A Quick Chat with Kingswood
Midnight Mavericks drops on May 22. How does it feel knowing it is out in the wild for everyone to enjoy?
We are immensely proud, to have worked so hard on a body of work, all of our ideas and moods and considerations and pondering and inspirations that make up the creative world of Kingswood, the expression of our lives in an experience that takes place in the chaos of music.
Where does the title Midnight Mavericks come from?
The term Maverick is synonymous with unconventional, unorthodox, independent and rebellious. Something that very much defines the spirit of Kingswood in all our endeavours, both musical and business-wise. Combining that sentiment with the timescape that a majority of our creativity and our livelihood takes place, and it seemed the Midnight Mavericks become an identity that perfectly represented the band.
How do you personally define where your sound lives, and has that definition shifted for you between albums?
The sound of Kingswood is an ever-evolving exploration into all that we find inspiring whilst attempting to define our lives within sound – the current Midnight Mavericks driver is west coast country meets rock and roll roots. Vince Gill, Eagles, Ronnie Milsap, Tom Petty, Shania Twain & Robert John 'Mutt' Lange are all leant on amongst the rich history of influence for Kingswood. The definition of the Kingswood sound has always drastically shifted, from hard rock, to bluegrass, to jazz to folk to southern rock, to indie-rock and experimental contemporary.
Lyrically, is there a thread or theme running through this album that you didn't fully notice until you stepped back and looked at it as a whole?
Not overtly no. The album touches on themes that are common to our catalogues, from love and loss, to redefinitions, to observation and self-reflection to religion and philosophy, addiction and indulgence, emancipation and conflict. It’s all always in there. Just from different angles of times and space.
Which track on the record pushed you the furthest outside your comfort zone, and do you think it shows?
To be honest nothing was extremely trying, I think from a writing perspective we always try to push beyond the status quo, and therefore live in a perpetual state of discomfort. A little bit more honest, or a little bit more explorative or a little bit more character driven. However this comprises the pursuit we always endeavour, trying to create excitement and new experiences in the Kingswood realm.
How does a song actually get written in your band — is it one person bringing something finished, or is it more of a room-built process?
Songs get written in a variety of ways, whether is conceived of entirely prior to the studio, whether it’s room built, sometimes it is collaboratively driven, sometimes it’s a personal labour that gets finalised in the performance. Sometimes it’s hours of chaotic exploration, sometimes its instantaneous conception. I think the important aspect is the psychological approach of aligning what’s driving a motivation to express an idea with the soundscape that matches most cohesively.
Tell me about your Midnight Mavericks tour that kicked off in Perth last week?
The tour is currently underway and kicked-off last week in Perth and Adelaide. We’ve got an incredibly special band together for this one, with everyone finding form to express Midnight Mavericks in all of its glory. Kingswood fiercely promotes reality and musicianship so there is no use of tracks or metronomes, digitisation. We are the real deal, we are minds and souls on stage, interacting in real-time with humanity binding us all.
What's the one thing you hope a first-time listener walks away feeling after hearing this album front to back?
Inspiration.