Kingswood's Home
Photo by: Michelle Grace Hunder
After the success of their previous singles ‘Burning Holes’ & ‘Good Whiskey’, Kingswood have released their latest song ‘Home’, the fourth track from their newly released album of the same name. ‘Home’ is an Alt-country-rock tinged ode to love, adventure and romance that once was which Kingswood fans are going to lap up'. While the band are in the midst of a huge 120+ date tour, Kingswood kindly took a break to chat to us about the new album, that MASSIVE tour and that time they played with Aerosmith.
For those that haven’t heard your music before, where do you place Kingswood in the genre classification?
Well it’s kind of ever evolving, we certainly aren’t a band that stays in one lane for too long. Our early music was QOTSAesque, second record lead our label boss to believe we were pranking him, it was so different. It was like our Pepper. Third record was a Queen/stadium record. Then we re-recorded that album with just strings, piano, bluegrass style. Then we make a traditional jazz Christmas album. And now we have kind of gone alt country Creedence good times driving down the road vibes. So a show is pretty diverse but the core elements tie everything together and make it all feel like Kingswood.
You have just dropped your new single ‘HOME’, tell us about your new song. Where did the inspiration for the track come from?
Home tells the story of two lovers who run away together and travel the country, roughing it and living a life on the road. But as time rolls on questions arise of what home is to each of them, is it where they grew up, or is it not even a place, is it each other. Inspired very much from my own life and love. It was never intended to be a single but over time it just grew and grew on us. And we eneded up calling the album Home and so many of the songs are written through the eyes of a nomadic cowboy.
“There was a lot of whiskey involved and I think you can hear it.”
‘HOME’ is the first track to be released from your forthcoming album of the same name. When is the new album out and what can fans expect?
The album has now been released into the world. They can expect big souring guitar moments, deeply honest tales, harmony, and full live band feel. It’s all real, live, band in one room playing until we found the magic. There was a lot of whiskey involved and I think you can hear it.
‘Home’ is your fourth studio album , did you approach making this album differently from the previous releases? Was it an easy album to make?
We did, Al created this character in which to tell our stories through. The feelings and sentiments of each song are all true to each of us, but retold though the life of this wandering man. It allowed us to express things we may not have otherwise been comfortable sharing. We recorded most of the album in a ranch in QLD, at the foot of Mount Tambourine. We would write and record in quite a leisurely manner. Unlike the strict hours of a Nashville studio. We rode horses and swam in the creek, and had a wonderful time.
“my favorite song is Riches, which Al wrote about his grandfather. I think it’s just incredibly beautiful. ”
Do you have a favourite track or one that is particularly special to you off ‘Home’?
There are songs that are very close to my heart like Home & Good Whiskey, but my favorite song is Riches, which Al wrote about his grandfather. I think it’s just incredibly beautiful.
You are in the middle of a massive 120+ date tour, with more dates still to be announced for the NT & Tasmania. Are ticket holders being treated to a sneak peek of the new album’s material?
They absolutely are, we play a lot of new stuff but of course make sure to play all the world wide mega hits too (hehe).
What’s the one thing or essential you HAVE to take on tour, especially one of this size?
UNO.
What's your favourite thing about touring and being on the road?
Freedom and adventure. Meeting so many interesting people around the country. It can also be therapeutic, you can get into a rhythm. It just feels good.
What's the worst part about touring and being on the road?
Missing loved ones. Finding good coffee. Trying to be healthy. Not dealing with things in your life because you are just looking toward the next town.
Where was the first Kingswood gig? Was it a success or flop?
Great success, all our fiends and family’s came and we sold out Ding Ding Lounge. We had half original and half chisel/zeplin. It was tremendous fun.
“having been raised on Aerosmith and them being one of my all time fav bands. Doing that show and meeting Steven, and having him be an absolute legend, well that was pretty great”
You have toured with big names like ACDC & Aerosmith, played huge festivals like Falls Festival, Groovin The Mood & Splendour and have been nominated for countless awards. What’s been the highlight of this very successful career so far for you? And why?
Hard to pick one, all of the above were incredible milestones. But personally, having been raised on Aerosmith and them being one of my all time fav bands. Doing that show and meeting Steven, and having him be an absolute legend, well that was pretty great.
Who in your crew or team deserves a shout out but never gets one? And what is they do that keeps your world turning?
Darcy, video/photo/content etc. he’s doing this tour with us and he’s crazy for doing it but he’s working on a special project for a later time.
What can fans look forward to from Kingswood after the album is released and the tour finishes? What else is in the pipeline for the band?
We are back to EU after this tour. We’ll try to record some more before we go, and when we get back some more summer shows I think. More music, more shows. Keep on chugging.
Kingswood Tour Dates - Tasmania and NT dates still to be announced
Interview by Michelle Symes
March 2023