RELISH
Questions asked by Jon Wilde, added to Rock Realms 28th June 2011.
Relish - Ken (vocals/guitar) and Carl (drums) Papenfus, and Darren Campbell (bass) - were formed in County Down, Ireland and have gold and platinum selling albums to their name. They are now releasing their new single 'Something to Believe In' taken from forthcoming album "Connected".
We caught up with Ken to find out more.
Hi Ken, thanks for taking a moment to answer these questions. Hope you are well?
Ken: Thank you, We are all very well thanks.
What’s the history behind Relish? How did the band form, and what’s the background of the various members?
Ken: OK I'll try and be brief for your benefit. Carl and I are the sons of a well known South African Jazz artist (mother) and well known musician/Dr. (Father). Our parents were exiled during the apartheid years in South Africa for breaking the inter racial marriage laws so we ended up for the better in N. Ireland during the height of the troubles. We were keen musicians to the horror of our mother and approval of our father surprisingly.
Relish was formed from the ashes of a band called The Id. The singer and keyboard player left, we had some studio time booked so we wrote some tracks and I very reluctantly and after much persuasion sang on the demo. For whatever reason it connected resulting in labels coming to our house, our parents living room to be exact to hear us do our thing. We couldn't get a gig at the time and this setup became quite a novelty. A&R, label MDs etc. were timetabled throughout the week to come to the house. It was hilarious. Fast forward, EMI ended up offering us a deal we couldn't refuse.
Two albums, Wildflowers and Karma Calling produced by John Leckie and Al Clay were the product of that relationship. We didn't get a global release but the Japanese label put us out all over Asia via MTV and mass radio. We had a number 1 single and toured there. Domestically our EMI albums went platinum and gold and we still get massive airplay. It's a real pity that the London dept. didn't pull out all the stops or I wouldn't have to be explaining who the hell we actually are (laughs). But that's life.
Anyway, some great things happened. We picked up awards and have been given the thumbs up from musical legends so it in no way is a sad story. Quite the opposite. So today we have our own label, licensed worldwide finally, to Rock Ridge Music, brought to you via Warners distribution.
Who were the early influences? Do you all have similar listening tastes?
Ken: Although Carl and I are brothers we share an uncanny similarity in many ways, musically to Darren's music history. Beatles, Stones, Beach Boys, Ray Charles, Aretha ..... the list is very extensive. Right up to Van Halen, Rush, AC/DC, The Police, Ian Dury.... and more. We are musically apolitical. It's the only way to be if you truly love music.
Did you know what sort of sound Relish was destined to have at the start, or did you let it develop organically and see where it took you?
Ken: It's a mix of structure and organic development. The result has to hit us in some way emotionally. Anything technical or precise has to do the same. We are relaxed about the development of the track until the end where the track has to meet our vision for that song and the album. Either the predetermined vision or what the vision has become. The are no rules or politics though. Beyond everything the music has to speak on some level.
How would you actually describe your sound?
Ken: It's a sonic melting pot. Embracing history with the spirit of the future. At least that's the aim. The true test is whether or not we can translate and connect with the audience.
Westlife asked to cover one of your tracks... Did they actually do it and (bearing in mind I actually quite like Westlife so I’m not taking the p*ss) do you personally think this makes you a more or less cool band as a result?
Ken: Yes. To those that know us it was probably the coolest thing we have ever done. I am sure there are those that hated the idea. To affect change you have to challenge all the boundaries. I have never understood cool. Don't know if I've ever been cool and have never cared. The secret to our very existence is the fact that we are our own entity. Westlife created a new place for the track, to a new audience. When you are married to music it is 'a for better or for worse' relationship. I'll let the people decide.
Tell us about your new album “Connected”... How do you feel it compares in style and quality to your other two albums?
Ken: I think if you have followed us from the first two albums then "Connected" is the elder brother and definitely part of the family. If it's your first experience I am sure the album delivers with the spirit and intent of a debut. I think in time it will create it's own space. It's the best example of the heart of the band to the core. The album reveals who we are and extends the boundaries musically of the last two albums.
Did you approach the recording the same way as before? Is this album all about evolution or revolution?
Ken: Great question. You have to appreciate and understand revolution to evolve. The two are interconnected, one can't exist without the other. We had to come to terms with the limitations, in all their forms, presented during the last two albums and needed to grow and appreciate those experiences for what they were before we could move on. We needed to fully accept ourselves and to nearly give ourselves permission to move beyond or even somewhere else this time round. The process began with us taking on the production roles ourselves. We ended up mixing most of the album ourselves also but the vital input from engineer Kieran Lynch and assistant Patrick McCaul cannot be undervalued. These guys were inspirational.
We began recording in Patrick's beautiful SSL equipped studio to a very posh residential studio in Ireland to our rehearsal space where we finished the album. Each place was it's own uniquely beautiful experience. It was a wonderful and challenging experience. Al Clay used to say, "Recording an album should change your life". Done right, it does.
How do you go about writing your songs? Talk us through the construction of a typical track...
Ken: We have no rules. I might play piano, Carl might play guitar or piano to deliver a vision for a track. Sometimes using your weaker instrument brings something new. We experiment with new sounds and technologies to inspire. We might complete an entire track and present it or just some parts that we feel compelled to add to something else. Sometimes it's organized chaos until the jigsaw pieces come together. We have formal music backgrounds so the structure can always be found but real creativity has to have a certain spontaneity and intangible nature about it to cut through the ether. I hope that answers your question in some way.
Where do you look for your lyrical and musical writing ideas?
Ken: Lyrics are strange animals. Language is a tool and the message can be worded in so many ways. For me the rhythm, tone and texture of the words are just as important as the content and I tend to favour some words over others. What's beautiful about the English language is that a few words can say many different things. I tend to see things in life or in my mind and attempt to convey those 'things' within the limitations of the structure, the rules and that's part of he magic. Musically, I think Keith Richard's explanation of inspiration as floating melodies that pass through the air and sometimes you just grab something that just passes you at that time in that place, would really sum up the musical writing experience of myself and my brother. There is the idea of abundance, timing, divine, spirit, intention etc. within that statement. I couldn't put it any better.
Any favourite tracks on the new one, or is it all the work of genius?
Ken: Today it's Heat and Connected, tomorrow it might be different. It changes literally by the day. As for Genius, it's a very overused, under applied and definitely misplaced word that in my mind only a few are worthy of. Certainly not in this corner for starters.
What are your targets with this release? Are you going for world domination this time round?
Ken: The targets change. Initially just to have the songs completed. Then, to get a release plan etc. the list goes on. Ultimately we want as many people as possible to get the opportunity to hear what we do. It's only songs at the end of the day.
Talk us through your existing touring/gigging plans...
Ken: I'm going to echo my last answer here. Plans are underway and opportunities are unfolding. We want to reach as many people as we can.
What is one of your live shows like? What should fans expect from one of your performances?
Ken: (Laughs) Well, I'm not going to start blowing hot air about ourselves. We are honest, I suppose is the real answer. Today, we have many actors for musicians. Personally, I love the Van Morrison, Frank Zappa, Miles Davis approach. If they're having a bad day, you'll know about it but you will always leave the show being blown away. I think Radiohead are in that category as well. I suppose to sum up a Relish show would be, passion filled, pantomime free. Sounds like a fuel station ad or something, but you did ask. Hey, roll up, roll up and don't forget your fuel tanks folks.
What have been the highlights and lowlights of your musical lives so far?
Ken: The highlights have been those times where we truly connected with our audience. Either to twenty people or fifty thousand. It's a magical experience when it happens. Lowlights, well that's just life, Karma, whatever you want to call it. Can't see why anyone would be interested in that. We all have them. Some lower than others. Stand up, dust off, move on. I know some bands just love that question, but honestly they just put me to sleep. Next!!!!
Any question you love being asked that I’ve missed? If so, what’s the answer?
Ken: What's your middle name. Sometime what you think the answer might be is better than the truth.
What are you up to once you’ve finished answering these questions?
Ken: Answering some more! I am around some very strong women you know. It's endless.
Anything else you would like to mention?
Ken: Are you kidding?
Thanks again to Ken for his time...and his thoroughly awesome answers.
