| 1. What are you currently up
to? |
We are currently rehearsing ready for a tour with Spocks Beard that
starts on the 13th of March. Check www.kinomusic.com for further
details.
|
| 2. Who came up with the idea to form Kino and where does the name
originate from?
|
The idea behind Kino was born out of a conversation that I (John
Mitchell) had with Thomas Waber at Inside Out a couple of years ago.
He liked what I had done with my other band The Urbane and wanted to
know if I would be interested in doing something along a similar vein
but with a more progressive edge.
I liked the idea and agreed to have a shot at it. The next question was who would I like to work with.
The rest, as they say, is history :-) As for the name, that was the
only thing we couldnt agree on. In the end we resorted to leaving
through the English dictionary for ideas. I fell on Cinema but
everyone thought that was too Genesis sounding. The very next day,
Pete Trewavas suggested Kino. In the abscense of anything better, we
agreed. Now we all really like it!
|
| 3.The new album, 'Picture' is out - could you take us through some
highlights please?
|
For me, the opening track 'Loser's Day Parade' is my fave and also
the last song, 'Picture'. 'Loser's Day...' was the last thing we
recorded for the album and its definitely the most adventurous thing
we have done to date. I just like the extreme dynamics in it!
|
| 4. When you compose a song where do you get your ideas from and how
does a song evolve? |
I have no idea where the seeds of inspiration come from but they
normally appear at REALLY inconvenient times like at 2am, and they
normally spring forth in the form of an acoustic guitar and a
dictaphone. The song then gets sequenced on a computer using a
program called Nuendo and then everyone chucks their ideas in. The
drums are then overdubbed in the main studio and we put down the
final parts that replace the original guide parts.
Simple as that :-)
|
| 5. There were some rumours of an It Bites reunion
last year. Is there any likely hood of the band getting together again?
|
Yes there is. The trouble is that everyone is very busy and has
conflicting schedules so when there is a window when everyone can
make it, the album that has pretty much already been written will get
recorded. It will hopefully happen later this year.
|
| 6. For me your vocals have really shone through
on this album. Have you seen your voice develop down the years and who are your vocal heroes?
|
I dont think im a very natural singer and its taken a long time to
get anywhere near where I want to be with it. I basically sing on
this album by default as noone else really wanted to :-) We
originally had Ray Wilson lined up for the job, initially he agreed,
but sort of got cold feet later on. I think that he wanted to
concentrate on his solo career. If I was to have a vocal 'hero', then
I would say that there is only one person and that's Peter Gabriel.
The guy has a beautiful voice and is basically a genius.
|
| 7. You're supporting Spock's Beard - what other live plans do the
band have and will the set list feature any songs from the members other bands?
|
We hope to do a headline tour later this year but it's still in the
planning stage at the moment. As for the Spocks tour, we're pretty
much going to be playing the whole album and we probably won't do any
back catalogue at this stage as there isnt really enough time.
|
| 8. Is Kino a long-term band and what would happen if the band really
took off? I.e. would the band members ever have to leave their other bands?
|
Yes, Kino is going to be a long term thing or at least we plan to do
more than just one album. And as for the other question, ask me again
if it ever happens!
|
| 9. What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?
|
I'm a huge movie buff. I collect and watch films. I have a huge wall
space at home covered in videos and DVDs. I also like going for long
rides on my BMX. Oh and i also collect model ships. Nothing hugely
exciting i'm afraid!
|
| 10. Message to your fans?
|
Buy our album if you haven't already done so.....its ace!!!! :-)
|
