KINDERCROWDCONTROL

What is a choice you’ve made that sticks out to you that landed you where you are today in your career?

Edem: I would have to say making the decision to pursue a career in art as I was sitting at my drafting table in 1990, designing a cover for a music project Brett and I were working on called Mumbles.

We had just released Mumbles’ first recording, on the then Viva Records out of Rome Italy, called “Two Clouds”. Hats off to Claudio Di Giambattista and Phillipa Kennedy for supporting this project and the previous one, Drowning Pool Music. The album was to be called “Graffiti Tree”, and I probably still have the rough artwork somewhere. Anyway, as I sat there, it became quite clear that I needed to follow a divergent career path at that juncture of our journey. I had problems dealing with substances, and personnel, and though Brett and I had put in so much work together, we found ourselves outcasts from the Saturday night gigs of Drowning Pool Music and relegated to the Monday-Wednesday gigs of starting a new project with Mumbles. Simply put, we were burnt out. So it was suddenly crystal clear to me that I was enjoying the process of creating the art for our releases far more than running the “new-band-again-mechanics”. I decided in a satori of a moment to pursue art and, the very next day, began my research at the local library into art schools, and thus began on a new amazing journey that would ultimately bring me back to music.

Brett: Answering Edem’s WANT AD looking for musical collaboration. We were 18.

What is the strangest part of the music industry?

Edem: Not sure how to answer that one. I guess the people. Some good, strange, some not-so-much. I’m not sure I would categorize the magic of music as strange…

Brett: For me, the strangest thing about the music industry was nearly destroyed many years ago by technology and the internet. There was a time when the music industry was controlled by just a handful of people. Like Caesars they would determine the fates of many hopeful musicians, but technology and the internet changed that and gave the power of choice directly to the people. As consumers, we now have many, many choices of music which is awesome.

Is there something that you would change if you could about how the industry is run?

Edem: I would love to see the musicians better compensated. I’ve always felt that way, and I’m sure I’m not alone. Today it’s even more difficult for most musicians to make money from their art. Unless you tour, and even then it’s sketchy. I guess it’s as good a time as any to mention how I would like to see more people download and buy tracks they like from musicians (I do), rather than take the freebee route. Support your local musicians! That’s how we keep making music. For the price of a large cup of coffee, you can download 2-3 songs which last forever and keep the artist working. I am always thrilled to see a young band doing well on their talent alone and being supported, and celebrated, in their time.

Brett: In terms of “industry”, when it comes to the business side of music, total transparency is needed for musicians to be able to trust the machine.

What do you feel like you do seamlessly when it comes to your craft? 

Edem: Creating new, unique, original KCC music. The process of then taking ideas to the finish line is not seamless, but being driven to continually create it.

Brett: Nothing is ever seamless, which is a good thing. As soon as a person begins to feel things are smooth and secure, creativity stops. Music is born from creativity, and creativity is born from challenge, diversity and strife; none of which are seamless. My advice? Celebrate the seams, and channel the energy into creating something amazing.

What do you feel like you have to work on daily when it comes to your craft? 

Edem: That’s an easy one for me: Keeping a good attitude and mindset.

Brett: Finding time to create. Word of advice to all your readers. The spark of creation happens at random. Always carry something to record your ideas. It can be whatever works for you. I like using NOTES on my iPhone to write down ideas. I also like using VOICE MEMOS to record sounds, and of course some kind of music production app, like GARAGE BAND. Any of these methods will help preserve what’s in my head for further creative exploration. Key here: when inspiration happens don’t let it get away from you.

Is there a story where you thought you tripped up in your career but it turned out to be a beautiful surprise?

Edem: Not really.

Brett: This happens to me all the time. Tripping and stumbling are expected to be full of surprises and I like to think that beauty is in the eye of the beholder, right? There’s a silver lining in everything that exists and it’s up to each person to decide whether their story will be told as glass half empty or glass half full. Take this interview for example: if by participating, I’m able to impact the life of one person, then it’s glass half full. Beautiful.

Name the most beautiful part of being an artist?

Edem: Being. Mind-to-matter. Creation. Imagination. Looking. Seeing. Hearing. Magic happening and being AWARE of it.

Brett: I believe that there’s artistic talent in everyone. Ours just happens to be in music. Whether you consider yourself a spiritual person or not, we all believe that there was a moment of creation that brought everything to life: Science, Spirit, whatever you want to believe. The need to create is therefore baked into our DNA at the core of who we are. Artists are people who’ve just found a way to amplify this. Again, beautiful.

What touches your soul in particular when it comes to your music?

Edem: Truth. We are true to ourselves. As Aleister Crowley said “Do Not Lust For Result”, and, in the immortal words of Charles Bukowski: “Don’t Try”. What we do is us, through and through.

Brett: Everything.

How are you making your mark with your music?

Edem: By continuing to make it.

Brett: The saying goes that “Rome wasn’t built in a day”. If not, then it’s safe to conclude that our music hasn’t been either. We have been making our mark now for many years, and we’re making it by laying one brick at a time, consistently, every day (“again and again one more time” right Sandra?). It’ll be up to the rest of the world to decide if we’ve succeeded.

Can you talk about your latest single? Can you talk about the origins of it? 

Edem: The latest single is “Sto Da Radim”. Our beautiful wordsmith, and celebrated Croatian artist, Sandra Ban approached us with the idea of marrying the Croatian traditional folk motif “Sto Da Radim” or “What To do” with our KinderCrowdControl music. The motif reflects the pathos of life. We are discussing weather manipulation in our version and have a video in the works which we will complete in the next couple of months. Check it out and stay tuned!
https://kindercrowdcontrol.bandcamp.com/track/to-da-radim-what-to-do

Brett: Every song keeps getting better and better. Have a listen.

Social media and how to listen to all your music:

Edem: Thanks for asking! Here you go. Remember, KinderCrowdControl is one word kids!

kindercrowdcontrol.bandcamp.com

IG, Spotify, TikTok: kindercrowdcontrol

FaceBook: https://www.facebook.com/adam.elesh.94
https://www.facebook.com/KinderCrowdControl-178300222265468

Video /Soundtracks:
Day Zero: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ubDitI5bGhg
Halcyon: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JncawLt88qM
Dr. K: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_JVR7vLhgsc
Love Soldier: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0QcBy2GCTpc
Pom Raccoon: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uRIL0o0bSV0
Selah: https://vimeo.com/119474605
The Return (Of Robin Goodfellow): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wiErlYiaLus

For Press Inquiries: bsquaredmgmt@gmail.com

End of Interview