MC: We hear Reid really liked your video footage and the clip you made of the single, “Come With Me Now.” Is this why he felt he didn’t need to see you play live in order to sign you?
Jesse: The way I understand it is that someone from the management company played him the video and he really liked it, got it, immediately took an interest in the band and took steps to make a deal. And, yes, we did close the deal before he saw us play live. I’m guessing that there was enough confidence in the material and seeing our live performance footage, he felt we knew how to work a crowd.
MC: A year ago you were unsigned and had a ways to go yet. Now it seems suddenly that everything is working. You’re on the radio, you’re on TV, you’re playing all these shows and festivals. A lot of our readers want to know: When do you start getting paid once you’ve broken through to success?
Jesse: I’m sure it’s different for every band, depending on the kind of deal. For us right now, we feel the escalation, [more money is coming in], but at the same time the costs are going up astronomically. I mean, when you talk about going up from a van to a bus, getting a full crew for the road, every aspect, there’s a piece of the proceeds that is now being taken out by a number of different entities. I have a feeling that when we get to actually headline a run of shows, that’s when you really start to make money.
MC: You’ll embark on a tour with Kings of Leon in the fall. Major band. Big venues. How did you guys get on a tour like that one? Do you approach them, do they approach you? Does your manager know their manager...?
Jesse: That was arranged months ago. I believe they were looking to put a bill together and, from what I understand, they wanted a sort of “family band” vibe, you know, and our agent Corrie, she knows the promoters who are putting on the tour and she knows the band’s managers. So she submitted us and fought for us. Over the next few weeks, we worked out a deal and solidified it. We were super-excited to announce it, but couldn’t for a month or two. (Laughs) We had to sit on that news.
A lot of it comes down to connections in the business. But you as a band have to bring something to the table, you have to bring something to the bill––otherwise you’re just being done a favor.
MC: What’s the most surprising thing about being successful? Is it all the hard work that’s still to be done?
Jesse: Well, we were already used to doing a lot of work before we became successful. Moving up from a van to a bus, I never realized how comfortable you could be on a bus! (Laughs) You get these cocoon bunks, really comfortable, and you wake up in a new place, well-rested every day. That’s been a real plus. It’s so helpful to be able to sleep well before the gig.
MC: And the bus allows you to be creative on tour?
Jesse: I think it will. When we hit our stride and get into our routines. At the moment there’s still a lot of work to be done while driving between gigs. The good thing now with the bus is that you can actually get up and walk around, sit at the table, get your computer out and answer emails or do interviews or whatever. That’s the real benefit, just having a place to go. Sit somewhere and do something––as opposed to sitting upright in a van with eight other people.
MC: Are you looking forward to possibly doing some recording on the bus? Basic tracks, at least?
Jesse: Yes, we definitely have those plans, because we’re going to be on the road so much, with very few days off for a whole year. You can’t go that long without having some outlet creatively. So right now we’re trying to optimize a little demo system on the road so we can at least get an idea down. We’ve got some acoustic guitars and stuff in the bus so we can get ideas down, so that’s definitely in the plans.
MC: Now that Kongos is a buzz band, have you been getting gear endorsements?
Jesse: I recently signed with Paiste cymbals. I’m really happy about it. They would have been my cymbals of choice regardless. Danny and Dylan are both working with Fender for guitars and amps and stuff. It’s really cool to be able to use the gear that you’ve always wanted to use, you know, with a little help from the company. It’s exciting for us because we’re all gear heads. (Laughs) We love new toys!
Contact darren.baber@epicrecords.com
To read MC’s April 2013 New Music Critiques review of Kongos see http://www.musicconnection.com/KongosKritique
