Hi Russell, and thanks for being with us today! 2023 has been a very productive year with Kings of Carlisle’s excellent singles “Wasting Time” and “Shout,” and we can’t wait to listen to your upcoming single “Slow Down,” out on the 27th of October! We are thrilled to know more about your artistic journey so, let’s start from the very beginning. When did you discover your passion for music?

My passion for music started very young when I was 5 years old. I remember first learning the trumpet in the 4th grade. I just loved the sounds that it could make and continued with that until I discovered the piano and it progressed from there. I started writing music in my early teens. Although they were not well-written songs, it gave me a platform to grow and learn from. So yes my journey started very early and has never diminished.

When did your project with Kings of Carlisle come to life?

Kings of Carlisle as a music project really came together 5 years ago. I had reunited with my long-time friend and Guitarist Keith Behm. I talked with him about my desire to start writing music again and if he would be interested. He was very interested and that is how this all started. At one time, we were DJs in a somewhat small town, but were quite popular, so that’s how we decided on the name Kings of Carlise. We were poking fun at ourselves. Keith unfortunately passed away suddenly and so I decided for a time to keep the name in his honor. People think because it’s plural that I’m a band but that is not the case. I do all the work myself in the studio. Live shows require some fellow musicians.

Let’s talk about your upcoming single “Slow Down.” Can you tell us more about this release?

Slow Down has been such fun to write and record. The vibe is upbeat and I was able to incorporate some of those loved disco rhythms underneath the harmonics of the song. A simple song but fun and full of life. I was really just sitting at my piano and playing some progressions in the Dorian Music mode. I loved the way this progression worked and was able to write the song fairly quickly. The sound and the rhythm of this song really got me right from the start. The song as stated will be out October 27 2023 and I hope those who listen will enjoy the sounds. 

What is clear from your previous releases is that Kings of Carlisle has a truly unique sound, thanks to great attention to the songwriting and arrangement of your songs. Can you reveal what your creative process is? How does your music come to life?

Yes of course all artists have a process that they use to start and finish a new song. Sometimes an idea for lyrics will come to me, or a melody. I have had dreams and there was music in the dream and sure enough from that dream, a song idea was born. I tend to write the music first and then the lyrics. Sometimes both at the same time. I like to tell a story and write music that supports what it is I am writing musically. Lyrically I try to write in a way that allows for the listener to interpret the meaning of the song in their own way. A lot of times when I finish a song, I will play it for people and I have one thing in mind and it means something completely different to them. Most of my writing is done on piano but occasionally I will write on the guitar. I have found that when I have a writer’s block, if I change instruments it helps me get past that moment.