guitars, piano, acoustic). After Hotel Colfax I released an EP with my country duo called “Mr Dr” (mister doctor) which has a feel of old school country. And most recently I released two singles called “Feels Good” and “Chemical Reaction” which I call “art-popindie-rock.” I really embraced working with samples, some cool bass sounds, and really getting creative with midi and vocal harmonies. The music isn’t totally obscure, but it just doesn’t fit in one label. It would be easy to say “My music is Americana,” sigh, but it has hints of it (mostly on Hotel Colfax)! MM: What’s the difference between performing with a cover band and creating your own music? SK: I can’t name the differences without commenting on some of the similarities. In my opinion, both careers require dedication, preparation, the ability to communicate musically (in some way), professionalism, passion, respect for the songs, the stage, and the crowd, booking, touring, social media, hustle … and I’m probably missing something obvious here. There are also so many differences and I have known some original musicians that never play covers and I have known cover band musicians that don’t play originals. Hey, one always isn’t for the other. My heart has always first and foremost been with songwriting, however. I was on my own by 18 and learned pretty quickly that cover gigs pay rent a lot more efficiently than the original scene (at least until you’re making waves as an original artist) so I started playing in both styles of bands and learned to enjoy both sides because they ARE so different. Cover bands have always pushed and tested my vocal ability. Like learning Aretha Franklin to Janis Joplin to Sia for example. I don’t naturally sing like Aretha, Janis or Sia, but it is really fun to learn how
MM: What should fans expect this year? SK: I plan to release a new single, “Cheap Thrills,” this spring, specific date TBA and I am very close to having four more songs ready to be mastered and released!
to! I could literally write a novel to answer this question and I still would feel like I’m missing something. MM: You just released two singles last year. Tell us about them. SK: “Feels Good” came to me in January during bath time for my daughter and I recorded the first idea on my phone with her splashing in the background. I then demo’d it at home when I put her down for a nap and went into the studio a month later for what people hear today. This song just has a fun, quirky vibe to it. It’s not heavy, it’s not meant to “DIG” in and leave the listener feeling anything but just GOOD — like goofy good. Allowing that weird part of ourselves that makes each of us uniquely who we are. I pulled together some Mankato folks to make the video and released it all in June on the first day of summer! So it was just a nice, refreshing feel-good song for me to not only release but play live too. I n A u g u s t I t h e n re l e a s e d “Chemical Reaction.” I actually wrote and demo’d this song about four years ago but first recorded it the same day I recorded “Feels Good.” This song just came out feeling like a laid back pool party to me, so I called up some friends and hired (a videographer) and a week later we were at Jen True’s pool (thanks Jen) on the most perfect summer day. Most people think the song content is a flirty love song, but a little inside information from the writer: It’s actually about alcohol withdrawal. Crazy, huh?
MM: What are some of your influences when it comes to music? SK: Just about everyone I’ve worked with, for sure. There’s so much local talent and heart, its amazing and I highly respect that. I admire regional acts that are doing the thing like Haley, Bad Bad Hats, Lizzo, Your Smith to National Acts like Nikki Lane, Rayland Baxter, Jenny Lewis, and Lukas Nelson. Then we go to the stratosphere and I dig Talking Heads, Dolly Parton, Django Reinhardt, Aretha Franklin, Fleetwood Mac, CCR, Tom Petty ... I’m also influenced by the local but national touring musicians like Jeremy Ylvisaker, Thomas Nordland, and Erik Koskinen. MM: What inspired you to open your music lessons business? SK: By 2016 I had been teaching music for about 10 years and I now almost view those years like an apprenticeship. When I moved to Mankato, a space in Old Town became available and I took it as an opportunity to offer a service that I’m very passionate and knowledgeable about, so I went for it! I was also just ready to do and be my own thing. MM: What is something that people would be surprised to learn about you? SK: Dain and I are expecting our second child in August! How’s that for a pregnancy announcement? SURPRISE! Compiled by Diana Rojo-Garcia.
MANKATO MAGAZINE • MARCH 2019 • 17