01/02/2010

K.C. McKanzie Interview: Part Two

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Her main collaborator, Joe Budinsky or Budi, has been quiet until now, careful he doesn’t tread on K.C.’s toes.

“We call our listeners in those kinds of small theatre shows the red wine audience. Do you know what I mean?”

I do know what he means. It’s a phrase that has the ability to express much in a very short space.

“Yes, everyone between the ages of 25 and 60,” K.C. agrees.

When the duo expands to include a drummer, which is often the case – though not on their first UK tour, in November 2009 – K.C. and co often find themselves playing rock venues, too. In fact, anywhere that will have them.

Which is why K.C. and Budi found themselves sharing a variety of bills in the UK, including with Fairport Convention legend, Dave Swarbrick.

And shortly prior to the UK tour, K.C. McKanzie released her fourth album, and the one she definitely seems most pleased with.

“I had done two records in two years beforehand. But now I have a label that lets me take it more slowly and is happy for me to take my time. DryLand is easier to listen to, the songs are more rounded. It’s probably the straightest record I’ve done and it’s a bit more folk-rock, but it’s simple,” she muses, thoughtfully.

“Yes,” Budi agrees, “everything before was a bit more arty, but this is more fun to play.”

K.C. gives the impression that this album was carefully calculated and thought out, not a happy accident, but a meticulous working-out of material.

“Oh yes. I already have exactly what it sounds like in my head when I’m writing. Our drummer wanted to interfere: I’d said ‘no piano’ and he’d said ‘oh please!’ That would be the point when we started fighting.”

K.C. is perfectly straight-faced and straight-talking.

“I’m not trying to fight her ideas,” Budi offers, also straight-faced.

“To be honest,” K.C. continues, “he doesn’t really have the space to put his ideas! My idea is the song, it’s the way it goes.”

To state that K.C. is a woman in charge of her own destiny would not be overblown – she is in absolute control: knows what she wants to sound like, who she will play to and where. She is only too aware of the music industry, and how she will be perceived is factored into her game plan.

So one final thing – K.C. McKanzie doesn’t sound too German. What does it stand for?

“Korean chicken!” Budi butts in and laughs.

“Nothing, it doesn’t stand for anything. It’s a bit of an old nickname, it’s an artist name. It sounds like the music, it suits the music,” K.C. takes the time to explain.

And the truth is not revealed.

Interview by Sophie Parkes