SXSW Music Interview: Kevin Garrett (US) chats new music, returning to Austin & more!

Brooklyn based songwriter and vocalist Kevin Garrett has been sitting comfortably in my iTunes collection as one of the most played artists in my library at the moment. 2015’s Mellow Drama EP brought the young writer to the attention of many; in evocative lyricism and production that captivates in a similar vein to James Blake and James Vincent McMorrow, Garrett has been quick to capture hearts in America and beyond.

Though I twigged on to his music last year, I missed Garrett’s performances at SXSW 2015, so when I found out he was returning to Austin this year, I knew not to make the same mistakes twice. When we meet up for a chat, Garrett’s just returned from the Artist Gifting room, carrying the Jansport swag all official performers score. It’s overcast, so we take shelter next door to the Hilton to catch up.

“I got really lucky with some tours and the artists I was supporting,” he admits, when we  turn attention to the amount of hype that’s built up around Garrett in the last six to eight months especially. “They reached out to me directly to open and it was just a really awesome thing; also, the Internet has been crazy – the response for the six songs that are out has been unbelievable, so I’m very lucky and excited to keep going.”

“I’m generally kind of a chill dude but it’s about who you surround yourself with first of all,” he says, crediting keeping grounded amid all the craziness to his network of loved ones. “Those people in my circle and my close friends and people I really care about, they definitely know how to keep me in my place. I’m also trying to just wake up the next day and play the right notes and get to gig on time, so I’m just happy to be here.”

Though recent live shows have propelled Garrett further into the spotlight and onto larger stages, supporting the likes of James Bay and Alessia Cara recently, not to mention featuring on larger name SXSW showcases this year, the 25 year old is focused on creating new music away from it all.

“Over the holidays [April], I’m working on some new stuff.” he says. “I had a whole bunch of stuff written, I just I hadn’t had time to work so hopefully, I’m going to take April off to really try and zone in on recording some stuff, if it’s just demos or if it’s actually getting to properly record it.”

“We have some more touring in May,” he continues. “I’m going to Europe – it’s gonna be cool and then Sasquatch over in Washington State. Some cool stuff lined up, some more shows but I think honestly, this year might be a little lighter in terms of touring, just because I want to work on music.”

As to where he’ll be heading with his new music, Garrett’s influences are becoming more diversified; he opens up about his love for music by artists like Anderson .Paak and Kendrick Lamar through to Kacey Musgrave, though he isn’t headed down a country music route any time soon. Garrett also lets us in on how he finds writing on the road and now that he’s touring more, how he’s been able to strike a good balance between live performance and writing sessions.

“I think it’s more isolated,” he says of the process. “The touring operation that I’m working is very low-key. It’s me and the two guys in the band. We don’t have a crew or tour manager or anything and so we’re all  doing a bunch of other jobs while we’re out. It’s a good kind of distraction, but it’s just a lot of work and then we’re driving a whole lot too, so when I tour solo, I definitely find a lot of time to contemplate those things.”

“Lately, it’s been in time between tours or if I’m just not on the road, I’ll get to work on new stuff. I’ve been able to explore some new sounds when I’ve been on my own with different gear. Some of the stuff I’ve been working on has definitely headed in some different directions but I’m just trying to refine [it], because I think people liked what I’ve done so far – I don’t want to stray too far yet!”

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“The way people responded to “Colouring” when that came out and then, going into the next single “Controlled” was just really awesome,” Garrett says. “Like you said, a nice foundation. The way I was releasing stuff and the way I still release stuff is around tours, so that’s worked out really well. I either put out something right after I’m done on the road, like I did with James [Bay] and Alessia [Cara], or I’ll put on something out right before, like the EP or “Refuse”. It’s been good timing, I think,  the response has been a nice grassroots sort of organic build and it’s still happening, which is awesome.”

Find out more about Kevin Garrett here!

Photo: Shervin Lainez

 

 

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