What made you decide that music is a thing for you?
MK: Up until I was 23 years old, the only thing I wanted to do was to be in The Canadian Military.
It was during some basic training where we had to crawl through tunnels wearing a CHEMOX (Chemical Breathing Apparatus) whilst we were being bombed with tear gas, that I changed my mind. I have not looked back since.
I always played clarinet, and remember thinking that the clarinet might not be so bad!
Introduce us to all to the members and your musical history?
MK: Major Kami is a collective, and I can only speak for myself…Denis Expert and
Dan Burkhart will have to answer separately.
I started out as a band geek and did not quite fit in. I sang in the church choir as a young girl and wrote protest songs in the bathroom when my parents grounded me.( hahaha)
I started playing in cover bands in High school and after I got the ‘military thing’ out of my system, I joined a tour with a 6 piece horn, funk, and soul band called Dr.Tongue. I went on the road for free, and was given a Musical/Life experience, a place to sleep, and a lot of beer.
I have since then, worked as a musician, and continue to benefit from these experiences…I could go on, but NO ONE is going to read all of this!
Name me your 3 favorite Albums.
DE: For the conception of the Eps (album in April/May 2023), the influences that helped us a lot were David Bowie; M83 and Kae Tempest.
What was the first song you heard that steered you into a music path?
MK: SATURDAY Night by The Bay City Rollers!!! Haaahaa
The music industry is the hardest industry in the world to progress in, How do you feel you are doing?
MK: I believe, ‘last man standing wins.’
Major Kami is such an interesting project, it gives me even more energy to keep going!
Im seeing a lot of debate about women not feeling safe at music gigs, any thoughts on what we need to do to help?
MK: Well I hate being in crowds at any point, and I imagine this is what you are talking about when you ask this?
I don’t think it’s a debate, it’s common sense…If I am going to a concert (and believe me you don’t want me to come with you…)I will stand nearest the exit and I always make myself leave 10 minutes before the end, so I don’t get in a crowd of people…I also always go with a friend, or a group of friends..
So, I am no guru in this field..I would be overly cautious and just accept its part of the experience.
As you develop as an artist and develop using socials what ways do you get new ears on your music? Any tips?
MK: I think what works for me is to follow and share other artists…When you do this, you create a community, and they share YOUR music to their fans…It is a ‘virtual’ way of going to other people’s gigs and supporting them….Humans are good, and when you are supportive of them, they can’t help but return it…
Tell us Two truths and a lie about you?
MK: Okay, am I supposed to write these and the readers guess? Or do I tell you the truths?Hmmmmmmmm
I love Cheese ( true)
I love Running( true)
I Love big parties.(lie)
Whats your thought on Spotify’s monopoly on the music industry?
MK: This is a big deal.
I started recording music on cassette tape…I think I have tried out ALL the ways of sharing music…Spotify may have the monopoly now but this too will change.
With this project Major Kami, we have already seen a quick following online and a quick rise on SPOTIFY, so as long as we see an increase of people who care about the music, we are happy.
Do you sign up for any conspiracy theories?
MK: No.
Did you buy anything you don’t need in the pandemic?
MK: Oxygen meters
What was the worst experience on stage?
MK: Too many to write here…We will have to meet in person some time and I will tell you!
Tell us something about yourself / each member that you think people would be surprised by?
DE: Sarah Jay Hawley from Massive Attack is definitely one of the most amazing artists for taking the step to come on the album as a guest star. We thank her very much!
The members believe in the project orchestrated by DAMde8 (the French association which is responsible for the project); they come from many countries. It’s incredible!
The easiest way is for you to discover the whole concept and all the people involved by yourself here: https://majorkami.damde8.com/en/
What makes you different as a group/artist?
DE: The fact that the theme of the whole album is the life of David Bowie makes it very special. Major Kami sings it beautifully, bringing a sweetness but also a fury like in this song “Burns in the Barns”.
I heard that you have a new music, what can you tell us about it ?
DE: Dan Burkhart is the arranger, co-composer and master of the sound that helped shape the whole album with an alternative electro-pop, 80’s vibe and the enthusiastic feedback from the listeners suggests that his choice was the right one!
Tell me about the thought process behind the new song(s).
DE: I came up with the concept of talking about David Bowie without mentioning his name in any of the songs and leaving enough room for each listener to take over the lyrics as they see fit, without necessarily worrying about who we were talking about.
How was the recording done?
DE: By internet. I worked on the compositions with Dan in France.
The vocals were recorded in the artists’ countries (Major Kami in Singapore and Sarah Jay Hawley in England). All the editing took place in France. Dan Burkhart mixed and adjusted all the songs.
What was the biggest learning curve in writing these new songs?`
DE: Writing songs and lyrics together without ever meeting. I would send the themes, my melody lines in parallel to Major Kami and Sarah Jay who were able to analyse and bring their creativity, their lyrics to the songs admirably. Each one in his own country to end up with an international songwriting in short.
Would you change anything now that the album is finished?
DE: No, I wouldn’t. The important thing is that the listeners are transported as we were during the final listening.
Is there anything else you would like to share with the world ?
DE: Yes, the stages of the show so that many people come to see Major Kami! haha
We’re working on that right now.
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