a small time slot with a bunch of other local bands in 2019, I was overjoyed. It was a super small show, but I'll remember those 25 minutes forever.

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

This is going to seem super random, but... Reagan Cats, The Story So Far, Starset, and Alice in Chains!

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?

To new musicians: Don't ever give up...you're going to write some bad songs, your voice is going to crack during a live performance, people on submithub are going to trash your song...keep on writing, keep on practicing, keep on improving all your weak points, and eventually you'll reach a level of satisfaction and confidence in yourself. You just have to fight through the beginning first.

To my younger self: ...Get a little better at singing before posting all those covers (Lmao)

Of your songs which one means the most to you and why? 

Probably "Breaking Inside" from a few months ago. It was meant to honor my grandma and grandpa originally, but then we unexpectedly lost my aunt just weeks before it came out. All I wanted was to show her and have her be proud, and I never got the chance. But now the song goes way deeper because it's like I was singing to her and I didn't even know it yet.

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

For most of my life, it was just "write when ideas just come to you". As of recent, since my non-solo band started working with an experienced producer, I've started incorporating some of his techniques into my solo writing. Mainly the fight for mental health is what inspires me to write. I hope I can help people who are struggling one day through my music.

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

I really want to help people rise out of darkness. A lot of my lyrics have been 1st person introspection, but I feel a need lately to start writing more songs to try and relate to people struggling with mental health, toxic home environments, etc.

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

I plan to keep releasing music forever, and I'm going to put together a killer live show for this solo act once I get some more high-energy songs out there. The release date for the next song is a secret, so I encourage people to follow me on Instagram and TikTok for song and show announcements, as well as songwriting/riff-writing content!

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

Through social media!

IG: @kennybaquolmusic  

TikTok: @kennybaquomusic

LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/kennybaquol