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Kris Searle has an intrinsic ability to write songs that draw from life experience, Kris Searle is one entertainer who knows how to reach even the most jaded of souls. And, nowhere is that talent more evident than on the British-born artist's much-anticipated U.S. debut CD, “Slowly Diabolical” which is scheduled for a February 2008 launch. Produced by a brilliant and solid industry team in Los Angeles, the CD shows off Kris' brutally honest approach to lyrics, ardent vocals and genuine charisma. Kris has been busy travling between America and Europe promoting his music.
Kelly Dunn: Tell me about your new song coming out, "Slowly Diabolical".
Kris Searle: This is the first song that I wrote on guitar. If I knew how to play the guitar I could have farmed out the song a bit better.
Kelly Dunn: Is this your main instrument?
Kris Searle: I usually write on the guitar but I also find time to write on the piano. As for song inspiration I look for things in my life, things that affect me. This is how my whole album came about, first time relationship problems, family problems, first time I fell love and so on. The best songs come out from inspiration, my first love, relationship problems, The re-mix is of "Honestly". It's absolutely incredible! I'm working with Glass House Media. I'm colloborating with them to write a new track.
Kelly Dunn: Hows things in London.!
Kris Searle: I just signed the contract with Glass House Media. They are also shooting my new video on a bunch of different locations.
Kelly Dunn: So what happens when you get back to the States...
Kris Searle: I'm flying back to my apartment in Los Angeles and crash! (laughter) Actually we are going to release the album in Hollywood, California. I'm rehearsing with my band, and some of them are from American Idol, we have four or five rehearsals coming up soon in Hollywood. We are looking to connect with B.B. King or Roxy. We have sponsors that have a lot . I have contact with MTV in Canada to do the digital marketing.
Kelly Dunn: What are the differences between London and Los Angeles and your music...
Kris Searle: LA is a tough city. For instance, in London there if I get a song played on the BBC then I'll get calls from everyone wanting me to work with them. It's more old school in America. In the States nobody really wants to know, or they don't listen to you ,until you have a really kick butt album, and that's cool too, don't get me wrong...
Kelly Dunn: Does that keep you more focused?
Kris Searle: Oh yeah, actually my main focus was to get this album done so it worked! Without great music you don't have anything. I believe my new album has an 80's, 90's and today feel to it.
Kelly Dunn: What gigs do you have lined up for this year...
Kris Searle:We have some gigs in London September) and in the
States lined up (from May/June). My team are really
focusing on the radio stations to begin promoting my
album. If you're an artist you have to keep playing
dates in the U.S. I have a business visa which is good
for a while and we now work for the entertainment
visa. The visa is good for a number of years. So if
the government sees that I have active performances
and I am promoting my business then they will be more
apt to renew my next entertainment visa. The visa's
are good for two years.
Kelly Dunn: Is that what happened to Amy Winehouse and the awards show?
Kris Searle: Yes! They revoked her entainment VISA and that prevented her from coming to the States. I got sent back twice but this time I got in by the skin of my teeth! (Laughter)
Kelly Dunn: Where is the location of your new video going to shot?
Kris Searle:It's going to shoot in a cafe near outer London. It's
going to be a gritty thing. The scene begins in a cafe
with me and girl. We end up going back to our
apartment and have a huge fight. I don't want to give
it all away until the video comes out!
Kelly Dunn: Did you story-board the video concept?
Kris Searle: I will do a lot of the story-boarding. I
really enjoy the creative part of this project, not
just the music. You can see some images I did
on my website. I wanted it to look like a doodle/kids
imagery. Creativity. A progressive process, like
growing up. I've never done a video before and I'm a
little bit
worried. I hope it comes out good. The problem is it has to
come out excellent.
I
don't want to the video to look less than the quality
of the song, you
know
what I mean?
Kelly Dunn: Video killed the radio star...(Laughter) How long have you been a songwriting?
Kris Searle: I've been writing since I was 17. I picked up a guitar and I began. I started on one of those cheap Spanish guitars with the nylon strings. The fretboard was massive with cheap steel strings. I was writing since I began playing. But my writing really began to take off when I went to college. Lot's of life experiences to fuel the writing.
Kelly Dunn: What was the turning point that made you decide that you wanted to do this for a living...
Kris Searle: After college I went to live with my uncle. I was reading the paper and there was an advertisment for an entertainer. So I called up boss and quit the my job at the fruit factory. That experience was the time I made up my mind to make a life in music. The reason I moved to America was because it didn't feel right in London. It didn't seem big enough. So I took all the money I had and moved over here. People in the States love people from Britain.
Kelly Dunn: It's that foriegn mystique... (Laughter)
Kris Searle: I wanted to add something about the gigs. The main thing is to pursue the radio stations. Once you get the backing of the radio station they will sponsor the gig for the night. For instance, "Tonight, at the House of Blues is Kris Searle brought to by WKNG!". It's brilliant really. Playing little pubs and venues doesn't really do anything for your career. You have to market yourself on places like MySpace and the Internet. But there are so many other things that are going out there too.
Kelly Dunn: What's one of the more interesting things that has come from your ventures...
Kris Searle: I got a call one day from Bonnie of Delany & Bonnie. Do you remember them?
Kelly Dunn: Of course, they had quite an influence on Eric Clapton and George Harrison..
Kris Searle: Yes! Well, she heard one of my songs and asked me if she could write a musical based on the song she heard. So we've been in contact and are working on that project.
Kelly Dunn: That's very impressive! Kris, I see that we are out of time, perhaps we can do this again in the near future. I want to wish you the best of luck on your endeavors. Thanks so much for taking the time to speak with us here at SongwriterPro.com
Kris Searle:This has been great! I appreaciate the time you have spent with me today. This has been a great honor today. Please tell everyone at SongwriterPro that I said hello!
Visit Kris at: http://www.krissearle.com
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