KC Jones
Interview conduct April 21, 2021
By Dan Locke
Coming out of Lafayette, Louisiana, K.C. Jones is at the vanguard of this Cajun prairie’s center of new American roots music. Her new album Queen of the In Between (June 18, 2021) features cosmic country and indie roots inspired songs and arrangements with some of the best players in the region. Cool Hunting has the scoop on her music video for the song “Beginnings and Ends” that takes her around the streets of Lafayette on quite the caper.
You are from Louisiana. What is your upbringing?
I’ve been living in Louisiana since 2006 when I came here to study dance at the university and also learn more about Cajun music, and it has been home ever since. I’m originally from Raleigh, North Carolina. My upbringing was a little out of the ordinary with my dad being an Old Time musician and songwriter and my mother being an environmental scientist (but also a musician and music lover). They were divorced from an early age so my brother and I were back and forth between the two and spent a lot of time traveling to fiddler’s conventions and festivals around the country between school and all the normal kid stuff.
How did you discover music?
I was always surrounded by my parent’s friends who were mostly musicians so from birth it seemed like there was always a jam or music party happening, a lot of those musicians are still amazing friends to me and are like aunts and uncles as well as musical inspirations and cohorts.
How did you start to write music?
My dad is an incredible songwriter and hilarious character all around and he would have my brother and I write songs all the time around the house for fun. He taught me you can really write a song about anything and that it’s doesn’t have to necessarily be groundbreaking or amazing every time, it’s just another form of communication and expression that we have as humans. I started writing songs on my own reality in high school but always use it for fun and to play and sing with friends at festivals.
How did you get your first guitar, and do you still have it?
My first guitar was given to me by my dad, it wasn’t an amazing guitar, it was a nineteen sixty-something Goya with a sunburst and I loved the way it looked and I grew pretty attached to it, it’s the guitar I moved to Louisiana with. It was unfortunately broken on a flight to go teach at a music camp (another United casualty :-() but I have since gotten it fixed for sentimental reasons. It may have been a blessing in disguise at the time though because I ended up buying a much nicer guitar after the fact that I absolutely adore.
What is your guitar of choice now? Year, make and model?
My current acoustic which I love so much is a 1965 Martin 0-16NY. I bought it from a friend after my other guitar was broken and it’s an amazing little acoustic, I don’t know what I would do without it!
Why did you decide to use the name K.C. Jones. Because there is a Boston Celtic player who also used to sing by the same name? Also a professional steer wrestler?
Yep, I’m an avid steer wrestling fan, so I really wanted to give that a shout-out since it inspires me so much. JUST KIDDING haha. No, my initials are K.C. (Kelli Christine) and I feel it suits my songwriting projects more because I like the gender-neutral aspect of it, I try to be universally relatable in a lot of my songwriting and I like to reflect that, also the allusion to Casey Jones legends/folk tales, and really I’ve always kind of disliked the name Kelli (there are also a few Kelly/Kellie/Kelli Joneses in the songwriting world).
Describe your music.
I would say my music is somewhere between country, psychedelic rock, and sixties girl groups? Ideally, I suppose if Joni Mitchell and Waylon Jennings collaborated and fronted the Byrds and had the Shangri-La’s as backup singers that would be my dream sound for this project hahaha, but that’s an impossibility AND an unattainably high standard on all fronts. It’s hard for me to really hit the nail on the head with any one genre. Mostly I try very hard to let each individual song become its own entity and to not put it into the box of how it “should” sound or what it needs to sound like to fit in, and the result is usually a mix of all the things that have influenced me sonically and lyrically throughout my life. I’m very focused on lyrics and love the poetry of songwriting so I always tend to let that have a big say in the final product of the song.
What was your first performance at like?
I honestly do not remember where or what that was at all. The first time I remember having to put together a show of original songs was at a songwriter’s night that my friend Caroline was putting together at a bar here in town, and they were very fun but I remember being terrified. I actually saw a video someone had made of it not long ago and it made me cringe pretty hardcore, BUT I’m glad I did it, it gave me a bit of a confidence boost and kind of set me out on wanting to write more and perform my songs.
Do you belong to any to songwriters’ organizations like the International singer-songwriter association, SESAC, BMI or ASCAP ?
Yes, I’m a BMI member.
What makes a good songwriter?
I’m sure everyone has a million different answers for this, this is a hard one. I think what I’ve boiled it down to since I love songwriters in so many different genres that vary so greatly in approach and sound and subject matter is that the main quality that draws me to a songwriter is sincerity. It really doesn’t matter what you’re singing about, if you really believe it and are putting your all into it it is always evident and will always have your own unique stamp on it, and that is what stands out and helps people relate and want to hear the song over and over.
What was the title of your first original song? Did you record it?
I suppose the first original song that I actually named and wanted to play for people was called “Never Again”, it was a pretty straightforward country waltz that I wrote when I was like 18. I do play it live at honky took dances pretty often, and sometimes with another band I’m in, Feufollet, but I have never recorded it.
What is Fiddle Tunes?
The Festival of American Fiddle Tunes is a week-long festival in Port Townsend, Washington. It celebrates fiddle traditions from all over the world, and always has amazing older master teachers teaching them and performing and telling stories, it’s pretty incredible. The organization that puts it on, Centrum, also puts on many other weeks, all with different focuses from blues, to vocals, to writing. The fiddle tunes week is one I have been going to for many years and have made some amazing friends and musical connections there, everyone should go!!
What was it like to be at NPR Tiny desk?
I got to be on the Tiny Desk concert on one of a few awesome tours that I was super lucky to have been a part of the band playing fiddle and singing with John Paul White, who is an amazing singer and songwriter as well as an all-around lovely person. As an avid NPR listener, it was surreal and cool walking into the offices where so many of my favorite shows take place, and interesting to put a face to some of the voices I usually hear daily. Very neat experience overall, really glad to have been a part of it.
How was it to work with Joel Savoy on your album?
Joel and I have been working and playing music together for a very long time, and despite him being my ex-husband he is one of my main musical partners and also one of my best friends. We have a great relationship and he is one of my favorite people to work on any project with, he’s an amazing engineer and musician and always listens to my ideas and allows me to take the reigns while also contributing invaluable ideas and support.
What is the process of writing your music?
Every song tends to arise in a different way, I wouldn’t say I have anyone specific process for writing songs. I do have a tendency to work through some of the songs and then take a break and revisit it, I think stepping away from it and coming back can sometimes be necessary in realizing things that need changing or things that weren’t working in the initial spark of the song.
Who arranged your take on the Rolling Stones “Under My Thumb?
That version of “Under My Thumb” was part of a video series I did during quarantine called “ Covered19” where I did a cover song a day for the first 19 days of April in 2020. The arrangement was really a collaboration between myself, Tiff Lamson (on xylophone), and Russell Welch (on guitar). I sent them the video of myself playing it and let them add whatever they wanted really, then I edited all the videos together, added some silly effects here and there, et voilà!
What is the story behind your video “Where or When”?
That recording was from an EP that I did with my friend Daniel Coolik called “Spirited Melancholy”. The video was my own creation because I wanted to set the mood with a couple of videos upon the release of the EP. I used the limited resources I had during quarantine and ended up with this video using my kitchen floor, some of my own choreography, a psychedelic polyester dress, and my limited knowledge of video editing.
How was it to work with Daniel Coolik?
I have known Daniel for a very long time, probably actually since I was about 15 or so through music festivals, so before I lived in Louisiana even. He ended up moving down to Lafayette not long after me and has been an awesome member of the musical community here. This project really came from him wanting to get better at home recording and us having zero gigs and being bored during the summer of 2020. It was a lot of fun to put together and I think it will lead to us doing more stuff in the future!
Tell me about your new song “Heat Rises”?
I had this image one day for some reason of an entire relationship happening as if the cycle of love was likened to one night around a campfire, I’m not sure why I was thinking of love that way that day. I spent some time with that image and this song is the product of that. I love relating the process and feelings within human relationships to other experiences and images in the world outside of human emotion, and this is definitely an example of that. I’ve always envisioned this as a campfire song with a psychedelic edge and that was what I was going for chordally. Whether or not I achieved it I’m not sure, but I feel like the verses transport me to a plane a little stranger than the normal campfire sing-along.
Tell me about the making of your new album “Queen of the In Between” which comes out June 18th?
This album is something I have wanted to do for a long time. As someone who is in bands and has collaborated on so many albums and projects, having an outlet and project of my own original music is really important to me. We Made this album in the spring of 2019 out at Joel’s studio in Eunice, LA and it was really a product of us being out in the country for a week and bringing all my sonic ideas and visions for each of these songs to life. Everyone that played/sang on this project is amazing and they’re some of my best friends. The creative energy was really beautifully aligned for this project and I’m so gad it’s finally making it out into the world.
What does the title mean?
The title is also the title of a song on the album. The song is about the chronic indecisiveness that I find myself having and that I’m sure a lot of people can relate to. Being “the queen of the in between” would be best described as the person you always know will be open to something new but will also rarely be able to make up their mind about what to do next or where to settle in any way.
What is your favorite track on your album?
That is very hard to say, I love them all! If I had to narrow it down it would probably be between “ Queen of the In Between” and “Lost My Way”
What are you’re feeling about streaming music?
I have mixed feelings about it because while I don’t approve of the microscopic amount of royalties I see from these services, I am a frequent Spotify user and I think the things I’ve discovered through it has caused me to by more records and go to more concerts in the past few years than ever before.
Digital vs. vinyl?
I love vinyl and I have a large record collection which I adore, and I think I will always enjoy the ritual of listening to a record. I know the sonic quality of Digital is having a hard time rivaling the vinyl world but it is so convenient and I use it constantly on the road and to discover new music, I think both are very necessary in my life.
What song from the past is in your mind right now? Moreover, what is the meaning that song means to you?
Currently, I have had Gilbert O’Sullivan’s “Alone Again (Naturally)” stuck in my head for about a week, It’s a beautiful song but for some reason, it is just stuck in there right now. I think the phrasing of the song is really unique on top of the very cool chord progression. I’m not sure if this has any particular meaning to me, but other than really admiring it a lot.
If “Video Killed the Radio Star” do you think that the Covid-19 virus has killed live music? Do you feel the Covid-19 virus going to affect the music business in the future?
I think people will be overjoyed to be able to see live music again so I don’t think it’s killed that aspect of music at all. It has definitely killed a lot of momentum and motivation for artists though, I’ve seen it in many musician friends and even in myself. I think we’re all going to have to restructure our creativity and the ways we get out there and play live music to recover from the past year and a half.
What have you been doing with your self-quarantine?
Outside if the occasional spiraling into self doubt and fear of impending doom I did a few music projects. The “Spirited Melancholy” project was done entirely during quarantine, as well as the “Covered19” video series I mentioned before. I also worked a lot on the final touches of this upcoming “Queen Of The In Between” album.
What is the Covered 19 Series?
The Covered19 series was a series of 19 videos that I did in collaboration with friends by combining videos we made at our respective houses. I learned/performed/edited 19 videos of cover songs from April 1-19, 2020. They were a lot of fun and helped me feel connected to my musical friends even though we weren’t able to see each other and play the music we usually get to.
How do you stay healthy during the lockdown?
I have been riding my bike a lot, doing some yoga, and just trying to cook a lot at home (and resist the temptation of Waitr, haha)
Have you discovered or rediscovered any new hobbies?
Is making Tiki Drinks a hobby??
Many artists are doing nightly concerts over either YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. In October that is going to change at least on Facebook. Facebook is cracking down on livestreamed shows that include recorded music with new terms of service, preventing artists from using the platform for “commercial or non-personal” purposes, unless they have obtained the relevant licenses.
The updated music guidelines state that users “may not use videos on our products [which include Instagram] to create a music listening experience […] This will includes [Facebook] Live,” and stipulates that such content should be posted for the enjoyment of friends and family only.
How do you think this will change the landscape of Facebook?
I think it’s pretty insensitive and greedy of them to even care if people are doing concerts on Facebook honestly, I really try to use Facebook as little as possible, outside of music promotion and staying in touch with family and friends it’s a little too overwhelming for me.
How can bands keep their fans if they cannot play live in front of the fans and sell merchandise to them at the show?
I think that there has been a large hiatus of this but I see it coming back within the next couple years, fans will still be there and there will be new fans to discover! I have discovered so many musical artists this past year because of the free time I’ve had so I can’t wait to be able to actually go out and see them someday soon, I’m hoping other people are in that same boat.
Is pay to play still a thing? Now pay to play also means thinks like playlist on the internet and opening slots for a major band on tour.
Not Sure
What about Holographic concerts in our living room?
Sounds pretty creepy but I’d give it a try!
Governments around the world are hearing the call of thousands of music creators and included protections for the music community in the omnibus bill. In addition to extended and improved unemployment benefits and small business loans for freelance creators, the package includes several bills which the Recording Academy, its members, and the larger music community advocated for. From the Save Our Stages Act, provided a lifeline to performance venues and promoters, to the CASE Act, which creates an avenue for smaller creators to defend their copyrighted works, Congress has ensured that both music creators and those who act behind the scenes to bring music to life are given the support they need during this difficult time.” Do you think this will save music venues?
I have not heard about any of this so I’m not really sure.
Did you know that the Grammys MusicCares can help artist. The MusiCares COVID-19 Relief has helped thousands of music industry artists and professionals during these difficult days. This is the most recipients helped, for any single event, in MusiCares’ history. The need remains great, and these unique times remain critical for music people. It has taken a community uplifting one another to get through this pandemic, and MusiCares has pulled together a list of additional organizations and resources to further support you. RELIEF RESOURCES . Have you applied for it yet?
Yes I love Musicares, I received one of their relief grants in April of 2020 and it was a lifesaver. They have done so many awesome things in our music community, I have even used their MusiCares dental clinic several times over the past few years, so I can thank them for these pearly whites as well haha.
In the past if a musician stop doing music they find a new career. For example David Lee Roth from Van Halen became a licensed EMT in NY for 6 years, San Spitz (guitarist for Anthrax) became a master watchmaker, Dee Snider (Twister Sister) voice over work for SpongeBob SquarePants.. If you can’t do music what would you like to be doing?
I’m not sure what I would be doing, I would probably go back to school for something involving linguistics or study more Romance languages and do something that would allow me to travel to multiple countries. Either that or get more involved in graphic design or film making/editing.
What is your happy place?
Eating delicious food and drinking wine on a patio somewhere.
