In this interview spotlight, I chat with Kristian Montgomery about the latest release (The Gravel Church), technology, challenges and more.
Full Q&A along with links and music below.
Where are you from and what style of music do you create? (In your own words, not necessarily in marketing terms or by popular genre classifications
I was born in FL my mother is from Massachusetts and my Dad is from Copenhagen Denmark. I grew up moving a lot, Boston, Florida, Denmark and other places. I spent time traveling the world from Nicaragua to Norway.I would say that my style of music is a sub genre of Alt country. I have been in many different kinds of bands throughout my life. I love old school country like Johnny cash and willie Nelson and the founders of rock n roll like Chuck berry and Elvis.but i also love classic rock and punk. I think I incorporate all of those influences into my style of song writing.
What led you down this path of music and what motivates you to keep going?
i grew up singing in church, then high-school punk rock bands, we refine out trade in the dirty little clubs and then when we start writing more personal music the studio becomes our home. My kids inspire me to continue to stay focused and tune out the noise. My best ideas come to me at the dinner table with them
How is this new release different than previous ones? Were you trying to accomplish anything specific?
Yes, the gravel church was pure emotion and I thought it out. This album “Prince of poverty” is organic. It flowed effortlessly and we seemed to have a better formula and less players than last time. It made it more personal
Name one or two challenges you face as an indie musician in this over saturated, digital music age? How has technology helped you (since we know it does help)?
Well, we still use real instruments and although we record digitally onto a computer screen that’s more forgiving the players were authentic and the performances were still strong and meaningful, the touch up were just easier. Theirs a lot of artists out their and I’ve found that the ones who really want to do this for a living are doing the leg work themselves, hitting up radio, newspapers, blogs and journalist and saying “I’m here, im relevant andy story matters” the glitter and glamor is getting old. People are returning to the story tellers, the songs about life they can relate too, things they’ve gone through.
What was the last song you listened to?
‘Be so good to everyone you love” by “The slowgrass rollers”
Which do you prefer? Vinyl? CDs? MP3s?
Vinyl all day every day
How about this one…. Do you prefer Spotify? Apple Music? Bandcamp? Or something
I guess my go to is always youtube because its free but we get more sales through apple but more streams through spotify so its weird. I try not to focus on that stuff because of the ups and downs. One week everyonrs listening then the next week they’re not.
Where is the best place to connect with you online and discover more music?
Facebook is a good spot or our website www.kmwkb.com
Anything else before we sign off?
Just stay tuned, like us on social media as we give away music and merch. Our new records gonna drop in the next 3 months so keep checking in. Thanks for caring enough to listen. It means a lot
