Diese Woche, am Freitag, den 19. Juli, wird das mit Spannung erwartete Album „Kentucky Gold“ von Kyle Daniel veröffentlicht. Bekannt für seine gefühlvolle Stimme und tiefgründigen Texte, hat Kyle Daniel das Publikum mit seiner einzigartigen Mischung aus Country- und Rock-Einflüssen begeistert. In diesem Interview tauchen wir ein in die Inspiration hinter „Kentucky Gold„, den kreativen Prozess und was die Fans von dieser neuen Sammlung von Songs erwarten können.
Frontstage Magazine: What was the inspiration behind the title of your new album, Kentucky Gold?
Kyle: I’m a proud Kentuckian, through and through. I always have been. I have taken great pride in being from the Commonwealth and this area has shaped me into the person I am today. I felt it was only fitting that the title pay homage to those roots.
Frontstage Magazine:Can you tell us about the creative process that led to this album? How did the various influences like Muscle Shoals soul, Nashville twang, and bluesy boogie-woogie come together in it?
Kyle: In 2019, I had vowed I was going to write as if I wanted a publishing deal, so it became a regular 9-5 Monday-Friday kind of thing for me. I wanted to REALLY dig into the writing process and write the best possible songs I could, as I knew I was due up for a full length record, and not another EP. When I felt like I had the arsenal worth taking into the studio, we booked the players and studio time and let it fly down in Muscle Shoals. There’s something in the air down there. It just kind of found its’ way into our record because we were surrounded by this “feeling.” Obviously we had intentions for each song, but some came out way cooler because of the atmosphere and our willingness to take a chance. I felt very happy with how we were able to blend all of the sounds and influences of mine within this recording.
Frontstage Magazine: How was the collaboration with producers Jaren Johnston, Brian Elmquist, and Mike Krompass? What unique elements did they bring to the album?
Kyle: They all brought something different to the table, but were all equally as amazing to work with! Brian and I did the majority of the record down in Muscle Shoals in 2020. It was a pleasure working with Brian because he really loses himself in the music. He is a dreamer and a hell of a writer, so his ideas creatively were really unmatched. He really helped shape the entire vibe of the initial recordings. Jaren is an absolute rockstar and I think we all know that. What you may not know, is that Jaren is a very accomplished producer because of this as well. He put together an all-star rhythm section and it was amazing to watch this process unfold with him. It was formulaic without being contrived. That dude knows what he’s doing! With Mike, we recorded one of the coolest ways I have ever done a song. We wrote it on zoom in two different countries, I sent an acoustic/vocal track to a click, then he sent back the entire track. It was mind boggling! I then laid down my final vocals and guitar parts and that’s what you hear. Brian brought the vibes, Jaren brought the rock and Mike brought the new radio rock heat!
Frontstage Magazine: What do you hope fans take away when they listen to Kentucky Gold? Are there specific messages or emotions you want to convey with this album?
Kyle: I hope that everyone can find a little piece of themselves in this record. My hope was to be as real as I possibly can with these songs and pray that they resonate for years beyond the time I’m here. I want people to be able to put this album on and just let it play. One that you can get lost in.
Frontstage Magazine: Can you share any particular story or experience during the making of Kentucky Gold that stands out to you?
Kyle: The process of the bulk of the record in Muscle Shoals was an experience I will never forget. We stayed in a house for a full week, and just lived in the studio, literally. We would eat breakfast in the kitchen, then go record in the living room of this awesome mansion called “Ivy Manor at the Shoals.” It felt like we were really recording an album the way it was intended to be: by surrounding ourselves with the music.
Frontstage Magazine:Our last question is always a bit out of the ordinary: Which Netflix series did you watch most recently, and was it worth it? If so, why?
Kyle: Unfortunately I am the most boring person in the world when it comes to watching a series, other than the Office. It’s literally all I watch. That is single handedly the greatest show that has ever existed. I watch it going to sleep every night. So, next time, let’s do a pop quiz on Office trivia and I’ll be far more helpful. Hahaha.
Fotocredit: Kyle Daniel
