Page 15 - Black Velvet Magazine Issue 106

BV106 pg10-15 Kris Barras Band.qxp_BV106 pg15 02/05/2022 22:22 Page 6

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insight into the song’s background. “It’s about didn’t have a similar way of thinking.” now. The reception to the new songs has been
betrayal, someone who is supposed to be your And what does he think his friends would fantastic, they’ve been the number one played
friend, but isn’t. The old saying ‘Who needs en- say about the qualities he brings to a friend- songs on Planet Rock radio and people have
emies when you have friends like that?’ ship? “I’d like to think they’d say I’m honest to been really, really digging it. When you take a
“I keep a very small circle. I’ve got lots of a fault. I’m loyal and I’m honest; that’s the crux slight deviation in sound or a progression, you
people I know, lots of mates, but actually, when of it. You can always rely on me to give an hon- never really know how people are going to take
it comes to close friends, I can probably count est answer. If you want real feedback, I don’t it and largely, it’s been super-positive. It’s
them on one hand and that’s just how I am. have much of a filter, so it’s all coming out!” opened us up to a bigger audience with new
People see me on stage or they saw me in the people finding us through songs like ‘My Pa-
cage and in the ring and they think you have a he opening track of the album is the rade’ who’d not latched onto us before with the
certain personality, but in actual fact, I’m quite Tquite sublime ‘Dead Horses’. In it, Kris more bluesy sound. It’s all great so far. The
quiet, I’m quite introverted, I like what I like. I’m sings, ‘How do you know when there is nothing tour is looking well, it’s selling well, people are
quite an intense person, I think. I get very ob- left,’ so we ask what gives him the confidence getting more confident now that it’s going to
sessed with things and ideas and I think most that, with the band and ‘Death Valley Paradise’ happen and sales are picking up and it’s all
of my friends are quite like-minded people. that there is something still left in the tank. good. We’re playing bigger venues which I’ve
Josiah (the band’s rhythm guitarist) in the Kris replies, “I’m not cocky or arrogant always wanted to headline, like Rock City, the
band, is a very similar guy to me, a very, very enough to ever be 100% sure of anything like Electric Ballroom. It’s a pretty big deal for me
dedicated guy, and he is one of my best friends that. I can’t control what people think or what and I’m super-pumped.”
and he is super dedicated to his music and his people like or how they perceive something. All And there is plenty for Kris, the band and
production stuff in the studio. I can do is make sure it is the best I can make their fans, both old and new, to be pumped
“It’s not just music people. Ricky Mitchell, it and put it out there. about, and if ‘Death Valley Paradise’ is a sign
he was the band’s original bass player, he’s al- “With regards to the band, I guess we’ll of things to come, there is plenty to be pumped
ways done music as a hobby, but he is an in- know when there is nothing left, will be when for in the future as well.
credible craftsman and builder and stuff like people stop buying tickets and stop coming to Visit www.krisbarrasband.com for more
that, so I think most of my close friends are the shows and that will be the day I’ll knock it info, and check out ‘Death Valley Paradise’, out
like-minded people, driven people who go to on the head, but until then I’ll keep going.” now.
town on things, people who I can relate with. And right now there is no indication this will Words By Michael Coventry

People would struggle to understand me if they be happening anytime soon. “It’s great right
Photos By John McMurtie
KRIS BARRAS BAND