Project Description

Interview with
KEVENS

(November 2020)

Interviewer – Dave Bruce

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Have you always wanted to be a musician? When did you get the song writing bug?
Kēvens: Music has always been a part of my life from I was a youth. Knowing I would become a full-time singer/songwriter was not something that came to mind at first. No-one in my family played music that I know of. 
I wanted to join the US Air Force after High school so I could fly, when that didn’t work out only then did I turn to music as a profession. First I was a progressive reggae dub DJ, playing groups like Throbbing Gristle, Magazine, Steel Pulse, Marley, The Clash, B52 to name a few. In these early days, I was also involved in the reggae dancehall scene and was fascinated with those MCs, I became one and the urge of writing my own lyrics came to life. I have a more video detailed story for your audience to watch through the Incarnations’ page on my website kevens.com

How would you describe your sound? Why do you think people resonate with your music?
Kēvens: My sound is an amalgamation of reggae dub, EDM and rock influences. 
People resonate because it’s coming from a place of truth powered with soul energy. Merging the musical styles is not for everyone. There are those out there who don’t believe in that, I hear from them too, but when it comes to the message I have for mankind, a lot of those same people have become my biggest fans.

Which artist’s music and/or performance, past or present, inspires you today? 
Kēvens: I started this journey on the right foot, being in the same band with the brothers of Bob Marley, Anthony and Richard Booker. I learned early on to write a song with purpose and that’s been the way I do things. 
The Gong’s (Bob) tunes and live concerts continue to influence me to this very day. 
I am also a huge fan of Bono, met him once before at a show U2 was having here in Miami, we spoke for 20 minutes about Freedom and positivity. It’s always been a dream to share the stage with that group and meeting him brought me a step closer, fingers crossed.

Your new single ‘Battle for Peace’ has just been released. Can you describe its origin and evolution for us please? 
Kēvens: Battle for Peace was inspired by the Injustice man does to his fellow man. Two of my heroes, Martin Luther King and Nelson Mandela have inspired me early on towards the true meaning of nonviolence and equal rights. Later on in life, in the search of finding myself, I discovered spirituality and the definition of non-violence took on a different form.  To achieve a state free of violence, one must be peaceful and peace begins in the mind through meditation, not at the UN. Having said that, let me point out, the racists of yesteryear have passed on their lack of sympathy/empathy to their children who’ve now grown up to become high members of society and although lynching has been abolished, it has taken a different form. We have become so desensitized to the bloodshed, too many of us dismiss it like yesterday’s news instead of being appalled and outraged.

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Is there an EP or Album on the drawing board? 
Kēvens: I have no plans at the moment to put an EP or Album out but it’s on the schedule to release a new song every four months moving forward, God willing. 

Any events coming up soon? What are you looking forward to, and what can the fans expect?
Kēvens: With this COVID-19 pandemic, I had a few cancellations and those shows have not been rebooked. I am looking forward to getting back on stage to perform again, I miss it. 
The fans can always expect me to give them my very best no matter the project.

If you could perform with any music artist, Alive or Dead, who would you choose? And why? 
Kēvens: We just lost Toots (Toots and The Maytals). I was watching him on the “Later with Jool Holland” show not that long ago and I said to myself, I’ve got to get on stage with him. I got to share the stage with Jimmy Cliff, Steel Pulse, Black Uhuru and Third World, he was the only one out of that bracket I didn’t open for. I wish I had the opportunity to work with that legend. 
Another artist I love is Jacques Brel, outside of Sting, he is the only one I ever want to cover.
An artist who is alive and style I love a lot and would love to perform with is Andre 3000. 
Pharrell Williams is another one, he’s been around awhile creating, writing great songs. I know the exact song I’d like to work with him on, it’s in my vault waiting.

Do you have any long-term aspirations as a music artist? 
Kēvens: Of course, I have been in this business for a long time. Some make it early and disappear and some make it late. The fact that I am still here is proof I signed up for the long hall. Music is my life and I am a messenger. I will leave this earth singing songs that will heal the human condition.

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What is the best thing about performing to a live audience? What’s been your career highlight so far?
Kēvens: Performing with my band for a live audience has been the way I started aside from being a DJ. An engaging audience is a collective of frequencies that an entertainer must navigate and project back with continuous and loving action.
Many years ago I got signed, things didn’t work out and I was devastated. I spent years almost in a state of depression, questioning if I was good enough. Then I went to Russia and performed on live television out there for millions. When I got back home to Miami from that tour, I felt I was worthy of being an artist again. That show represented rebirth, to this point, it’s my highlight.

Your motto is ‘positivity is a necessity’. How do you remain positive in a turbulent year such as this? 
Kēvens: Keeping it together in these testing times is really hard. I rely on prayer and meditation to keep a calm mind. During this turbulence, I have dedicated my focus on putting out meaningful songs that benefit humanity. 
I go to bed knowing, my words have encouraged and inspired many towards a more positive attitude and that’s fulfilling.

Finally, a few questions for some quick answers –
FAVOURITE:
Album – Kaya
Artist – Bob Marley
Movie – Ip Man
Place to visit – Japan
Venue to play – Red Rocks in Colorado
Food –  Vegan
Drink – Wine 
Person in History –  Nelson Mandela
Tattoo – (If you don’t have one, what would you get?) Although I like tattoos on other people, I never thought of having one. I would have to say, that’s a secret.

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Check out KEVENS below
Website – Facebook – Instagram – Twitter 

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AMNPLIFY – DB

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