Musicmuso.com were invited to interview a great band who have a firm belief in 'proper' good old fashioned song writing, recording and performance.

Enjoy....

The name of your band is quite different, what's the origin of that name? Have you changed the band's name before?

A. The name of The Kayas come from Ad's cousin Kaya, who was named after a Bob Marley record. The band name has never changed since it started. It is pronounced 'kayas' rhyming with 'higher'.

Please list the name, age and respective instrument of each band member.

Ad Edwards (22) Lead Vocal/Guitar, Tomos Jarvis (21) Drums, Philie Jones (23) Bass, Duane Williams (23) Guitar

What genre of music do you consider your work to be? Who are your major influences?

A. We would say our genre of music is a mix between Brit/Pop and Punk/Rock. We all have different personal influences but as a band: Oasis, Arctic Monkeys & Sex Pistols.

How long have you all known each other? How did you meet?

A. We all knew eachother from school. Even though we were in different years we all had the same love for music and occasionally met up in the music room and had a jam. Ad first met Jarv in the middle of a fight with him which somehow ended up with Jarv being the drummer and had there first rehearsal the week after.

When did you form your band? What inspired you to make music together?

A. The band was formed in early 2007 starting off with Ad and Jarv, but Duane and Philie didn't join until 2010.

Do you have a record label? Are you a member of any music organisations?

A. Yes, we were signed to Abblet Music Ltd at the beginning of the year. We have a great team behind us who we are working closely with.

I see that you are recording at the legendary Sawmills Studio in Cornwall, which greats who have recorded there (of which there have been many) do you most liken yourself to and why?

A. Oasis are a massive influence on us and to record at the Sawmills where Definitely Maybe was born was brilliant. We watched dvds and videos Oasis released which featured The Sawmills and always had a passion to go there.

What can you tell me about your instruments? (are you subject to brand loyalty or will you play with whatever's available?) What made you choose the instruments you have now? Was it cost or was it a style/model/brand/color preference?

A. Well Jarv has a full endorsement with Premier Drums so he is contracted to play on a Premier kit. Ad likes Line 6 equipment and uses a Fender Stratocaster USA. Philie uses a Laney bass rig with an active Ibanez bass guitar. Duane still uses his Noel Gallagher signature guitar his mum bought him for Christmas when he was a kid. Duane also has Liam Gallaghers Microphone that Liam gave him at Heaton Park and also has Liams tambourine he gave him at Wembley the week after. He also uses a Marshall rig with a Line 6 POD XT Live pedal.

Where have you performed? What are your favourite and least favourite venues? Do you have any upcoming shows?

A. We have played lots of great venues touring with more established acts. Our favourite venue was probably Islington Academy. Our least favourite venue is probably The Frog in Chester. We are on the main stage at Osfest Music Festival on Sunday 29th May which we are looking forward too. We are announcing a full UK tour very soon.

Which songs do you perform most frequently? Do you ever play any covers? Do you have a set play list?

A. We have loads of songs literally hundreds, its difficult to pick a song, trying to pick the debut single was a nightmare, it could have been any of them. We dont do any covers, would be a laugh though. Ad once performed God Save The Queen at Party in the Park with Aziz Ibrahim (Stone Roses/Ian Brown)and his band at that time Total Chaos.

What are the main themes or topics for most of your songs? Do you think these topics will change over time?

A. The songs are about real things about real people and real life situations. The lyrics are very cultured and have references to
relationships, drugs, alcohol and quite a few about Ad's drive to wanting to succeed in the music biz.The songs will always change
slightly as we progress, new inspiration creates new songs. Ad writes few songs a month but always as good as the last. Letting the songs come naturally is the best, the harder you try the harder it is.

Could you briefly describe your music-making process?

A. Ad will write the song on Acoustic guitar, show the lads who will literally just start jamming along. Within 30mins we have a full song pretty much. We will then rehearse that song as well as 2 or 3 other new ones at a time and perfect the arrangements and structure over a few weeks.

What are your rehearsals generally like? Do you have a set time each week in which you practice or are rehearsals more spontaneous?

A. We try to rehearse 5 days a week, we normally start at 12 midday and finish around 5pm. Our rehearsals are quite full on and we get the best out of them. We do argue a lot until the song sounds right. Then we all love each other and listen back :)

How has your music evolved since you first began playing music together?

A. Well we definitely understand our formula of making the songs, it comes naturally. Listening back to old recordings you can definitely hear the progression. The new songs have matured as well as Ad's vocals and guitars which is locked with the accents of the drum patterns. The bass is locked to the drums and the two guitars blend nicely together to give us that signature sound.

What has been your biggest challenge as a band? Have you been able to overcome that challenge? If so, how?

A. We got signed with a small label who told us what we wanted to hear, we made our debut album and then before releasing it they backed out financially which then left us with an album but no promotion. Our dreams of a debut album was to go to number 1 but this wasnt going to happen at that time. We believe it was fate, Ad has wrote so many more great songs as an angry young man trying to break out, if we would of made it at that time then he perhaps would not of wrote those songs in that frame of mind.

What's your ultimate direction for your band? Are you seeking fame and fortune? How will you know when you’ve ‘made it’?

A. To be honest, its not the fame and the fortune, its the big gigs, stadiums that we want, obviously fame and fortune would come with that we would say. Actually.. we want the lot :)

What advice do you have for people who want to form their own bands?

A. Practice makes perfect, watch out for the sharks, always believe in yourself and most importantly, Enjoy It!

Is there anyone you'd like to acknowledge for offering financial or emotional support?

A. We would like to thank all our family and friends for supporting us and a big thank you to our close friend Dennis for financially backing us and believing in us. Thanks mate :)

Any last words?

A. AV IT!!!



Check out the latest song/video from the band;