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Killa Kela interview

Posted: Tue, 07 Jul 2009

Killa Kela's new album 'Amplified' is out at the end of August, with production credits including both James (Does It Offend You, Yeah?) and Martin Rushent we had the Berkshire link we needed to catch up with Kela before a recent album showcase at Cargo in London.

The UK beatboxer's electro pop single 'Built Like an Amplifier' is out now with the album 'Amplified' following on Monday 31 August.

Here's what he had to say...

Would you say this album is your most full band sounding release to date?

Yeah, some would say it is. For me it was deliberate, I wanted to push beyond what people knew me for and push what I knew I was good at. I'm all over it like a rash, so take what you want of me out of it.

What's your favourite track on your new album?

I love them all. All the kids have my TLC ;-)

You're known for collaborating with a wide range of artists, some of which people might not expect (for example Elysian Quartet) - are there any unexpected collaborations on your new album?

Oh for sure - some of the producers - Martin Rushent (Human League/Buzzcocks), Alan Braxe from Paris, James Rushent of Does It Offend You, Yeah?, Jukey, Cool Kids, Hadouken, Bashy, Lateef (quanum), DJ Craze to name a few. That has been the biggest reason for doing another album.

What has it been like working with both James and Martin Rushent on this album? Did they work together or only on separate tracks?

Well I did a previous track with both of them called 'Reveal Your Inner Self' back in 2008 - a proper father/son collaboration! For the album, they worked separately. But for everyone who worked on the album, the whole things been a harvest of ideas. Everyone knows everyone, there were musical family vibes.

Who would you still like collaborate with?

Slash of Velvet Revolver, Travis Barker, Dizzee, Ludacris, Iggy Pop... I mean, I'm a team player, I like working with musicians.

When did you realise you were better than other beatboxers?

When I first heard what people thought was amazing back in the day and I just knew I could do more. Thing is, it's really easy to claim you're better than somebody, it's another to create an awareness of the fact. Nowadays, it's easy to be a good beatboxer...people go on the internet and watch me, Eklips and Faith.

What has been your best moment on stage?

Me, Pharrell, Justin - In a line on stage (Brixton Accademy) beatboxing... yeah, that and Prince.

You have changed your sound a lot over time, has the been a conscious decision to keep with trends or a natural progression?

Well, yeah it has. I've been learning as I've gone along, so no album has had the same signature sound (shall we say), other than the beatbox being there. But that in essence is what it's all about - my voice, my beatbox. It's what makes all the albums relevant.

The music industry has changed a lot while you've been part of it, do you think new bands should still chase a record deal the way people have traditionally?

Of course. You can't deny the massive stability record labels give the music industry. They can work popular music. The problem is they never caught up with what was going on with technology. Business tends not to like change, but they were warned.

Who has influenced your music recently?

All the people who are on the album and their catalogues. Also a lot of Hip Hop, 80's heavy metal, Michael Jackson, Fidget house stuff, dubstep DnB...

N*E*R*D started late (technical issues) and were then faded out at Glatonbury during their set for going over their time slot, the crowd wanted more - is anyone bigger than a curfew?

Hmmmmmm....no i dont think so. But if it was a technical issue, then allowances should have been made. Just makes the festival look bad.

You're about to tour in Asia - but are you going to be playing any UK festivals this summer?

We got a few TBC's.... check out www.killakela.com

What do you consider success to be?

Hehe , fun and alot more fun.

Interview by Jim Bowes