Backstage Pass with... Pete Kilpatrick
Moose and Bears and Pete Kilpatrick, Oh My!
Things that come from the great state of Maine
By: Nicole Boutin
“Incorporating both acoustic and electric guitar with a tight and tasteful rhythm section creates a multi-dimensional sound that instantly sets them apart from others. As a singer, Pete Kilpatrick demonstrates the rare ability to consistently deliver catchy melodies, along with sincere and colorful lyrics. In little over a year, the band has gained recognition by writing well-crafted songs and performing regularly throughout New England.” -taken from www.pksg.com
When I think of finding a
unique, talented and interesting band in the state of Maine, I laugh.
Sure, Maine has snow, skiing, and bears-but bands? That’s something the
State isn’t known for. Well, located in this very state of Maine is a
band that could hold its own against any other band out there today.
Since their formation in the fall of 2002, The Pete Kilpatrick
Supergroup (Pete Kilpatrick, Ethan Wright, James Hamalainen, and Bernie
Nye) has accomplished creating a sound that is like no other.
Recently I was able to talk with Pete Kilpatrick, the lead singer and guitarist of the group, and talk about what the music experience has been like for him:
Tuned In: What got you involved in music and becoming a singer/songwriter?
Pete Kilpatrick: My aunt bought me a guitar
when I was a senior in high school and I just taught myself how to play
it. The hardest part was learning how to hold a pick because I'm
left-handed but I play righty. Those stupid things always fell
out of my hand. I think I even tried to glue a pick to my hand once.
What
a
loser. But anyways, I had been singing for a while and I realized I
could sing pretty well when I was back in grade school. I wanted to play
guitar to have something else that I could bring to my music other then
lungpower and words.
TI: What inspires you as you're writing songs?
PK: Nothing too crazy. Just simple things
like girls that give you that weird heart feeling, and different life
experiences, stuff like that. I try and write songs that
make people feel how I feel when I hear an amazing song. A few examples…
"In Your Eyes" by Peter Gabriel, "Last Goodbye" by Jeff Buckley. In my
opinion
those are 2 of the most beautiful songs ever written. I just keep my
standards high. A lot of musicians are fond of settling for songs when
they're not fully done and I don't think that's a good thing. A song
lives
and breathes and it can take months to finish one but you can't rush it.
Even when you want to strangle it and never hear from it again.
TI:
You did some shows with Tim Reynolds-how was that and what was it like?
PK: It was amazing! I'm the biggest Dave Matthews fan and to
share the stage
with someone who has such an influence on one of my biggest influences
is very crazy. I'm a big fan of guitar pedals and he is the master of
using guitar loops. He has pedals going completely around him. It was
just really cool to play with him and it was something I can brag to my
friends about.
TI:
Within the last year you released a full CD with a band. What was
that experience like
for you and how do you look back on that whole process?
PK: It was definitely the biggest step I've
taken so far musically. The whole experience was amazing. We worked
with Spencer Albee and Zach Jones from As Fast As, who are 2 of my best
friends. They just got signed to Octone Records. Jon Wyman produced and
engineered the whole album. He's also a great friend and an amazing
asset to the Portland music scene. The album took us over a year to
record and release but it was amazing. Hearing things you create go
from vocals and guitar to full out orchestrated songs is a great thing.
TI:
Do you prefer being in a band as opposed to being a solo
singer/songwriter?
PK: I like the band cause we can rock.
It's hard to rock out when it's just a solo thing. I like the solo thing
cause it's more intimate and it's easier to organize shows when you
don't have to work around band members schedules.
TI:
What has been your most embarrassing concert moment?
PK: Ummmm…I don't really get embarrassed anymore about stuff. I
just try to joke
around and act like I meant to play the wrong note.
TI: What’s the best show you've ever played?
PK: We've played a lot of great shows. I'd
say it's a tie between opening for O.A.R at the Maine Center for the
Arts and playing at the Sate Theater in Portland.
TI:
Do you have a favorite song of yours that you love to play at each
show?
PK: It changes every night. It's usually the
newest song we have at that particular time. I love playing "Glow" and "Diggin
in the Dirt"(Peter Gabriel cover). I love playing all our new tunes as
well.
TI: What is in your CD player right now?
PK: Flickerstick, Graham Isaacson, Ray
Lamontagne, Rival Schools, U2(All That You Can't Leave Behind), Turin
Brakes, Travis(12 Memories).
TI:
What are your top 5 CD's?
PK: This changes all the time but right now
it's
1.Travis- The Invisible band
2. Rustic Overtones- Rooms by the hour
3. Coldplay-Parachutes
4. Dave Matthews-Some Devil
5.Ryan Adams-Love is Hell
TI:
Who would you love to do a live show with?
PK: TRAVIS! COLDPLAY! RYAN ADAMS! JAMES
TAYLOR!
TI: What are your plans for the future?
PK: We begin recording our 2nd full-length album this weekend. We record for 2 weeks straight with Spencer Albee. We're going to put together a tour and begin shopping our album. That is the plan! We want to play 300 shows a year and build an amazing fan base that drives for hours to see us and goes home happy!