“They had been asking us for a while [to be involved] and finally the moons aligned and we were able to perform on the tram with an acoustic guitar and a shaker,” Laska says. “I think it’s a really cool idea. It was a little awkward because people assume it’s a prank and don’t really engage. It’s kind of funny, but whatever, it was fun,” he smiles.
Since the Melbourne four-piece’s emergence in the live music landscape, Kingswood have been going from strength to strength. The band have just concluded an immense tour off the back of their slot at this year’s Groovin’ the Moo festival, and have recently returned from Nashville after recording their debut album, which is slated for release later this year. According to Laska, the band flew to the States to see a particular man about a particular sound.
“We went to Nashville primarily for a man named Vance Powell, who’s been making music for 20 years and has pretty much produced everything you’ve ever heard of from Ray Charles, B.B. King and The Dead Weather,” Laska explains. “If Jack White trusts you to record a live show straight onto vinyl, you definitely know you’re in the right area,” he contends. And although Powell can namedrop the artists he’s worked with like a boss, Laska says it’s Powell’s recording technique that made the band decide to jet over to Nashville. “That older world of recording technique and really making music interests us, and when I say ‘really making music’, I mean music that creates connections with human beings,” Laska enthuses.
So, what does a Kingswood album, produced by a musical genius in an epicenter for artists, actually sound like? “Our album is the most diverse musical creation we’ve ever done,” Laska claims. “People expect a certain sound from the album, which is heavier rock, but our album is hugely diverse. It’s not what you expect it to be, put it that way,” he adds.
Although Kingswood loved their time touring with the Groovin’ the Moo Festival, when it comes to their preferred haunts, the guitarist says he can’t pick a particular scene as his favourite. “I love playing a massive festival where everybody is going completely crazy and off their chops, but when you play at a venue to a thousand of your fans, it’s really, really special,” he says. “But then, I also really love doing really small venues where everybody is right in your face – it’s really intense and I love that shit.”
The band have had more national gigs on the cards, too, with their recent tour. According to Laska, fans can expect a few surprises at any upcoming shows. “There’s going to be a couple of album previews, a few new songs and there will be the most exciting hip thrusts from all four members since 1984,” he jokes. “They’ll be the best rock‘n’roll shows you’ve seen,” he concludes.
BY HANNAH BLAMEY
