Kellindo and Pure Grain Audio Premiere Video for Debut Song “When Flowers Could Dance”
Out Now via Creative Entertainment Network/The Orchard A Division Of Sony Music
Kellindo and Pure Grain Audio premiere video for his debut song “When Flowers Could Dance” today. See it here:https://puregrainaudio.com/videos/sample-kellindos-blazing-guitar-skills-with-his-when-flowers-could-dance-music-video-exclusive-premiere
With musical influences in the family, Kellindo career started at age 9 when he started singing opera in the Children’s Choir at the Metropolitan Opera House. His uncle Maceo Parker played with James Brown in the 1960s, as well as Parliament-Funkadelic in the 1970s. So, it’s no surprise Kellindo went on to study jazz guitar as well as classical and jazz music history at the Manhattan School of Music. After college Kellindo uncle Maceo Parker asked him to join him on a world tour as his lead guitarist. Upon his return, he started working with Grammy-nominated artist Janelle Monae in 2006, their collaboration has led to many successes. Originally brought on to be her lead guitarist, Kellindo also became a collaborator and co-arranger on the song “Many Moons” from the Grammy-nominated Metropolis album, he also co-wrote “Mushrooms and Roses,” “Come Alive” and “Dance or Die” from Monae’s Archandroid album. In 2013 Kellindo’s songwriting continued to flourish when he co-wrote “Q.U.E.E.N,” “Sally Ride,” “Victory,” and “We Were Rock and Roll” from Monae’s critically acclaimed album Electric Lady.
Still, a key part of Monae’s band Kellindo is also now ready to step out as a solo artist with the release of “When Flowers Could Dance” out now via Creative Entertainment Network/The Orchard, a division of Sony Music.
https://www.facebook.com/kellindo/
The New York Music Roots of Kellindo
Daniel Locke: You were born in New York. Tell me about your view of the NYC music scene?
Kellindo Parker:It’s hard to say since I’ve been away from it for the past 12 plus years. But when I first started performing in NYC the scene was electric and edgy. I would say it has become even more diverse and somewhat mellowed out.
As a child, you sang opera at the Metropolitan Opera House. Can you tell us any stories about this time?
One of the performances that stands out for me was opening night of Cavelleria Rusticana by Piedro Mascagni. This opera had all these professionally trained exotic animals imported from all over the world. Including elephants. It was my simple job, while singing, to enter stage right with this brilliant medium sized dog holding a flimsy old rope as her leash. Well as soon as we enter the stage the dog’s flimsy leash rips apart and she promptly runs to the castle and chases elephants. This is all happening live at Lincoln Center!
What influenced you musically?
The first time I heard the Jackson 5, The Beatles, Queen, Prince, my uncles.
How did you start to play guitar?
I wanted to write songs, so I begged my parents for an acoustic guitar.
Then after some failed lessons with random teachers, I taught myself the basics.
Then learned some licks from some of my favorite guitarists.
What was your first guitar, and do you know how much did it cost?
My first guitar was an acoustic Yamaha. I don’t remember the price. At age 7 the word price meant nothing to me.
Kellindo Parker (credit: Daniel Locke)
What makes a great guitar?
Good wood. The wood needs to sound and feel alive. Strings on a good guitar resonate and sustain. There’s a lot of dead wood out there. Which makes strings sound flat and lifeless.
Kellindo Talks About Being on the Concert Road
What was your first and last concert you went to?
Kiss was the first rock concert I ever attended. I remember my dad making my 8-year-old and I wear our Sunday church clothes because he wanted us to look classy at a concert. He had never seen Kiss before. The most recent concert I attended was Jonny Swim. Donna Summer’s daughter and her husband’s band. They were terrific!!
Do you remember the first performance you did with a guitar?
Yes, I do. My first real performance was in High School. My band called The Mixx performed at a huge outdoor festival as special guests with my school choir.
What college did you go to study music?
Manhattan School of Music Conservatory in NYC.
What did you enjoy more in college jazz or classical?
I played Jazz in the conservatory. We really only studied classical music history in college. But I love both.
What was it to play CBGB?
Intense with high octane energy. Very magical on a good night.
Kellindo and Fellow Rockers
Who was the first famous guitarist you met?
Brian May of Queen, hands down one of my biggest influences.
Jimi Hendrix or Slash?
I can’t compare Dad to his children. Jimi is the father to me on the guitar. He was one of my teachers through his music. So, I can’t compare his era to the present guitarists.
That being said, Slash is amazing! I am a huge fan! He has his own style. In addition, Slash is a major part of a great rock band, Guns and Roses, loaded with amazing rock anthems.
What is your favorite guitar in your collection and how many do you have?
That’s a tough one because I pretty much have my favorite guitars in the world. I would say my Fender Custom shop 1968 reissue Stratocaster just because it was made so well and its old. I also love my Fender 1957 reissues and my Alex Lifeson Gibson ES 355. I have 14 guitars.
What was your first world tour like with Maceo Parker who is your uncle and James Brown Sax player?
Incredible! I thought I saw it all here in America. But everybody needs to travel overseas and see how small and young our country really is.
Kellindo Parker (credit: Daniel Locke)
How did you meet Janelle Monae?
I met Janelle Monet in 2006, thanks to Chuck Lightning, one of the founding fathers of Wondaland Studios along with Nate Wonder. They tapped me to work on music for their Funk Punk band Deep Cotton. Then I started adding my guitar to what was to be the Metropolis release by Janelle Monae.
Why were you mentioned by name on Janelle’s song “Cold War”?
Because my name is super cool!
How hard was it to learn ukulele?
Not too hard. Especially since I altered the tuning just a bit. I learned it just enough to record that Ukulele part for Tightrope.
You toured with Amy Winehouse shortly before her death. Can you tell us any stories about that time?
I knew we were touring with a legend at the time. She was very sweet and shy. After one of the shows, we all had an after-party to celebrate the success of the tour. She told me she never met Ms. Monae because she felt shy to approach her, so I introduced them. It was so sweet. She will forever be missed.
How did you get to record the guitar solo for Sia tune Unstoppable?
I love Sia’s writing and her voice. So, I decided to record the song in my home studio and add a guitar solo to it. Then I posted it.
You’ve played the Voodoo Music Fest, Taste of Chicago and other festivals, do you have a favorite festival experience?
I really had a blast at Voodoo Music Fest some years back when we shared the stage with Eminem and Kiss. Another fave fest experience was when we shared the stage with Outkast at the OYA Festival in Oslo, Norway.
What made you decide to release your first music project?
Being the sometimes over-analyzing Virgo that I am it’s something I’ve been working on for over 10 years but didn’t feel the songs were right before.
What is the process like for you to create music?
It depends. It’s always completely different.
You coined the term Happy Saturday. Have you heard other people use that term?
I randomly saw it on a fellow Strat lover’s Instagram. He would post these awesome pix of his strats on Saturday and hashtags #straturday.
How would you describe your music? And who do you compare yourself to?
I try not to describe it. I want to leave that to the music and the listener. While I don’t really compare myself to anyone, I feel that my music reflects all my experiences and influences.
Any tour plans for 2019?
Yes. Stay tuned 😉
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