Kirk McFee
AOL
28th June '01
   
Read The very first ever VIRTUAL INTERVIEW, conducted back in July 2001 with Kirk McFee during the recording phase of "More Time Than Money" - Kirk's highly successful 2002 release (voted CD of the year by visitors to kweevak.com)....

SkidMcSkidder: Hi Kirk, thanks for taking the time out of your busy recording schedule to give us this interview. I'd like to ask some questions about your current scene before we "get down & personal"! LoL

Kirkrockscom: Hi Mark, good to hear from you. Thanks for having me Whatcha got?

SkidMcSkidder: You've recently been in Seattle recording your latest CD album "More Time Than Money" which, from talking to some of your fans is eagerly awaited - how's it going? Are you on target to release it at the end of July?

Kirkrockscom: Things are going well. As always, something comes up to push the release date back a bit but I'll be done in the studio July 7th, photo shoot and mastering in LA the following week. Then I'll get the artwork completed and send it in for duplication. Realistically, I'm looking at a release date around mid-August. I'm pushing for sooner though

SkidMcSkidder: Cool. When everything’s wrapped up where will fans be able to purchase copy of the CD, apart from your own website www.kirkrocks.com?

Kirkrockscom: I'm looking into into hooking up with some of the .coms (i.e. Amazon, CDbaby, etc) but for now, the website is the best bet. Tower Records in Seattle will be stocking it as well as several chains in the Detroit area that currently stock my last album "Apt. 19" (Harmony House, Sam Goody, Meijers, Dearborn Music) Any suggestions? I don't have a distributor. I've been handling that on my own.

SkidMcSkidder: Well if you need a UK promotor/distributor you know who to contact man! LoL

Kirkrockscom: www.skidmark-multimedia.co.uk rocks the UK!

SkidMcSkidder: Rock On!

SkidMcSkidder: You have a solid fan base in the U.S. with at least two fan-driven websites dedicated to your music - How do you feel the internet has helped your popularity?

Kirkrockscom: it has helped tremendously. It's not the future, it's here and if you want to succeed in the music industry, you have to get comfortable with it and make it work for you. I'm very flattered by the sites. I've received emails and CD requests from all over the states and overseas from people who would never have heard of me so quickly. I'm learning about more ways to promote my music almost every day. Now the trick is to figure out how to stand out but as I say, "There's plenty of room at the top." I've met a lot of great people trying to promote their music just like me. It's a great support group and fun at the same time

SkidMcSkidder: Even now as we're "speaking" I'm listenin' to a couple of your tracks from your “Apt.19” CD being broadcast on the wwww.bumpskey.com webcast radio show – You get regular airplay on Bumpskey.com's show, in fact that's how I first was introduced to your distinctive sound – do you feel that you've gained many new fans through internet radio broadcasts?

Kirkrockscom:
No doubt about it that bumpskey.com webjay Jerry and his lovely girlfriend Rita have opened me up to a whole new legion of music lovers. I mean, c'mon. I'm doing an IM interview with an ol' mate in England. The exposure is immeasurable

SkidMcSkidder: sure, I mean like I'd never of got to hear the ROCKIN' sound of the Kirkster if it weren't for independent music radio!

Kirkrockscom: you're too kind, but thanks, I'm glad you did, i never would have heard of Shrewsbury, England either. : )

SkidMcSkidder: To round off the questions about internet exposure, how big a part do you think independent music promotion websites such as the excellent www.kweevak.com play in getting you & your music "out there" to the world?

Kirkrockscom: well, that's huge too, thanks to Rich and the Kweevak folks for that. Basically, at this point, it's all about getting the music out there, if it's good, people will respond. They just need to hear it first so they can decide for themselves. That's all I ask. And with contests and giveaways on Kweevak and your site, people do get a chance to hear stuff they probably wouldn't have bought or even known about. If they really like the music. They'll get to know more

SkidMcSkidder:
Yeah I see where you're at - the biggest gift the internet has given to independent musicians is the ability to promote and freely distribute their sound without having their hands tied by the mainstream music industry and all of the pitfalls involved in trying to break through the barriers of A&R, management, etc, etc

Kirkrockscom:
it's a great thing

SkidMcSkidder: So Kirk, how long have you been playing guitar and what inspired you to pick up an "Axe"?

Kirkrockscom: well, I've only been playing guitar on a "regular" basis for 3 years or so, I really just wanted to be a front man but I didn't find a band right away when I moved to LA so I had to do something, I still need to get a lot better

SkidMcSkidder: 3 years? that's amazing! I know musicians who've been playing guitar up to 15 years yet still can't play one original composition. You’re a natural!

Kirkrockscom: I wish I would've started that long ago, it's kinda funny, I don't even know the names of some of the chords I write, when someone asks me, I just put my fingers there and say, "It's this."

SkidMcSkidder: You play a Takemine electro-acoustic guitar - what made you decide on that particular brand instead of say…. a Gibson?

Kirkrockscom: That's a simple one, I had my first gig in LA coming up, first time I was going to be on stage by myself and first time anyone was ever going to hear a "Kirk" original. I was returning from Detroit from a Christmas vacation, I had an Ovation acoustic/electric that I really liked. It never showed up in LA. Stolen! I needed something for my show so one of my neighbors loaned me a new Takamine he bought but never used. Never heard of Takamine but it had 6 strings. I still have it 2 years later. I'm buying him a new one next month. You think I care about brands? I don't even know how to tune the damn thing without my electric tuner!

Kirkrockscom: I just play and rock!

SkidMcSkidder: Do you play any other instruments?

Kirkrockscom: I wish, but no

Kirkrockscom: I want to learn the piano but just haven’t made the time

SkidMcSkidder:: yeah, piano is a cool instrument to play - so expressive

Kirkrockscom: I think it would help with my writing, that’s why I would like to learn

SkidMcSkidder: yeah, I find since I’ve had keyboards it’s opened a whole new experience up to me too

Kirkrockscom: that and it would be cool to walk into some place and impress everyone by playing Motley Crue’s “Home Sweet Home”

SkidMcSkidder: LoL

SkidMcSkidder: You’ve been in the studio a few weeks now - What do you prefer the Most: gigging or studio work?

Kirkrockscom: well, studio work is studio work, it’s definitely more fun to play live. I love relating to the fans and seeing them enjoying the music. Plus it’s nice to actually hear a complete song once instead of hearing 15 seconds of it 10 times in a row to make sure it’s right But my favorite time is coming up in a few days. I love doing vocals in the studio. When I’m in the booth and hear myself in the headphones, I can’t help but smile and I know that music is what I really want to do with my life

SkidMcSkidder: On the subject of gigging, you’ve mentioned on your site about a possible Japanese tour - any more news on that subject?

Kirkrockscom: I haven’t had a lot of time to investigate Japan but after next week, I’ll be on it full time to set it up. The band is ready to go, we’re applying for passports and they’re taking time off work so I better get something set up! I’m trying to get a hold of someone who’s done it before

SkidMcSkidder:Way cool - will you be taking your laptop? Perhaps have a “Kirk live in Japan” report?!

Kirkrockscom: I’ll have it for sure, it’s like my right arm now!

SkidMcSkidder: I’m sure many of your female fans are dying to know the answer to this one - are you dating anybody right now??

Kirkrockscom: No, I’m not dating, it’s been too hard since I’m travelling so much. I guess I’m dating my music career, hopefully the female fans will stick around for a while so I can know that someone loves me, at least a little :-)

SkidMcSkidder: Hey Man, I KNOW they’ll be there – I’ve talked to some of your fans and I can tell you now – you’re here to stay bro! Because KIRK ROCKS!

SkidMcSkidder: Well Kirk, I know you’ve gotta hit the studio again real soon so many, many thanks for talking to us – appreciate it, as I know the fans do too. Be prosperous in all that you do and keep in touch bro – we like to know what hottie #1 is up to! LoL. Peace.

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Virtual Interview conducted using AOL instant messenger ™ 28-06-2001
© SkidMark Multimedia Productions MMI