The addictive melodies and soulful lyrics of Seattle-based band, Key Note Speaker, leaves audiences craving more and more from this emerging group. Formed in 2003, Key Note Speaker plays at clubs like the popular Crocodile Café and Chop Suey and continues to create waves by playing live for radio stations such as KNDD and KEXP. The group, comprised of four members, have a dynamic sound that is created by the careful arrangement of each instrument. Their sound pays homage to groups like the Dandy Warhols and R.E.M. yet they produce their own buzzing rock that challenges the bland title of pop and kicks Emo to the curb. Readers, heed my warning, you will get hooked on Key Note Speaker and find your self at their next show singing all the words to their album, Fiction, faster than you can say "Death in Boston."
The members of the band include:
Scott Gallagher on guitar and vocals, Edmund O’ Brien plays bass and guitar, Chris Olson on keyboard and vocals, and Joe "The Beast" Couden plays the drums. In this interview, I spoke with Scott Gallager, the front man of Key Note Speaker.
What are your favorite styles/genres of music?
I like all styles of music, with the exception of Electronica. On any given day I’ll be listening to the blues, then switch it up to a good rock band, and maybe cap it off with some instrumental Emo music. I like bands that have passion and are more concerned with living in the moment and playing a good live show. The problem with a lot of the electronic music is it’s put on a loop and it just goes. There are no mistakes. It’s so non-human. I just can’t get into it.
Do your style preferences come through in your music?
Definitely the rock comes through, but the thing that makes the songs stand out from other music, is the good sense of melody. The songs get stuck in your head, and people like singing along with them.
Do you blend genres?
Creating music is blending genres, styles, and interests all in to one. When you get four guys in a room together, hand them an instrument and tell them to play something it’s going to be different, unless you play in a band where you are trying to "recreate" something. Like the whole "Late 60’s-70’s" revival. What’s up with that? People who can’t create their own sound of music shouldn’t be writing in the first place.
Who are some of your musical inspirations and influences?
Kurt Cobain made me want to switch from playing drums to playing guitar, as well as learning song structure. I played with a couple great singer/songwriters when I was growing up and they taught me about hooks and melody, and what it means to complete a song. I’d also have to say Michael Stipe. He made me want to sing. But, they both have such a knack for being on stage and getting the audiences attention. Michael can grab the microphone, and from the first note that he sings, he just owns the song. Kurt could do no wrong and people would just eat it up.
Any bands in particular?
I would say The Pixies, Nirvana, Hayden, Cat Power, R.E.M., Tom Waits, Leonard Cohen, and Elliott Smith. Those are the bands I got obsessed with. I had to get every song so I could soak it up and breathe it in.
What spurred the creation of the band?
I had this collection of about 30 songs that I had written with my former projects (Slow Driver Down & Coriander). I asked my friend Chris if he would like to play drums and he brought in his ol’ school friend, Ed to play some bass. We originally had two guitar players with my friend Kelly Blanchard (The Meltdowns, Blue Star Creeper), but things just didn’t work they way that I had it in my head. So when I ran into a mutual friend Joe, at my friend’s house I asked him if he’d be interested in and in one practice I knew he was the drummer I was looking for. He was hard hitting, and incredibly skilled, someone who could accent Ed’s great bass playing. Chris was a talented piano player and had a great sense for harmony so I thought it would be best if he focuses his talents on playing keyboards.
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