|
It's Saturday, the sun is shining and Kid iD have just pulled off one
of the surprise performances of the day on the BBC Introducing Stage
at Reading. Having met at university in 2004 the six musical friends
have since perfected a blend of latin folk pop that will have your body
moving even before your mind has decided that that is what it wants
to do. After such an effervescent performance the band are bubbling
with positivity and eager to talk about their musical journey.
Drummer Joe Clarke explains where it all began: "Basically we
all stay at Leeds and we all did music up there and started doing some
gigs, originally as a three piece, and then I joined and it became a
four piece and these guys (Ian Dudfield - trombone and Pete Mycroft
- trumpet) became the brass monkeys." This growth of the band and
the addition of musicians to complete the now current ensemble also
charts the musical direction the band has taken. Ralph Pennyworth (frontman):
"I think it all started off with folky stuff that we were writing
and there was one or two tunes that these two played on which were a
bit more upbeat and funky and then we just went in that direction as
it made sense." This has certainly made for an interest mix of
sounds which, although they may have taken some time to ferment, now
appear to be reaching full maturity because, as Pete says "although
not all of us have the same musical interests or background, we all
appreciate everybody else's input and respect them for the things they
can offer that other members can't do."
Although there may be almost perfect harmony in the band and with their
(now) settled sound, their varied input and output sometimes make life
a little harder for them, as Iain says: "That can be a bit of a
curse with us cause one of the criticisms that we do have is that we
are a little too wide ranging and its quite hard to pin point."
Pete echoes his thoughts: "There's more of a disadvantage when
it comes to billings because certain promoters feel like they can't
put us on an indie night but they also feel they can't put us on a folk
night or a ska night or anything like that so it's a double edged sword.
I think it just takes a bit of daring on behalf of whoever is putting
us on to go with it."
Today, however, they do not have that problem and Kid iD proved they
could make a successful transition from their normal live circuit to
a stage at one of the country's major festivals. Even without the aid
of the bands' 'sweet bribery' it was obvious that the crowd, as Ralph
puts it, were 'loving it'. Joe: "I think we settled in with the
crowd quite quickly. People were up for it before we started. If it
takes a bit of time to get going then you start to feel nervous, you
get a bit on edge and you're not relaxed but the crowd went for it,
we got really excited and that led into the flow of it." They certainly
were not overawed by the experience of playing Reading despite a wall
of sound from the crowd which Ian likens to an Amphitheatre.
All six members gave every ounce of energy on stage today, as veritable
human jumping beans, and it obviously means a lot to them. Ralph: "That
was one of the best things I've ever done and then I get to do it all
again tomorrow. It's like having a birthday and then knowing that tomorrow
it's your birthday again." It also caps off a perfect summer for
the band that have also played the Rhythms of the World festival, the
Secret Garden Party (where they faced pirates and archers!) and supported
Turin Brakes. To be here Kid iD simply sent a demo to Sandman Magazine
and won a competition in conjunction with the BBC to play the Introducing
Stage. The band's reaction to the good news shows exactly where they
are coming from, what it means to them and a sincere humanity you don't
see in the NME. Ian: "I was in a computer classroom all by myself
at school and I went 'yes!'" Pete at this moment, to avoid any
confusion, has to point out that Ian doesn't go to school he works there
but maybe not for much longer. This has certainly been a major step
up for the band and they are aware of the doors that having this on
their CV could open up for them.
The band have high aspirations, as well as wanting to add Glastonbury
to their gig calendar next year they also, tongue in cheek, suggest
they 'want to play the first gig on the Moon'. Back down on planet earth
they explain that as well as moving to London the next part of the plan
involves releasing new recordings next year and some ongoing discussions
with a management company who have yet to see them live! Ralph: "They
seem like very proactive people and it would be nice to have them on
our side."
Getting back to the reason they are here today Pete explains that as
well as the audience simply enjoying the music they play he also wants
them to be "Enjoying the fact it's different. Getting to hear some
music they weren't expecting to hear but still enjoying it just as much
as everything they've always liked." There is something intensely
satisfying about stumbling across a band you've never heard of, who
have yet to be tarnished by the glare of mass media and who can make
you smile the second they play a note. Kid iD have yet to make their
millions but with the kind of uplifting and accomplished performance
they put on at this years' Reading festival (putting many household
names to shame in the process) it possibly won't take them long. With
a hint of humour they claim to have saved lives today but maybe they
have…
http://www.myspace.com/kidid
|
usicm
the 3rd album?